Average Wedding Flower Budget And Cost
Average Wedding Flower Budget And Cost: Know What to Expect
According to the Bridal Association of America, the average cost of a wedding in the United States in 2006 was $30,000, not including the engagement ring and honeymoon. The average wedding flower cost was $1,970. 55% of the weddings for the same year were traditional weddings and 20% were casual weddings and 25% were unique or extravagant weddings. With these statistics, it can be determined that the average wedding flower cost of $1,970 was for traditional wedding flowers using roses, lilies, and other traditional types of flowers. It can also be determined that if you are planning something more unique or extravagant, the average wedding flower cost will be quite a bit higher.
Determining Your Wedding Flower Cost
The cost of wedding flowers is determined by many factors. These will include the time of year you are getting married. Valentine’s Day wedding flower costs are much higher than any other time of the year. The flowers that are in season will also determine your wedding flower cost, particularly if you have your heart set on a flower that is not in season. Whether the types of flowers you want are grown locally or will need to be imported is a large determining factor in your wedding flower cost. And, of course, how many flowers you intend to use will be the biggest determinant of how much your wedding flowers will cost.
The Florist You Choose Can Save Money or Cost You More
The florist you decide on will be a large part of the final cost of your wedding flowers. Let’s face it, some florists will do a wedding for next to nothing while others will cost so much that you’ll expect to find diamond chips lining the lace hanging from your bouquet. Finding the right florist who can give you the best flowers and stay within your budget is very important.
Once you think you’ve found the perfect florist, confirm your choice by asking several questions of the florist and of yourself. How do you feel when you walk into the florist’s shop? Do you like what you see or are there mostly designs that you just don’t get. If you don’t see floral designs in the shop that are pleasing to you, then the florist’s style may not be a good match with your wedding flower ideas.
How many weddings has the florist done? This is an important question to ask of your floral design candidate. Yes, every florist will do their first wedding at some point, but you have to ask yourself if you are willing to let the first wedding be yours. Ask to see a portfolio of past weddings that the florist has designed. It’s also not a bad idea to ask for references, too. Will the designer you consult with be the one designing your flowers? If not, ask to set up a consultation with that designer. They may have completely different ideas for your wedding. How many weddings does the florist have booked or plan to book for the week of your wedding? Don’t choose a florist who is over-extended.
Making sure that you and your floral designer are on the same page can really help to determine your wedding flower cost. Find a florist who will work within your average wedding flower budget and book them early. A great wedding florist on a budget is hard to find at the last minute.
References:
The Bridal Association of America: Wedding Report
The Knot: Florists: 12 Questions to Ask
The School of Professional Floral Design; Wedding Flowers; Published by Professional Career Development, Inc.; 1994