The Wedding Budget-Personal Flowers

In a recent blog post I briefly explained many of the aspects of floral and event design. I am going to break down the more traditional floral budget today, starting with your personal flowers. I will explain how much you should budget for each portion of your design and what items you should be considering. Typically flowers in general will be around 8%-10% of your overall wedding budget. That would break down to the following amounts:

$2,000.00-$2,500.00 8%-10% of an under 25k overall wedding budget (based on 25k)

$3,000.00-$3,750.00 8%-10% of a 25k-50k overall wedding budget (based on 37.5k)

$5,200.00-$6,500.00 8%-10% of a 50k-80k overall wedding budget (based on 65k)

$8,000.00-$10,000.00 8%-10% of an 80k and up overall wedding budget (based on 100k)

Your flower budget will most likely be broken up into the following parts:

10-20% Personal Flowers - greatly depending on the number of attendants
10% Ceremony Flowers
5% Cocktail Hour Flowers
50% Reception Flowers
5% Special Extras

These are very approximate percentages as some brides will have one bridesmaid in her wedding party but will want a lavish place card table arrangement which would in a sense reverse her % for personal flowers and cocktail hour flowers. Use the above breakdown as a guideline, but don't worry about it at all if your amounts fall outside of these parameters.

Personal Flowers- 10-20% of your flower budget- these flowers can add up quickly depending on how many people are in your party, how many grandparents are attending the wedding, and the styles and types of flowers you decide to use. Using the above guidelines for an overall flower budget, you should expect to spend the following amounts on your personal flowers:

$300.00-$375.00 10%-20$ of a $2,000.00-$2,500.00 flower budget (under 25k overall budget (based on 25k))

$450.00-$562.50 10%-10% of a $3,000.00-$3,750.00 flower budget (25k-50k overall budget (based on 37.5k))

$780.00-$975.00 10%-20% of a $5,200.00-$6,500.00 flower budget (50k-80k overall budget (based on 65k))

$1,200.00-$1,500.00 10%-20% of an $8,000.00-$10,000.00 flower budget (80k and up overall budget (based on 100k))

Here's a basic rundown of who you might want to include in your list for personal flowers:

Bride- bridal bouquets range in price from $50-rarely to $500.00. More expensive flowers, ribbon wrap treatments and adornments such as rhinestone monograms or pearl studded stephanotis will also help add to this expense. My advice, this is the only place you should ABSOLUTELY splurge if you want to... you are the bride after all :)

Image by McNamara Photography



Image by Allison Hope Photography



Bridesmaids- average wedding will have 4 attendants and bridesmaids bouquet will usually run anywhere from $35-$150.00. The same reasons apply for the wide range of pricing here.

Image by Studio Nouveau Photography



Image by Kim Chapman Weddings



Junior Bridesmaids- not everyone will have any, but typically a smaller version of the bridesmaids bouquet is completely appropriate. Cost usually runs $35-$50.00

Flower Girls- again, some brides will not include a flower girl, but depending on their age and comfort level there are a number of adorable options for flowers: a small bouquet to match the bride or bridesmaids, a basket to toss petals, a basket with flowers sitting inside that can't be tossed- if tossing is not allowed at your ceremony area or your FG is too little to understand the concept of equal petal tossing :), a wreath of flowers for her hair, a pomander of flowers to carry- a sphere completely covered in flowers that is held with a ribbon, and the list goes on and on. Typical cost for this wide range of options is anywhere from $15.00-$75.00

Image by Eve Photography



Image by Studio Nouveau Photography



Image by Allison Hope Photography



Mothers- this season I've had 50% of my mothers choose to NOT wear or carry anything. The only etiquette here is if one mom has a flower the other mom should too- if there are in fact two moms attending. Some brides have step mothers they would like to include, others have a girlfriends of their fathers' that they want to give a flower to. As long as you're not offending anyone with your decision, I think you can do pretty much what you're comfortable within this department. The same goes with the father's boutonnieres. Most moms ask to wear a corsage, a wristlet or to have a small version of the bridal bouquet and the price range for these flowers is somewhere between $15.00-$50.00

Grandmothers- if you are fortunate enough to have your grandmother(s) attend your wedding, it is very appropriate to honor their age and wisdom with flowers. Almost all Grams prefer a corsage or wristlet, but there are a few sprite and sassy Nana's out there who want to wear something in their hair, on their purse, or actually have a small bouquet. Pricing is the same here as the Mother's flowers, $15.00-$50.00. Go Nana!

Groom- the all important boutonniere for the groom. I suggest having his match whatever you're carrying and to also incorporate the same wrapping style if you can, makes such a nice and cohesive look to your photos. Typical pricing will fall between $5.00-$20.00. The price range is dependent on the type of blossoms and if there are any other unique adornments here, just like the bridal bouquet. It will be a bit higher than the groomsmen usually because either your florist will make you two just in case one needs back up, they have to over purchase that particular flower to guarantee it's the highest quality, and they usually spend the most time on the bride and the groom's personal flowers to guarantee fabulousness!

Image by Roxanne Ashey Photography



Image by Allison Hope Photography



Groomsmen, Fathers, Grandfathers- it's usually easiest to have all of these bouts be the made of the same flower and wrap, although some people still want to give their BM something special. No real etiquette here, but the price range will be somewhere between $5.00-$15.00

Ring Bearer- often one of my favorite personal flowers to make because they are usually so adorable and tiny, the ring bearer will typically wear a smaller and simpler version of the groomsmen bout. If the flower is too large or to adult-like for the little guy, like an orchid or calla lily, a simply spray rose bout usually does the trick and they're very tolerant of the running around, falling down, and general chaos that comes with a ring bearer. I would say a price range would be $5.00-$10.00.

Image by Melissa Koren Photography



Additional Personal Flowers- some people want to include godparents, a special aunt or uncle, the officiant if they're not in the military or a member of the clergy since they can't wear any flowers, and some have additional ushers for seating. Readers and greeters might also be included in this list. The pricing will be the same for any of the above items already listed.