A wedding budget should include an actual listing of the types of flowers, places you will use them, and the estimated cost. This accounting of where you will spend your money is created before you buy a single bud. It is a plan that will allow you to choose your wedding flower arrangements wisely and within your spending limits.
The first step is to spend some time thinking about all the different aspects of your wedding day. Try to get an accurate listing of which flowers you want and where you want them. Below is a list of some broad areas to consider using wedding flowers for your celebration.
- Ceremony location
- Bridal Bouquet
- Bridesmaid bouquets
- Corsages
- Boutonnire
- Centerpieces
- Flower girl basket
- Reception decorations
- Pew Bows
Don't add in flowers you don't need. Keep in mind that pew bows don't have to have flowers and neither does the cake table. Work out as many of the details as possible. Make a list of flowers that reflects your style and choices. There will be time to adjust this list and add or delete anything that doesn't work, but the more legitimate the list is from the start, the better.
Next, put a dollar value next to each type of wedding flower arrangement you think you might need. You can find this information by searching the Internet, checking with florists, talking with friends, or visiting a nursery. Bridal books and magazines can help with deciding what type of arrangement you like. Cut out photos and take these into the florist or refer to them while searching the Internet. That way you will get a much more accurate figure.
Once you have gathered all the information, take a look at your projected spending. Is the bottom line a figure that seems reasonable or are you stunned? Now is the time to start playing with the numbers because you haven't spent a dime. If the number seems high, see where you can adjust the figures. For example, can you change your main flower to something less exotic? Be honest with yourself as you go through this process. Go back to that great florist shop you found and see what suggestions they might have. Get back online and see if silk flowers might make the budget work a little better.
To give you some idea of what other brides are doing, the average wedding flower bill is between one and two thousand dollars. Wedding flowers account for about 8% of the total wedding bill. Now, your choices might be higher or lower, but this should help you see if you have forgotten major arrangements or if you might be going overboard.
Brides usually choose to spend more on their own bridal bouquet because it will be a part of almost all the formal wedding pictures. Think about where all those pictures will be taken, as well. You might want an extra arrangement or two for that area and wedding bridal party flowers may need to be adjusted to reflect your desired look.
Your wedding flower budget will give you an idea of how much you will be spending before you make final decisions. Take the time to make an accurate budget for your wedding flower arrangements and wedding bridal party flowers and then stick with it. Not having a huge post-wedding debt waiting for you as soon as you get back from the honeymoon might be the best gift you two could give each other.