When it comes to budgeting for wedding flowers, the key to getting maximum value is avoiding a common mistake that a lot of brides make.
Every bride understands the important role that flowers play in their wedding. For some, that will mean using the services of a professional florist, while others will opt to do their own flowers. Some will use a combination of both. It doesn’t matter, the way to maximize your wedding flower budget is avoiding this common mistake…
“Trying to cover too much with too little”
Here’s what I tell the brides I work with.
Set Your Priorities
Start by splitting your wedding flower budget into these three areas. In order of importance, they are:
- Personal flowers. They are the most important element in the wedding. They have the greatest visual impact, and are also the most photographed. I strongly recommend most of your wedding flower budget be allocated in this area, perhaps all of it, if your budget is tight.
- Reception flowers. If your budget allows, flowers for the bridal and guest tables, because you and many of your guests will spend the most time at the reception. This is an area where you where you can be creative, but also where I see brides consistently over-spending, mostly because they cannot visualize the end result. Seeking the advice of a professional florist will pay off.
- Ceremony flowers. Again, if your budget allows it. Since most ceremonies are held in church, you need to think size – not quantity. It’s usually better to have a couple of larger, more impressive arrangements, rather than a bunch of smaller ones. For brides on a budget, things like pew decorations, candelabra flowers, and unity candle arrangements can also be used at the reception.
Keep in mind, these are only my recommended guidelines. For most brides, they are a cost-effective way to shop for wedding flowers. However, your priorities may be different. After all, that’s what makes you, and your wedding, unique.
