What is a Realistic Wedding Floral Design Budget in 2025?

As a New England floral designer, one of the most common questions I get from couples is: “How much should we budget for wedding floral design?” The truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. While some wedding planning advice might suggest allocating a specific percentage of your overall budget, setting a wedding floral design budget isn’t just about math—it’s about priorities.

Before I get more into it, If you’re thinking about how to plan your wedding floral design budget, I’m here to help guide you every step of the way. From lush centerpieces to stunning ceremony backdrops, let’s create something unforgettable together! Explore my portfolio for inspiration and ideas, and feel free to get in touch to start planning your dream florals. I can’t wait to hear from you!

Okay, now let’s dive into what a realistic wedding floral design budget looks like, what’s included, and how to make the most of your investment!

Is There a “Standard” Percentage to Spend on Florals?

Some wedding planning guides suggest reserving 10-15% of your overall budget for florals, and while I think this is a good starting range, in reality, this doesn’t always add up. Why? Because floral design is highly customizable, and the amount you spend should reflect how important flowers are to your overall vision.

If you’re dreaming of jaw-dropping installations, like a floral arch dripping with roses or centerpieces that feel like mini gardens, florals will naturally take up a larger portion of your budget. On the other hand, if flowers are more of a subtle accent in your wedding design, you might spend less. The beauty of working with a floral designer (like me!) is that we can help guide you based on your vision and priorities.

Here’s a reality check: the weddings you see on Instagram and Pinterest, with elaborate floral designs and lush installations, typically have a wedding floral design budget of $20,000, $30,000 event $50,000—or more. This kind of investment covers the full works, from ceremony decor to lush reception tablescapes, and sometimes even custom floral walls or hanging installations.

Our clients can typically expect to spend around $100 / guest or more, but even this depends on many things like the amount of coverage and volume to the designs, the amount of elements/ level of detail and the labor and logistics involved.

What Does a Wedding Floral Design Budget Include?

When setting your wedding floral design budget, it helps to understand all the places where flowers can show up (and believe me, there are a lot of them!). Here are some of the key areas to consider:

1. Personal Flowers

These are the flowers you and your wedding party will carry or wear, such as:

• Your bridal bouquet (the star of the show!)
• Bridesmaids’ bouquets
• Boutonnieres for the groom and groomsmen
• Corsages for parents or other special guests

2. Ceremony Decor

This is where your guests will get their first glimpse of your wedding style. Popular options include:

• Flowers at the welcome sign or Entry way
• Floral arches or chuppahs
• Aisle markers or arrangements
• Statement pieces at the entrance or altar

3. Reception Decor

Once the ceremony is over, your guests will spend most of their time at the cocktail hour and reception, so this is where florals can truly shine. Consider:

• Centerpieces (tall, low, or a mix of both)
• Garlands for the head table
• Cake flowers (or even a full cake garden!)
• Lounge arrangements to elevate seating areas
• Floral accents for the bar, guest list or welcome table
• Candles throughout the space
• Flowers to accentuate the architecture of your venue- like staircases and mantles

4. Special Touches

These are the details that make your wedding feel unique and personal. Think floral photo walls, installations around your venue, or even hanging blooms over the dance floor. (These are the moments that guests—and photographers—love!)

By knowing all the potential areas for florals, you can better prioritize what’s most important to you and allocate your budget accordingly.

Prioritizing for Smaller Budgets

If you’re working with a smaller floral budget, don’t worry—you can still have stunning flowers at your wedding. The key is to focus on pieces that will make the biggest impact.

For example, a floral arch at the ceremony or a dramatic centerpiece on your dining table can serve as a focal point and make the entire event feel more elevated. (Plus, these are the kinds of details that show up in all your photos.) You can keep other elements more minimal, like opting for simple bud vases on some tables or skipping aisle markers altogether.

Whatever you are considering, don’t forget to account for the skills & labor involved. I often talk to couples who have a reasonable idea of what they expect to spend for flowers, but overlook the added costs of having a professional handle the delivery, set up, and breakdown of it all.

As a New England floral designer, I always work with couples to create designs that feel thoughtful and intentional, no matter the budget. It’s all about making smart choices and focusing on what matters most to you.

Common Misconceptions About Wedding Florals

There’s a lot of advice out there about how to “save” on wedding florals—but not all of it is accurate. Here are a few common misconceptions I often hear:

1. Greenery is Cheaper

While greenery can be stunning in its own right, it’s not always a budget-friendly alternative to flowers. High-quality greenery (like smilax or eucalyptus) still requires labor to source, prepare, and arrange. In some cases, it might even cost more than a different type of design that is more flower forward. (So, if you love greenery, go for it—but don’t assume it’s always a cheaper option.)

2. It’s Easy to Repurpose Ceremony Flowers

Repurposing ceremony flowers for the reception sounds like a great idea in theory, but it’s not always as simple as it seems. Moving large installations or arrangements requires time, labor, and sometimes even redesigning them to fit a new space. If your timeline is tight, it might not be feasible to repurpose everything. Instead, focus on a few key pieces that are easier to move, like aisle markers that can double as centerpieces.

3. Silk or Dried Flowers are Cheaper

While silk or dried flowers can be beautiful, they’re not always a budget-friendly alternative. High-quality silk flowers can be just as expensive (or more) than fresh blooms, and dried flowers require special preparation and handling. Additionally, fresh flowers bring a vibrancy and fragrance that’s hard to replicate. (There’s just something magical about real blooms!)

Ready to Plan Your Dream Florals?

Wedding floral design is about more than just the flowers themselves—it’s about the artistry, time, and expertise that go into creating something truly special. Whether you’re dreaming of a full-scale floral extravaganza or something more understated, the most important thing is to set realistic expectations and prioritize what’s meaningful to you. Every wedding is unique, and your floral design should reflect your personality, style, and love story. That is why I can only properly advise on budget once we discuss more of the specifics!

If you’re wondering how to set a wedding floral design budget that works for you, I’d love to chat! Together, we can create something beautiful, thoughtful, and perfectly tailored to your vision.

Feel free to reach out to me, or take a peek at my portfolio for inspiration. And don’t forget to follow me on Instagram for more floral ideas, behind-the-scenes moments, and tips for planning your dream New England wedding!