For so many of my couples, the journey to "I do" is one of the most exciting times of their lives. It's a flurry of inspiration, venue tours, and dreaming up the details of a day that truly reflects your love story. But alongside all that excitement, I know there are practicalities to consider, and one of the questions that often comes up is about the flower budget.

Talking about budgets can feel a little daunting, but I want to reassure you. A budget isn't a restriction; it's a starting point for creativity. It helps me, as your florist, to understand your priorities and propose designs that will deliver the most beauty and impact for your investment.

So, I wanted to pull back the curtain a little and share some insight into what goes into a floral quote, and how we can work together to make your budget work beautifully for you.

What's in a Wedding Flower Quote?

When you invest in your wedding flowers, you're investing in so much more than just the blooms themselves. It’s a complete, bespoke design service. Generally, your floral budget is allocated across three main areas, plus the essential services that bring it all together.

• Personal Flowers: These are the most intimate and most photographed floral elements of the day. This includes the bridal bouquet, bridesmaids' bouquets, the groom's and groomsmen's buttonholes, and perhaps corsages or flower crowns for other family members.
• Ceremony Flowers: This is where we create the atmosphere for the most important part of your day. This could be two beautiful pedestal arrangements that frame you as you say your vows, a breathtaking floral arch, or delicate arrangements to decorate the aisle.
• Reception Flowers: This is all about the celebration! From the centrepieces on each guest table to a spectacular arrangement for the top table, flowers for your cake, or a statement piece for the welcome sign or bar. These are the flowers that transform a space and immerse your guests in the magic of the day.
• Service & Expertise: Beyond the flowers, the quote also includes the "unseen" magic: the hours of consultation and design work; the early morning trip to the market to source the perfect blooms; the careful conditioning of every single stem; the mechanics, ribbons, and vases; and, of course, the time and expertise of my team to deliver and set up everything perfectly on the day, and often to return later to break everything down.

My Top Tips for Making the Most of Your Budget

Knowing where your budget is going is the first step. The next is knowing how to make it sing. Here are a few of my favourite ways to achieve a stunning look, smartly.

1. Trust in the Season I will always say this! Choosing fresh flowers that are naturally in season is the single best way to get the best value and quality. A dahlia in September is more lush and cost-effective than a peony. Trusting your florist to recommend the most beautiful seasonal options will guarantee a better result every time.

2. Focus on Impact Sometimes, one or two truly spectacular floral moments can have a far greater impact than lots of smaller arrangements dotted about. Consider focusing your budget on the areas your guests (and your photographer!) will see the most. A breathtaking floral arch at your ceremony, for example, creates an incredible focal point for your vows and a stunning backdrop for your photos.

3. The Magic of Repurposing Don't let your flowers have only one moment to shine! We can be clever about designing arrangements that can be easily and carefully moved from your ceremony to your reception. Those beautiful pedestal arrangements that framed your vows? They can be moved to flank the entrance to your reception. It’s a brilliant way to get double the impact from your investment.

4. Consider a 'Bloom & Hire' Approach For many couples, a mix-and-match approach is the perfect solution. This is why I introduced my flower hire service. Using stunning, high-quality faux floral arrangements for certain elements of your day—like table centrepieces or large archways—can be a wonderfully affordable and sustainable choice. These aren't the artificial flowers of old; they are incredibly realistic and designed with the same care and artistry as my fresh creations. You could choose to have beautiful fresh flowers for your bouquets and buttonholes—the items you'll hold close—while opting for elegant hire arrangements to transform your venue. It gives you a guaranteed, picture-perfect look without the price tag of fresh blooms for every single element.

5. Embrace Gorgeous Greenery Never underestimate the beauty of foliage! Whether using fresh or high-quality faux arrangements, incorporating interesting and textural greenery like eucalyptus and ruscus creates a wonderfully lush, romantic, and high-end look. It allows us to build stunning shapes and helps the budget go further, meaning we can ensure your 'hero' blooms – those peonies, roses, or hydrangeas you truly love – are placed where they will make the biggest impression.

Ultimately, your wedding flowers should be a joyful part of your day, not a stressful one. My best advice is to be open with your florist about your vision and your budget from the very start. From there, we can begin the creative conversation and design something that you will fall in love with.

If you’re starting to plan your big day, I’d be delighted to chat about all the options, from fresh to faux.

David