In this blog series, Katie delves into one of the most frequently asked questions about wedding flowers: 'how much should I budget for them?' Here, we’ll share insights into how we at Featherstone Flowers approach quoting and pricing, offering practical advice to help you plan your perfect wedding day.
How much should I spend on wedding flowers?
This is a question we hear all the time. While the saying "how long is a piece of string?" might apply, we understand that isn’t helpful when you’re in the midst of wedding planning!
The reality is, you can spend as much or as little as you like on wedding flowers. That’s why we always ask for your budget early in the process. Most couples and families have a figure in mind that feels comfortable as part of the wider costs—venue, photographer, caterers, and so on.
What Does a £4000–£6000 Wedding Flower Budget Look Like?
For this blog post, let’s imagine a couple planning their wedding with a £5000 flower budget. They’re marrying in the bride’s childhood village church, with a reception in her parents’ garden under a sailcloth marquee. They want a romantic, natural aesthetic with seasonal, sustainably grown flowers.
Here’s how their budget could translate into key floral designs for maximum impact:
Bridal Party Flowers
Bridal party flowers are often featured in your most treasured photographs. Within this budget, a typical selection might include:
1 bridal bouquet
3 bridesmaids’ posies
6 buttonholes for the groom, groomsmen, and father of the bride
2 corsages for the mothers of the bride and groom
Cost: approximately £630 (all costs listed are VAT inclusive)
Includes: flowers and floral design expertise, a glass vase placed in the marquee for all the bouquets to rest in during the reception, naturally dyed silk ribbon for tying the bouquet, buttonholes and corsages - colour chosen to complement the palette.
Ceremony Flowers
Ceremony flowers set the tone for your day as they are often one of the first focal points guests notice on entering the church. The flowers here are your chance to make the church feel a little more personal to you, bringing softness and romance to the space. I always recommend placing key designs near to the where you will say your vows, creating a stunning backdrop and frame for those special moments.
For a church ceremony within our imaginary couple's budget, I might include:
A large vase arrangement for the church entrance - if there isn't a suitable spot we often place these on a plinth. The joy of these vase arrangements are they are easily transportable and a perfect 'thank you' gift following the wedding.
Two medium urn arrangements placed on plinths to frame your vows. Using the plinths ensures the arrangements are within the eyeline of your guests, even those sat towards the back of the church and will be captured beautifully by your photographer.
The total for these arrangements would be in the region of £850.
Includes the cost of the flowers and the florist's skill and time to create these, along with the price of the vase and the hire of the plinths and urns.
Reception Flowers
Moving on to the reception in the marquee at within the bride's parents’ garden. Our couple is planning on seating around 90 guests banquet-style at long tables. We, as the floristry team, would move the two urn arrangements to the marquee, and situate these at the entrance to the marquee to create the focal entrance way into the marquee.
To soften the marquee’s high ceilings, we often recommend:
Cut branches or foliage installed around marquee poles (cost: £600)
Or hiring trees, such as silver birch or eucalyptus, from companies like White Stem Hire
These elements bring the outdoors in, creating a natural, inviting space. They also add height, helping to visually fill the open expanse of a marquee.
For the floral elements within the marquee for this budget I would suggest focusing on the tables and creating as much impact as possible here with flowers and candle light creating a beautiful setting for the guests to enjoy the wedding meal.
Tablescapes -
In this instance our couple are having 3 long tables with 30 people per table. To create a moderately full design, I would suggest suggest four bowl arrangements per table of 30 guests. The bowl arrangements are low enough to encourage conversation while still adding fullness and texture to the tables
For 12 bowl arrangements across all tables, the cost would be approximately £1100.
Candles
Candles add height and a romantic glow to your tables. For this setup, we recommend 30 taper candles, plus the hire of the candle holders. Total £185
Total for the reception decorations: £1,885
Labour and Design Time
Creating your wedding flowers involves much more than just buying (or in our case growing!) and arranging flowers. A significant part of your budget goes toward the expertise and time required to plan, design, and execute the floral design. This includes:
Initial consultations, site visits, and design documentation.
Liaising with your wedding planner and other suppliers to ensure a seamless setup.
Preparing mechanics, arranging flowers, and safely packing everything for transport.
Delivery and on-site installation the day before and on the wedding day, including placing arrangements, styling tables, and supporting transitions between ceremony and reception spaces if needed.
Perfecting designs once in situ.
Post-wedding breakdown, including creating bouquets for guests with any remaining flowers, cleaning hire items, and restocking inventory.
For the wedding described, labour and design time would cost approximately £1800, ensuring every detail thoughtfully and expertly executed.
Frequently asked questions:
Would Bud Vases Be a Cheaper Alternative?
Some couples may consider swapping bowl arrangements for bud vases to save on costs. While bud vases can be effective, it’s important to use enough to achieve the desired impact. For a full look, you’ll need at least one abundantly filled bud vase per guest, which can quickly add up.
At Featherstone Flowers, we often create mock-ups of table arrangements during the planning process for our couples to help them visualise the overall effect and decide on the best option for their style and budget.
Can we move arrangements ourselves?
Maximising the use of your flowers is a great way to stretch your budget while maintaining a cohesive look. For example, urn arrangements and large vases used during the ceremony can be moved to the reception space to frame the entrance or enhance the marquee.
However, we always recommend including the floristry team in these transitions. While well-meaning friends or ushers may move flowers, they may not handle them with the necessary care, potentially leaving arrangements damaged or unevenly placed. Our team ensures that each piece is moved safely, and any stems rearranged, so your photographs and guest experience remain flawless.
Why Do You Ask for Our Budget? Won’t You Just Spend It All If We Share It?
Once we know your budget, we can guide you through how your investment could translate into flowers that reflect your vision, ensuring you get the maximum impact from what you choose to spend.
This isn’t a trick question, but it’s something we’ve been asked before: “If we share our budget, won’t you just price everything to meet it?” While we understand the logic behind this concern, it just isn’t the case.
Knowing your budget allows us to tailor your quote to what’s realistically achievable. For instance, if our imaginary bride here dreamt of a full floral arch at the church, I’d let her know that while it’s possible (full floral arches typically start at around £2000), it would mean allocating most of her budget there and forgoing reception flowers. If I didn’t know the budget, I might include both the arch and other elements, resulting in a total quote far beyond what the couple had planned.
Receiving an overwhelming quote like this can feel disheartening, which is something we aim to avoid. Instead, by understanding your budget early, we can help you prioritise key elements, make suggestions to maximise impact, and offer creative solutions that bring your vision to life without unnecessary stress.
So, when we ask about your budget, it’s simply to help us guide you in the best way possible.
What Should I Consider When Comparing Quotes from Different Florists?
Wedding floristry quotes can vary widely, as there’s no universal standard for pricing. Costs may appear under different headings, or certain charges might be added later in the process. Comparing totals alone doesn’t always reveal the full picture.
At Featherstone Flowers, we believe in transparency. We ensure you understand exactly what’s included so you can make informed decisions. If you’re comparing quotes, look for clarity in design details, labour costs, hire items, and whether VAT is included.
Final Thoughts
Wedding flowers have the power to transform a space, evoke emotion, and bring your vision to life. By understanding how your budget works and what’s possible, you can make choices that truly reflect your style and priorities, ensuring every detail feels intentional and meaningful.
At Featherstone Flowers, our goal is to make the process seamless and enjoyable, helping you focus on what matters most—celebrating your love with the people who mean the world to you!
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