How Much Do Wedding Flowers Cost? + UK Average Spend in 2021

Want the scoop on the cost of wedding flowers? I hear you, planning for your wedding budget and working out the cost of a wedding is tricky!

However, I am here to give the lowdown on wedding flower prices and help you to determine your flower budget.

As well as help you to work out what exactly you can get flower-wise on your budget.

We’ve all spent hours on Instagram and Pinterest drooling over immense flower arches, installations and voluminous bouquets. But are they realistic and achievable for most couples in the UK?

Photo: Rich Howman via Meadowscape Wedding

 

How Much Do Wedding Flowers Cost?

To put it simply wedding flowers can cost as little as you like. You could spend £50 on buying your own flowers and arranging them. Or spend £400 to get some of your flower wishlist all the way up to £2000+ on a full wedding flower package.

What Is The Average Cost Of Wedding Flowers In The UK In 2021?

According to Bridebook’s January 2022 survey of nearly 5,500 UK couples, the average wedding florist spend was £786.

The most expensive with the average cost of a florist in London being £1158 and Scotland the cheapest at £608.

Interestingly they also found that 73% of couples surveyed hired a florist, which means that 24% of couples decided to DIY their wedding flowers.

However, this is an average figure and is to be taken with a pinch of salt. Some couples opt for no flowers which means they spend £0 on blooms while others spend £10,000+ on their wedding flowers.

That’s absolutely fine! There are no rules around what you should or should not be spending on your wedding flowers. It comes down to personal choice and your budget.

Photo: Cotton Candy Photography via Rustic Tipi Wedding

 

There are also reports of flower shortages, which could well push prices up on flowers, so do bear this in mind when you get your quotes back from florists.

No matter your flower budget, there are ways and means to get your dream blooms, and I’ll share how!

 

How Much Did My Wedding Flowers Cost?

I was married back in 2015, so be aware that costs will have increased since then. Our wedding was also pretty unique in that we got married alone in a secret woodland ceremony. Then a few weeks later we had a relaxed evening party.

We had one bouquet, two flower crowns (one for each wedding event), two buttonholes and DIY flower buckets (I arranged these flowers myself) for 50 bottles/jars. This came in at under £350.

Flowers were my biggest must-have and I am flower crazy! I would have loved a massive flower installation, however, having only an evening party it didn’t seem right to spend here. So we had to compromise and used other decor instead.

Photo of our wedding table flowers I arranged by Alexa Loy in DIY spray painted bottles

 

That being said, the flowers and my bouquet especially were one of my favourite things ever. I’d definitely recommend preserving your wedding bouquet too!

What I would say though, as much as I enjoyed DIYing the table flowers, it was stressful! I was arranging the flowers, pretty much on my own (from what I remember) for what felt like hours before the party.

I then had limited time to get ready and was pretty worn out, so do consider the DIY option and whether anyone can give you a hand if you go down that path. Another point to make is that the majority of my flowers were seasonal and local which could have had a cost impact.

 

Wedding Flowers Cost Breakdown

Let’s take a look at wedding flower costs by item and break down the prices a little further. I’ve researched costs, as well as used common sense. These are estimated figures that will vary when you get real-life quotes but hopefully will allow you to mitigate your floral expectations.

Please note these figures may change and may vary depending on many external factors so do take them with a pinch of salt. The flowers featured in the images are for illustrative purposes and are not related to the flower costs mentioned.

Flower Arrangement Type	Minimum Spend	Could Spend
Bouquet	£80	£175+
Bridesmaid Bouquet	£40	£100+
Flower Girl Bouquet	£20	£60+
Flower Crown	£40	£70+
Buttonhole	£8	£25+
Flower Arch	£400	£800+
Pew End/Chair Flowers	£20	£40+
Pedestal/Large Arrangement	£100	£300+
Registry/Windowsill Table Flowers	£40	£150+
Table Centrepiece	£35	£250+
Cake Topper	£15	£30+
Garlands (per meter)	£15	£50+
Suspended Flowers	£400	£1000+

Wedding Bouquet Cost – Bride

The bridal bouquet is going to cost you in the region of £80-100 and up to £175+ depending on the flower choice, size and shape of the bouquet.

Photo: Jonny MP via Colourful Back Garden Wedding

 

Wedding Bouquet Cost – Bridesmaid

Bridesmaid bouquets are going to come in at less than the bridal bouquet as typically they are simpler and smaller. Complimentary to the main bouquet rather than equal.

You can expect to pay £40-£100+ on each bouquet.

Photo: Aurora Grey Photography via Norfolk Barn Wedding

 

Wedding Bouquet Cost – Flower Girl/Junior Bridesmaid

Depending on whether you’d like a flower wand, basket or posy for your flower girls, costs can range from £20-£60+ for each flower arrangement.

Photo: Stephanie Swann Weddings via Homemade Pastel Floral Wedding

 

Wedding Flower Crown Cost

The crowning glory of a floral bride look, a flower crown could set you back around £40-£70+.

Photo: Robin Studios via Rock Weddings Cornwall

 

Buttonhole Flower Cost

Buttonholes are going to cost in the region of £8-£25+, not too expensive, but if you are looking for many costs can soon add up.

Photo: Laura Debourde Photography via Two Woods Estate Wedding

 

Ceremony Flower Cost

Ceremony wedding flowers cost £500-£1000+ depending on the number of flower arrangements or types of flower arrangements you’re looking for.

Here’s a cost breakdown:

• Flower Arch £400-£800+
• Pew End/Chair Flowers £20-£40+ each
• Pedestal/Top Of Aisle Arrangement £100-£300+ each
• Registry/Windowsill Table Flowers £40-£150+ each

📌 Don’t forget to check out my church wedding flower inspiration to help you nail down your church flower look.

Photo: Pear & Bear Photography via Wollaton Hall Wedding

 

Reception Flower Cost

Reception flowers can wildly vary in price depending on the number of flower arrangements. But expect to pay between £200-£800+.

Reception flowers cosst breakdown:

• Flower Arch £400-£800+
• Centrepiece £35-£250+ each (from jam jars to tall statement arrangements)
• Cake Topper £15-30+
• Garlands £15-£50+ per meter
• Suspended Flowers £400-£1000+

Photo: Sugarbird Photography via Cherry Blossom Wedding Ideas

 

What Impacts The Cost Of Wedding Flowers?

There are key elements that will have an effect on the cost of wedding flowers:

• The number of flower arrangements
• The type of flowers chosen
• The size of flower arrangements
• The florist
• The season
• The location

The number of flowers you choose will ultimately push up your floral bill. Typically more flowers equal a large cost impact.

The same goes for the size of arrangements, if you go for small, simple arrangements, this is likely to work out more cost-effective.

Then there is your location and chosen florist. Every florist has different price points depending on where they source flowers, their business overheads and the demand they get for their services.

If you are in a city location, especially in London, prices are likely to be higher than in rural Scotland for example.

Photo: The Light Painters via DIY Autumn Wedding

 

And finally, prices of flowers fluctuate depending on the flowers you choose. If you choose out of season flowers, they will need to be imported and could cost more (as well as being non-eco-friendly).

If you opt for locally grown, seasonal flowers and are flexible about the end flower choice, you could save on your budget.

Demand for flowers also plays a role. Flowers are often auctioned, so depending on demand, flower prices can go up and down.

Photo: Chloe Lee Photography via Bright Camp Festival Wedding

 

How To Save Money On Wedding Flowers

There are several ways to cut costs on your wedding flowers. Here are my top tips to help.

1.  Carefully Consider Quantity

Do you really need every single flower arrangement possible for your ceremony room? Or could one beautiful arrangement create the atmosphere you are looking for?

Could you switch bridesmaid bouquets for a more inexpensive wrist corsage or make DIY bouquets floral or non-floral?

Could you switch from having flowers on every table to every other table and use other decor instead?

Don’t be afraid to think out of the box and come up with alternative options that are going to suit your day.

2. Choose Seasonal & Local Flowers

Choosing seasonal and local flowers could not only have savings on your wallet. But it reduces air miles (better for the planet) and you support local growers.

There are lots of flower farms up and down the UK growing the most beautiful blooms.

3. Think About Greenery, Grass & Dried Flowers

Instead of typical flowers with petals, how about using greenery, grasses (such as pampas grass) and dried wedding flowers? These have all been really popular in recent years and the results can look incredible!

Greenery can be easily foraged (ask for permission from the landowner) and dried flowers ordered and arranged in advance.

4. DIY or Grown Your Own Flowers

Not for the faint-hearted, growing your own flowers or buying flowers and arranging yourself takes time and skill.

But with enough pre-planning and a little learning (think about taking a flower course/workshop locally) you could save hundreds if not thousands of pounds.

Be sure to rope in some willing helpers to help set up and arrange before and on the wedding day itself.

5. Flexible Arrangements

Opt for flower arrangements that are multi-use. A statement flower arch or moon gate that can go from ceremony to reception. As well as standalone flower arrangements that can be moved.

Pop bouquets in vases on tables so they get used during the reception as a gorgeous standalone arrangement. Or gift centrepieces to loved ones to take home later on.

6. Work With Your Florist

Be honest with your florist and share your top budget for blooms. They will advise on the best way to maximise your budget and could suggest flower swaps to save.

They are the experts, so trust and lean on them for their skill and expertise.

 

 

 

Further Reading