The budget conversation.
It’s usually one of the first questions that comes up. Sometimes it’s at the very beginning. Sometimes it’s tucked away at the end of an email – “
We don’t really know what we should be spending on flowers…”
Or…
“Can I ask what a realistic budget looks like?”
It’s a fair question. Weddings aren’t something most of us plan every day, so unless you’ve done this before, it’s hard to know where flowers fit into the overall budget.
Every wedding is different
There isn’t one magic number.
A wedding with 30 guests at a beautiful winery is going to look very different to a 150-person marquee wedding. The venue, guest numbers, styling, flower choices and overall vision all play a part. That’s why I don’t believe in fixed packages.
I’d much rather understand your day first, then recommend where your budget will have the biggest impact.
What do wedding flowers actually cost?
One thing that often surprises couples is that flowers themselves are expensive before a florist has even started designing.
Whether they’re grown here in New Zealand or carefully imported, flowers are a premium product. Their availability changes with the seasons, the weather and even what’s happening around the world. Some flowers might only be available for a few short weeks each year, while others can vary significantly in price depending on supply.
Then there’s everything that happens behind the scenes.
Every stem is unpacked, cleaned, trimmed, hydrated and conditioned before it’s ready to be designed with. From there, it’s hours spent creating arrangements, packing everything safely for transport, installing on site, and often returning to repurpose or pack down at the end of the night.
Wedding flowers are one of the most labour-intensive parts of a wedding, and every design is created specifically for one day, one couple and one celebration.
When you invest in wedding flowers, you’re not just paying for beautiful blooms. You’re investing in the experience, the planning, the craftsmanship and all of the work that happens long before your guests arrive.
Where I work best
While every wedding is different, couples wanting floral styling similar to the weddings featured throughout my portfolio will typically average a budget of anywhere from $4,000–$20,000 – quite the span, really.
Every wedding starts with a conversation though. Guest numbers, venue, priorities and styling all play a part, so don’t let a number stop you from reaching out. We’ll always be honest about what’s possible and where your budget will have the greatest impact.Bigger budgets don’t always mean bigger weddings
One of the biggest surprises for couples is that a larger floral budget doesn’t automatically mean filling every table with flowers.
In fact, I’d often recommend the opposite.
I’d rather invest in a beautiful ceremony installation, an incredible bar floral or a memorable entrance than spread the budget evenly across every corner of the room.
Those are the moments people notice. Those are the moments people photograph. And they’re usually the moments you’ll remember too.
It’s okay if we’re not the right fit
Not every florist is the right fit for every wedding, and that’s completely okay.
Some florists specialise in intimate celebrations.
Others focus on large-scale installations. Neither approach is better, they’re simply different.
My role is to be honest about what I think will work best for your wedding and your budget. Sometimes that means scaling ideas back. Sometimes it means suggesting a different approach altogether.
Either way, the conversation is always the same.
Open.
Honest.
And without any pressure.
If you’re not sure where to start, don’t worry about having all the answers before you get in touch. Tell me about your day, and we’ll work through the flowers together.
Image Credit: Susannah Blatchford
Venue: Caldera Estate
Styling: Blank Space Events