When it comes to weddings, flowers play a huge role in setting the tone and atmosphere of the day. They are a key feature that ties together all elements – colour palette, attire, stationery, venue, and styling – ultimately conveying your aesthetic and the overall feel of your event.
However, I often find that couples are surprised by the cost of wedding flowers if they’re not familiar with the industry.
Growing flowers – especially in Australia’s challenging climate – comes with high costs. From the moment a seed is planted, we’re paying for the grower’s expertise and labour, which is above minimum wage. In fact, Australia currently has the highest minimum wage in the world!
More than ever, we’re being mindful, thoughtful, and sceptical about where our money goes. It’s one thing to hear that a bouquet costs X amount, but it’s another to truly understand why.
So, why do wedding flowers cost what they do? You may have already read my previous blogs on minimum spends and why I don’t offer single bridal bouquets, so now, let’s break down the exact cost of a bridal bouquet.
Consider one of my signature garden bouquets – a lush, abundant design featuring high-end floral varieties. My classic bouquets typically include around 16 different flower varieties, carefully selected to create that whimsical, handpicked feel.
I’ve always embraced using a mix of flower shapes, sizes, and textures in my designs. This variety is what gives my signature garden bouquets their romantic, organic aesthetic, the look that everyone loves.
Below is a breakdown of each flower I used in this particular bouquet and the wholesale cost per bunch. Keep in mind that florists must purchase full bunches of flowers, not just the stems we use in the final design.
Recipe & Wholesale Costs:
- Cosmos – $16 per bunch
- Purple Delphinium – $25 per bunch
- Blue Delphinium – $25 per bunch
- Queen Anne’s Lace – $15 per bunch
- Dahlia – $14.50 per bunch
- Lemon Carnation – $16.50 per bunch
- Pink Carnation – $16.50 per bunch
- Hydrangea – $25 per bunch
- Pink Lisianthus – $13.50 per bunch
- Yellow Lisianthus – $13.50 per bunch
- White Spray Rose – $33 per bunch
- White Hydrangea – $30 per bunch
- Pomponi Gerbera – $16 per bunch
- Peach Rose – $33 per bunch
- Lemon Garden Rose – $98 per bunch
- Chamomile Daisy – $15 per bunch
This brings the wholesale flower cost to $405.50 – with no markup or accommodation for labour, sourcing, prep, or design; just the raw cost of goods.
Then, we add a roll of trailing silk ribbon ($21.90 wholesale) and GST (10%) of $42.84, bringing the total wholesale cost to $470.17.
Now, here’s where it gets eye opening.
With the industry standard 4x markup, which covers all business expenses, staffing, tools, transport, and profit, the retail price of this bouquet would be $1,880.56.
Sounds insane, right? But this is because florists have to buy full bunches to create designs – we can’t just purchase a single stem or two.
Of course, I would never charge that much for a single bouquet. This is exactly why I implement a minimum spend – to ensure that every bloom gets used across multiple designs, and that my pricing fairly reflects only the flowers I use.
Running a wedding floristry business comes with a laundry list of expenses beyond just flowers. Some of the key costs include:
- Fridge cost and external fridge hire (imagine running two commercial flower fridges 24/7!)
- Van hire & fuel
- Insurance
- Studio rent & hire
- Hardgoods & inventory (candle holders, bud jars, tools, etc.)
- Website, POS system & client management subscriptions
- Marketing
- Water & electricity
These business related costs are factored into the flower markup – ensuring my business remains sustainable and continues to grow, not just stay afloat. The cost of your flowers isn’t just paying for the blooms themselves, but also all of the overheads, and the expertise, logistics, and infrastructure that make your wedding florals possible.
Investing in a skilled floral designer doesn’t just mean receiving top quality blooms with meticulous attention to detail. My expertise can not only elevate the aesthetic of your special day but also guarantee a seamless, stress-free experience, allowing you to cherish every moment without worrying about the finer details! Choosing a capable and experienced florist is an investment in creating unforgettable memories that will be cherished for a lifetime.
And for those who are wondering – this beautiful bouquet was $375.
Here’s a flower quote I’m loving lately:
