Planning your wedding flowers can be one of the most exciting, yet overwhelming, parts of the wedding planning process. Flowers set the tone for your big day—whether you're dreaming of a lush garden aesthetic, a sleek modern look, or a romantic, vintage-inspired atmosphere. But one question always comes up: How much do wedding flowers cost?
The answer varies depending on your budget, style, and vision. As a bespoke floral designer, I’ve worked with couples across a range of price points, and I’m here to break down what you can expect to get at three different wedding flower price ranges: $5,000, $7,000, and $12,000.
$5,000 Budget Range
With a $5,000 budget for your wedding flowers, you can create a beautiful and sophisticated look without going overboard. The Bay Area can be expensive when it comes to wedding flowers, but with this budget, you have plenty of room to create a stunning floral design that will set the mood for your big day. Here’s what you can typically expect for this price range:
Bridal Bouquet: A gorgeous, lush bridal bouquet with high-end flowers like garden roses, peonies, ranunculus, and a touch of greenery (like eucalyptus or olive branches). This will be a full, well-designed bouquet that feels romantic and substantial.
Bridesmaids’ Bouquets: These bouquets will complement the bridal bouquet but will be more understated. You can use the same flower varieties and greenery but keep them smaller and simpler, giving your bridal party a beautiful but cost-effective touch.
Ceremony Flowers: A simple but stunning floral arch or a statement piece at the altar, perhaps with a few floral accents along the aisle. If your ceremony is outdoors, you might also make use of the natural beauty around you to minimize additional floral costs.
Reception Flowers: You’ll have a mix of low centerpieces with beautiful blooms, candles, and greenery. These might be simple but elegant, featuring the same flowers as your bouquet to create a cohesive look.
With a $5,000 budget, it’s all about making strategic choices. You can create a sophisticated and stylish atmosphere while keeping costs in check by focusing on a few key floral elements—like your bridal bouquet and ceremony florals—while keeping reception decor more minimal.
$7,000 Budget Range
When your budget increases to $7,000 for wedding flowers, you have a lot more room to work with, allowing you to elevate your designs and add more variety and impact to your floral arrangements. Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect with a $7,000 budget in the San Francisco Bay Area:
Bridal Bouquet: A full, luxurious bouquet with a mix of premium blooms like garden roses, peonies, orchids, and possibly some exotic flowers like anemones or ranunculus. Expect a fuller, more intricate design with textured greenery and a ribbon that adds a touch of personal flair.
Bridesmaids’ Bouquets: Bridesmaids’ bouquets will be similar in style to the bridal bouquet but on a smaller scale. These can feature the same types of flowers and be designed in a way that coordinates with the overall theme of the wedding.
Ceremony Flowers: You can splurge on more dramatic ceremony florals, such as a floral arch or large arrangements at the altar. You may also opt for aisle decor, like floral-lined chairs, petals scattered down the aisle, or a bold floral installation at the entryway.
Reception Flowers: Expect a mix of tall and low centerpieces, perhaps with a mix of candlelight and lush greenery. You may also incorporate floral elements into other areas of the venue—like floral installations above the dance floor, or even floral accents for the bar and cake table.
At $7,000, you’re able to mix some larger statement pieces with more subtle accents, and you’ll have more flexibility to customize your floral arrangements. Your overall design can feel more polished and sophisticated, with a wider variety of flowers and a bit more luxury.
$12,000 and above
With a $12,000+ budget range for your wedding flowers, you’re in the luxury range, and the sky’s the limit. In the San Francisco Bay Area, $12,000+ will allow you to create a jaw-dropping floral experience with large-scale installations, rare blooms, and sophisticated details. Here’s what your wedding flowers might look like with this kind of budget:
Bridal Bouquet: A truly show-stopping bridal bouquet, overflowing with premium, out-of-season flowers like peonies, orchids, garden roses, and specialty blooms. You can expect a complex, carefully arranged design that includes a mix of textures and lush greenery—maybe even custom ribbon with a personalized touch.
Bridesmaids’ Bouquets: Your bridesmaids' bouquets will be just as stunning, perhaps incorporating a few more luxurious blooms or unique touches (think bespoke floral designs that make each bouquet special for each person).
Ceremony Flowers: At this level, the ceremony will be a floral spectacle. Think large floral arches, dramatic installations at the altar, or even an aisle entirely lined with gorgeous blooms. You could also consider an immersive floral backdrop or an overhead floral chandelier to wow your guests.
Reception Flowers: Your reception will feature a variety of luxurious centerpieces, including tall, dramatic floral designs that create a sense of grandeur. You might even incorporate floral installations suspended above your reception tables or an extravagant floral garland on your head table. At this price point, there’s also room to bring in florals for areas like the welcome table, cake table, and lounge spaces.
Additional Touches: With a $12,000 budget, you can incorporate flowers into every part of your wedding, from the welcome drinks area to the bathrooms. Expect floral chandeliers, hanging installations, and florals for areas like the guest book table or lounge areas.
This budget allows for a truly immersive floral experience, where flowers are everywhere—creating a luxurious, cohesive atmosphere that feels like a high-end editorial photoshoot. You'll also have more flexibility to bring in rare blooms or designer florals, and there’s plenty of room to add personalized elements to make your day feel extra special.
So how do I decide on floral budget?
The cost of wedding flowers in the San Francisco Bay Area depends largely on the style (including the season) and size of your wedding, but also on how you allocate your budget. As a couple, it's wise to have an open discussion about what is most important to you both and how you envision your day to look and feel. Whether you’re working with a $5,000, $7,000, or $12,000 budget, there are options to create something that feels truly personal and beautiful. And keep in mind, there is always the option to choose floral items "a la carte" if you are planning a micro wedding or elopement, when the scale of the event is quite intimate.
As a floral designer, my goal is always to help couples bring their vision to life—no matter the budget. Whether you’re looking for a more modest floral design or a full-on floral extravaganza, I’m here to help guide you through the process and create the wedding flowers of your dreams.
If you’re ready to chat more about your floral vision or need help narrowing down the best options for your wedding, feel free to reach out. Let’s make your wedding day bloom!
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