understanding the true value behind floral design
As wedding florists and stylists, one of the most common questions we’re asked is, “Why do flowers cost so much?” It’s a fair question—and one we’re happy to explain.
It’s important to understand that when you receive a floral quote for your wedding, you’re not just paying for stems at auction price. There is a whole world behind those blooms—of time, skill, risk, artistry, and overhead—that comes together to create the beauty you see on the day.
Here’s a breakdown of what goes into your wedding floral investment:
More Than Just Flowers at Market Price
Please also keep in mind that what you pay for a bunch of flowers at your local grocery store versus from a floral boutique or professional supplier is worlds apart—not just in price, but in quality, care, and value.
Grocery store flowers are mass-produced, often flown in from large-scale farms. They aren’t curated with a specific design or occasion in mind—they’re made for convenience and volume sales.
Florist-quality flowers, on the other hand, are selected with intention. They’re fresher, often from more specialised growers, and treated with care from the moment they arrive—processed, hydrated, and stored correctly to ensure longevity and vibrancy. These blooms are part of a carefully crafted design, not a pre-packed bundle.
So while they may look similar at first glance, the difference in quality, handling, and purpose is significant.
Expertise & Experience
Behind every arrangement is a florist who has spent years honing their craft.
From studying floral mechanics to mastering colour theory, proportion, texture, and styling techniques—this is a highly skilled art form. Knowing how to work with flowers to keep them fresh, vibrant, and beautiful for your wedding is something that takes years to master.
You can certainly buy a bunch at your local grocery store and attempt to arrange it to look styled and curated for your event, but unless you have the skills involved to do so it is highly doubtful that you will get the results you are after for your styled wedding aesthetic.
Sourcing & Travel
Every bloom is carefully sourced, often from multiple suppliers or flower markets. That means early morning travel, time spent selecting the best blooms and making sure they suit your aesthetic and event requirements.
This process takes several days, and as anyone running a business will tell you—time is money. The hours I spend sourcing blooms at the flower market for weekend weddings often mean working late into the evening to catch up on admin, emails, and planning.
Most planners, stylists, décor companies, and florists are small, independent businesses—we don’t have teams of 17 handling our admin (though trust me, that would be the dream! 😊).
Loss Factor
Flowers are living things—and nature is unpredictable. Not every stem we order makes it to the design table. Some flowers arrive damaged, some don’t open in time, and some simply don’t meet the quality we demand for your big day. This loss is a normal part of the process and must be factored into your quote.
Staffing & Installation
Floral styling often requires a team. From prepping and cleaning flowers to packing, transporting, installing, and sometimes even flipping spaces between ceremony and reception—it takes hands, time, and coordination. And that means we have to…pay people.
Overheads & Studio Costs
Like any professional business, we have overheads. Electricity, water, rent for studio or storage space, and all the essential materials needed to keep flowers alive and fresh—from flower food and buckets to cleaning supplies and specialist tools.
Processing & Preparation
Flowers need to be carefully processed once they arrive—hydrated, stripped, trimmed, cleaned, stored at the right temperatures, and monitored for days leading up to your event. It’s a labour-intensive process that ensures quality and longevity.
You’re Investing in Artistry
When you hire a wedding florist or stylist, you’re not just buying flowers—you’re commissioning a piece of art. You’re putting your trust in someone to design something visually breathtaking and emotionally resonant. This is our craft, our livelihood, and our passion. Just like any creative field, the value lies in the vision and execution—not just the raw materials.
Think about how much you might spend on a bouquet to send to a friend or loved one. Now scale that to the size and complexity of a wedding, with multiple arrangements, installations, days of preparation, and a full team behind it—and you begin to understand the value.
Flowers make a powerful statement on your wedding day. And behind every stem is a dedicated professional working to make your celebration unforgettable.
We completely understand that weddings are a significant investment, and it’s only natural to have questions about where your budget is going. That said, when the value of floral work is questioned purely in terms of stem cost, it can feel disheartening.
Like any other professional, we run a business with real expenses, time commitments, and years of training behind what we do. Florals are not just about the flowers themselves—they’re about the design, planning, labour, logistics, and creativity that come together to bring your vision to life.
We always welcome open conversations and are happy to explain how your quote is built. Transparency is important to us—and so is respect for the work we pour our hearts into. Wedding styling (flowers and decor) are a large expense yes, but the value is justified if you take into consideration the hard work and expenses on the suppliers’ behalf for your wedding day.
I hope this gives you a little more insight into what goes on behind the scenes. I can’t wait to style something beautiful and meaningful for your special day!
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Images taken for MODE Weddings by Hazel and Kin Photography
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