Weddingbee PRO

One of the first questions clients ask me when I begin a new bridal order is Can you give me a price list for your bouquets? The answer is not always simple, so I wanted to share some information about the pricing process and what brides should consider when they are fitting flowers into their wedding budget.

I am often asked, What should I ask my designer when I open a custom order? I could probably best answer that by talking about the questions that go through my head when I work with a new customer.

First, the question of timing. How much lead time will I have before your wedding? Do you need your bouquet early for bridal photos? How many other clients do I have during that time? Sometimes if I am already overbooked, I will accept one more client just because she is so nice or so fabulous or her wedding seems so fun and I just have to be a part of it. So as a customer that is one thing to consider as well!

Next, I consider the cost of labor and materials. I am very familiar with my suppliers and I know which colors are more difficult or expensive to find. Are your tastes simple or ornate? Rustic or formal and traditional? Depending on the client’s tastes and preferences, I can figure the costs of the buttons and fabric they want.

Finally, there is the issue of quantity. Many brides want just a bouquet for themselves and a boutonniere for their partner, and others wish to fully outfit their seven bridesmaids and groomsmen, parents, grandparents, friends, and other attendants. What about centerpieces? A toss bouquet? Something for the flower girl or a ring bearer pillow? I have even worked with brides who wanted decorations for the cake or extra buttons to sprinkle on the buffet table!

…cost of fabric
…customer preference about quality of materials (although I certainly have my own high standards)
…scarcity/demand of colors (do you know how hard it is to find good teal buttons!?)
…the rise and fall of seasonal demand (I’ve had over 60 inquiries for May…and I thought June was supposed to be the busy month!)
…the costs of running a business (ledger books, sales order books, printer paper, ink, gas, packaging, taxes…)
…the cost of my labor and cheerful demeanor
…shipping costs

You can see why it’s difficult to provide a pricing sheet on my website or estimate standard prices! As fresh floral designer Nancy Liu Chin said, it’s almost as difficult as asking about the price of the car!

So, finally, when opening a relationship with a floral designer (whether it’s me or someone else), here are a few things to remember:

1. Ask to see a portfolio of their work. This will familiarize you with their style and versatility, and it will also help them please you if you can point to a few of your favorite arrangements!
2. Find out how they charge for their services and re-check your bill total with each change you make. Using a different kind of ribbon or a last-minute color change can be costly, so make sure you are in control of that information.
3. Can they provide any other cool extras for my special day? Many florists also sell or rent candles, centerpiece elements, ring pillows, trellises, etc.
4. How soon will your designer be able to finish your order? Some brides expect the designer to be finished weeks after placing the delivery, and some are comfortable waiting until a few weeks before the big day. Brides are notorious for being on top of their vendor schedules, but remember to ask your florist this during your initial consultation.
5. And finally, communicate! Ask for samples or swatches if you want them, ask for pictures if you want them, and send information too. Give us pictures of your dress, centerpieces, a picture from a magazine that embodied the atmosphere you want to create. I even had a bride send me a YouTube video of her favorite song that she would be walking down the aisle to! We artists are very visual people, and anything you can do to create your vision in our minds will help immensely.