The true cost behind your wedding florist

This may be a contentious post, so buckle up buttercup. I know that my profession is often one where our value is questioned. I have been urged to create this blog after BBC Breakfast discussed the cost of wedding flowers and one of the presenters mentioned the premium put on the cost of flowers simply because they were for a wedding. I hear this often and it simply isn’t, definitely not in the world of flowers.

I often get told ‘just pop the flowers in a vase’ and ‘it must be so much fun playing with flowers all day’. But as with a lot of careers my role involves a lot of work behind the scenes, work that you are not meant to see. I have tried to break it down here.

I explain that it’s not the flowers themselves that are expensive, but the services of a professional florist. This is where I take you behind the scenes of creating your wedding flowers to show you exactly why it’s more expensive than that supermarket bunch.

I am sure I have missed out some points but here is my two penneth on the true cost behind your wedding florist. I would love to know what you think.

The cost of your wedding flowers.

Flowers are expensive and quality blooms even more so.

They are a perishable item and require a lot of labour to grow and maintain. They are often imported from different regions, and need special handling during transportation. This all contributes to high costs for both growers and this is passed to us florists. Additionally the cost fertilizer for growing the flowers has increased in price, likewise the cost of fuel, that increase is passed along.

The flowers have changed hands multiple times before I even see them

The bride at groom at Fairyhill with a bridal bouquets in deep red and pink colours

The bridal party at Fairyhill holding bouquets in deep red and pink colours with dahlias, roses and lizianthus

Time spent before the wedding.

This is the scenario: your florist gets ready and prepares for that first consultation.

Following this meeting we time taken to craft a unique design aligned with your vision - write the quote, research possible flowers, checking colour and availability of flowers.

Then there are the subsequent meetings, emails, quote updates and phone calls. Liaising with the church, the venue, other suppliers, managing logistics, this all takes time.

Finally we order the flowers, more emails, phone calls etc.

This is all before we have even touched a flower stem

Bride and groom at Fairyhill, Swansea with flowers in deep red and pink colours with dahlias, roses and lizianthus flowers — Contact

Get in touch to discuss your flowers

Bridal bouquet at Fairyhill, Swansea with flowers in deep red and pink colours with dahlias, roses and lizianthus — Weddings

Everything you need is here

Preparing the flowers.

Unlike shop bought flowers, wedding florals are fully custom and require high-touch artistry.

When the flowers arrive each stem needs to be conditioned to meet it’s own individual needs. Conditioning refers to the process of preparing the flowers before arranging them. Along with cleaning all the florist buckets, this has to be one of the least favourite jobs in floristry. It can also be one of the most time consuming.

All flowers and foliage are pre-treated in water with flower food so they look their very best for the design. All stems are cleaned, leaves and thorns removed and guard petals are taken off.

All flowers and foliage are inspected to ensure they are always of the highest quality. Extra stems are intentionally ordered to cover breakages, bruised blooms and any unforeseen problems.

Don’t forget the cost of trays, frames, tape, ribbon, pins, staples, moss, wire mash etc. used in the construction of the design.

After the vows the bride and groom are hugging in front of guests at Fairyhill, Swansea holding flowers in deep red and pink colours with dahlias, roses and lizianthus

All six bridesmaids and the bride at Fairyhill, Swansea stood in a line, smiling holding flowers in deep red and pink colours with dahlias, roses and lizianthus

Checking in.

The preparation doesn’t end there. Stems need to be checked often. Water refreshed and stems recut. Move the flowers into sunlight/ out of sunlight, depending on how they are doing. We need to be on our toes.

Your florist’s expertise is pivotal here.

Craftmanship.

Florists often provide more than just flowers. Think the extras that make all the difference - the vases, candlesticks, arches and rental structures for installations. These all need to be cleaned ready for this stage.

And finally, it’s time to design the flowers. I don’t think I need to expand on this point.

After the ceremony at Fairyhill, Swansea, the bride and groom confetti shot.

Fairyhill bridesmaid wedding bouquets lined up in deep red and pink colours with dahlias, roses and lizianthus

Delivery time.

Getting your flowers from point A to B in perfect condition is tricky and your florist is factoring in this time.

It takes time to carefully package the flowers and cautiously pack the vehicle to prevent damage. None of this can be rushed.

At last, it’s time to deliver the bouquets and buttonholes, often to more than one venue and finally the delivery to final destination. Time, petrol and mileage is all factored in.

Set up the event.

Each item needs to be carefully transferred from the vehicle to the venue. Every arrangement is revisited before being placed into position.

Some displays are designed on site to ensure perfection.

Everything is tidied up, swept and cleared away after set up.

Bride and groom at Fairyhill, Swansea holding flowers in deep red and pink colours with dahlias, roses and lizianthus

Flower table centrepiece at Fairyhill, Swansea in deep red and pink colours with dahlias, roses and lizianthus — All stationery pictured is ByJo

After the event.

The day is over but not for us. The following day (sometimes the evening of the wedding) we are back at the venue early for the breakdown services. We pick up all the vases, candles etc. Personally, (not every florist does this) I pull all flowers from the arrangements and make bouquets for the couple to take home.

Then it’s home to clean said items. Safely packing them away until next time.

Now post pictures of the event hoping other potential customers will see and fall in love with your work. Spend time on social media, update your website, write blogs - all the time dreaming that this will lead to more business and back to stage 1.

The bridal party and groomsmen stood in a line smiling at the camera at Fairyhill, Swansea holding flowers deep red and pink colours

Cascading wedding cake flowers at Fairyhill, Swansea in deep red and pink colours

When all of these elements are pulled together you have a completed a full circle of design process.

Of course on top of these costs are every day utilities - heating, lighting, water, taxes, insurance, staff wages etc. You know, all the good stuff.

So there you go, the true cost behind your wedding florist explained.

I really hope this blog has helped enlighten you as to exactly what a professional event florists job entails. So much of what I do for each couple is behind the scenes—hidden from view in the final bouquet or buttonhole. Next time you see that bunch of flowers at the supermarket and question why you can’t buy a bridal bouquet for the same cost, please, think of all the above.

And to BBC Breakfast. Please do your research and know your facts before making comments that are misleading and damaging to all us hard working event florists.

Thanks for reading.

Just married at Fairyhill, Swansea with the bride holding flowers in deep red and pink colours with dahlias, roses and lizianthus — Gallery

See more examples of my work.

The bride and groom are just married at Fairyhill, Swansea, the bride is holding her bouquet of deep red and pink colours in the sky — Kind words

Read what my couples have to say

Images supplied by Honeydew Moments

Venue Fairyhill, Swansea

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Picture of Anne-Marie the face of Petal Power smiling and creating abridal bouquet

Hi! I'm Anne-Marie, Petal Power is me!

I run my weddings and event floristry business out of my studio in Creigiau, Cardiff, South Wales.

I hope you have enjoyed reading this blog.

If you want even more prettiness take a look back at my page. You will find information on the latest beautiful weddings I have been lucky enough to be a part of.

Also, you can keep up to date with essential advice, craft ideas, my favourite seasonal wedding flowers and more.

You can find out more about me and my work here.

Anne-Marie xoxo

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Happy anniversary To these lovely people @michaelareynoldsox and Tom. What a beautiful sunny spring wedding. Images by @michellehugglestonphotography Venue @canadalodgelake

Have you made plans for this weekend? I have a few last minute spaces in my floral vintage china tea cup workshop. Celebrate your Mam, sister, best friend and come along. Don't just book an afternoon tea or give a bunch of flowers. Join me, have your cake and flowers too! Get in touch or click on the link in my bio.

Times change When i first started my career as a wedding florist i didn't take any pictures of my work, didn't ask photographers for the professional images or post on social media. It's much harder to stand out from the crowd today. Hopefully my work speaks for itself . Bouquet for the @kate_mcweston at @rosedewfarm

ARE YOU GETTING MARRIED?

I have created a page just for you.

It’s only natural that you have a load of questions when planning your wedding flowers.

Some of the most common questions that keep cropping up I have already answered. You will find this page helpful; to read more CLICK HERE

I have written so many blogs, take a few moments and have a good look.

But if you are thinking of getting married at Fairyhill like the wedding images on this blog then you need to take a look at some real life wedding inspiration with this beautiful wedding.

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