How much do wedding flowers cost in Italy?

Photo: James Frost | Florist: Flower’s Living

Whether you’re going minimal or all out, flowers are an important part of the wedding day. Often seen as expensive, the cost of flowers and expert florists can sometimes catch couples out. That’s why it’s important to understand what they cost from the start, set expectations and budget accordingly.

This article breaks down the cost of typical wedding flowers and items and gives some expert guidance as to how to make your budget work hard when it comes to florals.

Flower arrangements and compositions will flux in price based on their size, the types of flowers you’re using (the cost of those flowers and if they’re in season or not), the skills and style of the florist and the amount of work the floristry team has to put into preparing those designs and the flowers before and/or on the wedding day.

Usually, couples spend between 3000 euro and 14,000 euro on flowers. There are exceptions with couples spending under that and way over that budget of course.

Don’t forget to apply tax - 10-22% depending on the company size - be sure to clarify this before booking!

You can expect to pay between the following prices for these items:

1. Bridal Party Flowers

Bridal Bouquet: 180-250 euro | Bridesmaid bouquets: 60-120 euro | Buttonholes: 10-20 euro

Photo: Red on Blonde Photography | Florist: Giorgia Carolini Floral Design

2. Easel Décor

Easel décor: 100+ euro

Photo: Igor Demba | Florist: Roberta Turco

3. ceremony décor

Always more expensive than expected; half arches are upwards of 1000 euro and full can be anything from 3000 euro + depending on all the variable factors.

Many ceremonies use urns to decorate the space where the bride and groom will stand. This frames the ceremony and especially when using foliage or filler flowers, you can make large and oppulent designs at a relatively low cost. Estimate paying 300-500 euro per urn display.

It’s become custom to decorate the aisle with flowers, either arrangements along the length of the aisle or chair décor. For something on the chairs, estimate anything from 50+ euro per chair end. For aisles, estimate approx 300 euro per metre.

Florist: Flower’s Living | Photo: Barbarossa Studio

4. Churches

Always large spaces, churches are hard to dress with flowers unless you have a large budget. In this photo, you see the arrangements at the altar and surrounding the couple.

This would cost anything from 1800-3000 euro to produce, depending on the florist and flowers.

Photo: Benjamin Wheeler | Florist: Sartoria Floreale

5. Table arrangements

Table arrangements are usually charged per metre (banquet table) or per table (singular/round tables).

Florists should provide flowers, the containers the flowers are in and candles unless you specify otherwise. An average table will cost upwards of 120 euro per metre, even for foliage.

All florists will now also charge transport, set up time and other travel expenses from 500 euro + per wedding. Florists can also have minimum spends that you must meet in order to book them. These tend to be >5000 euro and >10,000 euro.

Florists like Flower’s Living stay for the duration of your wedding and the team can move the arrangements around between parts of the day and completely clear up at the end of each part of the day. This is an exceptional service.

Our top tips for making your budget work harder:

1. Pick a venue that does the hard work

While flowers and décor really do add to the atmosphere, it’s true that some locations need less décor than others.

2. Take advice from your florist

Give your florist free reign to recommend seasonal or lower-priced flowers – you’re paying them for this expertise, why not use it?

3. Use a singular flower type

Often florists get better deals when buying a lot of the same flower.

4. Use filler flowers

Make it clear to your florist what your budget is and allow them to get creative with how they use fillers/ foliage. Stay open minded here.

5. Mix inexpensive and expensive flowers

If you like roses or peonies for example (expensive taste!) try and find a similar flower such as a carnation or lysianthus which can be arranged to look very similar alongside.

6. Create some space

Often table arrangements are spread 1 per metre but 1 per 1.5 metres looks fab. A bit of space allows the table to breath, gives a modern and clear look to things and gives guests a bit more room to manoeuvre their drinks!

7. Re-use your ceremony flowers

Ask your florist if they can re-use your ceremony flowers at the reception or the cake cutting. Repurposing flowers isn’t always possible because of time allowance or wilting in the heat, but it’s worth asking.