How much do wedding flowers cost in Italy?
Photo: Colin Ross | 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 (true in 2022) 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 8000 euro on flowers. There are exceptions with couples spending under that and way over that budget of course.
Bridal Bouquet: 100-200 euro | Bridesmaid bouquets: 40-80 euro | Buttonholes: 10-20 euro
Photo: Lenny Pellico | Florist: Flower’s Living
Easel décor: 50-100 euro
Photo: Igor Demba | Florist: Roberta Turco
Always more expensive than expected; half arches range from 600-1000 euro and full can be anything from 1000-3000 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 20-50 euro per chair end. For aisles, 250-300 euro per metre.
Photo: Lenny Pellico | Florist: Flower’s Living
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
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 sized flower display could cost 70-120 euro.
Photo: Colin Ross | Florist: L’Oasi
Some florists will also charge transport, set up time and other travel expenses from 250 euro + per wedding. Florists can also have minimum spends that you must meet in order to book them.
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.
While flowers and décor really do add to the atmosphere, it’s true that some locations need less décor than others.
Give your florist free reign to recommend seasonal or lower-priced flowers – you’re paying them for this expertise, why not use it?
Often florists get better deals when buying a lot of the same flower.
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.
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.
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!
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.
If you’re looking for more expert advice, supported by Q&As directly with the planners behind La Lista, check out The Club - our membership - launching soon.
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Written by Lucy White, Founder of La Lista & Wiskow & White, with over 5 years and 150 weddings worth of experience.
