George Boyle
Planning a wedding can be stressful, and flowers are an important part of the day. Deciding how many flowers you need can be a daunting task, especially for DIY couples. It's important to consider your wedding party size, the type of flowers you want, and the size of your venue. You don't want to overspend on flowers and have less money for catering, entertainment, or favours. This guide will help you work out how many flowers you need for your wedding, from bouquets to centrepieces, to ensure your day is as beautiful as you imagined.
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What You'll Learn
Bridal bouquet
The bridal bouquet is a key part of any wedding. It is the first glimpse of the bride's floral choices as she walks down the aisle, and it is also the bouquet she will throw during the traditional toss. The bridal bouquet should complement the floral decorations at the wedding and the bridesmaids' bouquets, but it should be larger and more striking.
The number of flowers in a bridal bouquet depends on the type of flower chosen. For example, a florist might suggest between 24 and 36 stems of roses for a bridal bouquet, whereas a bouquet of hydrangeas might only need four or five stems. The number of stems will also depend on the size of the bouquet, which should be between 10 and 12 inches wide. If you are making your own bouquet, you can save money and ensure that it fits your vision, but you will need to order extra stems to account for any mistakes.
When creating a bridal bouquet, you should choose a work area with a table or counter that can resist water. You will need tools such as green floral tape, spears, rubber bands, decorative pins, and ribbon. Start by removing the outside petals, lower leaves, and thorns from each stem and placing them on the table. Then, take your focal flower and begin adding the other flowers one by one, staggering them so that each new layer is visible.
The weight of the bouquet is also an important consideration. While a bouquet of 100 roses might sound impressive, it will be heavy to carry around during the wedding and in photographs. Your budget will also impact the size of your bouquet, and you may need to downsize if you are planning a wedding on a tight budget.
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DIY flower arrangements
Planning DIY flower arrangements for a wedding can be challenging, but it can also be a fun and creative process. Here are some tips to help you get started:
Choosing the Right Flowers
When selecting flowers for your DIY arrangements, consider factors such as availability, cost, and durability. Some flowers, like roses, carnations, chrysanthemums, baby's breath, and leather leaf ferns, are known for their toughness and long-lasting qualities. These flowers can be harvested, stored, and shipped without water, making them a good choice for DIY arrangements.
Calculating the Number of Flowers
The number of flowers you need will depend on the size and style of your arrangements. Consider creating a cheat sheet that lists all the flower components you'll need, such as personal flowers (bridal bouquet, bridesmaids' bouquets, boutonnieres), ceremony flowers (aisle flowers, ceremony bouquets), and reception flowers (table centerpieces, cake table flowers). Then, assign a rough budget to each element to understand the overall cost.
Additionally, think about the size of your vases or containers. Smaller vases or bottles will require fewer flowers than larger, wider vases. As a general rule, make your arrangement about one and a half times taller than your container.
Preparing the Flowers
When your flowers arrive, they will likely be partially closed but will continue to open as they hydrate. Remove any thorns or leaves and cut the stems at a 45-degree angle, placing the flowers in water as soon as possible. You may need between 4-12 buckets (5 gallons each) to store your flowers, depending on the quantity. It is recommended to fill the buckets a quarter full with room-temperature water.
Creating the Arrangements
Start with a vase that has a wide enough opening (6-8 inches in diameter is standard). Create a grid by lining tape vertically and horizontally, leaving enough space to place your flowers. Begin with your focal flowers, such as garden roses or orchids, and then add secondary flowers, fillers, and greenery. For a simple arrangement, a small bouquet may require 15-18 stems that are 5 inches tall and 3-4 inches wide. If using ribbon or twine to secure the stems, leave the bottom half-inch exposed so you can place the bouquet in water without damaging the ribbon or twine.
Budgeting and Saving Tips
Flowers can be a significant expense, so it's essential to plan and budget accordingly. Consider using flowers from your garden or focusing on a single focal area to decorate, reducing the number of flowers needed. You can also repurpose ceremony flowers, such as aisle flowers, as table centerpieces or around the sweetheart table, to save money and time.
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Budgeting for flowers
Another factor to consider is the type of flower and its availability. Different types of flowers have different coverage, so the number of stems will vary. For example, the coverage of a hydrangea will be different from that of a rose. It's a good idea to consult with a florist or use online guides to determine the number of stems required for each type of flower arrangement, such as bouquets, boutonnieres, and centrepieces. When ordering flowers, keep in mind that they have limited availability windows, so it's crucial to get the amount you need all at once to avoid overspending.
To save money, consider doing it yourself. DIY flower arrangements can be a fun and creative way to stick to your budget. You can mix and match flowers and greens to create unique and personalised bouquets and centrepieces. Wholesale flowers can be purchased at flower auctions, but they require proper conditioning and time to develop, so plan for delivery 2-3 days before your event. When creating your own arrangements, it's always a good idea to order extra flowers to account for any mistakes or last-minute changes.
When budgeting for flowers, it's essential to keep in mind that they are just one aspect of your wedding. You don't want to overspend on flowers and compromise other important elements, such as catering, entertainment, or your dream venue. By considering the venue size, theme, flower type, availability, and DIY options, you can effectively budget for your wedding flowers and create beautiful arrangements that fit within your financial plan.
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Venue size
The number of flowers you need for your wedding depends on several factors, including the venue size, your budget, the types, size, and number of arrangements you’re making, and the varieties of the blooms and greens you use.
If you have a large venue, you will likely need more flowers to fill the space and create a cohesive look. Large installations can be made with foraged "tonnage" foliage like willow or tree branches, embellished with deluxe greens and flowers. You can also reuse arrangements from the ceremony at the reception to save on flowers and costs. For example, you can repurpose a welcome arrangement from the ceremony on the bar or place pieces from the ceremony altar in the lounge or on the head table.
For table centrepieces, traditional round, low-lying arrangements can be used for small venues, while long tables can feature garlands of greens and florals or groups of small vases with a few stems each. For a medium-sized venue, you can use more greens and accent them with a few flowers to stretch your budget.
The bride's bouquet is typically the most important and most photographed floral piece, so you may want to splurge on this. On average, a bridal bouquet contains 25 to 30 stems, while an adult bridesmaid's bouquet contains 12 to 15 stems. You can also create DIY bouquets with flower box sets, which come with flowers in a single cohesive color scheme and enough stems to create a 9-10" bouquet.
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Flower types and availability
The type of flowers you choose for your wedding will depend on your personal style and the overall aesthetic you wish to create. Do you want a soft and romantic look, or something bolder? Do you want to reflect the beauty of the current season, or create a look that’s exotic and ethereal?
When determining the number and type of flowers needed, it is important to consider the size of the venue. For larger event spaces, you may want more floral decorations to fill the space and create a cohesive atmosphere. The wedding theme is also a vital consideration—a romantic and lush theme will require more flowers and greenery, while a minimalist or modern theme may require fewer flowers, with more emphasis on clean lines and geometric arrangements.
The size of your wedding party will also influence the number of flowers you need. A good rule of thumb is to count the number of stems you want in an arrangement, then multiply that by the number of arrangements. For boutonnieres and corsages, you can start with one to two flowers with greens, and for bouquets, prepare at least 10 to 30 stems. For a small arbor, you'll need 1 greenery bucket (3-5 bunches) and 20-35 stalks of flowers, while a large arbor may require 2-3 greenery buckets (10-12 bunches) and 100-120 stalks of flowers.
It is also important to consider the availability of flowers and the time of your wedding. Flowers have limited windows of availability, so it is crucial to get the amount you need all at once. Wholesale flowers need to be delivered 2-3 days before your event to allow time for conditioning and development.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several factors to consider when calculating how many flowers you need for your wedding. First, think about the size of your venue. If you're decorating a large space, you'll likely need more flowers to fill the space. Next, consider your wedding theme. A romantic or lush theme will require more flowers, while a minimalist or modern theme may require fewer. Also, think about the size of your wedding party and the types of flowers you want to use. A good rule of thumb is to count the number of stems you want in each arrangement, then multiply that by the number of arrangements. Don't forget to consider flower availability and the time of your wedding, as these can impact the quantity you need.
The number of flowers you need for a bridal bouquet depends on the aesthetic you want to create. If you're making your own bouquet, you can add extra flowers and leaves to give it depth, dimension, and volume. You can also use pre-arranged bouquets, which come with all the flowers and greenery included for a cohesive look.
For centrepieces, it's recommended to have around 120 stalks of flowers. For venue decorations, start with around 75 stems and adjust as needed. If you're creating arbor arrangements, a small arbor typically requires 20-35 flower stalks, a medium arbor uses 50-70 stalks, and a large arbor requires 100-120 stalks.
Ordering flowers in bulk can help you save money. When ordering wholesale flowers, choose a delivery date 2-3 days before your event to allow time for conditioning and development. If you're on a tight budget, consider using more greens and accenting with a few flowers to stretch your money further.
