UK wedding flowers typically cost £800–£2,500 for a mid-range wedding, with larger or more elaborate floral schemes reaching £4,000–£8,000+. Most couples underestimate floral costs at the start of planning — flowers usually account for 8–12% of the total wedding budget, often more than expected.
Average UK wedding flower costs by item (2026)
| Arrangement | Average Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bridal bouquet | £150 – £400 | Cascading and garden styles at higher end |
| Bridesmaid bouquets (each) | £60 – £120 | Smaller than bridal; typically 2–4 bouquets |
| Buttonholes / boutonnieres (each) | £12 – £25 | For groom, groomsmen, fathers; 4–8 typically |
| Flower girl basket / petals | £30 – £70 | Optional |
| Ceremony arch / floral backdrop | £400 – £1,500 | Biggest single item; depends on scale |
| Ceremony aisle decorations (per pew) | £15 – £40 | Typically 8–16 pews |
| Top table arrangement | £80 – £250 | Long garland styles at higher end |
| Round table centrepieces (each) | £60 – £200 | Low arrangements cheaper than tall; 8–15 tables typical |
| Cake flowers (fresh) | £40 – £120 | Simple spray to elaborate arrangement |
| Venue entrance / door arrangement | £100 – £400 | Optional; high visual impact |
Total floral budget for a 100-guest wedding
| Budget Level | What's Included | Estimated Total |
|---|---|---|
| Tight (£800–£1,200) | Bridal bouquet, 2 bridesmaid bouquets, 4 buttonholes, simple table arrangements, no ceremony arch | ~£900 |
| Mid-range (£1,500–£2,500) | Bridal bouquet, 3 bridesmaid bouquets, 6 buttonholes, ceremony aisle decorations, 10 table centrepieces, top table arrangement | ~£2,000 |
| Full (£3,000–£5,000) | Full bridal party, ceremony arch, aisle, 12 centrepieces, top table garland, entrance arrangement, cake flowers | ~£3,800 |
| Elaborate (£6,000+) | Lush installations, hanging arrangements, floral ceilings, full ceremony and reception floral design | £6,000+ |
The florist's perspective: Florists quote based on your flower species, scale, and their labour time — not just the number of stems. Labour often accounts for 40–60% of a floral quote. Large, complex arrangements require more time, not just more flowers.
What drives wedding flower costs up
Flower species
Peonies, garden roses, and ranunculus are among the most popular wedding flowers — and among the most expensive, especially out of season. Carnations, chrysanthemums, alstroemeria, and seasonal foliage are significantly cheaper and have improved dramatically in quality and availability.
Seasonality
Flowers in season cost less and look better. UK-grown flowers at their natural peak: peonies (May–June), sweet peas (June–August), dahlias (August–October). Out-of-season flowers are imported, which raises cost and reduces quality.
Ceremony arch and installations
A lush floral arch or suspended ceiling installation is the single item most likely to blow a floral budget. They create a huge impact in photos but also represent the most expensive, labour-intensive work a florist does. If you want one, prioritise it explicitly in your budget — and consider whether you can simplify other elements to compensate.
Florist's minimum order value
Many experienced UK wedding florists have minimum order values of £1,500–£3,000. If your budget is under this, you may need to work with a less established florist or consider a DIY element.
How to reduce wedding flower costs
- Choose seasonal, locally grown flowers— Work with your florist on what's naturally available for your month. UK growers like Flowers from the Farm offer beautiful seasonal blooms often cheaper than imported equivalents.
- Use greenery and foliage as filler — Eucalyptus, ruscus, fern, and seasonal foliage create volume and texture at much lower cost than flowers. A greenery-heavy arrangement can look just as lush.
- Repurpose ceremony flowers at the reception — Aisle arrangements and ceremony flowers can be moved to the reception venue after the ceremony. Brief your venue coordinator to move them during the drinks reception.
- Simplify centrepieces — Low vase arrangements with seasonal flowers and foliage cost half as much as tall statement centrepieces. A mix of sizes (some tall, mostly low) gives variety without the cost of all-tall.
- Reduce the bridal party — Every extra bridesmaid is another bouquet. Every groomsman is another buttonhole.
- DIY some elements — Buttonholes and simple centrepieces are learnable. Many brides buy wholesale stems and assemble their own bouquets with tutorial support. This requires practice, reliable storage, and confidence — not right for everyone, but it can halve the floral budget.
Ask your florist:“What would you suggest to get the most impact for my budget?” Good florists are skilled at making smaller budgets look beautiful — they'll guide you toward the choices that work best at your price point.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I budget for wedding flowers?
A realistic starting budget for wedding flowers is £1,200–£2,000 for a mid-size UK wedding (80–120 guests) with standard floral requirements. If you want a ceremony arch or elaborate installations, budget £2,500– £4,000. Allocating 8–10% of your total wedding budget to flowers is a reasonable planning figure.
What are the cheapest wedding flowers?
Carnations, chrysanthemums, alstroemeria, baby's breath, and seasonal foliage (eucalyptus, ruscus, gypsophila) are consistently the most affordable options. Combined with one or two hero flowers (roses, dahlias), they create attractive arrangements at lower cost.
Is it cheaper to do your own wedding flowers?
DIY can save 30–60% on floral costs if done well. The savings are real, but so are the risks: flowers must be sourced, stored, and assembled correctly — typically the day before the wedding, adding significant stress. DIY works best for low-stress elements (simple centrepieces, buttonholes) rather than the bridal bouquet.
Track your floral budget
Add your florist quote to your wedding budget in ForeverAfter alongside all your other supplier costs. See how flowers sit as a percentage of your total spend and track deposits and final payments.
Related guides: Average Wedding Cost UK, The Realistic Wedding Budget Guide, How to Save for a Wedding.