The Do’s and Don’ts for the best way to maximize your floral budget from the Director of Design at Urban Allure Events, Michelle Brown. With over ten years of experience in the wedding and event industry, Michelle shares her advice for staying on budget in a time when wedding costs are at an all time high. Read along for her proven tips and tricks!

DO choose a venue that fits the vision and aesthetic of your wedding

For couples just beginning the planning process, choosing your venue could be the single most important decision you will make throughout the course of wedding planning. To quote an amazing florist that I look up to:

“[Decor] softens the edges between the event and venue” - Studio Mondine

Choosing a venue that works with your wedding vision instead of against it can help you save money on additional floral and decor down the line. If your vibe is “moody-fdisco-garden”, first of all, wow I love it, and secondly, maybe a bright, expansive ballroom isn’t the best choice. Alternatively, if you’ve always dreamed of your Cinderella moment, don’t book the urban loft. It can be very difficult (RE: expensive) to create something that goes against the nature of the space.

Pro-tip: Utilize any “extras” the venue may offer to fill accompanying areas, like uplighting, candles, photo-ops, and/or signage.

DO choose a florist who is knowledgeable about your venue

Once you choose your venue, comb through their website and social media to find a pool of florists who have worked there before and browse their portfolios. A trusted florist that is knowledgeable about your venue can help make recommendations on areas to enhance, as well as areas you don’t need to spend money on.

DO choose flowers that are in season

Choosing in-season flowers is still the most tried and true way to keep floral costs in budget. Choosing local flowers in season is even better! Are peonies available in October? Yes, but I need to order them from Chile, and they probably won’t look as beautiful as the ones from Wisconsin in June, and they will be 3x the price.

DO repurpose (WISELY)

Repurposing arrangements is a great way to stay on budget, if done wisely! For example, repurposing ceremony decor to the reception makes the most sense if the ceremony and reception are being held at the same location. Repurposing can quickly add to the bottom line however, if the ceremony is off-site and requires a separate team and vehicle from the main event location. The arrangements are also at risk of being damaged in transit and needing to be replaced once they arrive at their final destination. Which means the florist needs to order more flowers to plan for replacements. More flowers = more money.

DO resist the temptation to cover up

Sometimes, there is an element at a venue that you don’t love. Maybe it’s an unsightly beam, or a visible air duct. You’ve visited the venue multiple times and now the air duct is screaming at you like the boiler in Home Alone, and you want to cover it up. What do we do???

Nothing.

It may seem counterintuitive, but the cover up actually calls attention to the thing you’re trying to hide, and also costs you more money. The best thing to do is nothing. Draw the eye away with the other décor elements in the room, and I promise you, no one will notice a thing!

DO be wary of the allure of DIY

“Do-It-Yourself”; the siren’s call leading couples into the dark depths of Pinterest, midnight floral arranging, and anxiety. Many couples - to no fault of their own - underestimate the true breadth of work it requires to create their own bouquets and centerpieces. It takes a fully trained team of designers 1-2 weeks to acquire, clean, pack, process, and design floral arrangements. And that is before the wedding day arrives! On wedding day there is a 10 hour day of delivery, setup, breakdown… and more cleaning.

DIY is risky in the long term. Should you need to ultimately find a florist on short notice, you’re at risk of incurring rush fees and paying premium cost for flowers.

DON’T be afraid of faux flowers

Faux, or silk, flowers get a bad rap (Blush and Bashful anyone?), but utilized wisely, they can truly maximize your budget in the best way. Faux flowers are reusable, and most florists carry a small inventory for special needs. Faux floral can add volume in key areas, survive without a water source, and bring that “out-of-season” flower in season without adding a premium price.

DON’T share floral proposals to other florists for “price matching”

Floristry is a very personal art form most closely related to the Culinary Arts, and in many instances, even Fine Art. And just as sculptors can not be compared to each other, neither can florists. Florist design aesthetics can vary wildly, and it’s impossible to compare each unique pricing profile to others. A florist who under-bids is not a florist who is acting with integrity, and asking for a price match will not grant you the best price. It will only offend the florist you're comparing to.

And Lastly…DON’T be afraid to speak up!

Remember, as a trusted wedding vendor, we are here to support YOU! If the scope of floral and decor is exceeding your expectations, please say something. Florists are some of the most creative, resourceful, and sympathetic people in the industry, and are happy to find a solution for you!

The Do’s and Don’ts to Maximize Your Floral Budget

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