10 Ways to Get the Best Value for
Your Wedding Flower Budget
1. Choose locally grown flowers.
Flowers grown in Canada, North America and South America are often
less expensive than flowers grown in Europe or the Orient.
2. Choose flowers in season.
Flower prices fluctuate based on supply and demand. When a certain
flower is blooming there is a lot of supply. A lot of supply means
- the cost will go down.
3. Choose inexpensive year-round blooms.
Some flowers - such as carnations, daisies, gladiolas - are typically
inexpensive throughout the year.
4. Get married mid-week.
The cost of flowers increases throughout the week. Flowers for a
weekend wedding must be purchased on Friday, which is likely to
be the most expensive day of the week.
5. Avoid getting married at floral peak times.
Flower prices at Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day and Christmas
go through the roof. Wholesale prices can increase by 300% or more
at these times - and florists have no choice but to pass those increases
on to customers.
6. Pay upfront.
Flower growers ask a premium because they do not have a guaranteed buyer for their blooms. Because their merchandise is perishable, they need to factor for the stems that will not sell and be thrown away. By ordering and paying for your flowers before the wedding, the grower has a committed buyer and we get a better price.
7. Offer service in trade.
Many florists may offer some of their goods in exchange for your
services and goods. For example - offer your accounting services
to the florist, in exchange for flowers.
8. Select one or 2 types of blooms.
Florists have to purchase large auction lots when buying their flowers.
Even though you may only need 2 stems of ginger, for example, your
florist may have to purchase 100. That risk of extra wasted inventory
will cost you.
9. Rent glassware and other reusable components.
Many florist will rent glassware and other non-perishable components.
(Rentals usually cost 40-50% of the retail price). If you don’t
plan on giving your flowers away consider renting vases, containers,
etc. That way you can enjoy the flowers, but don’t have to
pay for the expensive vases and containers.
10. Ask your florist for assistance.
An experienced florist can advise what’s in season, what is
better priced, etc. He/she can also advise you on blooms that can
give you the gorgeous premium look you want at a surprisingly reasonable
price.
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