Introduction
One of the first questions couples ask their florist is: "How much does a wedding bouquet cost?" The answer depends on many factors — flower selection, size, season, and your region.
This guide breaks down real costs for every bouquet type so you can set clear expectations and budget wisely.
Average Wedding Bouquet Costs by Type
| Bouquet Type | Budget Range | Average Cost | Premium Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridal Bouquet | $150 - $250 | $275 | $300 - $500+ |
| Bridesmaid Bouquet | $65 - $100 | $125 | $125 - $200 |
| Toss Bouquet | $35 - $65 | $50 | $65 - $100 |
| Flower Girl Bouquet | $30 - $50 | $45 | $50 - $85 |
What Drives Bouquet Pricing
1. Flower Selection
The single biggest factor in bouquet pricing is your flower choice. Flowers are categorized into tiers:
- Standard Tier ($2-4/stem): Roses, carnations, chrysanthemums, alstroemeria
- Premium Tier ($5-8/stem): Garden roses, ranunculus, lisianthus, dahlias
- Luxury Tier ($8-15+/stem): Peonies, orchids, lily of the valley, protea
A bridal bouquet with 30 stems of standard roses costs far less than one with 30 stems of garden roses.
2. Bouquet Size and Shape
- Nosegay/Posy (15-20 stems): Compact, round — lowest cost
- Hand-tied (25-35 stems): Most popular style — moderate cost
- Cascading (35-50+ stems): Dramatic, trailing — highest cost
- Presentation/Arm (10-15 stems): Long-stemmed, simple — moderate cost
3. Seasonality
Flowers in season cost 30-50% less than out-of-season blooms. Peonies in June are $6/stem. Peonies in December are $12-15/stem (if available at all).
4. Regional Pricing
Bouquet costs vary significantly by market:
| Region | Bridal Bouquet Average |
|---|---|
| Midwest | $175 - $275 |
| South | $200 - $300 |
| Northeast | $250 - $400 |
| West Coast | $275 - $450 |
| Major Metro (NYC, LA, SF) | $350 - $600+ |
Breaking Down a $275 Bridal Bouquet
Here is a typical cost breakdown:
- Wholesale flowers: $45 (garden roses, ranunculus, eucalyptus)
- Hard goods: $8 (tape, wire, ribbon)
- Markup (3.5x on flowers): $157.50
- Labor (1.5 hours × $35/hr): $52.50
- Overhead (15%): $8.25
- Total: ~$275
Budget-Saving Tips
- Choose in-season flowers — This is the easiest way to reduce costs by 30-50%
- Go greenery-heavy — Eucalyptus and ferns fill bouquets beautifully at lower cost
- Opt for a smaller bouquet — A 20-stem posy photographs just as well as a 40-stem cascade
- Skip the toss bouquet — Many brides skip the bouquet toss entirely
- Use single-variety bouquets — All-rose or all-tulip bouquets are elegant and cost-effective
When to Invest More
Some situations justify a higher bouquet budget:
- Winter weddings — Seasonal scarcity raises costs
- Specific flower requests — Peonies in October are not impossible, but they are expensive
- Large bridal parties — More bouquets amplify any per-stem cost difference
- Photography-heavy weddings — Your bouquet is in nearly every photo
Use Technology to Price Accurately
Our free Wedding Flower Cost Calculator lets you upload any bouquet photo and get an instant breakdown of flowers, stem counts, and costs. It is the fastest way to estimate what a specific design will cost.
Conclusion
Understanding bouquet costs helps you have honest conversations with couples and set expectations early. Price transparently, offer tiered options, and guide clients toward seasonal choices for the best value.
Related: How to Price Wedding Flowers | The Florist Markup Formula | Wedding Flower Cost Calculator
