A Look Behind the Blooms

At Whiskey Wallflower, we understand that wedding planning can be overwhelming—and that sometimes, the price tag attached to floral design takes couples by surprise. We often get asked, "Why are wedding flowers so expensive?" It's a fair question, and one that deserves a transparent answer.

Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at what goes into your wedding florals and why the cost reflects more than just pretty petals.

1. The Rising Cost of Floral Product

Flowers are a perishable luxury product that must be handled with care from farm to vase. In recent years, the global floral market has experienced increased costs due to:

Supply chain disruptions
Transportation and import fees
Climate change and weather-related crop shortages
Inflation in growing regions such as South America and the Netherlands

High-demand blooms like peonies, orchids, garden roses, and anemones often carry premium pricing—especially outside of their natural growing season.

2. Labor-Intensive Design & Execution

Wedding floral design is incredibly hands-on and time-consuming. The labor involved is not just about making things look beautiful—it's about careful planning, physical endurance, and expert execution. Here’s what our floral designers typically handle:

Initial consultations to learn your style, vision, and floral preferences
Design proposals and mood boards that align with your theme and budget
Detailed floral recipes and ordering to ensure every bloom is accounted for
Processing and conditioning flowers days in advance, which includes unpacking, cutting, hydrating, and storing blooms properly to ensure freshness
Arranging every bouquet, centerpiece, boutonniere, and installation by hand, often requiring hours of standing, repetitive motion, and precise artistry
Day-of setup, which includes transporting delicate florals, placing each arrangement exactly where it belongs, climbing ladders, assembling large-scale installations, and managing time-sensitive logistics under pressure
Post-event breakdown, sometimes late at night or early the next morning, which involves collecting rentals, clearing installations, and packing leftover flowers

Florists are not only artists—they're planners, coordinators, and laborers. The work is physical, creative, and often done under tight timelines.

3. Customization, Volume, and Non-Floral Materials

Unlike a single arrangement or everyday bouquet, weddings typically involve:

Personal flowers (bouquets, boutonnieres, corsages)
Ceremony flowers (arches, aisle markers, altar pieces)
Reception florals (centerpieces, cake flowers, bar decor)

Each piece is customized to match your specific colors, style, and venue. In addition to flowers, every design includes non-floral materials that are essential but often overlooked, such as:

Floral wire and tape
Foam, chicken wire, and waterproof vessels
Zip ties, clamps, mechanics, and adhesive
Floral food, water tubes, and finishing sprays

These supplies are critical for creating sturdy, long-lasting arrangements that hold up through an entire day of celebration.

4. Rentals, Delivery, and Setup Fees

Wedding flowers often come with accompanying rentals such as:

Vessels, arches, stands, or flower walls
Candles, linens, or accent pieces

These items require maintenance, storage, transport, and careful setup. Plus, the logistics of delivering delicate arrangements on a tight schedule is a team effort that involves mileage, vehicles, insurance, and physical labor.

5. You're Paying for Peace of Mind

When you hire a professional florist for your wedding, you’re not just paying for flowers. You’re paying for:

Reliability on one of the most important days of your life
A cohesive, artistic vision that matches your aesthetic
Backups, contingencies, and the ability to pivot quickly if something changes
A calm, competent team that handles the details so you can enjoy your day

Final Thoughts

Wedding flowers are an investment, not just in beauty, but in experience, expertise, and execution. At Whiskey Wallflower, we take pride in offering designs that are not only stunning, but also thoughtfully crafted to reflect your love story. Our pricing is a reflection of the care, time, materials, and artistry that go into every stem.

Have questions or want to book a consultation? We’re here to help you plan florals that are both meaningful and unforgettable.

Call us: 281-939-4099