What Wedding Flowers Really Cost in 2025—And What You Get at $5K, $10K, and $25K
Let’s talk wedding flower budgets. In 2025, the internet is still throwing weddings with $250,000 worth of florals at your feed like it’s normal. Spoiler: it’s not. At Flora Good Times, we’re here to keep it honest, beautiful, and real. Here's what a wedding floral budget of $5K, $10K, and $25K gets you—for a 100-person wedding in the Hudson Valley.
First: Some Ground Rules
Always plan per head. Want luxe florals and candles everywhere? If you're inviting 100 people, expect that your budget will reflect that scale. A $5K floral budget for 100 guests is $50 per person. A $25K budget is $250 per person. That mental math helps keep expectations in check.
Impact zones matter. Flowers go where people gather and remember: the bar, the card table, the ceremony backdrop. These are your photo ops and memory makers. Spend with intention.
The internet skews expectations. Pinterest shows one image. Not the cost of sourcing peonies out of season, building a 10-person install team, or renting taper candle holders. Instagram isn’t a budget spreadsheet.
(…Side note, we see a 150 person wedding as the most average headcount and about $85 a head as what people spend for their average floral budget bringing the most typical spend to $13k.)
Now, here’s what different budgets actually include:
$5,000 Wedding Flower Budget
($50 per person, 100 guests)
This is your floral essentials package. Think small, intentional, and personal.
Bridal bouquet
One boutonniere
10 centerpieces (From Flora, these are typically low-profile, Always foam-free, and focused on sustainable blooms)
10 bud vases to supplement centerpieces
Basic labor for setup and breakdown
What it doesn’t include: ceremony flowers, personal flowers beyond the couple, candles, or anything elaborate. It's clean and classic—but limited.
$10,000 Wedding Flower Budget
($100 per person, 100 guests)
More room to play, more to style.
Bridal bouquet + boutonniere
4 bridesmaids bouquets + 4 groomsmen boutonnieres
10 centerpieces (richer, with more variety and seasonal sourcing)
10 bud vases
Escort card table arrangement (hello, first impressions!)
2 ceremony arrangements to flank your “I do” moment
Taper candles + tea lights for a warm, romantic glow
Full setup and breakdown
This level gives you the flexibility to create some atmosphere without overextending. Still strategic, but more balanced.
$25,000 Wedding Flower Budget
($250 per person, 100 guests)
This is the flower-filled dream.
All personal flowers: bride + groom, 10 bridesmaids, 10 groomsmen
Statement ceremony: Chuppah or arbor, aisle flowers, flanking arrangements
On-site installation: staircase, entrance arch, flower wall, or even a floral ceiling moment
2 bar arrangements
Full reception setup: luxe, fuller centerpieces, tapers, pillars, and tea lights at every table
Specialty blooms sourced to match your palette and style
Large labor crew, rentals, delivery, setup, breakdown—the whole nine yards
This budget allows us to build immersive floral environments and one-of-a-kind installations. It's labor-intensive and bloom-rich, but totally unforgettable.
Tapers vs. Pillars, and Why It Matters
A quick word on candles: taper candles are elegant and romantic—but they require specific holders, careful handling, and sometimes even hurricane covers depending on venue rules. Pillar candles are sturdier, but they take up more space and cost more in materials and cleanup. Tea lights are great fillers, but don’t make a big statement on their own. Candles aren’t just ambiance—they’re line items with real labor and rental costs.
The Bottom Line
Floral budgets aren't just about flowers. They're about labor, time, logistics, and creating impact where it matters. At Flora Good Times, we design with sustainability in mind and work hard to stretch your budget while staying grounded in reality. Whether you're going minimalist or maximalist, we help you spend where it counts.
Planning a wedding in the Hudson Valley? Let’s make it beautiful—and smart.
Contact us to chat flowers. events@floragoodtimes.com