What’s Included in a Wedding Flower Package

Whether you’re getting married in an intimate courthouse or planning a large affair, wedding flowers can be a beautiful, stand-out part of your day. Selecting every last arrangement, however, can be intimidating. Enter wedding flower packages.

When seeking out a florist, it isn’t uncommon to come across pre-made packages of varying sizes and price points. If a full-on custom order isn’t ideal or you need a place to start, these are what you should be looking for. However, different packages include different things.

Read on for our breakdown of specific floral arrangements and the packages they’re included in.

• Part One: Items You’ll Find in Flower Packages
• Part Two: Different Types of Flower Packages
• Part Three: How to Decide Between Packages

How Important Are Flower Packages?

Like your wedding venue and location, wedding flowers help set the scene at your wedding. They can communicate a tone, level of formality, or aesthetic, as well as be reminiscent of a specific place or memory. From large, elegant displays to a bouquet you bring to the courthouse, flowers are a personal visual element on your wedding day. This places some importance on which flower package you choose, regardless of the size of your wedding. That being said, it’s crucial to know what to look for to figure out what type of package will work for you.

Part One: Items You’ll Find in Flower Packages

Before we can talk about wedding flower packages, we need to first look at what’s typically included. Wedding florals come in plenty of shapes and sizes, each with different functions throughout your ceremony and reception. Understanding what each item is will help you decide what you want—and how small or large you want your flower package to be. Below are brief descriptions of common floral pieces. (Note: The prices shown are an average estimate prior to labor costs, including delivery, set-up, and take-down.)

Bridal Bouquet ($100-$250)

A bridal bouquet is a floral arrangement typically held by the bride or groom as they walk down the aisle. Often, it complements the other flowers used throughout the wedding, as well as the holder's outfit and makeup. Not only do they give their hands something to do, but they are functionally an accessory and focal piece of décor.

Bridesmaid Bouquet ($55-$100)

Like the bridal bouquet, this is a bouquet carried by each member of the bridal party. They're carried down the aisle and held throughout the ceremony. Often they mimic the appearance of the bridal bouquet, but on a smaller scale.

Toss Bouquet ($30-$55)

The toss or throw bouquet also mimics the appearance of the bridal bouquet, but on an even smaller scale. It’s supposed to be used during the bouquet toss, so that the bride or groom can keep their larger, personalized bouquet. Toss bouquets are typically inexpensive—sometimes even complimentary.

Flower Crown ($75-$250)

Flower crowns are a popular option for wedding parties that don't want to carry bouquets but would still like to include florals as an accessory. As the name suggests, they're thin, typically circular "crowns" made out of flowers, greenery, branches, or other plants. Flower crowns were first worn as traditional pieces in Greece and Ukraine, either as an honorary award or accessory during a special occasion.

Boutonniere ($10-$20)

A boutonnière is a few small flowers surrounded by some greenery or filler that’s worn by the groom and groom's party. It's worn on the lapel of a suit or tuxedo on either side. Some traditions, however, state that it should be placed on the left side just above the heart.

Petals ($20-$60)

These are any loose, stray petals that either decorate the space or are thrown by a flower girl or boy. They can also be tossed by guests during a wedding exit as a beautiful and eco-friendly alternative to rice or confetti.

Centerpiece ($75-$600)

Just as their name implies, floral centerpieces are decorative arrangements that sit at the center of tables at your reception. They can be placed at just about any table—such as guest book tables and escort card tables—but are most often at the guests' and head tables (if the married couple chooses to have one).

Ceremony Structure ($1,500-$4,000)

These are arches, mandaps, arbors, and similar decorative structures that are used in your ceremony. They're placed at the altar or end of the aisle space, framing the couple. They create a focal point for the ceremony and often complement the venue, theme, and color palette.

Ceremony Arrangement ($60-$400)

Ceremony flower arrangements are used to decorate the ceremony space. They utilize the wedding's theme and color palette and may be placed on either side of the aisle entryway, used as aisle markers, or placed around the altar.

Place Card Arrangement ($100-$200)

When it comes to informing your guests where to sit, you have two options: escort cards and place cards. Place cards are set at each table setting and assign guests to a specific seat. Place card arrangements are a few flowers or pieces of greenery attached to each of these cards. They're typically tied around a napkin and come across as more formal.

Cake Flowers ($25-$300)

Cake flowers are just as they sound: flowers meant to decorate your cake. While they aren't edible (they're real flowers), you may want to order them to tie your cake in with other decorative elements.

Part Two: Different Kinds of Flower Packages

Now that we’ve covered products, let’s talk about flower packages. Many florists have recommended pre-designed packages. While the costs of these can fluctuate (due to things like flower type and seasonality), they tend to be priced around a set cost and take away the stress of having to pick out every last detail. Because packages vary from florist to florist, we’ve gathered information from a variety to come up with your three most standard wedding flower packages.

Simple Packages ($150-$350)

Simple packages are smaller and focus on the basic, most traditional wedding florals. This most often puts a focus on flowers that are worn rather than those that are used as decoration. These packages also tend to be priced lower, since they don’t include as many items and add-ons. Think of them as the essentials—ideal for those who are planning a courthouse wedding, elopement, or prefer a more pared-down style.

Items included:

• Bridal bouquet
• Maid of honor or bridesmaid bouquet
• Boutonniere
• Groomsmen boutonniere
• Small box of petals

Traditional Packages ($700-$2,200)

If decorating your venue with flowers is a priority, while also sticking to a budget, start by looking at standard or middle-tier packages. These will not only include worn flowers, but also decorative pieces like ceremony arrangements and centerpieces. This is the most commonly purchased style of floral package and creates a cohesive look.

Items included:

• Bridal bouquet
• Maid of honor and bridesmaid bouquets
• Toss bouquet
• Boutonniere
• Groomsmen boutonnieres
• Petals
• Ceremony arrangements
• Centerpieces
• Table arrangements (guest book table, place card table, etc.)

Premium Packages ($3,000+)

Those seeking opulence or an abundance of flowers throughout their wedding will lean towards premium wedding flower packages. These help decorate vast or multiple spaces, while fully realizing a theme or aesthetic. If lining your entire aisle with fresh flowers, dressing every table with an arrangement, or having extravagant floral structures is important to you, these are the packages you should look into.

Items included:

• Bridal bouquet
• Maid of honor and bridesmaid bouquets
• Toss bouquet
• Boutonniere
• Groomsmen boutonnieres
• Large box of petals
• Ceremony structure
• Ceremony arrangements
• Centerpieces
• Table arrangements
• Place card arrangements
• Cake flowers

Custom Packages and Add-Ons

It’s important to note that packages typically aren’t set in stone. While you can start by selecting one, it’s always worth asking your florist if you can adjust it or include add-ons. Similarly, if you can’t find a package that works for you, ask your florist if they offer custom packages. In that case, you’ll be able to select each product, ensuring you get the flowers you desire.

Part Three: How to Decide Between Packages

While knowing what’s included in a wedding flower package is helpful, it might not help you fully decide which one you should go with. Here’s what to consider if you’re having trouble choosing a package:

Budget

Your budget is most paramount, and should be decided before you start looking for the right wedding vendors. Once you have a solid overall number, prioritize your spending. This will help you immensely when it comes to deciding on things like florals, since you’ll know what kind of services you can even afford.

Theme or Aesthetic

Next to consider is your wedding’s theme or overall aesthetic. Having a clear vision of how you’d like your ceremony and reception to look is immensely helpful in narrowing down what type of package is best for you. Think about your preferred colors, types of flowers, and even the size and style of arrangements. Any preferences or information is going to be helpful.

Venue Type

Finally, keep your venue top of mind. In some cases, you’ll only be able to fit a certain amount (or type) of flower arrangements. On the other hand, some venues might look a bit sparse if you don’t decorate them to a certain extent. Your venue is an extension of your wedding aesthetic and should be taken into account when deciding on design aspects like flower packages. Consider the different elements of your venue, such as setting (outdoor vs. indoor) and space (intimate vs. expansive). Since it’s ideally booked at this point, show photos to your florist to get an idea of how they think they can best use the space.

Finding Your Wedding Florist on Zola

Before you can take a look at what packages florists have to offer, you need to find some flower vendors you’re interested in. Luckily, Zola has an online database full of local vendors, to help you find a florist you’ll love. Simply sign up, hover over the vendors tab, and click “browse.” From there, type in your location and vendor type (“florist”) in the provided search bars and click “search.” Once you’ve found a few you like, you can learn more and inquire about their services—all from the Zola website.