Why Are Wedding Flowers Expensive?
Truthfully, I don't often get this question anymore, because we typically only receive inquiries from people who understand the immense value we provide. But we will be raising our minimum prices on November 26th! So today, I thought it might be helpful to talk about why wedding flowers are expensive, as well as why our prices are going up.
It's Not "Just" Flowers
You probably know that we provide wedding floral design. But what we offer our couples is so much more than just the flowers! We really believe that floral design is an art form, meant to tell our stories. Naturally, we approach our work with couples as a trusted creative partner who can help make their event truly one-of-a-kind.
Our couples count on us to provide an amazing experience, so that they can free up their time and energy for other things. To do that, we have a fun and easy creative process that we go through with every couple. This helps us get all those swirling ideas into something beautiful and concrete.
We work closely with every couple to provide:
- Customized mood boards, floral palettes, and design ideas that are based in our deep knowledge of seasonal flowers and local venues
- Constant support throughout the planning process, making sure you have the support you need every step of the way
- Locally grown, organic, and seasonal blooms that are grown by people we know and trust
- An experienced team who can execute your event flawlessly
The Real Value
As you can see, a lot more goes into this than "just" flowers. And I think it’s more “expensive” to settle for a wedding vendor that is burnt out, overextended, or unable to deliver a totally unique experience for your wedding. Can you really put a price on achieving your vision, having a creative partner you trust, and freeing up your time and energy for other things? You have a life outside of your wedding!!
What would it mean to you, your family, or your friends to have this level of service? We hear it over and over again from our couples. When you work with us, you get to relax, enjoy the process, and trust us to do the heavy lifting for you. You get artistic florals that tell your story, feel 100% true to you, and have never been seen or done before. And you get bespoke designs that elevate your event - and that your guests can’t stop talking about.
Of course, this is why we only take a small number of events per year. It’s also why our prices are going up. It takes a TON of time, energy, and money to achieve these results for every single couple.
Flowers ARE Expensive
We know that not every wedding florist provides the same level of service that we do, and that's okay. So, why are wedding flowers expensive across the board? Flowers ARE expensive - and so is everything else right now.
First, you should know that there is no wedding tax. There never has been. However, the truth is that there are also no do-overs. If we make a mistake, we have to fix it in real time. We cannot forget, drop, or break anything. We cannot finish an hour later than planned. Obviously, this level of precision costs more to produce. We spend more time planning, and more money hiring plenty of skilled people, bringing extra supplies and tools, and mitigating every risk. Additionally, we practice sustainable floristry, so we also invest more in staff time and alternatives to floral foam (a harmful plastic) - but it's worth it!
However, wedding flowers are expensive, because flowers and supplies are expensive in general. We are one of the few wedding vendors who have hard, non-negotiable costs for every single wedding we produce. Your DJ, photographer, or planner can buy new equipment or software once or twice a year. We have to buy flowers for every single wedding.
Inflation, COVID, and More
Additionally, flower and vase costs continue to increase due to the insane inflation and supply chain issues we have seen since COVID. Of course, we prioritize locally- and organically-grown flowers, which are more expensive. But our flower costs went up by 30-100% from last year - not a typo! Shipping costs from growers in Alaska, California, and Hawaii have doubled since COVID began. Unfortunately, our growers are telling us to expect similar increases for next year.
As a small business, we also face the realities of living and working in a high cost-of-living city, which is where most weddings happen. Seattle is the 45th most expensive city in the world. Everything is expensive here, including rent and groceries. We pay, feed, and train our team well - more than the $23/hr the local fast food place is paying. And like everyone right now, we are also subjected to corporate price gouging, from gas to van rentals to supplies.
Add all of that up, and I’m not getting rich from your wedding, I promise. I do this work because I love it, and I love my clients!
What's Next
In general, if you are getting married in 2023, you need to inquire now! And if you are hoping to work with us, do it before November 26th! We only do one wedding a weekend, and will be doing fewer weddings next year. And our minimum pricing is going up on November 26th, 2022. So don't wait! You not only risk that we are already booked, but that you'll pay more.
You can inquire below to make sure that you get in on this.