Planning a wedding on a budget doesn’t mean sacrificing beautiful flowers. Bulk wedding flowers have become increasingly popular as couples seek ways to create stunning floral arrangements without breaking the bank.
Smart shopping and careful planning can help you achieve your dream wedding flowers while staying within budget. Whether planning an intimate gathering or a large celebration, understanding how to source and buy flowers in bulk is essential.
Today’s market offers multiple options for purchasing wholesale wedding flowers, from online retailers to local wholesalers, making it easier than ever to find affordable solutions for your special day.
Key Takeaways
Local purchases may be more economical for smaller quantities under 10 bunches
Buying flowers in bulk can save up to 50% compared to traditional florist prices
Online wholesalers typically require a minimum purchase of 10 bunches for the best deals
Creating a sample bouquet helps determine the exact flower quantities needed
Shipping costs are often built into online bulk flower prices
Navigating Rising Flower Prices
Before purchasing your wedding flowers, answer this question: When buying wholesale flowers, are you looking for the cheapest prices or more interested in getting the best value?
The answer depends on your definition of “value.” If you’re looking for cheap prices and don’t need all the frills or support, there are plenty of bulk flower options online.
However, if you’re looking for the highest quality wedding flowers at the best price possible, there are other ways to get great value without breaking the bank.
Here are some tips to help you find the right balance between getting the best deal on your flowers and getting the best value.
Finding The Best Flower Deals
If you search online, you’ll find many sites offering fresh flowers in bulk for weddings at “wholesale prices.”
If you need 10 or more bunches of a particular type of flower and are okay with assorted colors chosen by the grower, you’ll find some great fresh-cut flower deals on these sites.
However, finding deals will be difficult if you want popular blooms in high demand.
If you need fewer than 10 bunches, you’ll find better value in buying fresh wedding flowers locally. While you may pay more, you’ll waste less, making your purchase a better deal.
It’s important to note that since the pandemic, many couples have had to downsize their wedding, requiring fewer flowers.
Many online vendors responded to the lower demand by offering flowers and greenery in smaller quantities. While that might seem logical, buying “by the bunch” is costly.
I would stick to the 10-bunch guideline when purchasing bulk flowers online. That will be the most cost-effective approach, especially on a tight budget.
Figuring The Number Of Flowers You’ll Need
The easiest way to determine the number of flowers you need is by making a sample bouquet or arrangement. Surprisingly, only a few DIY brides do this. Set aside a few minutes, buy a few flowers, and create a sample bouquet.
Once you’ve made a sample (you don’t have to use the exact flowers), you’ll know the approximate number of flowers it takes. Then it’s time to start shopping for the flowers you want.
How Shipping Factors In
Every online bulk flower vendor touts “Free Shipping.” Face it. Nothing is free. Shipping costs are factored into the price of the flowers.
Shipping flowers overnight ensures freshness but significantly increases costs, particularly for small orders. While this method has become the industry standard for flower delivery, it makes the final product more expensive.
Buying flowers is most economical when purchasing a full case or filling bulk flower boxes to at least 80% capacity. Each box typically holds 10-15 bunches, depending on flower type. Partially filled boxes result in higher costs due to wasted space.
Overnight shipping is exceptional today, but your flowers are still subject to delays. You will need to factor that in when planning your work schedule.
Getting The Best Bulk Flower Value
Local bulk flower purchases offer the most cost-effective option for weddings and events.
Here’s why.
Today, many retail florists offer “a la carte” wedding services for brides who want to do all or some of the flowers themselves.
For example, we work with brides who want to buy florist-grade blooms for their wedding bouquets or floral designs for the reception venue but do some or all of the work themselves.
We provide this service through MilwaukeeFlowerMarket.com, our bulk flower sales site.
Are You Considering DIY Wedding Flowers?
If you want to do your flowers, here are four ways we can help you save time and money:
- We offer “close to wholesale” pricing on all bulk wedding flower purchases.
- Based on our experience, we can suggest the proper quantity of fresh-cut flowers to do the job right, minimizing waste and saving you money.
- Our product sourcing is much better than what you can find on your own, so you can be assured you’ll get the best quality florist-grade blooms at the best price.
- As our customer, we are a reliable backup in case things don’t go as planned or last-minute changes are needed.
That’s just one example of our “a la carte” wedding services and another reason you should buy flowers from your local florist.
If you want more information on purchasing bulk wedding flowers, visit MilwaukeeFlowerMarket.com, and check it out yourself.
Or contact us. We’ll be happy to answer any questions you have.
If you’re not from this area, it’s worth checking out local florists near you. I’m willing to bet that more than a few offer similar services.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far in advance should I order bulk wedding flowers?
Order bulk wedding flowers 2-3 months before your wedding date. This timeline allows for proper planning and ensures the availability of your chosen varieties. For popular wedding seasons like spring and summer, consider ordering even earlier to secure your preferred flowers and avoid last-minute substitutions.
What’s the minimum order quantity for bulk wedding flowers?
Most online wholesalers require a minimum order of 10 bunches for bulk pricing. However, this varies by supplier and season. Some vendors may have higher minimums during peak wedding season, while others might offer smaller quantities at slightly higher per-stem prices.
What if my bulk flowers arrive damaged?
Contact your supplier immediately if flowers arrive damaged. Take photos of the damaged flowers while still in their original packaging. Most reputable suppliers have policies for damaged goods and will work to resolve the issue quickly, either through replacement or refund.
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