Factors that affect Wedding Floral Budget

Dear Little Sweet Occasions,
I am planning for a wedding in Nov, my venue is Sunway Hotel, both me and fiancée prefer a Chinese red theme. We have budgeted RMXXXXX for about 50 tables for the wedding receptions, do you think this is feasible?

Thanks

Cindy

Dear Cindy, this is my advice to you and to the many others,

If you have an inspiration in mind, that could be a great start. After that, you can prepare to get a quotation from the three (3) event florists. Until you get a quote, you would realize a budget is a just a number. It’s impossible to tell if RM1,000 will get you a wedding of your dream or RM10,000 in flowers will get you the wedding of your dream unless you get a quote. 

Some of the factors that will affect the floral budget,

Imported or Local Flowers

Some of the local flowers are from Cameron Highland, Pahang state, Kelatan state and Ranau Sabah, and the lowlands such as Johore Bahru mainly produced the cut orchid (Dendobrium , Aranda, Oncidium, and Mokara). Malaysia does produced roses, chrysanthemum, carnations, peacock, lilium, however, the rainfalls in Malaysia between April – May, & Oct – Dec does affect the growth. Our main export market are Japan (Orchid), Singapore and Hong Kong.   

Some example of imported flowers;

India - roses, orchids and gladiolus

China - roses, carnation, chrysanthemum, gladiolus, calla, gypsophila, anthurium, gerbera, lily, limonium, peonies.

Thailand – orchid

Holland– Hydrangea, Hyacinths, lilies, Ranunculus, Eustoma

South Africa, Spain, UK - Lilies

China, Japan, North & South America - Hydrangea

Netherland – Tulip

Type of Flowers, Seasons and Availability

The more exotic, fragile and/or limited the availability, the higher the price. A bridal bouquet of pink roses comes with some “filler”, one color scheme and design tend to be cheaper than a bridal bouquet that comes with pink carnation, red roses, white hydrangea, pink ranuculus, green phalaenopsis, and “without filler”.

The more common and in season, the lower the price. Certain varieties of flowers grow only at specific season that makes them rare at some times of the year. In China, peony is a most popular flower, you can have peony in the month of April till end of July. However, if you are lucky, you can also get peony from Tasmania, New Zealand and Holland during the winter (sometimes between Nov – Feb) provided if you don’t mind the high price. Hydrangea are produced from early spring (Mar - May) to late autumn (Sep - Nov), hydrangea also available in other color species such as blue, pink, white, purple and green. Tulips (Dec- May), Ranunculus (Jan - May). Roses , Eustoma, Baby breath are available all year round.

Quantity of Flowers

The larger wedding party, the more flowers needed. 12 bridesmaids required 12 bridesmaid bouquet compared to a wedding party that has 3 bridesmaids. More wedding aisles stand in the wedding will also impose a higher  budget, instead of 2 smaller designs, 4 candelabra decorations and 12 modest aisle flower bouquets, you may select a few, but larger and more memorable floral statement because the larger arrangements will be seen and shown nicely, it also gives you a max photography effect.

Complexity of the Arrangement - Design & Detail

The more intricate flower arrangement can affect the pricing. A round bridal bouquet tends to be cheaper than a cascade bridal bouquet. Cascade bouquet usually comes in lush volume, long length in a few layers and the design is far more complex compared to a round bridal bouquet. Simple design require less time while the more elaborate compositions or those with exquisite details will take significantly longer to craft, hence, you will have a more labor intensive pricing structure.

The size of your Guest List

Minimize your guest list such as, refrain from inviting children, friend’s best friends.

If you have 1000 guest list, it’s expect to have an increased in drink and food serving as most catering charge according to per head basis, more favors, increase of guest on table centerpieces and décor also required hiring more staffs. Simply by trimming down the number of guest is the fastest and easiest way to save cost.

Rush Fees

If flowers are ordered at the last minute or design changes are requested, steep rush fees may apply.

Wedding Style

If you are planning to hold your wedding in a grand ballroom, your budget is clearly going to be much bigger. The more formal the affair, the more expensive because you will have to match the atmosphere, the table linen, the drapes, the food and so on; take an example, do you really think the budget of RM1,000 or even RM3,000 can really transform or even give you the enchanting  settings, drapes, lighting, floral installations, and décor below?

Delivery and Logistic Charges

If the venue of the reception and ceremony is far away from the florist, there will be a delivery fee imposed by the florist. Transportation of flowers from the ceremony to reception area of a two different places, or pick-up of rental equipment, each level of services are priced separately. For some smaller event, friend of the groom and bride prefer to deliver the props by themselves, however please bear in mind that; props like containers and vase are fragile, and required additional care, it’s easily spoiled or broken, and they will be charged on the replacement fee.

It’s good to have a sense of what’s available for your budget, a smaller budget doesn’t have to mean low expectations; it just means being more flexible. A good florist should be able to listen to your ideas and then work within your budget to create something you will love. So good luck and best wishes on your wedding! 

Love,
Little Sweet Occasions Team