Who covers what? A guide to traditional wedding flower costs
Discussing money matters can be one of the most challenging aspects of planning a wedding. For many couples, a wedding represents their first significant joint financial decision. Add family involvement to the mix, and the complexity increases exponentially.
When multiple parties contribute to a wedding budget, clear communication becomes essential. Who pays for what? How are decisions made? What happens when expectations differ? These questions can create tension during what should be a joyful time. In this post, we'll focus specifically on wedding florals; breaking down traditional cost responsibilities to help you navigate this important aspect of your wedding budget with confidence and clarity.
Traditional Wedding floral responsibilities
While many modern couples choose to handle wedding expenses together, traditional etiquette offers a helpful starting point when deciding who pays for what. Here's a quick guide to how floral costs have historically been divided between the bride’s and groom’s families. Use it as a reference or a conversation starter as you plan your special day.
Bride / Bride's Family traditionally covers:
Bouquets for the bride and all female attendants, including bridesmaids and flower girls
Corsages for female family members and special guests (excluding mothers and grandmothers)
All ceremony floral arrangements including altar pieces, aisle decorations, and pew markers
Reception flower arrangements including centerpieces, head table designs, cake decorations, and other venue enhancements
Welcome dinner or post-wedding brunch floral décor (if applicable)
Groom / Groom's Family traditionally covers:
The bride's bouquet (this is considered a gift from the groom to the bride)
Boutonnieres for all male wedding participants (groom, groomsmen, fathers, grandfathers, ushers, etc.)
Corsages for both mothers and grandmothers
Rehearsal dinner floral arrangements
Any special ceremony flowers to honor deceased loved ones
What to do for non-traditional wedding couples
For non-traditional couples, which may include same-sex couples, couples marrying later in life, or those without family financial support, wedding expenses often follow different patterns:
Equal cost sharing: Many modern couples split all wedding expenses evenly between themselves
Targeted contributions: Family members might cover specific elements (like the venue or a statement floral installation) rather than following traditional divisions
Gift-based financing: Some families provide monetary gifts that couples can allocate according to their priorities
Proportional contributions: Partners may contribute based on their respective financial situations rather than splitting costs 50/50
Without traditional guidelines, financial arrangements will naturally reflect each couple's unique circumstances and family dynamics. Regardless of how you choose to divide expenses, open communication remains essential. Clearly discussing expectations, setting budgets, and acknowledging contributions helps prevent misunderstandings and ensures everyone feels comfortable with the arrangements.
How Rose of Sharon Can Help
At Rose of Sharon, we recognize that wedding financial arrangements can be complex. Our contracts are always signed by the couple getting married, and we specifically ask who is authorized to discuss financial details. As our clients, we honor your preferences regarding all financial matters and communications.
We offer flexible payment solutions, including the ability to split invoices among different parties. This option is particularly helpful when couples prefer to compartmentalize expenses or when various family members are contributing to different aspects of the floral arrangements.
Our team is experienced in navigating the delicate dynamics of wedding planning and finances. Whether you're following traditional payment divisions or creating your own approach, we're here to support your needs with discretion and professionalism.
If there's anything we can do to ease financial discussions or arrangements for your wedding flowers, please don't hesitate to ask. Your comfort and satisfaction are our top priorities.