How much will wedding flowers cost in 2026?

How Much Do Wedding Flowers Cost in East Sussex? Alex Ball from Flowers In Rye gives her honest guide 🌿

Planning your wedding is exciting – but let’s be honest, it can also feel a little overwhelming, especially when it comes to the flower budget. Especially with all the uncertainty in the world at the moment and the cost of living, obviously, the flower industry is affected too, with increased labour, power, and shipping costs to contend with.

One of the most common questions I hear as a wedding florist in Rye is:

“How much do wedding flowers cost?” - usually followed by” I know nothing about flowers”

The truth is, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer, because your flowers will be as unique as your wedding day. But I’d love to give you a helpful guide so you can start to plan with confidence.

My advice would be to always do a little bit of research, give your florists guide on colour combinations you are thinking of, number of guests and some of the elements you would like such as ceremony flowers, number of bridesmaids etc, and send some pictures, we can then give you an idea of cost based on your brief, which can be developed or scaled down if your expectations don’t align with your budget, as time goes on.

What Affects the Cost of Wedding Flowers?

Several factors influence your floral budget:

Modern Bridal Bouquet

Modern, trendy bouquets, using premium flowers featuring Anthuriums, Amaranthus and Orchids.

Seasonal naturalistic bridal bouquet.

• Seasonal availability – Choosing flowers that are in season in the UK helps your budget go further, if suitable flowers can be sourced locally from flower farmers, they are not always cheaper per stem however if the grower is not Vat registered, they can be 20% cheaper however as a business I have to build in the cost of collection and often I will have to use two or more farmers to get the amounts you need for a wedding. Imported flowers will always be subject to VAT, even if your florist is not VAT registered; they will still have to budget for the VAT on flowers. Imported flowers are essential in the wedding industry, and of course, they have also been affected by rising transport, labour and power costs, and tariffs.

• Style & size – A natural, garden-style bouquet with lots of movement may cost more than a compact bunch; thin-stemmed, airy flowers are often as expensive as a larger, more impactful, more widely used blooms; therefore, you may need more stems.

• Venue scale – Dressing a cosy ceremony room at The George Hotel in Rye is very different from filling a marquee for 150 guests.

• Flower types – Premium blooms such as garden roses, peonies, or orchids will increase costs, while foliage-led designs can balance budgets beautifully; however, foliage is not free, even if you have your own supply, there is a time element in cutting, transporting, and conditioning it.

• Props, such as table lamps, tapered Candles and candlesticks, LED candles and glass candle tubes, all add to the overall floral budget. I offer a variety of the above items available for use when choosing me as your florist.

• Floral Elements - obviously, if your budget won’t extend to nine bridesmaids’ bouquets, a ceremony installation, and an elaborate tablescape, I am here to offer some ways that we can compromise to get the wedding flowers that will be both beautiful and within your budget.

Average Wedding Flower Costs in East Sussex

While every wedding is different, here’s a realistic guide based on my experience as a Rye wedding florist:

• Bridal bouquet: £120–£180

• Bridesmaids’ bouquets: £65–£95 each

• Buttonholes: £12 each

• Ladies corsages: £20

• Wrist Corsages: from £30

• Ceremony flowers Broken Arches from £650, Full Arches from £750, Pedestals and Urns from £170 each

• Table flowers: £65–£150 per table, depending on scale and style

• Full wedding floral design: Most couples spend between £1,500–£3000 for a venue wedding & £3000-5000+ for a marquee & church wedding,

• I don’t have a minimum spend and if you only want a Bridal Bouquet and a Buttonhole that is fine as long as it is Local to Rye, or you can collect, If you would like to decorate your own venue I can also provide buckets of Flowers for DIY Weddings

Real Wedding Examples in Rye & Sussex

Courtyard wedding flowers at the George in Rye

Rustic wedding flowers at Tillingham, Rye, East Sussex

Flowers in Rye Floral arch at the Cherry Barn

• The George Hotel, Rye, East Sussex: A Fantastic Hotel and Venue, as in- house florist at the George Hotel in the heart of Rye, I can offer seasonal bouquets, and soft, meadow-inspired table flowers & tapered candles – catering for all budgets. NO Minimum Spend. Catering for small or large weddings average spend for full wedding is from £1000–£3000, depending on requirements.

• Tillingham Wines: A vineyard wedding with ceremony installations, meadow aisle flowers and rustic tablescapes – often £2500-£3500

• The Cherry Barn: Rustic barn celebrations with outdoor ceremony, statement flowers and suspended foliage, bridal party flowers and table decor – usually £2,500–

How to Get the Best Value from Your Wedding Flowers

• Trust the seasons – seasonal flowers are always at their best (and most cost-effective).

• Repurpose arrangements – move ceremony flowers to your reception. As I live locally, I am happy to design your flowers so that they can be easily repurposed, either by yourselves or my team. It’s great to make the most of your flowers. For example your meadow aisle flowers become mantlepiece arrangements, or your bridemaids bouquets placed on tables.

• Prioritise impact – a breath-taking entrance, installation or arch creates more wow-factor than filling every corner, it can also make a great photo backdrop for your guests photos throughout the day.

Wedding Florals

Invite your guests to take seat with a beautiful floral table plan.

Ready to Start Planning Your Flowers?

Every couple’s wedding is unique – and your flowers should be too. Whether you’re planning a grand celebration in a Church & Marquee or an intimate gathering in Rye, I’ll guide you through seasonal options and help make the most of your budget.

🌿 Get in touch here to start your wedding flower journey. If you would like a copy of a more detailed price guide, please email me alex@flowersinrye.co.uk