Let’s Talk Premium Florals
I have been getting so many inquiries for this modern moody look and for good reason because it’s absolutely stunning. It’s visually impactful with contrasting colors and varying dimension but lots of the flowers are considered luxury or premium and can be quite expensive. I believe in price transparency so I’m sharing how much it costs us florist at wholesale pricing, before labor, design and fees are added on. I spent a lot of time researching why they are so pricey, so let’s break it all down!
Phalaenopsis Orchids ($35 - $50 per stem wholesale)
- The most expensive flower out of them all. These aren’t like your grocery stores potted plants, which are much smaller and have less blooms. The orchids imported for floral design are a lot larger, with longer stems and grown for a much longer period of time.
- Imported from tropical regions and are extremely heat sensitive and hard to grow.
- Growing takes 2-4 years from seed to first flowering plant. Add an additional 2-3 years to produce commercial quantities.
- Each plant only grows 1-2 new leaves per year during growth phase.
- They are extremely delicate and can bruise and damage very easily. Costly to ship.
Cymbidium ($25 - $40 per stem wholesale) | Dendrobium ($2 - $8 per stem wholesale)
- These are a great alternative. Still on the pricier side but a more affordable option.
- Their blooms are smaller and sit in upright clusters (10-20 smaller blooms per stem).
- They can tolerate cooler temperatures and are sturdier and more resilient during shipping. Extremely long lasting, blooms can last up to 4-6 weeks.
Anthurium ($6 - $15 per stem wholesale)
- Imported from tropical regions such as Hawaii and Central/South America.
- They have a complicated pollination process, as the flowers are female and male at different stages.
- Seeds take 5-8 months just to develop and mature after pollination. Seedlings can take 3-4 YEARS before they produce those iconic heart-shaped spathes
- Extremely fragile and costly to ship.
Antique Hydrangeas ($7 - $15 per stem wholesale)
- “Antique” refers to hydrangeas that have been left on the plant to naturally age and dry. Meaning the aging process is quite longer. Which also means they have a higher risk of damage from weather, pests, or disease during extended bloom time.
- The aging process creates dusty rose, mauve, burgundy, bronze, silvery green, sage and other colors you can’t get from fresh blooms.
- Also seasonal, peak season is late August - October (fall only). These are NOT available in early summer.
- Colors also change during their growth. Mid-August: “soft antique” stage begins (lighter, muted colors). Late September - October: deepest jewel tones (burgundy, mauve, dusty rose).
Limelight Hydrangeas ($3 - $8 per stem wholesale)
- Each bloom head can be up to 12 inches long and it can take 3 years for the plant to be fully mature.
- The plants themselves can grow up to 6-8 feet and take up a significant amount of growing space.
- Seasonal flowers, primarily available July - September.
- Colors change during their growth process. Best green color, July - early August. As they mature through August - September: transition from lime green → creamy white → pink → burgundy by fall.
- Limited availability outside of summer months. Premium pricing or unavailable in winter/spring.
Sub: Green Hydrangea ($2-$3 per stem wholesale) | Mini Green Hydrangeas ($1.50-$2 per stem)
- Traditional hydrangea size but also comes in a smaller and mini variety. Using both the traditional and mini green hydrangeas is not only a way to save, it creates dimension and variation in shape.
Calla Lilies ($3 - $6 per stem wholesale)
- Another slow grower, depending on the desired length and size, they can take up to 3 years from seed to first bloom.
- Native to South Africa but they are also heavily commercially grown in New Zealand.
- Just like the others, their stems are delicate and can easily bruise or damage during shipment.
- Classic trumpet shape, 4-6 inches long. Thick, sturdy stems 18-24+ inches long.
Sub: Mini Calla Lilies ($2 - $4 per stem wholesale)
- Smaller blooms, 2-3 inches long
- Thinner, more delicate stems 12-16 inches
- Pricing dependent on colors
Hanging Amaranthus - Green ($2 - $4 per stem wholesale)
- The most affordable option out of the bunch. I wouldn’t necessarily consider this a premium flower but it borders high end. The reason it can get expensive is because you may have to use large quantities to create a dramatic visually impact.
- They don’t take nearly as long to grow as the others but they can’t handle cold climates so usually grown in warm or tropical regions.
- Peak season is July - October but now usually available throughout the year however pricing can be higher on off seasons.
Burgundy ($3 - $5 per stem wholesale)
- More expensive than the green variety. Why? Shorter growing season and needs cooler nights for deep red color development. Limited availability creates premium pricing.
Upright Amaranthus ($2 - $5 per stem wholesale)
- Earlier availability than hanging varieties but still summer-dependent. Red varieties: August - November (fall only). Green varieties: June - November.
And lastly, let’s not forget about… 𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙛𝙛𝙨. A lot of flowers are imported from various different countries and regions. Not only tariffs but add on international shipping, custom processing fees, plus currency exchange.. the costs add up fast.
Pricing varies from many factors such as seasonal availability, weather / crop conditions, where they are imported from and more.
If you love this look, I’d love to help you create it, I just wanted to give a little pre-warning that anything with these specific flowers will cost a little (or maybe a lot more) than a standard arrangement or bouquet. However if you love the overall vibe but are flexible on the exact flowers, I’d love to work with you on alternatives that can capture a similar aesthetic while being kinder to your budget.
My goal isn’t to talk you out of the flowers you love or to push the most expensive options. My goal is to give you all the information so you can make the best decision for your wedding and your budget.
Ready to talk flowers? Send me a message and let’s design something amazing together!