How to Buy Bulk Wedding Flowers: Shopping Guide

For an occasion as special as a wedding, you want beautiful, lush bouquets of fresh-cut flowers. Beautiful flowers make the wedding, and even small weddings depend on arranging just the right mix of blooms and greenery. With Sam's Club bulk bouquets, you can have the glorious fresh bouquets of your dreams, without busting the wedding budget.

Shopping with us can get you both the wide selection and value you want but that you might not find at your local corner florist. We can help you find exactly what you want with the quality you deserve at the prices you need.

When should you make wedding flower arrangements?

Once you've settled on the perfect floral arrangement for your wedding's centerpieces, bouquets, boutonnieres and corsages, all you need to do is let us know your preferred delivery date and location. We'll take care of everything else, so you can relax and enjoy your special day.

For the lower 48 contiguous states, we can deliver your fresh flowers on Tuesday through Friday. While you should order your flowers at least two days before your event, we suggest placing your order much earlier. Many wedding planners and event professionals suggest ordering three to four weeks in advance to ensure you get the type, color and quantity of the specific blooms you want.

How Much Do Wedding Bouquets Cost?

What is the average cost of flowers for a wedding?

The exact cost of your wedding flowers will depend on a number of factors, including what specific flowers you want, how big you'd like your arrangements to be and how many of them you'll need. Weather and other factors can also impact availability and cost. Statistically, in the U.S., couples spend anywhere between $700 and $2,500, or an average cost of about $1,500.

What are the cheapest wedding flowers?

Between centerpieces for the reception and gift tables, boutonnieres for the groom and his ushers, and bouquets for the bride and bridesmaids, costs for your wedding flowers can add up fast.

Fortunately, there are lots of ways to save money on your wedding flowers while still not compromising on quality and looks. Some flowers cost less than others. Look at using these less expensive blooms either on their own or to fill up an arrangement of other, pricier flowers:

• Carnations
• Gerber daisies
• Chrysanthemums
• Hydrangeas

How can I save money on wedding flowers?

Weddings can be expensive these days, and we're here to help in any way we can. We know you have other things you'd rather spend your hard-earned money on, such as a fabulous honeymoon or investing in a beautiful first home together.

DIY flowers can save you lots of money for your wedding. Buy bulk flowers and put them together however you like. You can also brighten your special day with gorgeous floral arrangements without breaking the bank by following these additional tips:

• Consider going green: Using fresh greenery of different types and textures can add a lovely outdoorsy feel to your wedding decor. Since it's usually much less expensive than cut flowers would be, you can create a lusher, fuller effect for less money.
• Explore less expensive blooms: If you want to highlight specific flowers that might cost more, such as calla lilies, tulips, dahlias, peonies or white roses, use fewer stems and surround them with more affordable blooms such as mums or carnations.
• Keep the focus on the bride: Use your more expensive flowers in the bridal bouquet, and use less expensive arrangements on tables and elsewhere.
• Make your arrangements do double-duty: Appoint a friend or relative to transport flowers from the church, synagogue or wherever you're holding your ceremony to the reception location and rearrange them for your tables.

How Do I Choose Wedding Flowers?

Selecting flowers for such an important occasion can feel a little overwhelming. Start by setting your budget. Knowing what you'd like to spend on your wedding floral arrangements will help you make decisions about which flowers and how many stems to include in each piece.

Next, make a wish list of all the types of flowers you'd like to have—a bride's bouquet, bouquets for the bridesmaids, boutonnieres for the groom and his attendants, and corsages for the mothers and grandmothers. You may also want to include flowers for the altar, as pew decorations, for tables at the reception and other accents and arrangements to make your day special.

Next, consider your color scheme. You'll want your flowers to complement the wedding party's attire and any accessories they may be wearing. Also, keep in mind the "feel" of your wedding. Flowers for a formal evening wedding may look very different from a more casual daytime ceremony.

Finally, explore your options. Keep your guidelines flexible and be willing to consider alternatives if the flowers you had in mind wind up costing twice as much due to weather effects or some other factor outside your control.

What flowers should not be in a wedding bouquet?

In some cases, a perfectly lovely bloom might not be the best choice for a wedding due to a strong scent that might overwhelm the bride's fragrance or cause migraines in a sensitive wedding guest. One example of such a flower is the gardenia, which is perfectly lovely but packs an olfactory wallop.

You may also want to think twice about using sunflowers and gerbera daisies prevalently in your wedding floral arrangements. These flowers often cause misery for hay fever and environmental allergy sufferers.

How Do I Care for Wedding Flowers?

How long do bouquets last?

Generally, if you keep your flowers sufficiently hydrated in a cool environment, your bouquet flowers will last one week or more.

How do I keep bulk flowers fresh for a wedding?

To keep your bulk flowers at their freshest, follow these steps:

1. Gently unwrap the flowers from the packaging
2. Trim the stems about half an inch at a 45-degree angle with a sharp knife or scissors
3. Add cool, clear water to a clean container or case, then add flower food to the water and dissolve it well
4. Gently place your flowers in the water