Just Bloom Wedding Flower Guide: How Many Flowers You Need
Planning flowers for a wedding can feel overwhelming. Flowers are central to the day’s aesthetics—they set the tone, add color, and help convey the style of your celebration. But how many flowers do you actually need? The answer depends on the size of your wedding, your preferred flower types, and how extravagant you want your arrangements. This Just Bloom HK guide breaks it down carefully, so you can plan without overbuying or underestimating.
1. Bridal Bouquet
The bridal bouquet is usually the largest and most detailed bouquet of the wedding. It is meant to stand out in photos and complement your dress.
Typical Size: 12–24 stems.
Flower Types: Popular options include roses, peonies, lilies, hydrangeas, or any seasonal blooms. Larger blooms take up more space and can reduce the number of stems needed.
Design Tips: Include greenery such as eucalyptus, ferns, or ivy to create a lush, full look. Add filler flowers like baby’s breath or small daisies to make the bouquet appear larger without adding cost.
Pro Tip: The bouquet should coordinate with bridesmaids’ bouquets but remain noticeably larger and more intricate.
2. Bridesmaids’ Bouquets
Bridesmaids typically carry smaller bouquets that complement the bridal bouquet in color and style.
Number of Bridesmaids: Usually 4–6.
Size: 8–16 stems per bouquet, smaller than the bridal bouquet to allow the bride’s bouquet to stand out.
Flower Types: Use the same types of flowers as the bridal bouquet but in smaller quantities. Add greenery and filler flowers for texture.
Design Tip: Consider a more casual or wildflower-inspired arrangement if the bridal bouquet is formal, for visual contrast.
3. Boutonnieres
Boutonnieres are small floral pieces pinned to the lapels of the groom, groomsmen, and key family members.
Number of Men: Typically 5–10 (groom, best man, groomsmen, fathers, grandfathers).
Flowers Needed: Usually 1–2 small blooms per boutonniere. Common choices are miniature roses, orchids, or spray flowers.
Greenery: Small leaves, sprigs of herbs, or eucalyptus are common additions.
Tip: Match the boutonniere flowers with the bride’s bouquet for a cohesive look.
4. Corsages
Corsages are small floral arrangements worn on the wrist or pinned to clothing, usually for mothers, grandmothers, or other honored female relatives.
Number of Women: Typically 4–8.
Flowers Needed: 2–4 small blooms per corsage.
Greenery & Fillers: Add small leaves, berries, or baby’s breath to make the corsage appear more substantial without overdoing it.
Tip: Wrist corsages are popular and convenient, especially for dancing.
5. Flower Girl
Flower girls either carry small bouquets or scatter petals down the aisle.
Small Bouquet Option: 5–10 stems in a tiny bouquet, often matching bridesmaids’ colors.
Petals for Tossing: 1–2 large flowers per petal bag, usually enough for 100–200 petals per child.
Tip: Artificial petals or biodegradable petals are also popular if you want to avoid mess or seasonal limitations.
6. Ceremony Flowers
The ceremony is the centerpiece of your floral planning. Flowers here create an atmosphere for your vows and first looks.
Altar/Arch Arrangements:
Large arrangements often require 50–100 stems per side, depending on the size of the arch.
Include greenery garlands for fullness.
Garlands: Draping greenery or flowers along the aisle or arch may require 50–150 stems.
Aisle Markers: Small arrangements or single blooms on pews/chairs usually require 2–5 stems per marker.
Tip: Reuse ceremony flowers at the reception to reduce costs.
7. Reception Flowers
Reception flowers create ambiance at tables, buffet areas, and the head table.
Centerpieces:
Small vases: 6–12 stems per table.
Medium arrangements: 12–20 stems per table.
Large arrangements: 20–40 stems per table.
Head Table / Sweetheart Table: 20–40 stems for a single long arrangement or multiple small vases.
Extra Areas: Consider flowers for guest book tables, bars, lounge areas, and buffet spaces. These can require 5–20 stems per area.
Tip: Combine greenery and flowers to make arrangements appear fuller without significantly increasing cost.
8. Additional Decorative Flowers
Smaller accents add cohesion to the overall floral design.
Cake Flowers: 1–3 stems per tier, plus greenery for added texture.
Welcome Sign or Guest Book Area: 5–10 stems.
Extra Décor (Bars, Buffet, Lounge): 5–20 stems per area.
Estimated Flower Count for a Typical 100-Guest Wedding
Here’s a realistic breakdown using the numbers above for a wedding with 6 bridesmaids, 6 groomsmen, and 10 tables:
Bridal Bouquet: 18 stems
Bridesmaids’ Bouquets (6 × 12): 72 stems
Boutonnieres (8 × 1.5): 12 stems
Corsages (6 × 3): 18 stems
Flower Girl Petals: 20–50 stems
Ceremony Arrangements: 100–200 stems
Reception Centerpieces (10 × 15): 150 stems
Head Table: 25 stems
Cake & Extra Décor: 20–30 stems
Total Estimate: 435–625 stems
Keep in mind: This is a flexible guideline. Your exact number will vary based on bloom size, fullness, and style. Using filler flowers and greenery can reduce costs and make arrangements appear larger.
Pro Tips for Efficient Flower Planning
Use Greenery Wisely: Greenery can fill space and add texture, helping reduce the number of expensive blooms.
Repurpose Flowers: Move ceremony flowers to reception tables to maximize use.
Choose Seasonal Flowers: They are less expensive and more abundant, often leading to fresher arrangements.
Consult Your Florist: A professional can recommend the exact number of stems for your preferred style and venue.
Track Flower Budget: Flowers often make up a large portion of wedding costs. Knowing your exact stem counts helps prevent overspending.
