DIY Wedding Flowers 102: How Many Flowers Do You Actually Need?
- Olive Branch
- Mar 13
- 3 min read
If you're planning DIY wedding flowers after reading DIY Wedding Flowers 101, you're probably feeling excited—and maybe a little overwhelmed.
One of the biggest questions brides ask before ordering flowers is simple:
How many flowers do I actually need?
Ordering too few can leave you scrambling the night before your wedding. Ordering too many can quickly blow your budget. The good news is that with a little planning, you can estimate your flower needs with confidence.
Here’s how to do it.
Start With Your Wedding Party
Your wedding party flowers are usually the easiest place to start because they follow a predictable formula.
Typical wedding party flowers include:
Bride
1 bridal bouquet
Typical stems: 25–40 stems (depending on size and fullness)
Bridesmaids
1 bouquet per bridesmaid
Typical stems: 15–25 stems each
Groom
1 boutonniere
Groomsmen
1 boutonniere per groomsman
Other Personal Flowers
You may also want flowers for:
Mothers
Grandmothers
Fathers
Officiant
Ring bearer or flower girl
Even a small wedding party can easily require 10–20 individual floral pieces, not including ceremony or reception flowers.
Plan Your Ceremony Flowers
Next, think about where you want flowers during your ceremony.
Common ceremony arrangements include:
Floral pieces on the arbor or arch
Aisle markers
Entry arrangements
Welcome sign flowers
Many DIY brides reuse these flowers later at the reception to save money.
For example:
Aisle arrangements can become centerpieces
Arch flowers can decorate the sweetheart table
Entry arrangements can move to the gift table
Planning this ahead of time helps you maximize every stem you buy.
Reception Flowers Add Up Fast
Reception florals are where most DIY flower budgets grow quickly.
Ask yourself:
How many guest tables will you have?
Do you want flowers on cocktail tables?
Will you decorate the bar, cake table, or welcome table?
Even simple centerpieces can require 10–25 stems per table depending on the design.
For example:
A wedding with 12 tables might need:150–300 stems for centerpieces alone.
This is where many DIY brides underestimate their flower order.
The Hidden Flowers Brides Forget
There are a few items DIY brides often forget to include in their flower counts.
These might include:
Cake flowers
Toss bouquet
Hair flowers or flower crowns
Sweetheart table arrangement
Welcome sign accent flowers
Flat lay flowers for photos
Your photographer will love these small floral details—and they make your wedding design feel more complete.
You Don’t Have to DIY Alone
Many brides love the idea of DIY flowers but feel overwhelmed once they start figuring out quantities, ordering, and keeping flowers fresh.
That’s where Olive Branch Flower Bar can help.
We work with DIY brides at whatever level of support they need. Some brides want full guidance, while others just need help with certain parts of the process.
We can assist with:
Floral design planning
Flower ordering
Flower conditioning and preparation
Proper storage before the wedding
Bouquet and arrangement assembly guidance in our studio
Our goal is to help DIY brides feel confident and supported so they can still enjoy the creative process without the stress.
Whether you need help from start to finish or just a little guidance along the way, we’re here to make DIY wedding flowers easier.
A Simple Flower Planning Formula
If you're feeling stuck, start with this rough estimate:
Small weddings (under 75 guests)300–500 stems
Medium weddings (75–150 guests)500–900 stems
Large weddings (150+ guests)900–1500+ stems
The exact number depends on the style you choose, but this gives you a realistic starting point.
Timing Matters for DIY Flowers
Another important factor is when you plan to arrange your flowers.
Most DIY brides will need to:
Pick up flowers 2–3 days before the wedding
Condition and prep them
Assemble bouquets and centerpieces the day before
Make sure you plan enough help so you're not arranging flowers alone the night before your wedding.
Final Thoughts
DIY wedding flowers can be beautiful and rewarding—but success comes down to good planning and realistic expectations.
When you know how many flowers you need, you can:
Order with confidence
Stay within your budget
Avoid last-minute stress
And most importantly, you can enjoy the process of creating something special for your wedding day.
Coming Next in the Series
In the next post, we’ll talk about something every DIY bride should know:
How to Keep Wedding Flowers Fresh for Days Before Your Wedding
Because flowers are beautiful—but they’re also delicate.
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