Flowers are more than just aesthetic decor—they are an artistic expression that can elevate the emotion and memory of your customer’s special day. However, when budgets are a consideration, it’s natural to see flowers as an expendable “extra” rather than an integral part of the wedding vision. In this blog, we will share some of the strategies we have found most effective for gently guiding your brides and grooms towards embracing flowers as a core wedding element rather than an optional add-on. 

Start With Suggestions, Not Prices

When talking to brides about their floral vision, don’t dive into the pricing. Instead, suggest positive suggestions about additional items that complement their initial ideas. For example, if they’re set on bouquets, mention how beautiful boutonnieres and corsages would look as complements. Or, if they’ve picked centerpieces, suggest working floral accents into the bridesmaid accessories as well. Exciting them about new design possibilities will make them more open to adding extras.

Show Inspiration Boards

Bring out visual inspiration when discussing design options. Pinterest boards, magazine clippings, and photos from your portfolio showing full floral wedding looks will help clients imagine going bigger. Point out stunning details they may not have considered previously. Say, “I love how the bridesmaids’ hair pieces in this pic pick up the colors in the flowers so cohesively.” 

Present Collections, Not a la Carte Ordering

Rather than listing off individual bouquets, centerpieces, etc., at set prices, create predefined floral collections for different wedding party sizes and budgets. Have your “Intimate Wedding”, “Classic Elegance”, and “Grand Affair” packages prepared with quantities and estimated costs for all essential floral items as part of beautifully composed coordinated looks. Clients are far more likely to go big, opting for one of your readymade collections rather than adding items one by one. 

Try using wedding planner software–it can streamline your proposals, letting clients see your collections visually and approve with ease. These tools can also help you manage payments efficiently, ensuring a smooth process from selection to final payout.

Suggest Stages of Purchasing

When someone knows their budget is limited, they may hesitate to upgrade for fear of going over. Assuage those concerns by breaking floral purchases into stages. I recommend locking in the basics like bouquets first since that’s not usually flexible. Then, as the wedding gets closer and they get a clearer picture of costs in other areas, they may feel more comfortable taking on personalized touches. An engaged couple this spring may add boutonnieres by autumn.

Pair Extras With Discounts

Occasionally run short-term promotions using your florist POS system where you offer volume discounts or bundle floral extras at reduced rates– this can encourage customers to take the plunge on bigger orders. Make sure you clearly advertise what they save by purchasing over a certain threshold. Everyone loves a good deal! Just be strategic about how often you run these so as not to undermine your typical pricing.

Get Testimonials and Before/Afters

You can ask your top-spending customers if you can feature their weddings on your website and social media pages. Including budgets alongside their lavish floral displays lets new customers envision themselves. You could even do a monthly “Floral Transformation Tuesday” post comparing initial envisioned designs to final products.

Explore What Extras Mean to the Couple

When first meeting with clients, take some time to learn more about their relationship and vision for the day. Ask things like what formal events they have planned that floral accents could complement or if there are any special traditions or locales that could be highlighted with floral touches. Couples may be more open to extras if they feel their individual story is being celebrated rather than just checking boxes on must-have items.

Frame It as Finishing Touches, Not Additions

Some bridal parties can hesitate at the thought of “adding on” more to their budgets. So when suggesting upgrades, position extras as refinements that complete their envisioned aesthetic rather than extra costs. Emphasize how floral pins, wrist corsages, or even bespoke floral arrangements for the welcome table or ceremony archway aren’t additive but complementary design elements that “finish” the look.

Offer Financing Options

For larger floral orders, present flexible financing alternatives so couples don’t rule out your premium packages and collections due to short-term cash flow concerns. Whether it’s breaking payments into installments, offering low or no-interest accrual for balances paid within 6 months, or partnering with outside services that facilitate wedding financing – flexible budget options extend the reach of your pricier proposals.

Leverage Relationship Perks for Return Clients

Word-of-mouth and repeat business are invaluable. For couples who used your shop previously or are referred by delighted clients, consider rewarding their continued loyalty through running loyalty programs using your florist POS solution. You might provide future discounts on renewal floral orders for anniversary parties or vow renewals. This is absolutely necessary, as small gestures go a long way in cementing long-term business relationships.

If you’re a florist looking to guide more brides towards fuller floral visions, consider using a florist software like Hana Florist POS to easily manage pricing, payments, and promotions. Contact us today to learn how their intuitive floral point-of-sale system can help elevate your clients’ weddings with beautiful floral designs while staying on budget.

Published by Charlie N.