Krysta Smith: Floral Artistry + Event Design

Krysta Smith: Floral Artistry + Event Design

While January is a really gorgeous time for a wedding due to the summer weather, there are some aspects to keep in mind regarding flower availability and sourcing during that time of the year.

1. Seasonal Availability: January falls during the Australian summer, which means some flowers may be in limited supply or unavailable due to the heat. However, there are still plenty of beautiful options to choose from, as there are many flower varieties that thrive during this season; especially natives and orchids. There are also imports. 

2. Local Availability: Working with a skilled and above-and-beyond wedding florist will be beneficial, as they will have knowledge of the local flower markets and local flower farms, and will work hard to guide you on the best options available during January. They can suggest flowers that are in season or source blooms from different regions if necessary.

3. Flexibility in Flower Selection: Being open to different flower varieties and colours will increase the likelihood of finding suitable options for your wedding. Discuss your preferences and overall vision with your florist, and they can suggest alternatives or complementary blooms that will align with your style.

If you're not getting anywhere with local florists, I would consider doing the following: 

a) reaching out to your wedding venue for recommendations of florists they work with and following up with their availability during that time. 

b) reaching out to local flower farms to see whether they will be operating during that time - this could be valuable information to pass onto a floral designer that is available on your date

c) visit the local markets and speak to growers and wholesalers to find out who closes during that period and who remains open - the ones remaining open may then be able to recommend floral designers they work closely with 

I am based in Sydney and have a back-up grower that I order from during this time. It may be that you need to engage a florist from further afield and have them drive the flowers in a refrigerated/aircon van from Sydney to BB. I also work with growers that courier flowers to my venues further afield.

It's worth considering that these recommendations may have cost implications and so if it comes down to cost, it might be worth postponing by a couple of weeks. 

Best wishes!

Krysta Smith: Floral Artistry + Event Design

The cost of wedding flowers can vary greatly depending on the type of flowers, the size and complexity of the arrangements, and the location of the wedding.

A bridal bouquet in Sydney can range in price from around $150 for a simple, small posy of mixed seasonal blooms and foliage, to over $500 for a larger, more elaborate arrangement featuring premium blooms or exotic flowers.

A ceremony arch can also vary in cost depending on the size, style, and flowers used. A simple arch with a greenery and a few blooms can cost around $500, while a more elaborate arch with premium blooms and foliage can cost upwards of $2,000. Usually floral designers will measure by the metre and adjust the cost depending on whether or not it has a premium floral heavy focus.

You can expect to pay around $150 to $500 for each table centrepiece, depending on the size and complexity of the arrangement. For example, a small vase compared to a large/high arrangement. Bud vases are also an effective way of keeping costs down whilst still creating impact.

It's important to keep in mind that these are just estimates, and the actual cost of wedding flowers will depend on a variety of factors. You can also explore having ceremony florals that can be repurposed for the reception to make the most of your allocated floral budget - for example, urns on plinths or growing aisle arrangements/ground floor arbours that can be divided and repurposed.

When budgeting for wedding flowers, it's important to prioritize which elements are most important to the couple and allocate funds accordingly. By working with a professional florist and being transparent about budget constraints, your florist will do their best to get the most out of your allocated spend.