How many flower stems do I need for my wedding?

Short answer

There is no fixed number, because it depends on your bouquet size, table arrangements and venue. A typical bridal bouquet uses 10 to 25 stems, while centrepieces often need 15 to 30. Ask your florist to plan around your vision.

The number of stems you need depends on the flowers you choose, the size of each arrangement and how many arrangements you want. A hand-tied bridal bouquet usually takes between 10 and 25 stems, depending on bloom size. Bridesmaids' bouquets are often smaller, around 8 to 15 stems. For table centrepieces, you might use 15 to 30 stems in a vase, or fewer if you add foliage and fillers.

Think about where flowers will appear: bouquets, buttonholes, ceremony arch, aisle markers, table centres, cake decoration and thank-you bouquets. Foliage like eucalyptus or ivy stretches your stems and adds fullness. Large-headed flowers such as hydrangeas or peonies fill space quickly, so you need fewer. Smaller blooms like gypsophila or sweet peas need more stems to look generous.

Your florist can give you a stem count once they know your venue and colour scheme. If you are arranging flowers yourself, buy a few extra stems of each type for practice and for any mishaps on the day. Ask your venue whether they have vases or jars you can borrow, which saves money and reduces waste.