Your Budget
I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to go into planning your florals with a budget! Probably the number one misconception in the floral industry is the cost of flowers and the work that goes into them!
Each and every wedding I work with is a custom design. There are no two alike. I work with each bridal couple to determine what will work best for them. One of the most difficult determinations for any bride-to-be is what her budget for flowers will be. There are many shops and sites that will tell you that on average, 8 to 10% of your total wedding budget should be dedicated to your flowers. To take the frustration out of going into a consultation blindly, I have created the following simple guide to help you understand and develop a realistic budget.
Here are a couple of simple considerations when figuring out the How's and Why's of flowers:
The season in which you are getting married, the size of your wedding party, venue and guest list, your color palette, miscellaneous expenses like rentals, delivery charges and set-up fees and, most importantly, what types of blooms you choose for your big day.
Each of these elements plays a role in determining how you should calculate your floral expenses. How important are flowers for you? For many brides, flowers are one of the core elements of the wedding day. Whether it is for sentimental reasons or that you simply love them, it is best to have a realistic expectation before you begin to shop around.
I am happy to work with brides to try to accommodate all budgets but it is important to have a realistic perspective when planning your wedding flowers. For example, some blooms are much more cost effective than others. Roses, daisies, stock, hypericum berries and carnations are economical flowers that are available year round. Garden Roses, Orchids, Peonies and Succulents are some examples of premium blooms and greens that will significantly increase the cost of bouquets and arrangements. Another factor to keep in mind is the seasonal availability of the blooms you would like in your wedding florals.
The size and sheer work involved in the pieces you choose to include in your wedding also play a big part in determining your budget. Garland, trellis, floral chandeliers, centrepieces and head table arrangements are all very work intensive and can be costly. Choose your pieces carefully and plan to budget for some of these larger pieces if they are important to you.
The best way to stay within a more economical budget is to choose flowers that are both in season and cost-effective and to take into account that the larger the piece, the more time and work a florist has to put into it.
Examples of Budget Friendly flowers: (available year round)

Available in a variety of color ranges from white and blush to purple

Available in a wide variety of colors and sizes.

Wonderfully fragrant, available in a wide range of colors.

Large explosions of small flowers, available in a range of colors, easily tinted.

Very romantic, fragrant flowers available in a variety of colors.

Very fragrant and versatile, this is a wedding standard.

Available in a huge variety of colors and sizes.

Wonderful smelling, available in a multitude of colors.

An almost unlimited number of colors are available, this is a classic wedding flower.
Examples of Premium flowers:

A beautiful, elegant flower, Anemones are a popular wedding flower only available for short periods of time.

Available seasonally, these delicate little blooms come in a variety of colors.

Fragile white flowers that are hand-wired individually.

Also seasonal, peonies are fragrant, lush and large. Very fragrant blooms.

Available in a wide variety of colors, Garden roses are huge, fragrant and very versatile.

Seasonally available, these winter favourites are large showstoppers.

Individual blooms are hand wired. Large, delicate and beautiful.

Beautiful plants that can serve as heirloom gifts long after a wedding if they are planted.

Very fragrant and delicate, these little charmers are show stoppers.
A quick note:
It's important to consider that many of the "premium" blooms are markedly more expensive due to their size and fullness. If you absolutely love the look of the Garden Rose, it may be worth your while to replace the many standard roses you envision with a few of these remarkable beauties. In many instances, one Garden rose will take centre stage in a bouquet and utilize the same space (and expense!) of three standard roses.

Price Reference Guide
This table is simply a quick reference guide to help you determine average pricing ranges for floral wedding items. The range reflects approximate costs of economical flower choices all the way to the most select blooms and small handhelds to full-blown arbor arrangments