Key Insights from The Irish Wedding Survey 2025/2026
As we look toward the 2026 wedding season, staying ahead of the curve is essential for any professional florist. We have analyzed the latest data from the weddings online survey of over 1,000 participants to help you understand where couples are spending their money and how you can position your business for success.
The Financial Picture: Budgets are Rising
The average Irish wedding now costs €36,641, representing a 6.5% increase from the previous year. For florists, this is a clear sign that couples are willing to invest in their big day, even as 45% of them struggle to stay within their initial budget.
Venue Focus: Couples are spending an average of €15,087 on their venues.
Floral Investment: The average total package spend for wedding flowers is €1,637.
Decor Add-ons: Beyond the bouquets, there is an additional average spend of €426 for ceremony decor and €522 for venue decor like signs and candles.
A Note on the Numbers: Average vs. Median
When looking at these statistics, it is important to remember that these figures represent the average (the mean). In the wedding industry, the average can often be skewed higher by a small number of "luxury" weddings with very large budgets.
While the average floral spend is €1,637, the median (the middle point if you lined up every wedding from cheapest to most expensive) is often higher. This means while many weddings land around the €1,000–€1,200 mark, the high-end bookings may bring the average down. As a florist, use these figures as a benchmark for your packages, but do not be discouraged if your entry-level quotes are above this "average" number.
Timing Your Marketing: Peak Planning Seasons
Understanding when couples get engaged and when they marry allows you to time your social media and outreach perfectly.
Engagement Peaks: 16% of couples get engaged in December, with another 21% happening in August and September.
Wedding Season: July, August, and September are the busiest months, accounting for 37% of weddings.
The Long Game: 38% of couples have an engagement of over two years, meaning the seeds you plant today in your marketing may not bloom into a booking for 24 months.
Venue Trends: Where the Magic Happens
Where a couple gets married dictates the style of floristry required.
Hotels Lead the Way: 55% of couples choose hotels, which often require large-scale, impactful arrangements to fill big rooms.
Alternative Venues: Country houses (19%) and castles (12%) remain popular, offering opportunities for more romantic or period-appropriate floral designs.
Top Locations: If you are based in or near Meath, Dublin, Cavan, Kildare, or Cork, you are in the heart of the most popular wedding counties in Ireland.
Winning the Booking: It’s Not Just About Price
Perhaps the most encouraging statistic for skilled florists is how couples choose their suppliers.
Reviews are King: 54% of couples base their decision on reviews.
Quality Over Cost: Only 12% of couples chose a supplier because they were the lowest cost option.
The "Favorite" Factor: 26% went with their favorite choice regardless of price.
Final Takeaway for Florists
Couples are looking for expertise, reliability, and a style they love. They are willing to pay for quality, provided they can see the value through your reviews and previous work.
Ready to level up your wedding floristry skills? Our Module 3 Professional Floristry Certificate focusing on Bridal and Wedding Flowers starts this Monday soon. We dive deep into the mechanics and business of weddings so you can confidently claim your share of the market.