Many brides consider flowers a staple of their wedding decor and hire floral designers to create unique floral pieces for the ceremony and reception areas, the bridal party and the bridal bouquet. A wedding floral designer's average salary will generally vary from year to year since it depends on a variety of factors that can change frequently.

Owner vs. Employee

Floral designers who work for florists generally make between $18,000 and $29,000 per year. However, some wedding floral designers contract exclusively through resorts or hotels, and may provide services for all of the events held at that location. If you own your own business, or work as an individual consultant, your salary will depend more upon how many clients you have per year and the fee structure you've set up. Some floral designers choose to charge a percentage of the couples' overall wedding budget, while others elect to charge a flat fee in addition to the cost of the flowers and supplies.

Experience

A wedding floral designer's experience and talent will also necessarily play a part in how much she is paid. If you are just starting out, it is expected that you will earn less than a floral designer who has supplied the flower arrangements for dozens of high-profile weddings over the last five years. However, once a floral designer has built up a portfolio and positive reputation, it is expected she will not only draw more potential clients, but will also charge more for her services.

Season

Although weddings do happen at all times of the year, the months between May and August are considered the "wedding season" and is often when the bulk of many floral designers' income is earned. The greater the number of weddings a florist designs arrangements for will usually mean an increase in income, but sometimes very in-demand wedding floral designers may have to turn away potential clients due to scheduling conflicts.

Other Services

Some wedding floral designers also offer other services, such as providing the design for the entire decorating scheme. They may also provide flowers for wedding-related events in addition to the wedding itself, like engagement parties, bridal showers or rehearsal dinners. If the bride wants fresh flowers on her wedding cake, the florist may collaborate with the bakery handling the cake and would be paid for her time and expertise as a consultant.