The Truth About Ordering Wedding Flowers from Big Box Stores

The Truth About Ordering Wedding Flowers from Costco & Sam’s Club

Planning your wedding comes with a lot of decisions—and for many couples, florals are one of the first places they look to save.

Big box retailers like Costco and Sam’s Club offer wedding flower packages that seem like an easy, affordable solution. At first glance, the pricing can feel like a no-brainer.

But what most couples don’t realize is that ordering wedding flowers this way comes with trade-offs that can significantly impact your experience—and your final result.

Let’s break it down.

What You’re Actually Getting

When you order wedding flowers through a bulk retailer, you’re typically receiving:

• Pre-designed packages

• Limited color palettes

• Standardized flower selections

• Boxed, shipped arrangements or loose stems

While this can work well for very simple setups, it’s important to understand that these are not custom designs—and they’re not created with your specific event in mind.

The Reality of Shipping & Handling

Flowers are delicate. And when they’re shipped in boxes:

• They can arrive early and require storage

• They may arrive tight (not fully bloomed)

• There is always a level of unpredictability

Many couples don’t realize they’ll need to:

• process the flowers

• hydrate them properly

• store them in a temperature-controlled space

All while managing everything else leading up to their wedding day.

The Time Commitment

This is the part that catches people off guard.

DIY or bulk floral ordering often means:

• arranging bouquets the day before

• coordinating setup the morning of

• relying on friends or family for help

Instead of relaxing or spending time with loved ones, you’re managing logistics.

Design Limitations

With pre-set packages, flexibility is limited.

That means:

• fewer customization options

• less ability to match your exact vision

• no adjustments based on your venue or layout

Floral design isn’t just about the flowers themselves—it’s about how they interact with your space, lighting, and overall aesthetic.

Is It Actually Cheaper?

At first glance, ordering through big box retailers can appear more affordable.

But when you factor in the full picture—shipping, processing time, supplies, and the potential for last-minute adjustments—the difference is often far less significant than expected.

In many cases, working with a local florist provides not only comparable pricing, but also a far more seamless and supported experience.

A Thoughtful Alternative

If you love the idea of simplifying your floral experience—but still want something elevated—there are options that fall in between fully custom design and full DIY.

At Flora + Flame, we offer:

• curated wedding floral collections

• a la carte options through Petali

• and full-service custom design

So you can choose the level of support that fits your vision, your priorities, and your budget—without sacrificing quality or experience.

Your wedding day should feel meaningful, joyful, and as stress-free as possible.

For some, that means a hands-on approach.
For others, it means having a trusted team handle the details.

There’s no one right answer—only what’s right for you.

If you’re exploring your options, we’d love to help you find the best fit. Inquire here to get started.