Wedding Florist Tools and Equipment: The Complete Starter Kit

What You Actually Need to Do Weddings

The gap between retail floristry and wedding floristry is not just about design skill. It is about logistics, transport, and installation equipment. Your retail shop has everything you need to make and sell arrangements over the counter. Weddings require a different toolkit.

Here is the complete equipment list, organized from essential to nice-to-have.

Tier 1: Absolute Essentials

Vehicle

You need a vehicle that can transport arrangements upright without tipping. Options:

• Cargo van (best option): Mercedes Sprinter, Ford Transit, or Ram ProMaster. Tall enough for ceremony installations. Wide enough for multiple centerpieces side by side.


• SUV with flat cargo area: Works for smaller weddings. Remove the back seats.


• Your existing car with transport racks: A temporary solution. Buy or build a flat platform for your trunk with non-slip matting.

Budget: $15,000 to $40,000 for a used van, or $200 to $400 per month to rent/lease.

Cooler or Cold Storage

If your shop has a walk-in cooler, you are set. If not:

• Portable cooler unit: CoolBot system ($400) attached to a well-insulated room converts any space into a 34 to 38 degree cooler.


• Insulated transport containers: Styrofoam-lined boxes or insulated bags keep arrangements cool during transport.

Processing Supplies

• Floral knives and pruners (Sakagen or Victorinox)


• Stem stripper


• Bucket spinner (for hydrating stems fast)


• Clean buckets in multiple sizes (buy 20 to 30 from a restaurant supply store)


• Flower food packets (Chrysal or Floralife)


• Bleach for bucket sanitation

Tier 2: Installation Hardware

Ceremony Structures

Even one ceremony arch dramatically expands your bookings. Options:

• Metal arch frame: $150 to $500 for a basic rectangular or circular frame from a wholesale supplier


• Custom-built: $500 to $2,000 for steel frames welded to your specifications


• Rental partnership: Partner with a local rental company if you are not ready to invest

Installation Tools

• Cable ties (zip ties) in black and clear


• Paddle wire (22 and 26 gauge)


• Bind wire


• Water tubes (for individual stem hydration in installations)


• Oasis foam alternatives (Agra-Wool or chicken wire)


• Floral tape (green and white)


• Floral adhesive


• Fishing line (for suspended elements)


• Clamps and spring clips


• Step ladder (6-foot minimum)

Tier 3: Vessels and Containers

Build a collection over time. Start with:

• Compote bowls (10 to 15): Gold, silver, or white pedestal bowls for elevated centerpieces


• Cylinder vases (20 to 30): Clear glass in three heights for versatile use


• Bud vases (30 to 50): Small vessels for cocktail tables and accent arrangements


• Urn-style vessels (4 to 6): Statement pieces for ceremony and entrance displays


• Mercury glass (10 to 15): Adds vintage warmth to reception tablescapes

Sourcing tip: Buy vessels from restaurant supply stores, HomeGoods, estate sales, and wholesale floral suppliers. Build gradually. Charge a rental fee per vessel in your proposals.

Tier 4: Day-of Supplies

• Touch-up kit: extra stems, scissors, water tubes, floral tape, pins


• Boutonniere pins and magnets


• Corsage wristlets and elastic


• Ribbon (silk, satin, and grosgrain in your most common colors)


• Clear plastic wrap for transport protection


• Moving blankets for protecting arrangements in transit


• Dolly or hand truck for heavy installations


• Trash bags and cleanup supplies

Investment Summary

| Category | Budget Range |
|---|---|
| Vehicle | $200/mo lease – $40,000 purchase |
| Cooler/cold storage | $400 – $5,000 |
| Processing supplies | $200 – $500 |
| First ceremony structure | $150 – $2,000 |
| Installation hardware | $100 – $300 |
| Starter vessel collection | $500 – $2,000 |
| Day-of supplies | $100 – $300 |
| Total starter investment | $1,650 – $10,100 |

How to Budget This

Do not buy everything at once. Start with:

• Month 1: Processing supplies and day-of kit (you probably have most of this)


• Month 2: Starter vessel collection (10 compotes, 20 cylinders, 30 bud vases)


• Month 3: One ceremony arch


• As revenue grows: Upgrade vehicle, expand vessel collection, add structures

Your first few weddings will pay for the entire equipment investment if you price correctly.

The complete equipment checklist with supplier recommendations is included in Chic Academy.