Rose petals can add a romantic and elegant touch to events and celebrations. But knowing how many to buy can be tricky. Here’s a guide to help you figure out the right amount of rose petals for your needs.
What are you using rose petals for?
The amount of rose petals you need depends on your purpose:
- Wedding aisle or ceremony – For an aisle, you’ll need about 1-2 ounces of petals per linear foot. For example, a 50 foot aisle would need 50-100 ounces (about 3-6 lbs). For a ceremony space, estimate 1-2 ounces per square foot.
- Table centerpieces – Allow 2-4 ounces of petals per centerpiece. Top larger arrangements with 4-8 ounces.
- Decorating chairs/tables – Use 1-2 ounces of petals per chair, and 4-8 ounces per table.
- Flower girl tossing – Provide 1/2 to 1 pound of petals per flower girl.
- Sprinkling a path or stairs – You’ll need 1-2 ounces per foot for a lighter sprinkle, or 2-4 ounces per foot for a fuller coverage.
- Decorating a cake – Allow at least 4-8 ounces of petals to decorate the base and top of a wedding cake.
- Scatter in a room – Estimate 1-2 ounces of petals per square foot of floor space.
Factor in freshness and waste
Since rose petals are perishable, order at least 20% extra to account for wilting. Extra petals will also help cover any waste during clean up or from being blown away outside.
Choose full blooms or loose petals
Full rose blooms contain more petals per stem compared to bags of loose petals:
- On average, one full rose bloom provides around 20-25 petals.
- One ounce of loose petals contains approximately 110-150 petals.
Full blooms create a fuller, fluffier appearance. But they can be more costly. Loose petals are often more budget-friendly, but don’t provide as much volume.
Opt for petals over full flowers
Unless you’re specifically decorating with full rose blooms, rose petals are often a better option than using full flowers:
- Petals are easier to sprinkle and scatter.
- You’ll get more coverage with petals.
- Full blooms can obstruct views and paths.
- Full stems add unnecessary height.
- Petals create a romantic look without pollen and insects.
Order extra for vows, photos, etc.
Be sure to account for any symbolic uses of the petals beyond decor:
- Tossing petals during the recessional.
- Using in a unity ceremony or other ritual.
- Showering the couple with petals.
- Including in wedding photos.
Have petal cones or bags ready
Provide small cones or bags so flower girls and others sprinkling petals can easily grab handfuls on the go. Allow 1-2 ounces of petals per person.
Choose full petals over rose buds
While rose buds can add texture, opt for mainly flower petals. Buds can be uncomfortable to walk on and don’t provide the same romantic look.
Select petal colors
Red rose petals symbolize romance and love. But any color can work beautifully:
- Red – Passion, romance
- Pink – Happiness, femininity
- White – Purity, innocence
- Yellow – Friendship, joy
- Lavender – Enchantment, majesty
- Orange – Energy, enthusiasm
Consider mixing colors for visual interest. Or match your wedding colors.
Stick with real rose petals
Artificial petals lack the delicate beauty of real ones. And they don’t provide that romantic floral scent. For an event like a wedding, splurge for real petals.
Order from a florist
The best quality petals come from your florist or flower market. Grocery store flowers are often sprayed with chemicals. Order at least 2-3 days before your event.
Consider organic petals
Organic petals haven’t been treated with pesticides or chemicals. This is ideal if you’ll have food at your event or guests will be handling the petals.
Use flats for transport
To easily transport loose petals, store and carry them in shallow flats. This prevents spilling or crushing.
Give petals time to bloom
When stored properly, cut rose blooms can open fully in 2-3 days. Allow time for closed buds to bloom so you have the maximum number of petals.
Care for petals properly
To maximize freshness, store rose petals in the fridge until needed. Keep them dry and spread out in a single layer so they don’t crush each other.
Factor in delivery fees
Have your florist deliver the petals. There will likely be a delivery charge, so account for this added cost.
Rent a petal spreader
For large spaces, rent a flower petal spreader to quickly scatter them. Or assign helpers to spread them.
Set a flower petal budget
Loose rose petals cost $15-30 per pound. Full blooms average $2-5 each. Factor this into your overall wedding flower budget.
DIY rose petals
To save money, you can DIY rose petals using blooms from your garden. Cut them 2-3 days before the event and store properly.
Buy in bulk online
Ordering loose petals in bulk online can save up to 20-30% compared to florist pricing. Just be sure they aren’t crushed in shipping.
Reuse rose petals
If allowed, collect and reuse petals from the ceremony to scatter at the reception. This reduces waste.
Make potpourri
Dry leftover petals to make fragrant potpourri. Add spices and essential oils for scent. Package in bags or jars as wedding favors.
Mind the mess
Rose petals can stain flooring and fabrics. Place sheets or tarps if needed. Or opt for lighter colored petals like white.
Hire cleaners
Recruit helpers to sweep up petals after the event. Or budget for professional cleaners to handle removal.
Conclusion
With this guide, you should now have a better understanding of how to estimate the amount of rose petals you’ll need. Order extra for waste and keep proper care in mind. Work with your florist and compare bulk online options. Scatter test batches beforehand to visualize coverage. And prep transport and clean up. With the right planning, you can decorate your wedding or event with the perfect romantic amount of rose petals.
