If you will be getting married in June, get ready for an influx of emails. Near the middle of May, your florist will likely ask how many tables you need for the wedding. She’s not being pushy, just following the May 18 Rule.
I meticulously budgeted my wedding last summer and noted how the wedding industry prices things based on time sensitivity. The May 18th rule is the first hard cut-off for June weddings. After this date, you will pay heavily.
Here’s the reasoning behind the deadline, the reasons for locking in your peony count, and the solutions to address the problem of your guests taking their time with RSVPs.
The Mechanics of the May 18 Rule
Here’s a little secret about wedding flowers: your florist isn’t growing them in a backyard garden. They source them from global farms in places like Ecuador and Holland. These farms have a strict 30-day notice policy for peak season orders.
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If your wedding is on June 18, your florist has to have your order finalized by May 18. This allows your florist enough time to buy the stems you want at standard wholesale prices. If this time window is missed, your florist will have to purchase from local wholesalers, who sell at a premium. That premium cost will be added to your final invoice.
The Peony Problem
If deadlines are missed, Peonies are one of the first losses. They are pricey, in high demand, and have a really short growing season.
Let’s do some math. For example, if your florist pre-ordered a wholesale peony in April or early May, it would be reasonable for them to pay a certain amount per stem. However, the pre-ordered peony will be a lot more expensive (potentially double or triple) if they have to do a last-minute market scramble in June due to local scarcity.
If you add only three centerpieces late, you’re also paying for rush shipping and premium market pricing for those extra peonies, in addition to the standard arrangement fee. That late addition can easily create a huge hole in your budget.
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The 4-Week Floral Supply Chain Timeline
You want to see what happens to your money? Understand the timeline first. This is what happens in the four weeks leading up to your June wedding.
| Timeline | Florist Action | Budget Impact |
|---|---|---|
| 4 Weeks Out (The May 18 Rule) | Final counts submitted to global farms. | Safe. You lock in standard wholesale pricing and guarantee flower availability. |
| 3 Weeks Out | Farms confirm shipments. Florist buys extra supplies. | Warning. Adding tables now means buying from local wholesalers at a markup. |
| 2 Weeks Out | Flowers are cut and prepared for international shipping. | Danger. High rush fees apply. Specific flowers like peonies are no longer guaranteed. |
| 1 Week Out | Flowers arrive in-studio for processing and hydration. | Critical. Any additions require retail-priced flowers from local markets. Budget is blown. |
How to Lock Your Count When RSVPs Are Late
What do you do if you still have 20 outstanding RSVPs on May 15? This is the biggest headache of wedding planning.
You guessed high.
Paying the standard wholesale rate for one extra centerpiece is much cheaper than paying a rush fee for a late addition. I encountered this situation with my own guest list. I made the decision to finalize my floral order based on the highest number of tables I may have.
If those late guests end up declining, you do not lose that money. You simply repurpose the extra arrangement. You can place it on the welcome table, the bar, or in the restrooms. You get more flowers for your venue without paying a single rush fee.
Budget Tip: Don’t let your florist “figure it out” regarding last-minute changes. Instead, ask how much the rush order will cost compared to your original wholesale quote before approving any changes.
Protecting Your Budget
It may feel scary to lock in your floral order a month in advance when you’re still waiting on RSVPs. But keep in mind your florist is trying to shield you from price gouging during peak season.
To ensure the safety of your budget, submit your final count by the deadline. Even if you have to guess high, it’s worth it. You’ll be able to check one more vendor off your list.