Hi There,  I’ve mentioned before that having a wedding anytime directly before, on or directly after Valentine’s Day will DRASTICALLY affect your flower budget.  Last week, I spend twice as much for my roses, and they were green roses, not red roses.  The cost of flowers starts creeping up during January.  There are many reasons for the price increase.  For domestically grown roses in cold climates, the roses must be kept warm; which means using heaters and fans to keep the roses from getting affected by frost.  Using heaters and fans requires using ENERGY (gas or electric) which is VERY EXPENSIVE.  It takes approximately 45 days from the time a rose is cut off a bush to form and grow and be ready to cut again.  So, at the end of December, growers must cut back their rose crops, in anticipation for Valentine’s Day.  That makes the availability of roses during that timeframe lower than normal.  Which will increase the cost of the roses that are available during that time.  Additionally, remember the old Supply and Demand paradigms?  You got it…… many people want it, there is limited supply, okay to raise the prices!  So, for me, as a florist, the cost of roses, by the time Valentine’s Day gets here can be 3-5 times higher than normal.  I can’t sell those roses without making some money; which means by the time you buy roses for Valentine’s Day, the cost has to go up to you.  Most florists don’t raise their prices to you by the same ratio as they have been raised to us.  YOU get a break from the normal markup, even though it doesn’t feel like it.  My advise to you…..order early!  WE get a break (maybe we only pay 2-3 times the normal price) if we pre-order roses.  In other words, we guarantee we will buy “X” number of roses in advance.  That allows the growers to better prepare for the demand and in turn give the florist a slightly better price than waiting until the last minute.  Be prepared to pay more for your roses and all other flowers for Valentine’s Day.  Be aware that any red, pink or white flower will carry a premium price during this holiday.  If you order green roses instead of red roses, you will most likely be charged less.  I know when I buy my roses for Valentine’s Day I have charges for RED roses, White and Pink Roses, and then all others.  And, the all others, are the least expensive!  Good Luck.  And, Happy Valentine’s Day!