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A flower wall now appears in a lot of wedding photo galleries. For venues and planners, the real question isn't whether couples want one. It's deciding between hiring one in every time and owning one outright.

We sell artificial flower walls rather than hire them out. So this guide is written for venues, planners and stylists weighing up hire against buying. We'll cover the break-even maths, which designs suit which weddings, sizing, fire safety and how to keep a wall looking good for years.

Should a wedding venue hire or buy an artificial flower wall?

Hire makes sense for a one-off event or a venue that hosts a handful of weddings a year. Once bookings become regular, owning usually works out cheaper. It also removes a supplier from your wedding day logistics.

Our flower walls cost £899 each. Our reusable Artificial Flower Wall Framework costs £450. That's £1,349 for a complete backdrop you can use again and again.

To find your break-even point, divide that figure by what you currently pay per hire. The table below uses example hire fees. Swap in your own invoices to get your real number.

The hire fee isn't the only cost. Hired walls usually come with delivery and collection windows, damage deposits and limited availability on peak Saturdays. When you own the wall, you choose when it goes up and when it comes down.

When hiring still makes sense

Buying isn't right for everyone. If a couple wants a one-off theme you'll never repeat, hire it. The same goes for very large installations that you have nowhere to store, or couples who want fresh flowers on the day.

Many venues end up doing both. They own one versatile wall for everyday bookings and hire in something special when a couple asks for it.

Which flower wall suits which wedding style?

We offer three designs. Each one suits a different kind of wedding, so think about the couples you book most often.

Wild Lily

Lilies with rich greenery in soft white and cream tones. It's the most classic of the three and works in hotel function rooms, country houses and formal receptions. If you can only own one wall, this is the safest choice because it suits almost any colour scheme.

Ditsy Daisy

Clusters of daisies with white petals and yellow centres. It has a relaxed, cottage-garden feel that fits barns, garden weddings and spring or summer dates. It also works well for christenings and engagement parties.

Sunshine

A bright mix of sun-inspired yellow blooms. It photographs brilliantly and suits colourful, informal or festival-style weddings. It's a bold choice, so it works best as a second wall for venues that already own a neutral one.

You can see all three designs, plus the framework, in our artificial flower wall collection.

How big should a wedding flower wall be?

Start with what the wall needs to frame. A backdrop for couple portraits needs less width than one behind a top table or a full bridal party.

Height matters more than most people think. If the wall stops just above head height, photographers end up with plain wall in the top of the frame. Aim for a wall that clears your tallest guests with room to spare.

Width depends on the shot. Around 2.4m comfortably frames a couple and a small group. A top table or large group needs more. Because our framework is modular, you can change the width from one event to the next.

Each product page lists the panel specification. Call us before you order and we'll confirm exactly how many walls your chosen backdrop size needs.

What should you check before you buy a flower wall?

A flower wall is a working piece of kit for a venue, not just decoration. Run through these checks before you order.

How it looks up close

Wedding photographers shoot tight. Blooms that look full from across the room can look thin in a close portrait. Check how dense the flowers are and whether the backing shows through at eye level.

How it fits your colour schemes

Look at the colours couples choose at your venue over a typical year. A neutral wall that sits well with blush, sage and navy schemes will get booked far more often than a bold one.

Where it will live

Measure your storage space and the doorways between storage and the ceremony room. Think about how the wall moves between rooms, and who will be on hand to put it up on the day.

How easy it is to repair

Walls built from sections are easier to live with. If one area gets damaged by a knock or a spill, you can deal with that section without replacing the whole backdrop.

What do venues need to know about fire safety?

This is the question most buyers forget to ask. In England and Wales, the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 makes the venue's responsible person accountable for fire safety. That person must keep a suitable fire risk assessment, and decorations form part of what it covers.

GOV.UK publishes fire risk assessment guides for different types of premises. Wedding venues will usually find the guides for places of assembly the most relevant.

To be clear, our flower walls don't carry a fire classification. Only two of our products do: the Garden Hedge and Tropical green wall panels, classified B-s3,d0 under EN 13501-1 after testing by SGS. Our artificial hedge fire ratings guide explains what that means and when it matters.

In practice, treat a flower wall like any other decoration in your risk assessment. Keep it well away from candles, heaters and sparklers. Never let it block an exit, a fire door or safety signage. If your insurer or fire risk assessor asks for a classified product, talk to us before you buy.

It helps to write down where the wall normally stands, how far it sits from heat sources and who checks it before each event. That record makes your next fire risk assessment review quicker, and it shows couples and planners you take safety seriously.

How do you set up, take down and store a flower wall?

Most of the work happens once, when you plan where the wall lives. After that, set-up becomes routine.

Setting up

The framework gives you a stable, reusable base. The walls are substantial, so plan on two people to lift and position them. Check the backdrop is secure before guests arrive, especially in marquees or on uneven floors.

Fix the walls to the framework at plenty of points so no section sags or lifts. Cable ties are quick to fit and easy to cut away at the end of the night. Keep a spare bag of ties with the wall so the next set-up never stalls.

Indoors or outdoors?

The walls are made from UV-resistant polyethylene and are listed for indoor and outdoor use. For weddings, we'd still keep them under cover. Rain spoils photos, and wind puts a tall backdrop at risk. A marquee, barn, orangery or covered terrace is ideal.

Storing between weddings

Store panels flat or upright in a dry space, out of direct sunlight, and never crush them under other stock. Before each event, dust the flowers with a soft brush and fluff any flattened blooms by hand. A slightly damp cloth removes grime without harming the colours.

Keep heat sources well away. Heat damage isn't covered by our artificial hedging warranty, which currently runs for three years from purchase.

How can you earn more from a flower wall you own?

A wall that only comes out for weddings is doing half its job. The same backdrop works for engagement parties, christenings, birthdays, corporate dinners and Christmas events.

Some venues build it into their wedding packages as a named upgrade. Others use it for open days and social media shoots to attract new bookings. Either way, every extra use brings your cost per event down.

For more ideas on using florals across a venue, read our piece on the role of floral design in event and venue décor.

Frequently asked questions

Can I hire an artificial flower wall from The Outdoor Look?

No, we sell flower walls rather than hire them. For venues and planners with regular bookings, buying costs less than repeat hire once you pass your break-even point, and you control availability.

How much does an artificial flower wall cost to buy?

Our Wild Lily, Ditsy Daisy and Sunshine flower walls cost £899 each. The reusable Artificial Flower Wall Framework costs £450, making £1,349 for a complete backdrop.

Are artificial flower walls fire retardant?

Our flower walls don't carry a fire classification. Only our Garden Hedge and Tropical green wall panels are classified, at B-s3,d0 under EN 13501-1. Include any flower wall in your venue's fire risk assessment.

Can an artificial flower wall be used outdoors at a wedding?

Our flower walls are UV resistant and listed for indoor and outdoor use. For weddings, we recommend keeping them under cover, such as a marquee or covered terrace, to protect them from rain and wind.