As someone who grows and sells dried flowers myself, I love seeing other floral artists succeed. Etsy is one of the easiest ways for small flower growers and designers to get discovered, especially by brides looking for something handcrafted, meaningful, and beautiful. But here’s something many people don’t realize: Etsy takes a significant cut from every sale, and that cost often gets passed along to the customer.
So if you’ve fallen in love with a dried bridal bouquet on Etsy but you’re trying to keep costs in check — I have a few tips for how to save a little, while still supporting small, independent floral businesses.
The Truth About Etsy Fees (for Sellers)
Etsy is a convenient marketplace, but convenience comes at a price — and it’s the seller who absorbs most of it.
Here’s a breakdown of what Etsy charges per sale:
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Listing Fee: $0.20 USD for every product listed (even if it doesn’t sell)
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Transaction Fee: 6.5% of the total sale price (including shipping)
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Payment Processing Fee (Canada): 3% + $0.25 CAD per order
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Optional Ad Fees: Up to 12–15% if a customer clicks through an Etsy ad or an offsite ad
In total, many flower sellers end up losing 10–20% of every order to Etsy fees. That adds up fast, especially on wedding orders or large custom arrangements.
So How Do You Save?
Here’s the honest tip from someone in the industry: Google the name of the Etsy shop and see if they have their own website.
Most experienced floral makers — especially those selling wedding bouquets — will also have their own direct shop or Instagram page. If they do, you’ll often find:
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Lower prices (because they’re not paying Etsy’s cut)
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More customization options
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Faster communication
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Local pickup or better shipping options
For example, if you find a bouquet you love from ArtisanDriedFlowerCo or Woodbine Everlasting on Etsy, just type that name into Google. If they have their own website, there's a good chance you can order directly and save 10–15%.
Why This Helps Everyone
Buying direct doesn’t just save you money — it helps the artist too. When you purchase outside of Etsy:
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They keep more of the sale
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They can offer better service (like updates, shipping changes, custom touches)
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They might be able to include a freebie or extra stem as a thank-you
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They don’t have to worry about Etsy’s policies or algorithm limiting their reach
And for you? You get a more personal, human experience. Which is exactly what a wedding bouquet should feel like.
A Note on Quality
Buying direct doesn’t mean cutting corners. You’re still getting the same bouquet you saw online — often with even more care and flexibility. In fact, many makers (myself included) are more generous when someone orders directly from us, because we’re not factoring in the platform fees.
And One Last Thing…
If you’re a Canadian bride looking for locally grown dried flowers, I’d love to help you directly too. I grow all my blooms naturally on my farm in Port Perry, Ontario, and offer custom dried wedding bouquets, boutonnieres, centerpieces, and more — without any middleman. You can learn more about my offerings on my wedding flower page.
Whether you order from me, Etsy, or another independent florist, I hope you find the perfect flowers to carry on your day — ones that reflect the love and care that went into growing them.