Why do wreaths cost so much? Let’s break it down.
If you’ve ever browsed Etsy or seen a gorgeous handmade wreath online and thought, “Why do wreaths cost so much?”—you’re not alone. I’ve seen the comments on social media too. And I get it—it’s easy to think, “It’s just some ribbon and flowers on a circle,” right?
But as a handmade wreath maker who’s been in this business for years, let me walk you through the true cost behind a recent custom wreath I made. Spoiler alert: it’s not just pretty ribbon and good vibes.
Read more: Why do wreaths cost so much? Let’s break it down.A Real Example: Custom Dragonfly Wreath
One of my long-time customers recently ordered a custom wreath with a matching lantern bow. She’s placed several orders before, so I waived my usual $50 custom design fee. That fee usually covers the 2–3 hours I spend curating the design, hunting down just the right ribbons, mesh, signs, and colors, and sending her photo mock-ups to approve. Above is an example of a Mock-up , I may send 3-5 of these before we agree on a design .
Here’s what she paid:
- $130 for the custom wreath
- $10 for a matching lantern bow (normally $19.99)
- $30 for shipping
- $14.03 in taxes
- Total: $184.03
Let’s Talk Expenses
Supplies -Since I only do custom wreaths now I am including 100% of what I ordered and used . These supplies are Specific to this wreath and can not be used with anything else .
- 2.5″ Dragonfly Ribbon – $5.95
- 1.5″ Dragonfly Ribbon – $4.50
- 2.5″ Teal Ribbon – $4.95
- 1.5″ Teal Ribbon – $3.50
- Wreath Base – $7.95
- 21″ Lavender Mesh – $5.95
- 10″ Hot Pink Mesh – $4.75
- 10″ Teal Mesh – $5.50
- Dragonfly Sign – $18.27
- Yellow & Lavender Ribbon (I had on hand from my personal stash) – $7.00
Total Supplies: $68.32
Shipping
- Postage – $31.24
- Shipping Box – $5.75
Total Shipping: $36.99
Etsy Fees
- Transaction Fee – $11.05
- Payment Processing – $5.77
Total Fees: $16.82
So What Did I Make?
Let’s do the math:
$184.03 (Total Paid)
– $14.03 (Sales Tax)
= $170 (My actual payout)
$170
– $36.99 (Shipping & Box)
= $133.01
$133.01
– $16.82 (Etsy Fees)
= $116.19
$116.19
– $68.32 (Supplies)
= $47.87 Profit
Now subtract 15% for income tax:
– $7.18
= $40.69 Net Profit
Time Is Money, Too
It takes me about 2 hours to make a wreath like this—that’s just the crafting part. Add in photographing it, writing the listing, uploading it to Etsy, and packing it up like it’s headed to the Queen herself, and you’re looking at a solid block of my day.
When all is said and done, I’m making about $20.35 an hour after taxes. And honey, that doesn’t even include the time I’ve spent answering messages, sourcing hard-to-find supplies, or running to the post office.
And let’s be real—that hourly rate also doesn’t account for the money and time I’ve invested in creative coaching to learn my craft, or the business classes I’ve taken to learn how to run things right. That education wasn’t free, and it sure wasn’t quick.
Let that sink in.
This isn’t a hobby —it’s a real business. One I pour my heart (and hot glue burns) into. And just like any job, it’s got to pay me for my time, skill, and effort. If I charged less, I’d be better off clocking in at retail and leaving the glitter at home
Why Pricing Matters
Custom wreaths aren’t cheap because:
- High-quality materials are expensive
- Shipping rates keep rising
- Handmade means handcrafted with love—and time
- Platforms like Etsy take their cut
- Business owners have taxes, packaging costs, and marketing to manage
At the end of the day, pricing reflects the true cost of creating something beautiful by hand. So the next time you see a wreath and think, “That’s expensive,” remember there’s a whole lot more behind it than ribbon and glue.
In Conclusion
Wreath-making isn’t just about crafting—it’s about running a real business. And when you support a small handmade business like mine, you’re not just buying a wreath. You’re investing in quality, creativity, and a maker’s dream.
