Understanding The Client’s Vision
Listening and understanding is key to your client’s happiness. When I meet with a couple, I ask them about their event vision, floral and design likes/dislikes, and their love story to create a one-of-a-kind wedding look specific for them. I believe in inspiration however as a floral artist it is up to us to create a custom design for our clients utilizing their dreams.
Listening and understanding is key to your client’s happiness. When I meet with a couple, I ask them about their event vision, floral and design likes/dislikes, and their love story to create a one-of-a-kind wedding look specific for them. I believe in inspiration however as a floral artist it is up to us to create a custom design for our clients utilizing their dreams.
Give them what they want….
This specific client requests were white floral, candlelight, multiple vessels, gold, glass and romance. Of course, my answer is YES, I would be happy to incorporate their vision into the final designs.
This is going to be a stunning wedding!
Picking the blooms….
For this tablescape I selected Playa Blanca roses, white peonies, white spray roses, silver dollar eucalyptus, and ruscus. The shades of white and guaranteed to add to the romance of the day.
I choose all round shaped blooms as I wanted a round compact floral arrangement for this centerpiece.
Playa Blanca are my go-to roses for wedding design. They open beautifully and are a strong rose choice.
Element by element the design comes to life….
Accent Décor Athena Candle Holders provide the visual weight for this tablescape. They are visual luxurious and the perfect shade of gold.
When selecting elements for the centerpiece I always take into account the room they will be going in. This specific room is luxurious with gold accents.
Glow….
I incorporated candlelight by adding pillar candles enclosed in cylinder vases to two of the candlesticks (tall and short). A beautiful floral display will be placed on the third candlestick.
You need to be educated on venues regulations when designing within their spaces. Example: many venues require all candles to be enclosed in glass.
Keep adding elements….
As the tablescape continued to come to life I will added 3 various height cylinders with pillar candles around the design. The success of this tablescape is the various levels being created by the vessels.
Bringing it down to the table….
The final hardgoods added to this tablescape was 8 votive candles. 4 will be mercury gold and 4 will be clear glass. I have grouped the candles (1 gold, 1 clear) around the display.
When the guests walk into the room they will be greeted by various heights of candlelight and floral. A perfect visual welcome!
Bringing in the green….
I prepared the floral elements by greening two arrangements with ruscus and eucalyptus. I utilized a 4” and 6” liner to hold the designs. For event work I prefer to utilize Oasis Midnight Floral Foam. I highly recommend this foam as it is easily covered and takes less product to create the final look.
Pretty petals….
Next, I added the floral elements. The Playa Blanca roses, white peonies, white spray roses were designed in a round and compact style. I wanted to ensure I did not block the candlelight with the floral. It ia all about enhancing each element to complete the final cohesive look.
When designing for a wedding I prefer to have the floral elements hydrating for 4 days prior to designing. This will ensure the blooms open and are healthy for the final designs.
It all comes together….
I loved utilizing all the couple’s requests for this design. By listening and understanding you will be sure to create the dream day the couple envisioned.
LOVE….
This is a picture of the sample floral. I can not wait for the wedding day to fill the room with floral!
Reimagine, Reuse, Repurpose
How often do you reimagine your rental items? Have you thought about a different design you could create to increase rental? Take time to create a new design for your existing rental items. By renting items you will increase your bottom line and be more successful.
How often do you reimagine your rental items? Have you thought about a different design you could create to increase rental? Take time to create a new design for your existing rental items. By renting existing items you will increase your bottom line and be more successful.
Client comes first….
A client reached out to me for their annual holiday event. They were in need of a floral display for an estate table. Their requests were candlelight and a spin on traditional holiday decor. Of course, the answer is always “yes, I would love to design for your event”.
Understanding client needs/vision and incorporating them into the design has always been a top priority for me. Without our clients we can not do what we love to do!
Inspired by your surroundings….
As I looked around the design studio, I was inspired by a structure I had designed previously. I had created this base for a YouTube video we created earlier this year. I knew it would be perfect for the event.
I started by weaving chicken wire through the pipes at the base. This would ensure the arrangement would be secure.
Enhance your elements….
The next step was to enhance my foliage. I utilized Design Master Copper to color enhance the ruscus and eucalyptus. I sprayed a light mist of copper onto the foliage allowing some of the natural color to shine through. I chose copper as it would coordinate with the metallic color already on the structure and be enhanced by the candlelight.
Adding the star elements….
I then inserted the foliage, roses, astrantia and Knud Nielsen pinecones to the structure. I utilized small water tubes for the roses. The chicken wire held everything in place perfectly.
Soften the design….
As I looked at the design, I felt a softer texture needed to be added. I found the perfect solution… Oasis Wired Wool! I cut 10” strands of the wool and inserted it into the design with a bit of Oasis Floral Adhesive. By cutting the wool I had more control over the desired placements.
Time to celebrate….
Once completed it was the perfect showstopper to the event. My client loved it as much as I did. I had created an unique design utilizing a custom base that the guests admired throughout their event.
Does It Have To Be Traditional?
Does it have to be traditional is a question many of us deal with. I tend to believe that you can pay homage to tradition yet modernize the design. When a fabulous client asked me to create autumnal design in a modern way I said of course YES.
Does it have to be traditional is a question many of us deal with. I tend to believe that you can pay homage to tradition yet modernize the design. When a fabulous client asked me to create autumnal design in a modern way I said YES.
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What to start with….
The design was to be a floral runner for a 8’ rectangle table consisting of foliage and white accents with lots of candlelight and metallic elements. I knew right away I wanted to start with white pumpkins. They are the perfect focal to this tablescape.
Enhance your elements….
Because I wanted to add a moment of shimmer to the pumpkins, I decided to gold leaf sections of the pumpkins. The gold leaf added a metallic element to the design and the candlelight looked fabulous reflecting off of the gold.
Glow….
By mixing metallics you provide a visual interest to your design. The mercury gold and copper candles greatly enhanced the final design. You will notice in the final images I utilized some of the copper candle holders as pedestals for pumpkins.
Texture….
Because I was not planning on using much color I counted on textures to play a huge role in the final design. This gorgeous Reindeer Moss from Syndicate Sales in white was perfect for the design!
Unique Elements….
I wanted to use oak leaves in the design as it is a traditional autumnal element however I did not want the traditional colors. These fabulous Transparent White Oak Leaves from Knud Nielsen were the perfect answer!
Moments of green….
Every time I bring green dianthus into designs people love it. The question I often hear is “are they real….what are they?”.
By utilizing unique elements in your design it will ensure people stop and admire your work for longer periods of time. It is all about appreciating the art of floral!
All about the layers….
The tablescape came to life by layering:
podocarpus
gunni eucalyptus
green dianthus
white oak leaves
reindeer moss
candles
pumpkins
It was a perfect setting!
Remember to think outside of the box. As a floral artist it is up to us to create unique designs to be admired by our clients. Pay homage to the past by utilizing elements to create a bright future!
Where It Grows:Visit To Bandy Ranch Floral
As part of the Bandy Ranch Floral family, I was able to tour the enormous fields in which their beautiful product grows. Steve (BR owner) took me on a tour of their properties on one of my trips to California. ‘Magnificent’ does not do it justice nor do the images captured by a camera lens. The farmland is something you need to see to believe.
Seeing where the product we love grows from the earth is a wonderful experience. I think floral artists take for granted all the hard work and years of planning it takes to grow the items we make beautiful floral creations with. It does not just happen. There is planning, propagation, irrigation, care, harvesting, processing, packaging and transporting before it ends up in our hands. Bandy Ranch is doing it with love!
As part of the Bandy Ranch family, I was able to tour the enormous fields in which their beautiful product grows. Steve (BR owner) took me on a tour of their properties on one of my trips to California. ‘Magnificent’ does not do it justice nor do the images captured by a camera lens. The farmland is something you need to see to believe.
Steve explained to me the planting process as well as the irrigation system they installed. I was extremely impressed by how earth conscious Bandy Ranch is. They understand the need to conserve water and recycle when possible. The things we cherish most are grown from the earth and we need to respect it.
When was the last time you were able to stand in a field of waxflower…. this was the first time for me!
Back at the facility, Steve and Rosie showed me up close and personal the product and how they continually provide fresh and environmentally friendly product to their customers. This husband and wife duo work hard to make sure BR runs smoothly and efficiently while providing amazing product and employing many hard-working individuals.
Portion of the Bandy Ranch Warehouse
A few of their items are shown below: leucadendron, protea, eucalyptus varieties, boxwood, ranunculus and waxflower were gorgeous.
I am sure it gives Steve and Rosie a warm heart knowing all of their beautiful floral/foliage that is grown with love will end up bringing a smile to someone’s face they never met. Share the love of flowers and you share the love of creation!
It is a pleasure to work with Steve and Rosie at Bandy Ranch. These are the moments I will continue to treasure, and I am so thankful my floral journey has led me to their door.