2023 Wedding Flower Trends
It’s fun to look forward every year and see what the trends may be. They help give insight to what’s coming and how you can be prepared. They also jump-start the creative process for dreaming about how you can use those trends in unique ways for your clients.
I have been in the wedding industry for over 20 years and have seen many trends come and go. Some hang on longer than others and you have to really get creative, cue the burlap and lace haha! As a wedding professional, you have to remember brides don’t see these trends over and over like you because they are only planning one wedding. They may think what they are choosing is new and exciting and hasn’t been used by everyone that year. As the wedding professional, it’s your job to make their vision special to them!
If you have the basics of design, color theory and styling, you can face any trend with confidence. My course gives you the foundation you need in all of these areas and much more!
Color
I am such a fan of color!! Don’t get me wrong, a beautiful white and green palette is a show-stopper, but when I get to use color, I come alive!! I believe it adds so much interest to the wedding decor. Color is something I love to play with and I hope I get the opportunity to bring lots of color into the 2023 wedding season. Pantone color of the year is Viva Magenta! As you can see from this beautiful proposal, I was ahead of my time with the stunning color palette.
Color is regarded as the most important element of floral design to most. Color affects the way individuals react to a design because it evokes emotion and when used properly creates line, visual balance, and rhythm within the design. If color is a bit intimidating to you, my course offers a color theory session with styling that helps bring it all together. Color is an element you want to be super comfortable with. I’d love to help you! You can find out more about the modules in the course HERE
Bouquets
The bridal bouquet is usually the most important to the bride. It’s her accessory for the day! She wants it to make a statement. In Flourishing, I show you the mechanics of how to create a couple different styles bouquets. These design principles equip you with the skills to adapt your bouquets to whatever the trends may be.
Most of my bouquets include several elements to bring interest and movement, but brides are starting to choose monoflower bouquets-meaning, one flower for their bouquet. They have also started leaving the stems longer than previous seasons creating a sleek and modern feel.
The other trend I’m seeing is down-sizing. For several years, brides have wanted large, organic bouquets with lots of texture and movement. Brides seem to be trending towards a more petite size with a dainty and delicate feel. Some are choosing single flowers, but others are choosing textural and delicate blooms full of interest, but on a smaller scale.
Eco-conscious
Being eco-conscious isn’t new to the scene, we have seen a big shift in not using floral foam and re-purposing decor, but I have seen brides shifting their decor ideas to using more plants or herbs. I love using live plants and herbs. They bring color, fragrance, and life to the party. Not only do they make gorgeous decor, you can keep them as beautiful reminders of your day or give them to guests as a wedding favor that really goes to good use! It’s always important to remember that your bride will have different things that are important to them and if being eco-conscious is a priority, it’s important to know how to incorporate that.
Large Installations
Large installations have been a trend for a few years now, but brides are allowing florists to be more creative and really make these installations a work of art. A grandiose statement piece for the wedding.
Installations usually have many logistics that need to be worked out. Some important things to remember when you are talking about large installations with your brides are:
Does the venue or location have the proper foundation for you to connect the installation or will you need to construct a completely free-standing foundation.
If the installation is coming from the ceiling, does the venue have equipment for you use while installing or will you be required to bring your own equipment. If you have to bring your own equipment, is it feasible and available for you to transport.
Have your bride verify the amount of time you will have the day of the wedding or day before to create and install. Depending on how much time you have, you can determine how many additional employees you will need to complete.
When you are creating a proposal with a large installation, you want to make sure you are creating something to scale and proportion and balance and unity for the area it will be used in. It’s also important to know how much product and labor you’ll need and how much to charge for those items. I teach these design elements in my course and show you how to price your work with confidence.
Creating custom designs for my brides gives me so much joy. When they trust me with their vision there is no greater compliment. I hope these trends will give you a fresh look at 2023 and let your creativity run wild so you too can create beautiful, custom proposals for your clients.
If you are ready to start your own business, but don’t know where to start, Flourishing is a course that will take you step-by-step in reaching your floral dreams. You can complete online or with a custom in-person option. I’m here for you and can’t wait to see what 2023 brings for you and your business!
A Florist’s Quick Guide to Prepping for the New Year
It’s that time of year when every florist looks at their work space and thinks, “What the heck happened here!” We start the year with ribbon and containers organized, floors mopped, counters pristine, and papers neatly put away. If you’re like me in December, you look around and everything is a total wreck-no matter how hard I had tried to keep it nice all year.
The new year is not only a time to set new goals, but also evaluate what worked (or didn’t work) and set new rhythms. I take January to get myself ready for the next year’s wedding season. Here are a few things that I do.
Organize - I take everything out of my drawers and storage room to organize supplies. I throw items away that are broken, and I make a goodwill/recycle pile for items I no longer want to use.
Clean- I deep clean everything and make sure to use something to get rid of bacteria that may have built up from the flowers.
Taxes- I pay my 4th quarter taxes and get all my information ready for my accountant so we can file early.
Examine Processes- I evaluate my marketing, social media, finances, and workflows. Look at what worked well and what didn’t. Change up what I need to make things run more smoothly this next season.
Rest- I take a little breather. Once everything is cleaned, organized, and evaluated, I take a week or two for myself. I enjoy the quiet and let my mind and body do things that brings life in ways that are not work related.
This job is an amazing and crazy ride and extremely rewarding, but in order to be our best season after season, we must do these little things to stay organized and evaluate our business. Also taking a pause for ourselves gives us time to rest and be more creative for the upcoming season!
Networking tips for your floral design business
Networking tips for your floral design business
Like it or not, networking is a vital part of growing a successful floral business. Making new connections, and growing your network of potential clients and referral partners, is critical to your business and personal growth. Networking can often make people feel nervous and uncomfortable, but it doesn’t have to be difficult. The key is to take a genuine approach – be true to yourself and honest with new connections. Remember, networking is about building relationships and sharing knowledge.
My Networking Philosophy
Give > take
Giving is always better than taking! Look at networking as a way to build community and support vs. “what can I get out of this relationship?”. It’s about genuinely caring for people and wanting to give them value without expecting anything in return. If you have skills, tips, or connections to offer other people, (and you definitely do!) don’t be afraid to share freely. Helping other business owners is an amazing way to build trust and credibility – which is bound to return to you when those new connections are looking to refer business leads to someone they trust and value!
Quality Connections
We all have a story to share, and getting to know others’ stories can help us connect deeply and build relationships. When you work with people you know and trust, you offer your clients something invaluable - a recommendation for other amazing vendors that can make their wedding or event perfect!
Networking 101: Tips & Tricks
Elevator Pitch
Maybe you’ve heard of an elevator pitch? If not, it’s a trick for introducing yourself in a memorable and helpful way. If you met a stranger on an elevator, could you describe your business in an effective way before the doors opened back up? Try this exercise – Write down who you are, what your business offers, and how it can help others. Now read it and make adjustments until you’re happy with the results. The more concise the better! If you are too wordy, new people won’t remember the important parts.
Business Cards
You can have traditional business cards printed or a QR code to share info digitally, but always have a way to share your information. You never know when you’ll make a connection with someone who needs a florist. Having a way to share your business information is vital.
Stand Out
Don’t be afraid to stand out! Consider bringing small flowers to share at networking events, or getting creative with your business cards by adding pressed flowers or plantable seeds. There are hundreds of ways to get creative, but it’s always a benefit if meeting you is a memorable experience.
Be Yourself
Are you an outgoing extrovert who loves making new friends everywhere you go? Awesome! You probably don’t need these tips at all. Get out there and do your thing! But if you are more of an introvert, or just prefer your privacy and a smaller circle of close friends, networking can feel more challenging. Remember - It might be necessary to push your comfort level a bit by making new connections, but that doesn’t mean you have to be someone you’re not. If in-person networking events are too overwhelming, try Facebook groups! If you hate the idea of participating in a group event, reach out to individuals and invite them to coffee. There’s no “right” way to build a network, so find what works for YOU.
Four Ways You Can Network
Networking can be nerve wrecking, especially when you’re just starting out, but remember – even the most seasoned business owners and networkers were once in your exact spot. We all have to start at the beginning! Try these simple ideas for getting started as a new networker.
1. Compliments + Coffee
Reach out and compliment those you look up to and respect in the industry. Everyone appreciates positive feedback and this can be an effective way to start a connection. Choose vendors who genuinely seem to align with your brand and invest time getting to know them. To create a strong network of vendors you can rely on, you need to truly know and trust your referral partners. Invite new connections to coffee or cocktails and make time to get to know more about them personally, as well as their business. You might just end up with more than work associates. I have several friendships that started with coffee and compliments!
2. Preferred Vendor List
Many venues and vendors have a group of people they work with regularly. They usually call this their "preferred vendor" list. As you establish your business and work with new people and locations, start creating a list of your favorites. If you love a venue or vendor, ask if you can join their preferred vendor list. Be sure to return the favor when possible too! You might add your favorite vendors and venues to your website, or do a feature series on social media to highlight your favorites.
Pro tip: It can be tempting to accept any/ all invitation to become a preferred vendor, but make sure to align yourself with venues that truly are a good fit. Things to consider:
Location - How far are you willing/ able to travel?
Cost - Are the average wedding budgets aligned with your prices?
Vendors - Are other vendors on the list at your level?
Competition - How large is the list? Are there already several floral designers that have a similar style?
3. Vendor Events + Associations
Most areas have sponsored vendor events where you can find vendors who meet up on a regular basis. Join these associations and attend these events to connect to your industry and regional vendors. I recommend joining WIPA (Wedding International Professionals Association) as well as local floral association in your area.
Another great place to connect with local professionals is through local Facebook groups. Look for groups that focus on general wedding industry vendors, groups for florists only, freelance professionals groups, and other creative groups like The Rising Tide Society. These groups are a great place to connect freely and get advice from entrepreneurs in your region.
4. Styled Shoots
Participating in styled shoots is an amazing way to create community. Be selective when joining styled shoots, because you are spending time and resources and you want to use the opportunity to work with vendors who value the same quality and attention to details as you.
Curating your own styled shoots also helps you to connect. Creating your own shoot gives you control of the design portion and the ability to hand-pick vendors who align with your brand and mission.
Beyond creating connections, a styled shoot needs a purpose and a clear plan. You are investing your time and energy, plus the cost of a perishable product, so make sure there is a strong ROI for your contributions. Doing a shoot just for the pretty without a plan will burn you out and is not cost effective for a new florist. Make sure you have a publication plan or strong marketing purpose for the styled shoot.
Now Go Build Your Network
The only thing left to do is get out there and make connections! Try these networking associations as a starting place:
Become a part of FLOURISHING!
Flourishing is an independent course, created to guide you through the process of becoming a floral designer or floral freelancer. But we know how valuable a supportive community is, so we created a network to go along with the course! Members have access to a private Flourish Facebook Group where you can ask questions and connect with other budding florists.
Floral Design 101: How (and why) to process flowers
Floral Design 101: Processing Flowers
What exactly is the “processing” step in flower arranging? If you’re new to floral design you may not be familiar with this term, which just means prepping the flowers and greenery before using them in arrangements. This is an important step, because processing your florals correctly can significantly increase the life of your work!
Processing flowers can sometimes feel overwhelming because different varieties of flowers may need specific techniques. (Pro tip – It’s helpful to look at Mayesh’s Flower Library (link to www.mayesh.com/flower-library) if you have a flower that you are unsure how to process correctly. They have tips for every flower variety – it’s a go-to resource for me!)
Before you start to process your flowers, you want to gather all of your tools. Make sure your buckets, knives, and cutters are clean. Working with clean floral processing tools will prevent issues with bacteria and give your flowers the best chance for a long life.
How to Process Flowers for Arrangements
Step 1 – Gather clean buckets and vases. Fill everything with cold water and add flower food according to the instructions on the package.
Side note: Is flower food really that important? Yes! Flower food provides a nutrient supplement to help the flower bud continue to develop into a beautiful, fully opened flower. It also helps lower the pH, which helps keep the water and food conducting system in the flower working at maximum efficiency. Aka a hydrated flower is a healthy flower! And just in case you weren’t convinced yet, flower food can keep floral stems from becoming plugged up. During transportation stems can become clogged with debris, but flower food has special ingredients that keep the water uptake flowing!
Step 2 – Unwrap the flower bunches. Cut off rubber bands, and remove any foliage that would be submerged under water.
Step 3 – Give the flowers and foliage a sharp angle cut before placing into water. This increases the surface area for the flowers to drink. Be sure to put the flowers back into water immediately after cutting! Once a stem is cut, most of the flower’s energy goes toward healing itself and preventing moisture from leaving. This is why it needs to go immediately back into water (with flower food) after being cut.
Step 4 – Allow flowers to hydrate for a few hours at room temperature. This gives them enough time to adjust to the new water, food, and location. Once the stems are rehydrated and filled with flower food, flowers should be moved to a cooler or cool area. Cold storage significantly extends a cut flower’s life span.
Floral Design Tips for Everyone
Whether you’re making a home arrangement with grocery store flowers or thinking about taking clients as a freelance florist, these flower processing tips will help you extend the life of your floral designs!
Ready to learn about design principles or how to launch your floral design business?
Check out Flourishing, the ultimate education for floral designers and freelancers.
Become a Freelance Florist:5 steps to getting started
I often hear people say they’d love to become a florist but feel unsure about how to get started. It can seem overwhelming, but I believe the simplest way to begin is by becoming a freelance florist. This role allows you to follow your passion for flowers, express your creativity, and enjoy the flexibility of managing your own schedule. As a freelance florist, you'll also have the chance to learn from every florist and project you work on. Here are the key steps to help you launch your freelance florist career.
1. Gain Floral Design Skills
You don't need to be an expert, but having a solid foundation in basic design skills—like creating arrangements, bouquets, and personal flowers—will give you a significant advantage when seeking freelance work. Additionally, it's essential to understand how to properly process and care for cut flowers to ensure their freshness and longevity.
2.Set Up Your Business
Although you'll be working for other florists, it's important to set up your own business since you'll be operating as an independent contractor. Start by choosing a name and developing your branding—something you truly love and that can grow with you if you decide to transition from freelancing to managing your own floral projects.
You'll also need to register your business with the state, obtain the necessary sales tax licenses, and establish a dedicated business bank account.
3.Build A Portfolio
It's essential to demonstrate to potential employers that you can create a variety of designs. As a freelance florist, you'll be expected to adapt your style to match the florist hiring you. To stand out, make sure you learn different techniques and design styles, and showcase this versatility in your portfolio. You can build your portfolio on social media or a website.
4.Market Yourself
Networking is one of the most effective ways to land freelance jobs! Start by researching florists whose work you admire and reach out to them during the off-season. Invite them for coffee to build a connection and explore how you can assist them when things get busy. You might begin with tasks like washing buckets or processing flowers, but once they see your dedication and willingness to take on any task, more opportunities to design will come your way.
5.Start Small & Grow
It's perfectly fine to start small. Find a florist who needs help and give it your all. From my own experience, if someone is eager to handle the less glamorous tasks, I’m more inclined to teach them on the job. The floral industry moves quickly, and once you prove yourself, more opportunities will come your way. You'll be surprised at the incredible projects you'll be invited to work on. However, having strong basic design skills is crucial to your success, as most florists simply don't have the time to teach those fundamentals during the busy season.
Freelancing for other florists is such a great way to learn this industry. Every florist does things differently and you’ll have the opportunity to learn so much.
If you’re interested in learning more, I’d love to talk with you. I have in-person workshops where you receive 1-1 mentoring and real time feedback on your designs or online options.
If you're ready to take the leap, join my online course! It provides everything you need to start your freelance florist journey with confidence. Plus, it includes a 45-minute mentoring session—let's equip you with the skills and confidence to thrive in the floral world.