Many florists and floral designers get the hang of arrangements and bouquets much more quickly than large and time-intensive projects like floral installations. Large floral installations are breathtaking pieces of art that bring events and photo shoots to life. Yet, they seem very daunting, especially to florists and designers new to these larger pieces, which require mechanics, labor, time, and complex hydration solutions.
Yet, floral installations like floral walls, arches, hoops, and floating chandeliers can completely transform areas and help your business grow exponentially. Whether you specialize in suspended florals, walls, or floral arches, the following floral installation tips will help and improve your technique!
Plan Ahead and Practice
If you’re not too experienced in large floral installations, keep practicing. In addition to watching videos, attend workshops or offer to help other florists. One excellent way to practice is to use leftover flowers and flowers from other events to practice large installations. This way, you can ensure practice without wasting fresh products.
As with most projects, planning is vital. In addition to finalizing the design beforehand, follow floral installation tips like thinking about angles and shapes, so there are no surprises on the day of the installation. It’s also essential to have plenty of materials so you don’t risk running out of critical components.
Go in Order
Different florists and designers have their methods, but one invaluable floral installation tip is to follow the traditional order if you’re ever in doubt. This consists of first building the base and then adding mechanics like chicken wire and zip ties. After this step, it’s important to add greenery and filler flowers. Lastly, you can start adding the main flowers. This ensures there are no gaps in your floral installation.
A helpful cleanup tip for large-scale floral installations is to lay down a tarp before starting the construction process. This makes cleaning up more efficient and easier since all you’ll need is to remove the tarp and pick up stray flowers and greenery.
Keep the Venue in Mind
Another excellent floral installation tip is to keep the venue and location in mind during the planning and preparation stages. Depending on the size of the installation and time limits, you may need to hire a team. Confirm whether one is already available at the venue, and always provide visual examples that keep the venue and configuration in mind, so there is no confusion.
Additionally, the materials needed will differ based on the venue. For example, if the venue has open rafters, the floral installation process will be much easier than if no open rafters are available to help with structure.
Balance Weight and Choose Materials Carefully
Your materials, the flowers you use, and the base structure depend on weight and balance. One of the most valuable floral installation tips for florists is to ensure balance by using materials evenly. For example, weight must be evenly distributed when constructing a floral arch to ensure sturdiness.
Use the Right Mechanics
Because of the sustainability movement within the floral industry, many florists and designers are moving away from floral foam. This makes a dramatic difference when it comes to choosing mechanics. It’s essential to choose the proper mechanics for the process. Whether you incorporate lumber, chicken wire, binding wire, cables, zip ties, or corsage tape depends on the structure, weight, and other factors.
Keep Hydration in Mind
It’s also critical to keep hydration in mind when planning floral installations. Whether you opt for water hydration systems, water tubes, or water picks, this must be carefully considered beforehand. Alternatively, you can choose long-lasting flowers that can do without water. Some florists and designers also incorporate faux flowers and dried flowers into floral installations to eliminate the need for hydration.
Use these floral installation tips to perfect the art and grow your floral design business even more. In addition to using these tips, ensure you’re buying high-quality and long-lasting flowers. If you’re close to Miami, wholesale flowers are available for delivery throughout South Florida, the U.S., and even abroad. Berkeley Florist Supply (BFS) has been a one-stop-shop for fresh-cut flowers, dried florals, greenery, and floral supplies since 1947. We carry over 100 varieties of fresh-cut flowers and supplies, including containers, wires, and more. Contact us here for more information.