I always thought that being a floral designer sounded like a really cool job. Now that I’ve done it, I can say that it most definitely is! It’s also a lot of work. If you have ever spoken to a florist the day after a huge wedding install, or hundreds of Mother’s Day orders, this won’t be a surprise to you. 

The main thing that I’ve learned from being a florist, and a wedding florist in particular, is that there is a lot that goes into creating floral arrangements, even the smallest and most minimalist bridal bouquet. Being part of such an important and significant day in someone’s life carries quite a bit of responsibility, and every step of the process requires loving, focused care and attention. 

Working with flowers may sound like just that: working with flowers. But there’s really a lot more that goes into it. Here are a few other things I’ve learned throughout the process of being a wedding florist: 

Working with flowers is sort of like translating. 

When I’m meeting with a couple, I want to know everything about their vision, so that I can translate it into flowers that they will adore. We often get into a lot of detail: What kind of flowers and styles are the couple drawn to aesthetically? Are there any types of flowers there are personally significant, like something Grandma used to garden? Does the couple have favorite smells that could accompany them down the aisle? Does anybody have allergies? What is the client’s style — rustic, classic, minimalist, romantic, eclectic? Industrial chic with a hint of vintage glam?

Working with flowers is sort of like working with food.

Flowers are perishable, and to some extent you’re at the whim of mother nature (which is really quite humbling). What’s available the week of an event isn’t entirely up to you, especially if you’re working with local farmers. This also forces you to be creative, and get comfortable working with ingredients that you might not be as familiar with. Like food, you also have to be mindful of timing. A big arch or other outdoor installation means that you have to get started early enough that you’re not rushed, but not so early that the flowers wilt in the sun and heat. 

Working with flowers is sort of like working with paint.

Making a bouquet, or any flower arrangement, requires you to pay attention to each little detail and how they all fit together to create a cohesive whole. It requires you to trust in your artistic intuition, while also working within the boundaries created by the flowers themselves. Like different types and colors of paint, each flower has its own personality and needs: place the fragile ranunculus close to the center, don’t handle the poppy too much, keep the hydrangeas happy and hydrated, let freshly cut hyacinths enjoy enough alone time before you put them in an arrangement…

Working with flowers is sort of like working with children (or people in general). 

They don’t always do what you want them to do! When I was teaching music, I would often ask my students to do something and be met with loads of resistance. Plants, like people, often have their own agendas. 

It’s up to the designer to skillfully work with the flowers’ natural shapes and tendencies, to guide them without forcing. Otherwise, you’ll end up with smushed peonies and broken rose stems. 

Learning all of these lessons has been a big inspiration in my decision to create custom wedding bouquet illustrations. I wanted to find a way to preserve bouquets, now that I know all of the care and love that goes into making them in the first place. While the flowers themselves may be fleeting, my hope is that having a reminder of them in your home can help you to create more meaning and beauty in the space around you.