Summer is certainly in the air, and what better way to celebrate the blooming of a new season than your own flower arranging party? Gather up your girl gang, set a party date, and pop open the rosé, because we’re taking you through our list of tips for hosting your own flower arrangement workshop!

Tip #1

Visit Charleston Flower Market for a wide assortment of in-season blooms. Either wonder the shop and pick out your favorites or ask our experienced florists which flowers pair best together. Keep in mind the vibe you’re going for, whether that be sophisticated for a wedding, rustic for an outdoor dinner party, or simplistic for subtle arrangement to dot around your home.

Tip #2

Decorate to the Nines! The decorating is half the fun because, after all, it sets the scene. If you’re creating an arrangement for an upscale event, such as a graduation party, bridal shower, or job celebration, opt for design elements that will embellish that vibe. Think clean white table cloths, lively music, colorful balloons and decorations, and quirky props for photo booth shots. If you’re going for a mellow girls-night-in vibe, all hail rustic decor! We recommend an outdoor setting with a butcher paper covered table, twinkle lights, fun snacks (popcorn, chocolate, fresh fruit, cheese boards, etc.), folk music, and all the wine and beer!

Tip #3

Explore websites such as Pinterest, watch tutorials on YouTube, thumb through the latest issue of the Magnolia Journal, and find arrangements and methods that speak to you. While we want you to create your own unique bouquet, sometimes the best ideas are sparked by seeing what other people have created! Plus, you might pick up some tricks to share with your party group. You may be surprised at what you learn and what inspires you. We challenge you to step outside of the box and create something extraordinary. Print out and pin up your favorite looks on a vision board to draw inspiration from during the arranging extravaganza!

Tip #4

Take a walk around our flower market to get a gage of our offerings before choosing anything. We know, it’s tough! But, the truth is that while all blooms are stunning in their own way, you’ll most likely want to choose colors and styles that compliment each other. So, take a look around and mentally map out what you want your arrangement to look like before committing. Our top tips include: a cohesive color palette, a few focal points (such as peonies) abound several fillers (such as seeded eucalyptus) while maintaining a variety so your arrangement doesn’t look monotonous.

Tip #5

Don’t forget the tools for the trade! Clippers, vessels, floral tape, and foam are essential for creating your arrangement. Browse online for great deals for bulk supplies! Be sure that your guests will have a vase to put their arrangements in when they’re done, too. Ask them to bring their favorites or check out the local thrift store for some funky flower containers!

Tip #6

Consider the date of the gathering you’ll be hosting. For example, if you’re planning on doing a DIY arrangement with a group on Saturday evening, plan to buy your blooms on Thursday or Friday so they’ll still be fresh and vibrant when the weekend rolls around. Generally speaking, flowers begin to blossom once they’re out of a refrigerated environment and the stems are trimmed. With this in mind, if you have a dark and cool room in your house, leave the flowers there in a bucket of water until your friends come around.

Tip #7

Prep your flowers immediately after you bring them home from the flower market. Easy, yet vital steps include removing excess leaves, trimming the stem at an angle before placing the flowers in water, and keeping all flowers away from sunlight and heat, as this will cause them to open prematurely.

Are you thinking of hosting a DIY floral arrangement this summer? We may be a bit biased, but we believe it’s the best way to create fond memories, seal new friendships, and of course, embellish your space with fresh flowers. Take it upon yourself to host the ultimate flower workshop this summer, and share your creations by tagging Charleston Flower Market on Instagram for a chance to be featured!