Ever since 2020, the events industry has seen a number of drastic changes. After two years of minimal to no gatherings, limited socialization, and celebrations cut short, folks around the world are ready to party (and party hard). Events are unlike they’ve ever been before — they’re more immersive, they’re all-out. Now that we’ve had a taste of what it’s like to be unable to celebrate, we’re basking in every detail. We’re relishing in the intimate gatherings and the large parties. Hosts are pouring their hearts into their events like we’ve never seen before, with thoughtful details and creative, meaningful touches. The opportunity to join together with our loved ones, for many of us, is so essential for our well-being.
All in all, gone are the days of half-assing a celebration. Why? Because if the past couple of years have taught us anything, it’s that you never know when the opportunity to gather and celebrate will be taken from you.
So, let’s get into it. What do floral installations have to do with any of this?
Simple: floral installations are the ultimate embodiment of this shift in the event industry. They’re jaw-dropping, memorable, and thoughtful. They’re a transformative addition to any event, and it’s a trend that’s here to stay. We didn’t want to have to pull this card, but we’re professionals, so just trust us on this one. Keep reading this blog for everything you need to know about floral installations!
What’s a floral installation?
A floral installation is, essentially, a piece of artwork made out of florals and greenery. Your floral installation can be whatever you want it to be — it can be interactive (a photo backdrop, a tunnel, a seating area), it can be a hanging piece or a standing piece, the plants can be either real or faux, it can be colorful, monochromatic, or just about anything in between!
It’s important to note the difference between a floral installation and a floral arrangement — for many individuals when they think of florals they think of arrangements. Floral arrangements include bouquets, boutonnieres, corsages, and centerpieces. Floral installations are large-scale and include many more flowers and pieces of greenery than typical arrangements. Oftentimes, floral installations include things like floral foam (we have chosen to use an awesome biodegradable version of this that’s so much better for the environment than traditional floral foam, and we recommend checking in with your vendor to ensure they do the same), zip ties, wires, and structural pieces to stay soundly in place. Floral arrangements do not. Here are some photos to illustrate the differences!
Floral Arrangements
Floral Installations
How much do they cost?
The best way to predict the cost of your floral installation is to submit an inquiry with a few vendors. The cost of installations can range anywhere from $100 to $10,000+, depending on the scale of your project. Here are some things that are factored into the cost of your installation:
Sourcing the florals (how much they’ll cost the vendor upfront to purchase from a distributor)
Work hours, including meetings, set-up, tear-down, etc.
Miscellaneous supplies (eco-friendly floral foam, wire, structural supplies)
Travel
How do they work?
Like any other event-related service, it all begins with an inquiry. Find a few floral installation vendors you like, and submit inquiries with them for the date of your event. We recommend submitting inquiries with multiple different vendors as far in advance as possible. In the case that your date is booked out, you’ll want backups!
After that, you’ll collaborate with your vendor to communicate your vision. This looks different for every vendor, but oftentimes it involves plenty of Pinterest sharing and video calls. In order to best prepare for this, we recommend starting a Pinterest board or saving a photo album in your phone with photos of florals and installations you like. If you’re unsure what exactly you want for your floral installation, you can communicate this to your vendor! They should know which questions to ask in order to understand your event and what would look best. While you mull over what you may want your installation to look like, here are some important things to consider:
How much open space will you have at your venue?
Does your event have a theme?
Do you already have colors picked out for your event?
What’s the formality of your event?
When and how do you want your guests to interact with and see your installation?
Does the installation need to be mobile (moved from one location to another)
Will there be food around the floral installation?
When the day of your event rolls around (WOOO!), your vendor will arrive at your agreed-upon time to set up your floral installation before the event begins. Most floral vendors will travel to your event, but it’s good to be safe and check in with them on this beforehand. There may be a travel fee if you’re outside a reasonable radius from your vendor’s home base. In the case that you need to pick up and transport your installation, be sure to clearly communicate with your vendor how to best transport it.
Set up can take anywhere from one hour to a full day! Depending on the scale of your installation, you and your vendor will want to be sure to budget enough time to ensure it’s ready to go before your event begins.
When it comes to payment, as with most vendors, you will pay a deposit of sorts initially in order to reserve your date, and the rest of your bill will be due prior to your event.
And, of course, the question almost everyone is dying to ask: What the hell do you do with like, 5 bazillion flowers after the day is all said and done? We highly recommend donating your florals once you’re done with them! Most nursing homes and hospitals will gladly take your florals, and it’s always great to know they’re going to a home where they can be appreciated. Chat with your vendor about this! They may work with specific organizations to donate their florals. If you want to take some (but not all) of your florals home, talk to your vendor to find the best way to do so.
Is a floral installation right for my event?
Yes.
Okay, don’t get us wrong, floral installations aren’t necessary for every event, but we’re firm believers that there’s a floral installation that perfectly suits most of them. Whether it be a summertime backyard gathering, a birthday party, or a luxurious wedding, a floral installation will inevitably add an unforgettable “wow” factor to your day. If you’re curious to learn more about floral installations, or you’d like to get the ball rolling on planning one for your upcoming event, we’d love it if you got in touch with us! We’re happy to answer your questions and help you create something unique and beautiful.