wedding floral design course recommendation?

Status
Not open for further replies.
Theresa

Theresa

New Member
Aug 30, 2006
422
113
0
Amanda
www.bloomingflowers.net
State / Prov
OH
Hi, I was wondering if anyone has taken the wedding design course from the Floral Design Institute? I feel quite alone being a florist, as I live in the boonies of Ohio; the other florists in my area are very competitive...almost to the degree where it makes business unpleasant.

I started my floral business 3 years ago without any formal training, and would appreciate your input on this course, or any other recommendations. I am reluctant to take it, since I do not need all of the extra materials they ship with the program, not to mention the cost. I would prefer an internet class or DVD that I can do in my spare time. I love weddings and am thinking of specializing in them.

I am very thankful for this web forum, which I found in this month's Floral Review magazine. Thank you!!!
 
Theresa,

I am also in the "boonies" of Ohio. I feel your pain on the competitiveness of small area florists and it truly does make you feel alone in this industry. It is so great that you found this wonderful resource!! I assure that it will be a go to place for you as it has been for me :)

Honestly, you don't need to pay for a mail order design course when there are so many other resources that you can tap into. Buy bridal magazines to see what colors, flowers and designs are hot for this year. Visit "event" florists' websites and see what they are producing for their brides. Each week use your "leftover" flowers to create different style bouquets and hone your talents. Feel free to call me at the shop if you ever have any questions. I love talking to other florists in our industry, especially those who are in similiar situations as I am. My number is listed in my signature at the bottom of this post.

I can't give any opinions on the course because I am not familliar with it.
 
I agree with Felicity...with so many other resources..have you looked into the book selection at Florist Review?? and don't forget design programs that focus on weddings.. I had the opportunity to attend one presented by Bert Ford,, he had excellent hand outs and if you like pm me and i can make copies if you like..
 
As an OLD florist the only thing that worries me, is if you have never taken a wedding design course, where did you learn to do the basics? I only ask this because a few years ago the wedding industry here was pushing the "do it yourselves" and the brides were actually coming in to my shop and getting me to redo their flowers on the day of or day before their weddings as their bouquets were falling apart since they did not know how to do the basics. I think every one in the industry should take a basic course at least. I usually try to go to at least design show each year after 30 years of designing to keep up on the new methods not just the new colors and styles.
 
I found a great resource in "Wedding Flowers" magazine. It is printed in the UK quarterly and has beautiful pictures and ideas in it. I find in in Michaels Craft stores sometimes or in a really good magazine shop/news stand. There is no subscription service but issues can be ordered online at www.mags-uk.com/pc . There are at least 100 photos every issue, just lovely.

John Henry has a nice wedding book too with a tips and techniques companion volume. Of course you have to understand the mechanics to have either of these resources work for you. I also go to most of the design shows I can get to to stay on top of things. I'm really glad I learned alot from a very old florist as a basis for learning -the new stuff!
 
I took the basic floral design long distance class from Floral design Institute a couple of years ago. (about $500) as I remember. Good basic information. But all they did was take a text book, photo copy it, and ask questions at the end of each chapter. You submitted your answers via mail. Good Info, just way overpriced.
 
a couple of books came to mind that can help you with the basics... the AIFD Guide to Floral Design..great! and also the Profil Basics collections.. from Florist Review..they are great too and have step by step process for 4 different bouquets in each book..along with many other practical ideas for everyday.
If you can, Telflora has a education center in oklahoma.. and they offer traditional wedding and a more cutting edge wedding course.. kinda pricy but it's a hands on class..(they do offer scholarships)
and of course we are all here for you too;)
Twiggy
 
If you ever find yourself in the position of getting to know another florist,,,,(someone who has been in the biz a long while) utilize their knowledge like CRAZY....Books are great for inspiration but you can quickly get in over your head trying to do a design without the proper know-how.
Any florist worth their salt would be pleased to share their skills with someone new to the industry.....
Any way you go about it you MUST get the basics downpat..having a design ,,,wedding,,,,party order etc go awry can do so much damage to your credibility that you are trying and working so darn hard to build up!
I wish you well!!! This really IS a great place to come to for any and all Q & A.....you'll never feel silly for asking any questions big or small!!
Go forth and bloom!!!
jeannie :)
 
thanks

Thanks to all for posting some very sage and useful advice.

About where I learned: I got a few DVD's from Floral Design, studied all of our libraries books and surrounding libraries books, and the books my dh purchased for me along the way. I have a subscription of Floral Review and the John Henry Wedding books and Sympathy tributes. I originally purchased flowers to experiment with, and now, try out new things with flower orders. For weddings, if the bouquets are complicated, or a flower I have not worked with yet, I ask the bride if I can do a sample at cost. This has been very helpful, and I think the bride's like it too.

My sister also started wedding flowers almost the same time I did 3 years ago, only she is doing silk. I think my grandmother, who we fondly called "Bobchi" instilled in us the love of flowers, as she tended my Mom's flower beds with such contentment. I do have a BS in Arch from OSU, which, as you can see I am putting to good use. he-he.

I have so much to learn, thanks for replying.

p.s. When I was about 10 years old, I stopped in front of my neighbors house while he was tending his peony patch. Pink has always been my favorite color and was admiring his rows and rows of flowers. He picked one and gave it to me, and my Mom proudly displayed it in our home. After all these years, I hope to pass on that generosity and kindness to my customers.
 
Is there a technical college near you that has floral design classes? Nothing beats hands-on learning. Go to every design show that you can attend. I still take every class that I can find, and learn something from every one. I cannot tell you how many times I have taken Basic Floral Design. Never, never stop learning.
 
I graduated from FDI and found it very helpful, but if you already know the basics, dont waste your money for the bridal course. You know they do sell tapes as well you can always pick up a tape if you really need the help. I get ideas from Floral Review as well as the bridal mags.

Just start 'playing' to see what you can create, take pictures for yourself to remember as well to 'sell yourself' to your customers.

Stephanie
 
I was first taught by my grandfather when I was very young then I took my first design course when I was in my early teens. I am a third generation florist. We had flower shops, greenhouses and a fruit market.My grandparents felt you could never learn enough if your chosen field. I feel the same way too.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top Bottom
Back