Week 8 - Farm Tables - Table Design and Elevated Designs
Bringing it all Together
The last 8 weeks have been an intense time of learning. This week we are moving on to our last centerpiece class. That being said, there are so many different types of centerpieces you can create and we just touched on the ones most used in a garden style wedding. I am already seeing the trends beginning to change so one of the best pieces of advise I can give is to always be on the lookout for new trends in the industry. Search instagram, tik-tok and reels for anything that you have not seen before (assuming it captured your attention) and try to recreate it. Testing the waters by posting these new ideas and then seeing if you get positive response.
We have learned the principles and elements of design and applied them to our individual pieces. I would like to take a moment to talk about how to apply these same principles to your overall event design.
Your job as the floral designer is to present the client with an event proposal that brings order, rhythm and flow. When you create a proposal for a client it should have continuity. The event should feel cohesive even if the client comes to you with seemingly random ideas. The entire event should be looked at as one design.
To create this it is helpful to break each part of the event down and look at them as one design. A theme really helps to create this continuity. Most of your clients will not come to you with a theme and you do not always have to communicate one to them. Just having it as a starting point will help you to create a one of a kind experience even if the client doesn't know what inspired you.
You can use a painting or a region of the world or mode of design (modern, rustic, vintage) to use as your starting point. For example, we held a Design Sanctuary Workshop in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania. First we looked at the "space". Where is this event? How can the location inspire the design? We decided that the famous painter Andrew Wyeth would be a great launching point since he is from Chadds Ford and often painted the local landscape. From that one idea our design began to flow. We started by choosing a couple of the paintings that reflected Andrew Wyeths local Chadds Ford landscapes.
Next we chose a "color" palette. Using the Adobe Palette Generator (https://color.adobe.com/create/image) that we learned in our color lessons, we uploaded the photo and created some working palettes for the event.
Presenting a Color Palette
You can suggest color palettes that remain the same throughout the event or that start in lighter tones then move to darker or visa-versa. You can also use portions of the palette for one area and portions for another. What we like to do is to arrange the event into sections so that the guest experience is different throughout each gathered moment.
So for example, our Design Sanctuary event was broken into 8 sections.
Welcome Party Day One
Breakfast Day Two same room as #1
Lunch and Design Day Two in Tent
Evening Dinner in Barn Day Two
Design Area Day Three in Barn
Lunch Day Three in Barn
Hair and Makeup in Barn Day Three
Dinner in Tent Day Three
For most events it will consist of 3 sections, Ceremony, Cocktails, Dinner and sometimes an After Party. In future lessons we will go over how to style all the sections of an event design. Within each section there are different elements. You can create a design board for just the tables or just the dance floor.
We are going to create a mood board or inspiration board for just the table scapes.
Create a Mood/Design/Inspiration Board
For your lesson this week I want you to find inspiration in a painting or photo for your palette. Then use the Adobe palette generator to create a palette for your long table design. Use some of the elements in the inspiration to style your table.
I would like you to create a design board with the the inspiration picture, the color palette, a place setting, a linen or table and some elements that reflect your inspiration picture. Include the table, the chairs, the plates and flatware, the glasses, the candles, the place card, the palette, the flower inspiration and elements you could add to the table to create more interest and guest experience.
I use Picture Monkey (https://www.picmonkey.com/templates/mood-board?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=nb-dsa-templates-usa&utm_content=usa_notfree_nb_core_dsatemplates_u-c_search&gclid=Cj0KCQjwmIuDBhDXARIsAFITC_560tNMQhhwLF2MMoxwV29z5ZPA-Lh_1_j2B5SQUM2cRssEBUiTVS0aAvoHEALw_wcB) to create design boards but you can use whatever works for you. Even just cutting and pasting to a Word document will work. This is an example of how a table centerpiece inspiration could look.
Here is a short video on using Pic Monkey to create a Mood Board
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HikOBfZiJqk
I just pulled pictures that inspired me. Remember, your goal is to impress and inspire your client with a concept that is beyond what they could imagine. Nothing too concrete. You could use actual items that you know your local rental companies offer so that if the client falls in love with them you can easily source. I encourage you to open an account with one or two linen companies and rental companies this week so that you can be ready to utilize them.
Eventually, you will be able to offer an 'Event Styling' option to your company if you don't do this already. Many Event Planners only handle logistics and do not provide a design plan. A good design plan will incorporate every single part of the visual experience in the event. Having a beautifully styled event makes your florals stand out above the competition so even if it is a service you provide free in the beginning it will create the kind of images that you will want to showcase.
Watch the Video
https://www.dropbox.com/s/sr6t9wnyb59dl61/Florist%20Class%208%20%28No%20Intro%29.mp4?dl=0