Decide the tablescape that works best for you

How many flowers do I have to designate to tablescape? Is tablescape a priority for me? How many people per table? Are they family style (rectangular) or banquet style (circular)? How many tables do we have? Any there any tables we want to have extra flowers (head table)?

Once you've decided on your overall tablescape, collect your vase selections and lay them out. Designate a rough flower menu for the pieces you need and start creating. If you have them with you, you'll also want to lay out any other table decor items like candles to give you a better idea of spacing.

If your tables are circular

• Recommend 1 centerpiece or 1-3 bud vases per table.

• Plan out the bud vases out by table so they all come together.

• Mix vase heights and flower volume.

• Use pin frogs to style ikebana arrangements as a modern alternative to bud vases.

If your tables are rectangular

• Recommend one centerpiece or 1-3 bud vases per 6 settings.

• For a budget friendly option, use plastic drawer organizers with chicken wire. The shape is perfect, and if the flowers overlap the edges, you won’t even be able to notice. Plus they will help you save big on costs.

Designing your pieces

BUDVASES:

• Use any broken stems to style narrow mouth vases

• The classic bud vase is styled with 1-7 stems per vase

• Incorporate bud vases of different shapes and sizes

• Play with height differences

• Plan and group vases together by table when your styling then keep them organized together with sticky notes to make dividing them by table easier at the venue

IKEBANA:

• This refers to the Japanese art of flower arranging and focuses on balance and beauty

• Playing with ikebana styling gives you the minimal look of a bud vase, with an elevated, contemporary design

• To style this look you'll need to source an interesting shallow bowl.

• Press a small amount of florist putty to the bottom of a pinfrog

• Apply pressure and spin the frog to attach it to your surface

• Trim the ends of your stems and press them the into the pins

• Similar to bud vases, you only need a few stems, it's about balance and simplicity

• If you plan to add fresh flowers, make sure your vessel can hold water

CENTERPIECES:

• If you're using ceramic or opaque vases, scrunch chicken wire into bottom

• You want the wire folded and secure in the vase to make a wire web base.

• Then start adding your tallest stems into the wire to build your frame or outline

• Remember tablescape are often more practical when they are styled very low

• To achieve a low look cut off shorter branch segments or insert longer stems diagonally

• Keep building until your look is complete