Behind the Scenes of Luxury Floral Design

Header photo courtesy of the talented Editorial Wedding Photographer, Alex Gray.

Behind the Scenes of Luxury Floral Design

Here at Paula Rooney Flowers, we take immense pride in creating unforgettable experiences that leave a lasting impression. And as much as we love showcasing our floral designs, we thought we’d pull back the curtain today and share a glimpse of the work that goes on behind the scenes. Join us on a journey through luxury floral wedding and event design, from the initial consultation to the big day itself and everything in between.

Featuring our behind the scenes snaps from a recent wedding we worked on with the wonderful Studio Sorores in the Hertfordshire countryside.

Client Consultations

When we meet with our clients and their wedding planners, it’s a special moment of connection. We treasure the opportunity to hear about their dreams and visions, and our consultations become a collaborative journey where we refine ideas and explore endless possibilities—usually accompanied by tea and some delicious treats here at Paula Rooney HQ!

We often spend two hours or more with our couple during this meeting, delving deep into their desires and aspirations. We discuss color palettes, floral themes, designs, and all the intricate details that will make their event truly unique and personal to them. These conversations are the seeds of inspiration that guide us in bringing their vision to life.

Planning and Preparation

Once we have finalized the brief with our couple or their wedding planner, the planning and preparation begin. We meticulously research and source our flowers and materials from a range of trusted suppliers, leaving no stone unturned. Sometimes, we even visit suppliers months in advance to ensure we get the exact varieties we need. This can range from local growers in the UK to specialist rose suppliers in Europe. We spare no effort in making sure our couples have the perfect blooms for their big day.

During this time, we also focus on sourcing and booking additional support and equipment. Whether it’s enlisting helping hands to build large-scale installations on-site, commissioning bespoke structures for unique and one-of-a-kind floral creations, or organizing logistics abroad, every aspect is carefully considered.

Conditioning and Preparing Flowers

As the event day draws near, our studio buzzes with activity as fresh flowers start to arrive—sometimes up to a week prior to the event to ensure they bloom beautifully on the big day. As each delivery comes in, we carefully condition the flowers. This involves taking each stem, removing any leaves below a certain point, snipping the ends, and placing them in fresh water to hydrate after their journey to us. We also divide and sort our flowers according to pre-prepared stem counts and recipes created during the planning process. You’d be surprised at the amount of arithmetic that goes into floristry!

Alongside floral preparation, we also gather all the vases and equipment we need for the event ahead, meticulously cleaning ceramics and polishing glassware to perfection.

Floral Design

With our flowers conditioned and organized, we embark on the final stage of preparation—the floral designs themselves. Often, this involves the team partially creating designs in the studio and later building larger, bespoke installations on-site. We spend two to three days working in the workshop before loading our vans and traveling to the venue to begin work on-site. This is where, after months of planning, everything begins to take shape!

Logistics and On-Site Execution

On the day of the event, our team shifts gears to focus on on-site execution. We work closely with planners, venue coordinators, and multiple suppliers to ensure that everything is installed smoothly and on time, precisely according to the client’s vision. Often, we remain on-site throughout the day, taking care of changeovers and adjustments, ensuring that every element is flawless.

Completing the Journey

The day after the event, our work continues as we dismantle and remove everything. With the same care and attention to detail as during the setup, we carefully remove each arrangement and dismantle bespoke designs. Our commitment to sustainability extends to responsible waste management. We prioritize recycling and environmentally friendly practices, composting and recycling everything we can.

Our Labour of Love

Behind all luxury floral wedding and event design, there is an incredible amount of hard work, collaboration, and attention to detail. We pour our hearts into every project, striving to exceed our client’s expectations every step of the way. From the initial consultation to the planning, coordination, and preparation, right through to the final execution and dismantling.

So, the next time you attend a wedding or event filled with beautiful blooms, take a moment to admire the labor of love behind it all! Every conditioned stem, meticulously crafted design, and logistical detail is seamlessly coordinated to bring a unique vision to life—and it’s worth it all to see the reaction on our client’s faces when they see their flowers for the first time. As Paula says, “My favorite part is seeing our clients and their guests’ reactions to the flowers—they are blown away. It’s priceless and makes it all worth it!”