What advice would you give to aspiring floral designers?

The Question:
What advice would you give to aspiring floral designers?

The Answers:

Stay true to your vision and design. When I first started out that I want to create designs that looked just picked or garden like. At the time and especially in my location, it wasn’t common. 
I was worried I wouldn’t get any work because people around here had never seen anything like it but I went for it. I really held true that I would at least have a couple of brides that got it. 
Guess what, they did, and I love my clients so much more because of that. I also have 10 times more confidence doing my work for these brides because they chose me for my style. I would say hold tight to your vision and your design because there will people that understand and appreciate it.
Shannon DePalma
The Botanical Box
Nutley, New Jersey

I would advise new floral designers to EDUCATE themselves.  Start at the bottom, learn good mechanics and the basic principles and elements of design.  This will give them a foundation to make beautiful arrangements that are more balanced and pleasing to the eye.  I think there is a lot of ‘messy’ foraged or garden and gathered look, out there. Yes, love flowers and design, but PLEASE learn the basics of good design.  There are so many ‘designers’ out there today, but what makes you different, if all the work out there, looks the same?  Even the original, Saipua, uses good strong lines and a focal point, to create a more pleasing look.  It DOES make a difference.
Also, mechanics are so important.  It’s like trying to build a house, without laying a proper foundation.  It makes a difference.  It may look pretty, but if it’s not stable, what’s the point? Also, learning and knowing the proper techniques from everything to cutting flowers at an angle, how proper insertion into foam or water, is critical to the overall outcome.  I feel like a lot of designers don’t value how important that is.
Jessica Morris AIFD, CFD
HotHouse Design Studio & PropHouse Birmingham
Birmingham, Alabama

Enjoy every minute of the journey! As floral designers, we have tight deadlines, long days, late nights, restless sleep thinking and planning the next big event. Yes, it’s just flowers, but it’s sooo much more!  Its’ the expression on the brides face, when she see’s her bouquet for the first time. That warm heartfelt tearful moment, when ” wow” this is happening! Or when you conceptually come up with a design that in theory will work. Then you have to execute, connstruct a structure from the ground up, and adorn it with florals and fabric. Then when the family see’s it they are ear to ear with grins! These are the moments to cherish! All their dreams are coming true and we get to play a tiny part in their dream wedding! 

Don’t worry about  the “rules”. The rules are guidelines, trust your instincts, and design on your love of the journey!
Gayla Harvey
Tiger Lily Weddings
Charleston, South Carolina

Take as many flower designing courses as you can. And continually do so! Read, learn and continue to soak in advice from those with more experience. Find a mentor, ask questions!
Tara Grand
By The Bloom – Flower Truck
Southern California

My best advice for aspiring florists would be:  BE BOLD in every aspect of working with flower arrangements.
My second piece of advice is: GET PROPER EQUIPMENT, KEEP THEM WORKING PROPERLY—includes the coolers, air filters, hand tools, computers and cash registers.
My third piece of advice is:  Cultivate good vendors AND BACKUP VENDORS—people you buy from, and then monitor their billings and quality of product closely.  Try hard to keep your pricing affordable for the customers in your location.
And finally—all you can really sell is YOUR SERVICE.  Be willing to “Make It Happen” for your customer.
Well, that’s my advice for the aspiring florist—I am one and learning more everyday.
Pearl Norcross
Flippin Fancy Flowers
Flippin, Arkansas