Workshops are my favorite way to share my love of flowers. I did the first workshop was in 2016. We sipped cocktails and made glorious floral crowns. I never looked back!

That holiday season I added wreath making workshops that have grown into an annual tradition for many. Over the past few years I’ve met entire families - grandmothers, mothers and daughters who come together to share a bit of holiday cheer over heaping piles of greens. It’s an honor to be a part of this holiday tradition.

Many people walk into the workshop claiming they have no creative skills and two left thumbs when it comes to designing with flowers. Two hours later these same budding designers leave with magnificent creations, often telling anyone they run into that they made this wreath or centerpiece. I’ve also heard stories of members of the flower family being offered money in the parking lot by strangers for their creation!

What to expect at a floral workshop

One of the most important things for me is to keep the workshop small. I limit the size to between 10-12 people. This keeps the experience intimate and gives me a chance to be able to focus on each person as needed.

Flower friends arrive and find their place at the work table, which has everything they need to create - clippers, vases, twine, etc. The flower bar is set up with all the blooms we need for our time together. My goal is to always source as many blooms as possible locally from nearby flower farms, my own garden and a quick forage the day before. The color palette varies depending on what’s available and I like to vary it so that everyone can explore color combinations.

Once I introduce everyone to the flowers, I do a demo arrangement, talking about technique and bloom selection as I go. This arrangement gives you a reference as you select your own flowers for your creation. The next part is all about you, your selections and what you are feeling for creating. I’m always close by to help with flower placement and answer any and all questions. My catch phrase is always “you have an opportunity here to add/take out/move flowers”. Honestly, I am always so inspired by color combination and small flower moments that I learn something new every time!

Once your creation is finished, I like to photograph you and your creation. Many times we finish at about the same time and we gather all the arrangements together for some epic photos. In some of the private workshops we line them down the center of the table and share lunch and or drinks with your creations. There is nothing like a long table set with flowers!

Whether you have been to all the workshops or are thinking of joining us, you are part of the flower family and I can’t wait to see you! A special thank you to all of the beautiful spaces we have flowered over the years including Modern Mercantile, Lucketts Store, Perennial Stays’ Magnolia Pond Farm, Catoctin Creek Distillery, Woodlawn-Pope Leighey House, Marine Corps Heritage Foundation and Hayes Cottage. Your spaces continue to inspire us!

Join us for our next workshop at Wheatland Spring Farm + Brewery in Waterford, VA on Sunday, August 14th. We will have the best of summer blooms on the flower bar and create in the most magnificent space.

See you soon,

XO, Julie