Fresh floral is busting out all over at corporate events these days. That’s because more and more event planners are consulting with floral designers and discovering unique, new ways of incorporating flowers into a meeting or event using floral displays, centerpieces, and even methods for integrating branding into the blooms. Pete Nelson, one of three floral designers at Event Lab, shares how you too can cultivate a fresh approach to floral for your next meeting or even
Q. Tell me about Event Lab.
A. Event Lab is a full-service meeting and event planning company — everything from A to Z. Floral is just one aspect. We’re unique at Event Lab because we have our own products — linens, entertainment, transportation, and flowers, too. Our competitors have to outsource for flowers, but not Event Lab. We also have three in-house floral designers to work with customers.
Q. Do you find that corporate clients shy away from fresh flowers out of fear that they’ll be cost prohibitive?
A. No, not anymore. That thinking has gone away. The nice thing about flowers is you can work with them within the parameters of any budget. Flowers are often less expensive than anticipated.
There is definitely more use of flowers at corporate events these days. Often times, we’ll combine fresh floral with other elements for branding purposes. For example, vases branded with the client’s logo or flower arrangements in the company’s colors. This gives the clients more bang for their buck as opposed to just plopping a bouquet down in the center of the table.
Q. What are some ways a client can use fresh flowers at their event and still save money?
A. Multi-purposing is a great way to do this. If you’re planning on give-aways, why not give away the centerpieces? You can also work with a floral designer to create something with less expensive flowers. For example, by using roses instead of orchids you get a lot more for your money. Also, creating an organic style of centerpiece is becoming more and more popular — tropical greenery, dried flowers, horse tail — elements you wouldn’t think of as a flower can make stunning centerpieces and displays.
Q. Any other ideas?
A. If you’re really looking to economize, you don’t have to use all flowers in your arrangement. You can use a cylinder vase with a floating candle and perhaps one single bud or single stem of a beautiful flower. It’s a great way to do floral at a low cost.
