Table of Contents Hot & Heavy Galentines Cake & Candy Tried & True Conclusion The dreaded 'V-word' is quickly approaching, and the time to implement all those notes you took on last year’s successes (and failures) is now. Valentine’s is a huge opportunity for florists of all sizes to excel in multiple ways. From increasing visibility in their communities, to showcasing their talents, to their expertise in sourcing the freshest flowers and interesting varieties from hundreds of farms at iBuyFlowers, planning is key to success. One of the many challenges that florists face is playing mind-reader for their future customers when it comes to Valentine's flowers. While dozens of red, white, and pink flower arrangements will always abound, many customers come in with photo-shopped arrangements, blurry screenshots, bizarre requests, and a plethora of other unexpected questions to make their florist scramble for the order. A wonderful way to combat any confusion between you and the customer, as well as have more control over your pre-ordering, would be to have set color palettes available for your customer to pick from at the price point of their choosing. Below we have four palettes that will work perfectly to make your job easier and keep your clients happy with your variety. All of these inspiration boards can be customized to reflect your shop’s personality, all the while maintaining some organization during your busiest time of the year. Hot & Heavy Photo Source: @abbeymaeflorals @vickrenner Our first inspiration board is aptly titled “Hot and Heavy” with deep reds, blacks, and purples. Black baccara is a wonderful “black rose” to use in lieu of a traditional red. Dark foliages can be incorporated, as well as dark satin ribbons (or even velvet!). The navy center’s of anemone will be a stand-out in this palette, and the richness of these colors and texture will convey a sense of romance for your customer. Client’s who choose the “Hot and Heavy” palette will probably have the *most interesting* card messages to their receivers attached to these alluring floral arrangements. Explore full mood board here. Galentine's Photo Source: @gardengirlflowerseugene @juleswiththeflowers @highdesertflorals @bkdflorals Next we have the “Galentine’s” inspiration board. Galentine’s is an increasingly popular celebration the past several years. What is more “for the girls” than a day of flowers, chocolate, and champagne? With a rise of celebrating groups of girlfriend’s, it’s only fitting that the palette shows off fun, inspiring colors. This palette is ideal for marketing at more affordable price points, making it easy to sell multiple arrangements at once. Bright, poppy pinks, cheerful yellows, vibrant blues, reds, and oranges are guaranteed to catch your clients' eyes. It’s the perfect opportunity to showcase a mix of pastel tones and pink flowers alongside these lively, colorful blooms, creating bouquets that truly stand out for the occasion. Check the full mood board here. Cake & Candy Photo Source: @bkdflorals @urbanbloom.florist @moonrisefloraldesign “Cake and Candy” is for the customers who want to be non-traditional, but also want to stay in the Valentine’s general vibe with pink roses and vibrant flowers. Warm pinks and peaches, creams, and muted mauves create a welcoming palette appropriate for any client to send to any recipient. This inspiration board would be perfectly accented with thrifted glassware, creating a true air of thoughtfulness for the recipient. Discover full mood board here. Tried & True Finally, we have “Tried and True”. Red, pink, and white will always be a popular choice during this time of year. Having a set list of certain stems and working with a recipe during this chaotic week will help push out the vast amount of orders florists are certain to get in this color scheme. Traditional customers love alstroemeria, carnations, babies breath, caspia, and red roses. Explore the full mood board here. In Conclusion... While there are countless tips and tricks to make it through Valentine’s Day in one piece, one of the most important parts of a florist’s process is securing excellent products. With iBuyFlowers, you can pre-order to lock in your product and pricing. Whether you want to pay at checkout or when the order packs, you have that option. This comes in handy during these holidays when it is necessary to bulk order. iBuyFlowers is a wonderful resource, creating a system where you can order online from world-wide vetted farms that florists have been using for decades. Flowers are shipped directly from the farm to your door with free priority shipping, guaranteeing a product that is as fresh as possible for your customers. So get your inspo ingredient lists ready and get to ordering! © 2024 iBuyFlowers.com
Table of Contents Sunset Terracotta Classic Romantic Champagne Mauve and Plum Carnival Conclusion Many times as a creative, it is easy to know exactly what you are talking about and envisioning inside your head, but relaying that vision to clients is an incredibly important part of the booking and planning process. You can be the most effective communicator possible, but having visual cues, like mood boards, can convince your client that you are indeed the best fit for them. In the wedding and event world, competition can be fierce, and landing not only clients, but the RIGHT clients for you, is imperative. To help with this, we have put together four mood boards for fall that not only serve as templates to inspire you to create your own, but also provide quick floral inspiration to keep on hand to show clients in the future. Whether you’re designing wedding flower arrangements or planning a bride’s flower bouquet, these mood boards are perfect starting points. Sunset Terracotta Our sunset terracotta mood board features brighter tones than the traditional terracotta, blush, and cream weddings that have been so popular in recent years. Embracing the coral hues of a crisp fall sunset, lush, cool peaches, and pops of buttery oranges and creams, this palette is guaranteed to stay in rotation for the next several years of weddings. It’s an ideal choice for creating a large bridal bouquet or even wedding flower centerpieces that capture the essence of autumn. With the emergence of heavy florals in pop culture, from music videos to shows like Bridgerton, clients are increasingly interested in using both more and brighter colors for their wedding flowers. This palette is particularly stunning for those looking for a unique flower color palette. Photo Source: @poppinpeoniesfloral @urbanbloom.florist @_whirlygirl Classic Romantic Champagne Up next is the classic, romantic Champagne mood board. This is a wonderful visual to show couples who want to remain traditional but also wish to do something a bit different. With so many shades and hues of creams available, this mood board offers ideas for bridal bouquets that venture into pale yellows and muted, dusty pastels—a wonderful way to add a small pop of the unexpected without being too bold. These color palette flowers are perfect for crafting real flower wedding bouquets and wedding floral centerpieces that are timeless yet fresh. The richness of these combinations is tried and true. We can expect to see variations of this palette rotate through time but never fade away. Photo Source: @moonrisefloraldesign @gildedthistlegr @bkdflorals @scs_lady Mauve and Plum Mauve and plum are having a large resurgence lately! With the early 2000s coming back in a big way in fashion, florals have followed suit. Shades of purples and grays are making their rounds again, and we love the toned-down versions we are seeing in events lately. This palette is fitting for a moody outdoor ceremony, an industrial corporate event, or a winter wedding. The deep tones would also be perfect for holiday parties or even chilly early spring weddings, offering both freshness and richness at the same time. Ideal for wedding bouquets or wedding party bouquets, this palette allows for an elegant yet bold look. The wildflower color palette also adds a hint of nature-inspired beauty, making it versatile for any occasion. Photo Source: @thevinefloralstudio @moonrisefloraldesign @hummingbirdfloralstudio @biofloria_ Carnival Bright colors are trending as a year-round option, and florists could not be more thankful! This Carnival mood board is a wonderful jumping-off point for brides who want a vibrant day filled with color. Think about a bright wedding bouquet featuring rich garden roses and ranunculus, with added pops of lavender or pale blue for an eye-catching effect. Even in the dreary winter months, these colors can easily be sourced, allowing florists to create stunning wedding flower arrangements that defy the seasons. This palette is also perfect for flowers for centerpieces at weddings, as it brings a cheerful and lively vibe to any celebration. Photo Source: @eventsanddesignbynancy @idamayesfloral @lostgardn @hopeblooms.ky In conclusion... By using these mood boards, you can showcase the range of options available to your clients, whether they are looking for cheap bridal flowers or aiming for a grand statement with a large bridal bouquet. Each mood board offers a unique flower color palette, making it easier to match the client's vision with the perfect floral design. Ready to bring these ideas to life? Explore our catalog to discover all the flowers you need or shop our wedding collections to find the perfect blooms for your next project. Let these mood boards inspire your next wedding floral creation and help you design wedding party bouquets that leave a lasting impression!
Table of Contents 1. Show Off Your Products with Gorgeous Photos 2. Encourage Pre-Orders with Special Offers 3. Offer Free Delivery Before Valentine's Day 4. Partner with Local Businesses 5. Engage Your Audience with Fun, Interactive Content 6. Be Transparent in Your Posts Ready to Make This Valentine’s Day Bloom? Flowers and Bouquets are what make Valentine’s Day special. This also means it's a huge day for Florists. With the right social media game, there is no better time to turn this into one of your biggest sales events in the year. Through stunning bouquets or the buzz of giveaways, here are some ideas to help you maximise your social media impact this Valentine’s Day. 1. Show Off Your Products with Gorgeous Photos For a visually-driven platform like Instagram, you need to grab the attention of your audience through high-quality photos and videos of your flowers. Your flowers are beautiful, so show them off! Don’t just snap quick pictures—take your time to make sure they look their best. Valentine’s Day Hashtags like #ValentinesDayFlowers and #PreOrderLove will help you boost your posts to a larger audience. Valentine’s Day also brings about the need to buy specific flowers for the occasion. What would people want to see from you most? These are the flowers we believe positively grab people’s attention: Roses: These are almost always the quintessential choice since you cannot go wrong with them. Ranunculus: Coming in an assortment of colours, these are a fresh alternative to roses. Carnations: With their red and pink variety, these are a great set of affordable and long-lasting flowers. Also, don’t forget about your Instagram highlights—create a dedicated space for your Valentine’s Day offerings so customers can easily browse everything you’ve got without having to scroll through your entire feed. Photo Source: @juleswiththeflowers 2. Encourage Pre-Orders with Special Offers Pre-orders are a lifesaver, especially when the last-minute rush hits. Entice your customers to secure their Valentine’s Day flowers early by offering a little something extra—whether that’s a discount, free chocolates, or guaranteed delivery. Throw in a catchy slogan like “Reserve the romance” or “Save the stress, grab the best” and let the urgency do the work for you. You can even use Instagram giveaway ideas to run a contest where one lucky follower wins their pre-order for free. It’s a fun, interactive way to build buzz and get people to engage with your posts. 3. Offer Free Delivery Before Valentine's Day Here’s a trick to get those early orders in: offer free delivery a few days before Valentine’s Day. Not only does this encourage customers to order early, but it also helps you avoid the craziness that comes with last-minute orders. Promote your free delivery with interactive posts like a poll asking followers which day they'd prefer to get their flowers delivered. Bonus: Run a giveaway where you offer free delivery as a prize! It’s an easy way to get engagement and spread the word about your flowers. Photo Source: @@juleswiththeflowers 4. Partner with Local Businesses Everyone appreciates a little extra love. This Valentine’s Day, think beyond just flowers. This is a great time to collaborate with other local businesses. Whether it’s a bakery, a chocolatier, or a cute boutique, teaming up allows you to reach more people. You could create joint giveaways or cross-promotions where customers get discounts at both your shops. For example, you could create a Valentine’s Day event where customers who buy a bouquet from you get a discount on chocolates from a nearby shop. These partnerships can help build a sense of community while giving you both a boost. Be sure to engage with other local businesses on social too—like, comment, and share their posts. A little love can go a long way, especially if they return the favour. 5. Engage Your Audience with Fun, Interactive Content Everyone loves to feel involved, especially around Valentine’s Day. Keep your audience engaged with fun, interactive social media posts like polls, quizzes, or behind-the-scenes peeks at how you put together your beautiful bouquets. Ask your followers to vote on their favourite Valentine’s Day arrangement or share which flowers they’re hoping to receive this year. Share the love this Valentine’s Day by educating your audiences on the meaning behind different flowers through engaging social media posts. Highlight the romantic symbolism of red roses, the elegance of orchids, or the liveliness of daisies. This is a perfect way to enhance your emotional connection between your brand and your audience. You could also host singles Valentine's Day events—like a virtual flower arrangement class for those celebrating self-love this year. It’s a unique way to engage a wider audience and make everyone feel included, no matter their relationship status. Photo Source: @@juleswiththeflowers 6. Be Transparent in Your Posts When people are looking to buy, they want all the details upfront. Be clear in your posts about sizes, prices, delivery fees—everything. This helps target your ideal customer and cuts down on repetitive questions. You could even create a FAQ section in your Instagram highlights with answers to common questions like “How far in advance should I order flowers?” or details about your bulk flower options. Transparency builds trust, and the more information you offer, the easier you make it for your customers to buy. Ready to Make This Valentine’s Day Bloom? With these social media tips, you’ll be all set to create buzz, engage your audience, and drive more sales this Valentine’s Day. Whether you’re showcasing beautiful arrangements, collaborating with local businesses, or running interactive giveaways, the key is to stay active, creative, and connected with your customers. Don’t forget to check out our Instagram and Facebook pages, where we’re always sharing the latest floral inspirations, behind-the-scenes content, and special offers. Want to get a head start on Valentine’s Day orders? Browse our full catalog of flowers and lock in your pre-orders today! Stay connected, stay creative, and make this Valentine’s Day unforgettable—for both you and your customers!
Let’s talk FLOWER PHOTOGRAPHY! Here are 8 top secrets that professional photographers use when capturing their subjects. Creating better quality photos of your floral designs will increase your sales too! According to Meero, 93% of consumers consider visual content to be the key deciding factor in a purchasing decision. Most importantly the quality of the visuals you'll use to show how your products look is ESSENTIAL! So, let's talk about how to create those quality visuals with just your smart phone and the correct light. Many believe that if it’s a beautiful, bright sunny day, taking photos outside at noon would produce an ultimate outcome. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Sometimes, direct, overhead sunlight can create dark shadows, flares and glares and harsh light that are not be flattering on people or flowers. The magic of natural light is truly amazing, but the secret is, how to use it. That secret is in diffused light. Professional photographers use diffused light to capture the true colors and features of their subjects. Diffused light can be created with overcast skies and utilizing window light as a primary light source. The outcome of this soft, natural light produces beautiful, vibrant photos. No need to have expensive camera equipment either. Your smart phone can capture amazing photos. It just depends on the correct use of this diffused light and a few other fun tips that I will share with you with examples. 1) Where to shoot from First, place your florals in front the window and make sure when you photograph them, you do not point the camera into the window light, but rather, position you and your camera in between your arrangement and the window, as if you were the window light. Careful not to be in competition with the window light, standing so that you create a shadow on your subject. Moving a little to the side or positioning yourself below or above the flowers can make all the difference in maximizing that window light. 2) Creating a mood Below are two sets of images that show two different moods to the photographs. Creating these moods in these photos is based on light source and background choice. Choosing a solid dark background already sets a tone to these photos below. When placing the flowers a few feet away or more from the window, you will create some depth. These images almost look as if they were in a painting from the 19th century. Many painters from past centuries and even painters today use window light as their main light source. Although, don’t move your florals too far away from the window light, as this could result in a dull, grainy look to the image. Placing the florals closer to the light source and changing the background to something lighter, will produce a higher light contrast. These pink garden roses below are set in close proximity to the window light. Possibly windows on all 3 sides of these stunning Garden Roses. Setting your bouquet or arrangement a distant from the background can create a blurred, out of focus feel. In this first image, with the pink garden roses, a string of lights in the distance creates yet another layer of mood of bright and cheery. The blurred lights in the background are referred to as a bokeh effect. This is when you choose what your camera focuses on. Then play around with distance to find that 'sweet spot' of diffused light (usually a few feet to 6 feet away, depending on how bright it is outside and streaming through your window). The 'sweet spot' of diffused window light will yield incredible results to your photos. 3) Direct Sunlight & Shadows Soft diffused window light alone is pure magic. Although, if utilized correctly, direct steaming sunlight can be a great tool to create an interesting effect. Like the daisy mums in the tiny glass vase below. Hard shadows may achieve a very different look too. Test the light that you have to see what style you like the best. This is suppose to be a fun experiment to test what you desire to show in your photos. Direct sunlight can change dramatically throughout the day too, depending on where the light is streaming in from and what time of day it is. If you do choose to photograph outside, bring those floral arrangements into full shade to have a more even light to your photography. If you are outside in the late afternoon, just before sunset, you can create a beautiful warmth to your photos that is flattering on people and flowers. 4) Angles. Create a different point of view To show even more interest, think of a different POV (point of view). Are you wanting your audience to see the florals from above looking down on them? Level or looking up? Angles can change the outcome of your photo to tell a story. The below images show different angles to show different points of view. Find out what tickles your fancy by trying different angles out. 5) Story telling Tell a story with your photos and show your own personal style using props and accessories. People relish in stories. 6) Fill The Frame: When the flowers take up the entire space of your camera frame, it will create an explosion of color and detail that will knock your socks off. 7) Bounced Light Creating even more light to shine onto the other side of your floral subject, can be easily achieved by using a reflective source to bounce the window light onto your flowers. No need for that expensive pro reflector either. It's easy to create a reflector with tin foil! So, go and grab some tin foil and a metal cookie sheet and wrap it in tin foil for a very effective DIY reflector. Voila! You are an instant pro. Below you can see what a great difference an additional reflective light source can be. Thank you to Taunie Everett for showing an example of this effect in these floral photos below. 8) Mirrors A mirror can act as that reflective light source too. It can lend as a photo prop to your floral story or it can be another reflective light Here are a couple of different examples for use of mirrors. I hope you have 'seen the light' LOL, with some of these secret tips for floral photography. We love hearing from you. If you have some great photography tips that you have learned that can inspire fellow floral enthusiasts, please share examples and tag us on our instagram. We love to highlight our customers and promote their business. Below are links to some of the amazing flowers represented in the photos, photos from professional photographers at unsplash. Of course all these brilliant flowers are available to purchase at iBuyFlowers, by the bunch, bulk or by the box. Check the links out below. Next month, I will chat about great uses and placements for these amazing accomplished photos. -Love Emma. Garden Roses Chrysanthemums Ranunculus Hydrangea David Austin Roses Dried Florals Carnations Protea Tropicals