meet your flower loving besties

A long overdue recap!

A few weeks ago, we hosted our Floral Installation Masterclass weekend at our studio, The Flower Cottage. Our goal was to share how we approach large-scale floral installations, from choosing the right mechanics and planning flower orders to organizing production schedules and, most importantly, actually creating the installations!

We wanted this to be a truly hands-on experience, with everyone having a part in bringing the designs to life. And that's exactly what happened!

We offered two days of learning, welcoming four attendees on Day 1 and two returning attendees for Day 2. The small group size gave us plenty of opportunities to ask questions, share stories, troubleshoot together, and get to know one another. It made the whole experience that much more meaningful.

Your ceremony is where the magic begins, and the flowers you choose help create the setting for one of the most memorable moments of your wedding day. Whether you're exchanging vows in a garden, ballroom, church, or tent, there are countless ways to design a ceremony space that feels uniquely yours.

From timeless floral arches to modern meadow installations, we've gathered some of our favorite ceremony backdrop ideas from real weddings we've designed. Scroll through for inspiration and discover which style speaks to you.

We cannot believe it’s been nearly 2 years since one of the most memorable creative days we’ve had—and we’re still fully obsessed! When Mack from Mack and Main approached us with her vision for this shoot, we were all in. Not only is Mack a talented designer in her own right, but she gave us the vision and let us run with it, which is the best way to make some magic!

The inspiration: Regencycore meets color-blocked pastel garden party. Mack envisioned a shoot filled with romantic maximalism, playful hues, grand floral gestures, and elegant vintage touches. Think Bridgerton energy meets modern art. It was bold, soft, and sculptural all at once, and gave us the perfect excuse to dream big.

Fresh flowers have a way of instantly brightening a space — but once they’re home, a lot of people worry they’ll do something wrong and watch them wilt overnight. The good news is, keeping flowers fresh is much simpler you might think!

You don’t need sugar, vodka, aspirin or any elaborate tricks. The single most important thing for long-lasting flowers is clean water — and a little consistent care.

Here’s exactly what we recommend.

One of the things we love most about hosting events at The Flower Cottage is how much creative freedom it allows our clients. You’re welcome to bring any vendors you’d like, from catering and bar services to rentals, décor, and entertainment. You can even bring in your own food and beverages to truly make the space your own. The only exception is flowers — as a floral-forward venue, we are the exclusive provider of floral design for events at The Flower Cottage. This allows us to ensure every event is thoughtfully designed, cohesive, and elevated with flowers that perfectly complement the space.

Over the years, we’ve worked alongside some incredibly talented vendors, and we’re excited to share a few of our favorites to help make your event planning process seamless and stress-free.

The Heinz History Center is one of those venues that truly offers something for everyone. Whether your guests are lifelong Pittsburgh locals or visiting the city for the first time, it’s such a fun and memorable space to experience!

One of the things we love most about designing weddings at the Heinz History Center is its versatility. There are multiple spaces throughout the venue that can be used for ceremonies, cocktail hours, and receptions, allowing couples to create a wedding day that flows beautifully while still feeling dynamic and intentional.

When it comes to designing your wedding reception tables, centerpieces play a huge role in setting the tone for the evening. The choice between elevated (tall) centerpieces and low arrangements isn’t just about style — it’s also about how the space feels, how guests interact, and how the florals work with your venue.

So, how do you know which is right for you? Let’s break it down!

Here’s the thing, designing wedding flowers quickly and beautifully is absolutely possible. The secret? Experience, practice, and training yourself to work within a tight time frame. You might be surprised at how stunning your designs can be when you pick up the pace.

A lot of people imagine florists slowly and thoughtfully placing each stem, sipping tea, and adjusting a single rose until it’s “just so.” And sure, there are moments like that… but for most event florists, the reality looks very different.