Photo booths have become a staple at many events, said Marcy Blum, president of New York-based event planning firm Marcy Blum Associates. Florists can offer to make the areas more dramatic and memorable with flowers.
If you’re looking to shake up your wedding business this summer — and find some new opportunities for additional transactions and upsells — take heart: Influential event planners are pointing to new trends in nuptials, and many of them are centered on flowers.
About half of the wedding trends featured in a recent Biz Bash round-up feature flowers. Some of the trends veteran florists already know well (peonies are dreamy, the just-picked look is popular), but others have sales potential you might be overlooking. Among the standout ideas:
Photo booths that impress. Photo booths have become a staple at many events, said Marcy Blum, president of New York-based event planning firm Marcy Blum Associates. Tactic to try: Tell your brides you can help them stand out (and create the most beautiful photos) by decking out the area with “dramatic floral arrangements for group shots.”
Take home petals. Couples are tired of giving trinkets to guests. “Gone are the days of basic snacks and water to greet guests,” says Glick. “From trendy food options to custom bags to personalized gifts, hosts are now giving away more thoughtful party favors.” Tactic to try: Pitch your ideas on how to greet guests and send them off. “ a great takeaway,” Blum says. “People appreciate it so much more than a pen or paperweight.”
Fancy DIY. Weddings today are “all about the experience,” said Amber Harrison, wedding expert from Wedding Paper Divas. “Millennials in particular are having fewer wedding guests overall but spending more per guest to ensure they feel cared for and have an incredible time,” Some of Harrison’s most successful events have included “retro spin-art, nail bars, build-your-own succulent terrarium, D.I.Y. stationery bar, and more.” Tactic to try: Follow the lead of
Los Angeles-based Seed Floral Interactive and offer to create a customizable terrarium bar for your next Millennial event. Another good point? Harrison noted that the desire for experiences extends to corporate events, too, not just weddings.
Not you average ballroom. Couples may get married in a hotel ballroom, but they want guests to feel like they’re in a castle or tropical beach, said event designer David Stark. He said many couples now use their honeymoon destination as inspiration for their wedding. “Even the most chic and refined weddings are hiding a surprise destination theme under wraps to delight late at night,'” he said. Tactic to try: If you aren’t already doing so, ask the couple where they plan to honeymoon. (“Hawaii! Have you thought of some beautiful tropical flowers?”) At the very least, they’ll appreciate your interest.
Read more about couples’ desire to turn their wedding into a spectacle, and how florists can profit from that impulse in the March issue of Floral Management.
