How to Teach a DIY Bridal Party Class
Thinking about offering a DIY bridal party flowers class to your revenue stream?
While the idea of a bride and her bridal party designing their own wedding flowers may raise some eyebrows amongst floral designers, it is actually a solid (and fun) option for florists to bring in a good revenue source, book multiple events on the same day, and save the backache and foot pain from a 10+ hour day of wedding work.
Hosting DIY bridal party flower workshops will free up your design time to take other weddings and events while likely helping your bottom line with your wholesalers because you’ll be ordering more products at one time.
The best thing about this process is that everything comes into and goes out of your workspace so quickly; it doesn't take up space, and you don't have to touch the product other than passing it along to the bride.
Have supplies at the ready for your guests! (1)
How to Handle DIY Wedding Floral Client Packages
You can market bulk flowers and DIY bridal party floral classes as part of your services (like I do), or you can take it case by case and if you get the inquiry, make the decision then.
But before we dive into how to book and teach a DIY bridal party flowers class, we need to go over the basics of a DIY wedding. Here’s how DIY wedding floral design can work:
You get an inquiry for a DIY wedding and the bride states that all they need is flowers.
Ask the bride for inspiration photos of the types of centerpieces and bouquets that she'd like to do, along with anything else she wants to DIY.
Important note: I will say, most DIY brides tend to do small centerpieces, boutonnieres, and garden-style bouquets. Sometimes they want me to do the bouquets, and they want to DIY the centerpieces. I haven't had anyone who has desired to do a DIY arch, but I'd welcome it if the opportunity arises!
After you review the photos submitted from the prospective client, send back the quote with the number of flowers and foliage you think they needs to pull off the style they’re going for, along with the upsell options below.
I typically use a 2x markup for bulk sale because I am doing nothing with the product other than taking it out of its packaging and putting it in water.
Another important note: It is crucial that you include verbiage in your proposals that the proposal is for "bulk flowers only" and that "no design, delivery, set up, or tear down services are included.” In addition, make sure to include that "(insert business name) is not liable for any dissatisfaction of finished product," along with any other specific verbiage you want to add in to reduce your liability.
Here’s Where You Get To Up-Sell Yourself and Your Floral Design Services
When preparing a proposal for the bride who wants to do DIY floral design and is looking for “just the flowers,” there are some key opportunities to up-sell your own services and floral expertise.
Offer recipe cards and flower selection suggestions. It might take you an hour or two to write them up—set your price per hour and get paid for writing a recipe from the comfort of your couch! You may already have some recipes in your archives, and if so, pull one of those and use a one-hour time minimum.
Offer vases, vessels, and containers. If a bride asks, I'll give her the Accent Decor catalog and let her look—it’s as easy as that. Price things out if she asks, but usually, they have their own that they will provide.
Suggest that they do a DIY wedding design workshop or class before they dive in. I haven't had one client yet that turned down this option. Now you just doubled your earning power for this DIY wedding by teaching them how to do design work weeks before the wedding. This can fill in gaps where you don't have events or be done on a weekday.
Be encouraging as your bride and her guests build their creations to help build their confidence. (2)
How the DIY Bridal Party Floral Design Class Works
Once you’ve provided the option for a workshop or class to your DIY wedding floral design clients, next you need to plan out this offering.
Set Your Class Price
Set your price per person for the class based your on time and materials.
The bride can bring along her bridesmaids, mom, aunts, and whoever else will be helping her on her DIY wedding floral design adventure.
My experience is that anything around $50–75 per person is adequate to recreate a DIY look and is a smart price point for the bride. Again, they are usually very simple designs.
If you’ll be teaching a floral design that’s something more elaborate, price accordingly (2-3x markup for goods plus at least 2 hours of your hourly rate for teaching time, divided by the number of guests). If the bride is providing vases for the wedding, make sure she brings them for the class. That way, she has an exact match to what they will be doing for the wedding.
Coordinate the Class Time and Location
Coordinate with the bride for a day, time, and location that works for her and her crew. I have done both in the studio and gone to the bride's home.
Plan Time for Set Up
Arrive on-site and set up your product in floral buckets. I use a large roll of butcher paper to cover surfaces for easy cleanup. I bring cutters, an empty floral bucket for trash, wire, and supplies.
Introduce Yourself and the Process
At start time, do your introduction, explain what you are making, and then let the bridal party "shop" for their goods. If they choose it, they will most likely love it, regardless of how it turns out. Give them rough guidelines such as "start by choosing 5 stems of greenery and 5 of your favorite flower."
Instruct the Floral Design
Do a thorough step-by-step walk-through of the process to recreate the look the bride wants. This includes everything from basic floral care—such as stripping stems and soaking foam—to basic design principles. But keep it simple (and remember, they’re doing all the hard work for you)!
Most people get overwhelmed easily with new information. I typically work on one as an example from start to finish and break it down one step at a time, allowing one step to be finished by the group before moving to the next. For example: Step 1. "Green it out," Step 2. "Difference between focal flowers and fillers," etc.
Encourage the Group
Be super encouraging. Some people are not as crafty as others. It's more about the experience you give rather than their results. There is a lot of "that looks great," "you guys are rocking it," and "your wedding will look gorgeous."
Give Gentle Feedback
Make suggestions gently. Floral design is art! What you may think doesn't look good, others will love. Keep that in mind as you are teaching.
Leave Your Location As Clean As You Found It
Clean up, and you're done! If you’re being hosted in someone’s home, take extra special care.
I have had such great success with this method! All of my brides have left their DIY bridal classes super encouraged and ready to conquer their DIY wedding day. The bonus to a DIY bride is they are typically very laid back—can't beat that!
Here is a group of bridesmaids doing a garland class with me a few weeks ahead of the wedding day.
Photography: (1 & 2) Jake and Heather Photo