Must Have Flower Tools for Wedding Florists

Sarita B Author

A comprehensive guide to the tools required by wedding & event florists, including different types of floral foam, vases, floral wire, cutters & more!

Flower arrangement is an art that requires skill and creativity. However, having the right tools and supplies is also essential for creating beautiful and long-lasting floral designs. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the different tools and supplies needed for floral design

Cutting Tools - Scissors, Secateurs and Knives

Cutting tools are essential for any flower arrangement, and they include scissors, secateurs and knives. Sharp cutting tools make clean cuts, which are essential for keeping flowers healthy and hydrated. I use carbon blade scissors for flower stems and Secateurs and knives I find are best for branches and woody stems. Also I do like to keep a pair of clean fabric scissors for ribbons when doing wedding and event work.  Also I love to keep a separate pair of wire cutters for floristry wire. It is really important to have different scissors for different items because you won't damage the blades. These are the basis of everything you will do in floristry so it is really important you have the right items in your toolbox. 

Thorn Stippers 

These are so simple to use and speed up the conditioning and prep of your flowers. It is a really useful piece of kit to save your fingers. 

Tapes

Pot tape is another tool I have in my toolbox. I buy 2 different sizes 6mm and 12mm which I use depending on the size of my arrangement and the design.  The 12mm works wonders with larger designs and provides more anchor to the foam if using foam or chicken wire if using chicken wire. 

I also sometimes get clear tape which is really good if you are doing a design which is going to show some of the mechanic. 

Tack Tape is sticky and almost like blue tac. It comes on a roll of different sizes.  This have many uses. I use it for sticking bowls to pedestals, risers and candelabras to secure them in place.

Parafilm or Stemtex is what I use for wiring up when creating creating buttonholes and corsages and any other wire work. It's main function is to cover up the mechanics  and also seals the end of the stems to lock in the moisture and keep the flowers fresher for longer. If is incredibly stretchy so it twists around easily.  I tend to use green for buttonholes and you can get it in white which I use for flowers on cake. The way to use these are stretch and stick.  

Floral Wire

Floral wires come in different sizes and gauges each one having its own uses.  They are thin and flexible and used to support and shape flowers in an arrangement. The different gauges help them to be wrapped around the stems of flowers to create a more secure and stable arrangement. 

Silver rose wire is the thinest and most flexible of all the wires you get. I use this for weaving into stems and leaves for wedding work and binding it with parfait to lock in the moisture and secure further. It also helps with creating flexibility of the leaf or delicate stem in the design. You can use these also to secure the sepals of the rose in place for more delicate work where you don't want to rose to open up further.   

Green wire I most often use for buttonholes and corsages is 0.70 x 30mm stud wire. I do stock other gauges as well for silk flower designs and other heavier work. Floral wire is also used to create decorative accents, such as wire swirls or bows.

Binding Wire comes on a reel and can be used for mossing wreaths at Christmas. I sometimes use it secure bridal bouquets.

Binding Twine 

Bridal bouquets and handles always need to be secured and I use binding twine to secure the stems in place, It can also be used decoratively for buttonholes where you can causally see it and it gives a rustic and boho finish to the design. For events I use it for timing flowers to chairs and pews 

Fishing Wire 

Great on installations because it is strong and invisible! Wether you are using it on a adding foliage to a gazebo or hanging flowers on a sign it works perfectly in many installations. 

Flower Glue 

I use flower glue for more delicate work such as corsages. It's not commonly used but a really useful item in your toolbox. 

Floral Foam

Floral foam is a soft, porous material that absorbs water and holds flowers in place. There are different types of floral foam available in the market: 

Wet floral foam is still the most come type of foam used within the industry which the biggest disadvantage that it is a one time use plastic and non-biodegradable.  I do still use this in my work but try and reduce the amount I use where I can to help the planet. If at the end of the event, after removing all the stems, it is not too damaged and is still wet I do use it again for the next wedding.

Dry floral foam is what I use with silk blooms.  It has a much coarser and gritty texture and make sure to wear protective eyewear as when cut it creates a lot of dust. Also I wear gloves when using this to protect my hands as it feels really corrosive. 

Biodegradable floral foam which are more eco-friendly to use for florists who are more eco-conscious because it is made from natural materials that break down more quickly and do not release harmful chemicals into the environment. 

Chicken Wire 

Chicken wire is a must have for weddings and events especially where installations are being carried out. It is definitely more sustainable than foam and can be used many times for many events. I use chicken wire to  create a strong and flexible framework for floral arrangements and larger installations like arches and cascades. The size I purchase is 600mm x 10m which has 50mm holes. Be sure to use your wire cutters for this - NOT your flower scissors! Also wear gloves to protect your hands if possible - chicken wire is not pleasant when it cuts through your skin.

Cable Ties and Clamps 

Available at any DIY store these are a so important when securing chicken wire or mechanics to a structure.Cable ties are available in various colours and sizes. Also think about the mechanics and the flowers. I tend to use green or brown cable ties if there is a lot of foliage in the design. Where I have created a design which is more airy and likely to see the tying points I have sprayed to the same colour as the mechanics or even used white.   

Buckets and Ladders 

Definitely won't fit in a toolbox!! but buckets vital to transporting your flowers to events in a safe and protected way. I use Dutch buckets which are square at the base so more easy to transport. 

A safe a secure ladder/s is also needed when doing installations. 

Brooms and Black Bags 

So you've setup your flowers for your event and and we all know how messy your workspace can get. Make sure you keep these with you on site to tidy up and leave the space clean and tidy. Also a big part of the risk assessment. 

So there you have it! A range of tools that I have in my toolbox which helps me during events.

Next Steps to Growing your Wedding Flower Business

Want to learn more about how you can grow your wedding flower business and getting more of the right clients you can work creatively with?

Here are some recommended next steps to help you get started with your flower business and grow it with ease.

• Get your Complete Wedding Florist Business Planner to help you create the business of your dreams.
  
  
• Download your free Guide "Creating Winning Proposals - Wedding Florist Edition
  
  
  
• Join the Petal Post - a monthly newsletter keeping you up-to-date with tips and exclusive offers.
  
  
• My signature course The Wedding Florist Academy - This is the exact framework I used to build my 6-figure business and contains modules for wedding flower designs and business management. Click here to join the waiting list for when it launches.

•  Shop Etsy - Behind the scenes, there are lots of moving parts that you need. I am building a library of all the resources and tools that I have used to grow my business and now you can get these at the click of a button
• Get more free education through the Bloom IQ blog New Blog delivered on the 1st and 15th of each month 
  
  
  

WRITTEN BY

Sarita B

Hi I'm Sarita B!

I'm a wedding florist and I'm proud that I've built my own 6 figure wedding florist business and I'm also passionate about helping and educating fellow budding and ambitious wedding and studio florist-preneurs get booked with the right clients that helps their business grow too.

Categories: : Florist Essentials