Efficient Mechanics For Events

Laura June 6, 2024 Products, Solutions

The abundance of stunning floral designs on social media and in magazines raises client expectations. While these stunning designs create a breathtaking experience, they also demand a significant investment in time, materials, and skilled execution.

From the extravagant displays at weddings to the simple elegance of a centerpiece, every floral design relies on a crucial but often overlooked element - mechanics. The mechanics are the backbone behind breathtaking arrangements, ensuring each flower finds its perfect place and stays there.

Going beyond the basics, here are some of our favorite mechanics that save time and money - -and provide reliable stability.

Farmhouse Wreath Forms a.k.a chicken wire “tiles” give instant structure.

You likely know that chicken wire provides a grid-structure to add flowers in the holes and provide form. Take it up a notch by using wreath forms where chicken wire is already stretched across a shape.

Our 18” round can lay on top of large urns or porch pots. The chicken wire creates a grid that aids in positioning the stems and restricts the movement within the arrangement. This is especially helpful when building wider event arrangements where stems might sprawl, creating a tighter design with less material – saving time and money!

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You can also think of these wreath forms as tiles with a finished edge. They provide the base that allows you to have flowers climb along a wall, fence, or even ceiling. Hang them with hooks, nails, fishing line… whatever your venue allows. It is simple to hook the wreath form for an instant floral installation. Completely cover the form, or leave areas open for a rustic or industrial style.

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The framed versions of the wreath forms also provide instant structure for hanging or floating arrangements. The 16” x 20” rectangle can hang with wire or fishing line from above and the chicken wire is ready to support stems.

Willow wreath forms also save time by providing a natural and sturdy base for hanging arrangements like floral chandeliers. See how it immediately created the form and stability for Tom Boling, AIFD, PFCI in this video.

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Curly willow, twig sprays and natural wreath forms make easy armatures.

Branches provide stability and structure, without needing to be camouflaged. However, most live willow will need to be soaked first to make it malleable enough to form. But artificial twigs don’t dry out in this way. You can manipulate them into the form you need for event installations. Whether it is an arch, centerpiece, or tree-like installation artificial twig branches provide 26” of height and are ready out of the box.

Our vine wreath armature is preformed, saving you time. Giving you a grid network, like chicken wire, that doesn’t need to be hidden.

Premade garlands pack a punch.

In no time, you get length, color and texture, making it a go-to for any event florist. And today’s artificial garlands look so lifelike, the benefits outweigh fresh. Because they are lower maintenance, it frees you up to focus on other event details.

Silk flowers eliminate stresses of hydration, weight and set-up time.

Perhaps the biggest time and cost savings for floral design is in selecting the flowers themselves. Fresh flowers can be budget-busters and, well, thirsty little things! Peonies, hydrangea, and tulips are some of the hardest to hydrate but some of the most requested for events! Even fully hydrated material will likely only last the timeframe of a wedding, leaving you no option to design ahead. If you use water tubes, this increases labor and material costs, and is a tool you must hide. Using silk eliminates the stress of hydration and delivers lifelike botanical quality.

Lightweight artificial flowers allow for more flexibility and ease of use. Create large-scale installations, hanging displays, and wall art without limitations imposed by the weight of fresh flowers. Pioneer’s dedication to lifelike silk flowers and greenery means they blend beautifully with a layer or few pops of fresh florals if you prefer.

Coordinating your arrangement containers improves efficiency.
You might not think of containers as a mechanic, but it is a device keeping blooms in place!

Flank a centerpiece with bud vases to bring flowers through the whole table, making the least expensive option and easiest to set. From a design perspective, it's an excellent way to repurpose any trimmed pieces that might otherwise be wasted, ensuring the table appears complete and full.

Take stock of compotes and containers in both large and small sizes. Having both allows you to swiftly create complementary arrangements, making a table look fuller with less floral material.

Invest in elevated trays designed specifically for stabilizing floral arrangements.

Mastering a mechanic takes time, and when you have something that is reliable and sturdy, it’s worth reusing! Invest in pieces that have universal color and a shape that can be used for a variety of event styles. By renting and reusing stands, you gain two advantages: inherent cost benefits and familiarity with proportions. When your design team repeatedly uses the same mechanics, they become accustomed to their size, shape and proportions. This will enhance their efficiency and effectiveness in creating designs, as they know exactly how to work with these items.

Make stands an essential part of your inventory!

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Final tips:
Having a distinctive business can streamline the selling process. Maintain strong relationships with your suppliers, as the flower industry sees new releases every year. This can help you differentiate yourself and make your designs unforgettable. Stay connected with Pioneer by reading our trend reports, and by entering your email in the footer of this page.

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