Essential Floristry Items
Shown below is a list of my must have floristry items for wedding design work, a description of their purpose, and the product links/location i purchase them!
Specific techniques and tools can vary from florist to florist, but this list can be a great guide to start with until you’ve discovered the tools and techniques that work
best for you and your business.
floral tape- waterproof, stretchy, clear
All items can be purchased from Hobby Lobby, Amazon, Floral Supply Syndicate, or select craft stores.
Waterproof Tape- used to wrap stems of bouquet or to secure chicken wire or foam in a bowl, compote, or other designing container (used only in cases the tape will be hidden)
Stretchy Tape- used to wrap bouquet or more commonly used to wrap boutonnieres, pin on corsages, and floral crowns
Clear Floral Tape- used to secure chicken wire or foam to a bowl, compote, or other designing container & when it is important that no tape is shown.
pins, clips, and magnets
All items can be purchased from Hobby Lobby, Amazon, Floral Supply Syndicate, or any other craft store.
Small pins- used to secure ribbon to the boutonniere/corsage
Large pins- are included with the boutonniere or corsage to secure to suit coat or dress shirt
Magnets- are usually used in place of pin as an alternative
Clips- used for mini boutonnieres. Usually for ring bearers or young children who could be poked by using a pin.
Chicken wire
Product link: Chicken wire
I use chicken wire for nearly every design I create, since it is better for the environment and gives my designs more of a “free” look; however, if you are more comfortable using floral foam you might not use this item as often.
I prefer to use green chicken wire so it blends in better to the greenery and flowers, but silver chicken wire works as well
Variety of ribbons
Satin ribbons-Hobby Lobby; High end ribbons- Silk, velvet silk, and small assortment ribbons
I ALWAYS have a variety of ribbon types and colors on hand
Satin ribbon is always included in my price quotes, but I also always ask in my consultations if the couple has a preference on ribbon type and color and adjust cost as needed.
Shears, scissors, wire cutters, rose stripper
Product links: Shears, rose stripper, wire cutters, scissors-local grocery store
wire
BULK: Floral Supply Syndicate, SMALL AMOUNTS: Amazon
22 gauge wire (thicker)- used mostly for garlands
26 gauge wire (thin)- used mostly to wire delicate flowers for bridal party flowers
Shears-for cutting floral stems only
Scissors-for ribbon/fabric cutting only
Wire cutters- wire only
Rose stripper- to easily remove thorns and leaves from each rose stem
zip ties
Amazon
Used to secure arrangements to arch, stair case, etc.
I buy primarily long (about 12”) zip ties in black, white, clear, and brown and use the color that best blends into the area attaching the arrangements to
Water tubes
BULK-Wholesale Floral, SMALL AMOUNTS-Amazon
Used in large scale arrangements (such as arches, garlands, etc) for fragile flowers that need a firm water source to last the course of the event
oasis foam (w/ cages and w/out)
BULK: Floral Supply Syndicate, Wholesale Floral; SMALL AMOUNTS: Amazon, select craft stores
Used for large scale arrangements, centerpieces, etc. There is a foam for pretty much any arrangement you need
Caged foam- used in any arrangement that could use more stability to hold the flowers in, or to provide a more stable place to attach zip ties or wire.
Standard foam- mostly used to be cut down to fit a space exactly (like centerpiece compotes)
Business cards, tags, mini cards
Business cards, Tags & Mini cards
Business cards- to go with all weddings and orders, and extras just in case
Tags- to label each boutonniere/corsage
Mini cards- to write any needed instructions on
Command strips, glue dots, binder clips, rubber bands
Local Walmart, grocery store, or craft store
Command strips & hooks, glue dots (not pictured)- Used exactly as they should be, to secure things in place.
Binder clips- I typically use these to clip garland onto welcome signs or I use string or wire
Twine, Grapevine wire, & fishing wire
Hobby Lobby or other craft stores
Twine and Fishing wire- used to secure or hang arrangements. Kind used depends on if it is is hidden or not
Grapevine wire- I use this as the base for floral crowns, then wrap stretchy tape over the wire as I wrap flowers into it.
hair combs, a variety of wristlets, and faux leather
Hair combs, wristlets: Floral Supply Syndicate; Faux leather: Amazon
Hair combs- for bridal hair pieces
Wristlets- for corsages
Faux leather- I use this for hat florals, necklace florals, etc. I cut the leather to size and attach the florals to the leather with oasis glue.
Dried Florals
Hobby Lobby, Afloral, Local Wholesaler-Esprit Flowers is my go to, Floral Supply Syndicate, etc
ALWAYS have a good variety of dried florals! I use dried florals all the time!
Crowning Glory, Flower Food, Quick Dip
Floral Supply Syndicate
Crowning Glory- spray on flowers and arrangements to provide more moisture to the flower buds
Flower food- extra nutrients to the flowers
Quick dip- for roses to stimulate faster blooming
Floral frog pins
Floral Supply Syndicate
A great alternative to use in containers for a unique floral look
Spray Paints-Floral Friendly
Design masters brand: Floral Supply Syndicate, Michaels
Great for clients who want a specific color that isn’t an available flower color
Lots and lots of buckets
I get mine with my wholesale flower orders, but you can also buy buckets from Floral Supply Syndicate
To store flowers before and after processing
Hairspray-firm hold
Local grocery store
Used to spray on Pampas grass to minimize shedding
Boutonniere/Corsage boxes & Varying sizes of liners
Hobby Lobby or Floral Supply Syndicate
Boutonniere/Corsage boxes- to transport boutonnieres and corsages
Plastic liners- to insert into containers that aren’t made for water to be poured directly into
Variety of vases, containers, compotes, bowls, etc-in all shapes and sizes
I get mine at a variety of places: Floral supply syndicate, Hobby Lobby, Afloral, Wholesale Floral
To use for a variety of arrangements
Tall Ladder & Step Stool
I got both of mine from Walmart: Ladder, Step Stool
To reach arches, fireplaces, ceilings, etc with ease
Poles for standing arches
Materials to make: Lowes
I use these poles primarily for a variety of standing arches, like this one pictured.
I wrap the poles in chicken wire then maneuver the flowers and greenery into the chicken wire.
