fbpx

Pretty in Pink

Tara Guérard of Soirée, an event design firm with studios in Charleston and New York, demonstrates a fresh summer arrangement in a timely hue
Tara Guérard pink flower arrangement

Tara Guérard shows how to make this summery, pink flower arrangement, step-by-step.

My inspiration for this arrangement was Pantone honeysuckle color. It’s young, vibrant and cheerful—perfect for our Charleston studio. Monochromatic centerpieces have always been my favorites. I love varying shades and textures, so when choosing flowers, I am also constantly trying to envision the shape the shape and size that I’m selecting (how they will mesh, if you will). It’s important to have small, medium, and large-sized blooms—some soft, some tight. I don’t like using greenery as a filler; I prefer a flowering filler like alstroemeria with the leaves removed, bouvardia, or even berries.

Tara Guérard pink flower arrangement

Materials

  • peonies
  • roses
  • tulips
  • alstroemeria

Tara Guérard pink flower arrangement

Tools & Supplies

  • scissors
  • container
  • bricks of floral foam
  • foral tape
  • clear trash bag

Tara Guérard pink flower arrangement

1|First, soak the floral foam. Make sure it is completely saturated. I used a size called a brick and soaked three to begin, although I ended up using two for this project.

 

Tara Guérard pink flower arrangement

2|Cut a plastic trash bag to make a liner for the container. I usually cut the bag approximately 6 inches taller than the container—there is nothing worse than having it too short once the floral foam goes in, causing the water to seep out.

 

Tara Guérard pink flower arrangement

3|Place the plastic bag within the container, just like you’re lining a wastepaper basket. I chose this vintage ceramic pot to accent our Soirée logo. I liked that it had a fun shape and would add texture to the piece.

 

Tara Guérard pink flower arrangement4|With scissors or a knife (a large cake knife works best), cut the floral foam to fit snugly inside the container.

Tara Guérard pink flower arrangement

5|Then, fill the container with floral foam. Use large pieces—the fuller, the better.

 

Tara Guérard pink flower arrangement

 

6|Roll the edges of the plastic liner and press them inside the edges of the pot to hide it.

 

Tara Guérard pink flower arrangement

 

7|Use floral tape to hold the floral foam in place. This will keep it from coming out once it’s filled with flowers. If the floral foam falls apart or starts coming out in pieces, the only thing to do is start over. No worries—this has happened to me on many occasions! I just mutter a few choice words and move on.

 

Tara Guérard pink flower arrangement

 

8|To avoid extra work, first cut the stems close to the correct height. Then you only have to clean the part of the stem you are using. If you’re not sure, leave a few extra inches.

 

Tara Guérard pink flower arrangement

 

9|Clean the stems of each flower. I like to have zero leaves and no thorns. Processing the flowers is the most time- consuming process—but it is calming to me, and I do some of my best thinking during these mundane tasks.

 

Tara Guérard pink flower arrangement

 

10|To begin, start with the flowers that comprise the bulk of the arrangement—in this case, a peony. Place it firmly in the floral foam.

 

Tara Guérard pink flower arrangement

 

11|Continue placing the flowers at approximate heights, in different areas of the center of the pot. Create the outline of how high and how wide you would like your centerpiece to be. Then fill in.

 

Tara Guérard pink flower arrangement

 

12| I do love to cluster two, three, and four flowers to create larger- looking blooms. I think it is important not to be perfectly bundled or exactly symmetrical. By being a little off-center, the centerpiece has much more personality and depth. Besides, who expects perfection?

 

Tara Guérard pink flower arrangement

 

13|Keep filling in holes with different-sized blooms at varying heights all around until the open areas seem filled. A few extra flowers are better than not enough. And don’t forget to add water to your floral foam each day so that your flowers will last as long as possible. Enjoy!

 

Save

Design by Tara Guérard | Produced by Julie Cole Miller | Photography by Brie Williams

See more of our most popular Pink Flower Arrangements.

MORE STEP-BY-STEP FLOWER ARRANGEMENTS

TRENDING NOW