THE BLOG

As luxury florists, a big part of our job is creating jaw-dropping floral installations for weddings and events. But did you know we also offer comprehensive floral design education? Here at Abby Garden, we are passionate about teaching florists to create breathtaking designs with our responsibility to the planet in mind. The most common floristry practices rely on harmful, unsustainable materials like floral foam (read more about it here). We plan to change that. With a focus on sustainability, these three expert techniques will help you create elevated floral installations that wow your guests without hurting the environment. 

The Base is More Important than the Blooms 

Yes, you read that right. When considering the composition of your floral installation, your structure will always be the biggest influence on the final result. If you have bulky mechanics, you’ll end up with a bulky design. When building a strong and sustainable base, we use chicken wire, angel vine, birch branches, along with water sources like water tubes and various shape buckets or containers, using reusable zip ties and waterproof floral tape to attach each element to each other. These materials provide a sturdy structure while keeping your blooms hydrated, eliminating the need for harmful floral foam. 

Designing for Shape, Movement, and Impact. 

Once your base is established, layer with greenery first before adding your delicate blooms. This creates layers and depth. We usually begin by wrapping angel vine within the chicken wire. The key to creating a truly elevated floral installation is less, not more. You must leave negative space when and where you want flow and movement. By focusing more on negative space and less on coverage, you can execute designs with movement and flow that don’t feel overstuffed. 

Designing Your Floral Installations with Logistics in Mind

We always design with ease of dismantling in mind for our strike teams. Whenever possible, we use modular structures and ensure the blooms and foliage don’t overlap at the points of contact. This makes it easier to detach each piece. We then detach the reusable zipties we’ve used to secure the base together. Instead of dismantling the floral installations on site, we bring them back to our studio so we can compost the materials. 

What Makes Floral Installations Feel Elevated? 

Scale makes the biggest impact when it comes to luxe floral installations. Large-scale, dense designs cascading down a stairwell or hanging above a dance floor always make the biggest impact. Additionally, unique and artistic shapes, movement, and unique stem combinations captivate guests’ attention. Each small element adds to the experiential aspect of floral design.

How to Create Elevated and Sustainable Floral Installations (Without Overwhelming Your Team and Budget) 

The best way to begin creating beautiful and sustainable floral installations is by choosing low-cost, highly durable materials. It may not be pretty, but the hardware store is your new best friend. We use electrical supplies that we’ve adapted for floristry applications. You can layer in an easy vine like smilax with faux blooms that can be rented again and again, and have a 20-foot chandelier up in just a couple of hours! 

But, like any new skill, it takes practice. Luckily, you don’t have to figure it out on your own! We’ve developed extensive guides for florists, focusing on sustainability and individual skills like large-scale installations. Inside our most popular resource, The Ultimate Guide to Foam-Free Floristry, you’ll learn everything you need to know about building sustainable, reusable, and beautiful floral installations. Together, we can help the floral events industry embrace a safer and smarter way to create lush floral installations. 

Looking to Learn On-Site With Abby Garden?

Wondering how to take your floral artistry and turn it into a sustainable masterpiece? You’re in good hands, friend. Be the first to get tickets for our latest learning experience:

SUSTAINABLE SYSTEMS—The Mechanics of Foam Free Floristry is coming April 28-30, 2026

More than a workshop, SUSTAINABLE SYSTEMS is an immersive experience created to connect you with like-minded creatives who share your commitment to innovation and sustainability. Set against the backdrop of Maine, every detail is curated — from inspiring sessions to nourishing meals and time for genuine connection. You’ll leave not only with new skills and systems, but with a refreshed perspective, lasting friendships, and the confidence to carry this movement forward in your own work.