Saturday, September 26, 2026
Yakashiro Farm | Fraser Valley, BC
An intimate, hands-on design day for florists and emerging floral designers to explore their creative voice, strengthen their design thinking, and create alongside peers.
Registration open through September 12
Create your own bouquet and compote centerpiece, contribute to a collaborative ceremony installation, and have your work professionally photographed for your portfolio.
The Florist Collective: a Design Lab
What to expect
A thoughtfully structured day balancing individual design, creative guidance, shared learning, and collaborative installation work.
Throughout the day, participants will:
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Design an individual bouquet and compote centerpiece
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Explore foam-free mechanics, proportion, movement, and material selection
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Receive guidance while developing work through their own creative perspective
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Contribute an individually designed section to a collaborative ceremony installation
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Style their work for professional portfolio photography
The day is designed to give each participant space to interpret the materials through their own creative perspective. Florists and emerging floral designers at different stages are welcome. Curiosity, openness, and a willingness to experiment matter more than a specific number of years of experience.
Before the lab
Registered participants will receive a detailed welcome guide outlining the flow of the day, practical information, and a seasonal mood board reflecting the creative direction and anticipated materials.
As flower availability changes with the season, the final material selection will be shared closer to the date.
From the Spring Design Lab
“I enjoyed being able to focus on design in a gorgeous setting with like-minded flower friends. The experience gave me greater confidence and inspired me to try new mechanics and designs. I would definitely recommend it to another florist.”
- Andria, Inky Rose
Why a design lab?
Floral design often asks us to work quickly within the needs of a client. The Design Lab creates space to slow down, experiment, ask questions, and better understand the decisions behind the work.
Participants work both independently and collaboratively, exploring proportion, mechanics, movement, and material selection while responding to ideas as they evolve.
This kind of hands-on practice helps strengthen the creative judgement, adaptability, and confidence that carry into studio, event, and installation work.
What's included
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Seasonal flowers and foliage sourced from Yakashiro Farm and trusted suppliers
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A compote vessel and foam-free mechanics, including a pin frog and chicken wire
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Materials and mechanics for the collaborative ceremony installation
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Creative guidance, feedback, and peer dialogue throughout the day
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Professional photography of your individual work, styled details, portraits, and the collaborative installation
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A collection of professionally edited images for portfolio and social media use
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Light breakfast, lunch, and refreshments
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Your individual floral work and select vessels and mechanics to take home
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A detailed welcome guide and seasonal mood board shared before the Design Lab
How the Day Moves
The day begins with a welcome, an introduction to the seasonal materials, and an overview of the creative direction guiding the Design Lab.
Participants will then move through:
• Individual bouquet design
• Individual compote centerpiece design
• Refinement, editing, and proportion adjustments
• A collaborative ceremony installation, with each participant designing an individual section within a clearly guided overall structure
• Styling, individual portraits, and professional portfolio photography
Guidance will be available throughout the day, along with space to ask questions, exchange ideas, and refine each design through your own creative perspective.
Registration Now Open
Saturday, September 26, 2026
Yakashiro Farm | Fraser Valley, BC
Investment: $1,150 + GST
Registration is limited to 15 participants and closes September 12, 2026, or once capacity has been reached.
A 50% non-refundable deposit and signed agreement confirm your place.
The remaining balance is due September 5. Registrations received after September 5 will require payment in full.
Your Work & Photography
Your bouquet and compote centerpiece will be designed through your own creative perspective and photographed as your individual work.
The ceremony installation will be created collaboratively. Each participant will contribute a distinct section while working toward one shared overall design. As the installation develops, sections may be adjusted and refined together, reflecting the collaborative nature of event work.
Dedicated time will be set aside for styling, individual portraits, behind-the-scenes documentation, and professional photography of your floral work.
Edited images will be shared after the Design Lab for portfolio and social media use. Participants who prefer not to appear in public-facing photographs may let us know in advance, and those preferences will be respected.
Who this is for
The Florist Collective welcomes florists and floral designers at different stages, from emerging designers looking to deepen their practice to experienced professionals seeking fresh creative perspective and connection.
The Design Lab may be a strong fit if you:
• Want dedicated space to experiment beyond the needs of client work
• Are interested in strengthening your design eye, mechanics, and creative decision-making
• Value both independent design and collaborative installation work
• Want to create professionally photographed work for your portfolio
• Are looking to connect and exchange ideas with other floral designers
Some hands-on experience with flowers is helpful, but participants do not need to consider themselves advanced. Openness, curiosity, and a willingness to participate in the collaborative process matter most.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need prior experience to attend?
Some hands-on familiarity with flowers is helpful, but participants do not need to consider themselves advanced. The Design Lab welcomes emerging and experienced floral designers who are open to experimenting, exchanging ideas, and working collaboratively.
What is included in the registration?
Registration includes all seasonal floral materials, a compote vessel, foam-free mechanics, materials for the collaborative installation, a welcome guide and mood board, professional photography, light breakfast, lunch, and refreshments. Individual floral work and select vessels and mechanics may be taken home.
What should I bring?
Please bring your preferred floral snips or tools, comfortable footwear suitable for a working farm, and clothing appropriate for the weather. Professional portraits and behind-the-scenes photographs will be taken, so consider wearing something you feel comfortable being photographed in.
How does registration and payment work?
After submitting the registration form, you will receive a Square invoice and service agreement within 24 hours. Your place is confirmed once the signed agreement and 50% non-refundable deposit have been received. The remaining balance is due September 5. Registrations received after September 5 require payment in full.
What happens if the weather changes?
The Design Lab will take place inside the barn at Yakashiro Farm, providing a comfortable and sheltered workspace. Any outdoor activities or time spent exploring the farm will be adapted according to the weather and ground conditions.
When does registration close?
Registration closes September 12, 2026, or once the Design Lab reaches its capacity of 15 participants.
Will we be photographed during the lab?
Professional photography will be present throughout the Design Lab to document the creative process, setting, floral work, and collaborative installation. Dedicated time will also be set aside for individual portraits and styled photographs of your work. Edited images will be shared with participants afterward for portfolio and social media use. If you prefer not to appear in public-facing photographs, please let us know in advance and your preferences will be respected.
