Preston Bailey's Fundamentals of Floral Design

In this online flower arrangement course, you will have the opportunity to learn from one of the industry's most highly regarded experts, Preston Bailey. As a world premier event designer with 30 years of experience, you will be given the secrets that every successful professional floral designer relies on and gain a solid foundation in the basics of floral design. This foundation is essential for mastering more intricate techniques, which are taught in the advanced Preston Bailey classes...

SHARE
6 Months / 240 Course Hrs
Open Enrollment
Offered in partnership with your preferred school

Butler Community College

Change School
Learning method

for additional information

Course code: GES239

What you will learn

  • The fundamental tools and techniques of floral arranging
  • How to process fresh flowers in a way that affects the outcome and lifespan of an arrangement
  • Flower processing methods for design
  • How to design for a variety of arrangements, including boutonnieres, corsages, bouquets, vase arrangements, and other centerpieces, as well as garland
  • How to create arrangements with non-floral materials
  • Basic principles of purchasing wholesale flowers for event floral design

How you will benefit

  • Gain the knowledge and skills necessary to become a professional florist or floral designer
  • Learn about the tools, techniques, and wholesale ordering tips that will help you launch your own business in the floral industry
  • Understand how to identify, approach, and set up an internship in your local area
  • Receive notifications about internship opportunities, industry conferences, and events

How the course is taught

  • Self-paced, online course
  • 6 Months to complete
  • Open enrollment, begin anytime
  • 240 course hours
  1. Introduction
    1. Create Floral Design Tool Kit
    2. Research Business License
  2. Experiments
    1. Processed experiment
    2. Non-Processed experiment
  3. Reference Binder Project
    1. Research
    2. Create a Reference Binder
  4. Industry Insight
    1. Alternative Floral Design Techniques
    2. Sharing a Floral Design Techniques
  5. Non Floral Material
    1. Discuss Non floral materials
    2. Research
    3. Create a Portfolio of non floral materials
  6. Ideas and Practice
    1. Corsages and boutonnieres
    2. Ceremony Décor
    3. Creating a collage
    4. Rose Boutonnieres
    5. Orchid Boutonnieres
    6. Creating a corsage
    7. 3-loop bow
  7. Bridal Bouquets
    1. Round Bridal Bouquets
    2. Long Bridal Bouquets
  8. Centerpieces
    1. Create a vase arrangement
    2. Create a small topiary
    3. Create a long/ low centerpiece
    4. Create 2-foot garland
  9. Final Project & Exam

Leah T. Williams, CMWEP

Leah T. Williams is an experienced event planning and design expert with a deep understanding of the art of floral design. She is the founder of Leah T. Williams Event Planning & Design and has dedicated her career to crafting unforgettable experiences that match the unique needs and preferences of her clients. Leah holds a Master of Science in Education in School District Business Leadership, which adds depth to her expertise and allows her to teach not only the artistry of floral design but also the business acumen required for success in the field. She is a Certified Wedding and Event Planner and has participated in industry-renowned programs, including Kevin Lee's Master Class in Event Design and Preston Bailey's Protege Program for Floral Designers. With her passion for floristry and commitment to excellence, she is the ideal instructor for those eager to explore the art of floral design and cultivate their own creative flair in this captivating field.

Lisa Vogenitz, CWEP, CEP

Lisa Vogenitz is an experienced floral designer and instructor who has a passion for education and immersive learning experiences. With over a decade of experience in the hospitality industry and training under renowned floral artists, Lisa has a deep understanding of the artistry and intricacies of floral design. Her approach to teaching is rooted in experiential learning and encourages students to harness their own artistic instincts to craft unique and breathtaking arrangements. Lisa's dedication to education extends beyond the classroom, and she is committed to nurturing the next generation of floral designers.

Prerequisites:

There are no prerequisites prior to enrolling in this course.

Requirements:

Hardware Requirements:

  • This course can be taken on either a PC or Mac.

Software Requirements:

  • PC: Windows 8 or later.
  • Mac: macOS 10.6 or later.
  • Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
  • Microsoft Word (not included in enrollment).
  • Microsoft PowerPoint is recommended but not required (not included in enrollment).
  • Adobe Acrobat Reader.
  • Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.

Other:

  • Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.
  • You are required to source the following floral arrangement supplies to complete assignments (not included in enrollment):
    • Local Fresh Flowers
    • Garden Flower Scissors
    • Floral Tape
    • Floral Wire
    • Rose Stripper
    • Ribbon

Instructional Material Requirements:

The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment and will be available online

According to Salary.com, the average floral designer salary in the U.S. is $54,983 as of July 25, 2023, but the range typically falls between $44,635 and $66,449. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, and the years you have spent in your profession.

Indeed, reports that a floral designer, also called a florist, is a professional who creates decorative displays, bouquets, and arrangements using plants, flowers, and other accessories.

A florist typically works with fresh flowers, but they can also use dried or artificial ones and often include other types of greenery. They create floral arrangements for many occasions, such as weddings, banquets, festivals, and other special ceremonies or holidays.

A floral designer's work varies daily as their customers or clients have different needs depending on the size of the arrangement and how much time it will take to complete. They may ask for a bouquet for an individual person, small displays for settings with limited space, or grand arrangements for larger venues.

In order to complete the course assignments successfully, you will need to put together a Floral Design Toolkit. The toolkit should include Garden Flower Scissors, Floral Tape, Floral Wire, Rose Stripper, and Ribbon. You can easily find these items on Amazon or at local craft stores. Additionally, you will need fresh flowers, which can be sourced from your garden, a local market, or a grocery store. The cost of the flowers will vary depending on the location. The estimated cost of the toolkit is approximately $20, while the cost of the flowers is variable.

As part of the course, you will undertake assignments that include creating the Floral Design Toolkit, experimenting with processed and non-processed materials, building an "Idea" Portfolio, establishing a Reference Binder, crafting a Boutonnière, designing a Hand Tied Bouquet, creating a Long, Low Centerpiece, calculating prices and profit margins for each of the floral features, drafting a proposal for an entire event, and submitting your best floral design for the Final Project.

No.

This course is open enrollment, so you can register and start the course as soon as you are ready. Access to your course can take 24-48 business hours.

This course is self-paced and open enrollment, so you can start when you want and finish at your own pace. When you register, you'll receive six (6) months to complete the course.

The time allotted for course completion has been calculated based on the number of course hours. However, if you are unable to complete the course, contact the student advising team to see what options you may have available to work out a suitable completion date. Please note that an extension fee may be charged.

Our courses are designed to accommodate various learning preferences. Depending on the course structure, you may get different forms of support. Self-paced courses are designed to be user-friendly and independent, minimizing the need for external support. In courses with instructors, our direct platform support feature includes opportunities for questions, discussions, and remediation, with email and phone support available for select courses. Our student advising team is available to guide you on program requirements and administrative requests, but they do not provide assistance with course content. Our goal is to provide you with the necessary support for success, whether it's through self-paced exploration, direct communication, or guidance from our advising team.

Upon successful completion of the course, you will be awarded a Certificate of Completion.

This course will provide you with the skills you need to obtain an entry-level position in most cases. Potential students should always do research on the job market in their area before registering.

This course is non-credit, so it does not qualify for federal aid, FAFSA and Pell Grant. In some states, vocational rehab or workforce development boards will pay for qualified students to take our courses. Additionally, some students may qualify for financial assistance when they enroll, if they meet certain requirements. Financing is available from select schools. Learn more about financial assistance.

If you have questions that are not answered on our website, representatives are available via LIVE chat. You can also call us at 1-877-221-5151 during regular business hours to have your questions promptly answered. If you are visiting us during non-business hours, please send us a question using the "Contact Us" form.

Yes, you will receive a certificate that you can display from Preston Bailey and The Wedding Planning Institute.