Translation of memories

Funeral flower arrangements come in many forms. But what is and remains important is a personal touch. Who the deceased was, and what he meant to his loved ones can be expressed very beautifully with flowers and symbolism.

Lush Natural Elegance

Lush, succulent green leaves that shine or have special markings make plants irresistible. There is a preference for a base of tranquility in the interior, with large plants with distinct leaf textures being an important addition. Plant arrangements give many possibilities and exude luxury.

'Bridal work remains my favorite!'

'It's not a question,' says floral designer Hanneke Frankema, 'bridal work remains my favorite! With bridal work you go just that step further and you can really dive into the techniques and go for refinement, perfection and details. The bridal flower arrangement is almost in every photo so there is no room for mistakes.'

'I myself am very fond of a strong, pronounced shape; to show it off well, I glue many of the flowers. This is, by the way, a technique with many possibilities, and much stronger than you might think. Many types of flowers hold up fine for a while after gluing. I glue the sensitive, most vulnerable flower types on the day itself, but strong flowers and greenery often a day in advance.'

'Many florists find that very exciting, but test the gluing with some old leftover flowers. This way you build more and more confidence and you know better what you can ask of certain types of flowers. I always use Smithers Oasis cold glue for gluing.'

Floral Boho Bridal Party

Mention a bridal party, wedding, or marriage, and a beautiful, festive, and dreamy image appears: a stylish, rural event location, a lush green environment, and excellent decoration with the most beautiful flowers and greenery. The bridal bouquet is elegant, carefully made in a
distinctive shape with special materials and flowers. There are so many possibilities; it is not without reason that creating bridal floral work is and remains a favorite for many floral designers.

Flower still lifes then and now

Flowers have provided color, fragrance and meaning at Palace Het Loo for centuries. The Bloom exhibition is about 17th-century still lifes and Princess Mary's influence on the use of flowers. Contemporary artists, designers and the palace's garden service bring history to life. They admired the historical works, but also asked critical questions. How did those flowers get here? Who paid the price for the beauty and wealth? Behind every flower and every work of art lies a story.

'Always a surprisingly different look'

'Of course, we all want to sell large and expensive bouquets and arrangements during the special days. Actually, always, of course', posits floral designer Hanneke Frankema. 'But you can also go for selling the larger work and, in addition, the smaller, nice giveaway objects, bouquets, or single flower arrangements. In the time of the store, we always had large groups of smaller take-away gifts on the edge of the counter – the larger quantity tempts the customers. It always sold well, and very often together with the larger floral works.'

'Thinking out-of-the-box also helps. It doesn't always have to be a large bouquet to make an impression during Valentine's Day. Why not give a beautiful wreath? That's how I always look around me how I can pimp a standard base with simple, fun ideas.'

'Buying in bulk can also be very smart if it lowers the cost per item. For example, I once bought a whole load of polystyrene hearts – they are suitable for many occasions. And with a little adjustment, such as painting or wrapping with aluminum wire or wool – they have a surprisingly different look every time.'