Flower arranging is one of the finest ways to spend your free time! Not only does it trigger your happy hormones but learning something totally new unlocks your inner wellspring of creativity. At The Flower Lounge there’s nothing we love more than sharing our floral know-how. That’s why we can proudly say that our flower arranging workshops are the absolute pick of the bunch! Using the best seasonal blooms and selecting from a wide variety of flowers and foliage, our workshops offer a distinctively different approach to flower design. Whether we are creating hand-tied bouquets, Christmas wreaths or table vase arrangements, we bring our own extra-special touch to all our sessions.
Held at the sumptuous Eleven Didsbury Park, under a heated canopy surrounded by beautifully manicured gardens, our workshops immerse you into a wonderful world of floristry in a relaxed and luxurious way. With sweet treats and drinks on arrival and with our expert florists on hand to guide you every step of the way, our popular workshops are the ideal opportunity to enjoy some beautiful blooms, get creative and indulge in some me-time! Whether you’re a flower aficionado looking for your next floral fix, a flower enthusiast keen to learn more or a novice looking to try something fresh and exciting, here’s our handy Floral Workshop Q&A.
Q. WHAT TYPE OF WORKSHOPS DO YOU RUN?
We have a wide variety of workshops running throughout the year that take full advantage of the beautiful blooms available each season. Our workshops are practical, hands-on sessions that specialise in teaching techniques for creating gorgeous hand tied bouquets, impressive vase designs and seasonal door wreaths. We also hold extra special Christmas door wreath workshops in November and December that are a popular festive favourite in our floral events calendar!
Q. WHAT SKILL LEVEL ARE YOUR WORKSHOPS AIMED AT?
If you don’t know your daffodils from your dahlias, don’t worry! Our workshops are designed for everyone - from novices to those with a bit more floral know-how. Whatever level you’re starting at, our expert florists make sure there’s always plenty of new skills to learn in every session. All you need is lots of enthusiasm and a willingness to give it a go!
Q. AM I WELCOME TO ATTEND ALONE OR IS IT BETTER TO COME WITH A LARGER GROUP?
Our workshops are always welcoming and fun. Filled with a friendly and inclusive atmosphere that instantly makes everyone feel at ease, whether you attend by yourself, with a best friend, or decide to make it a family affair, you’re guaranteed to also make a new bunch of floral friends along the way! We work together across large tables surrounded by the most beautiful stems, but everyone has plenty of elbow room and a chance to chat! To make sure you get the most out of our sessions, workshops are limited to around 20 people which allows us to spend lots of quality time with everyone individually.
Q. WHAT CAN I EXPECT ON MY ARRIVAL?
As you arrive at Eleven Didsbury Park, you’ll be warmly welcomed by our friendly team and shown to your table. Table sizes will vary but can cater for two people upwards and we can certainly accommodate larger groups. Each table will be carefully arranged to ensure you have ample working space and will be pre-prepared with all the tools you’ll need for the workshop. Whilst you get comfortable in the lovely surroundings of our gorgeous venue and meet the fellow floral enthusiasts in your group, you’ll be served with a selection of delicious beverages and sweet treats to enjoy.
Q. HOW WILL THE WORKSHOP BEGIN?
You’ll be introduced to our terrific team of floral design experts who will demonstrate, step by step how to choose, wire and arrange your flowers into a beautiful bespoke arrangement. Our tutors are well-versed in breaking down the various stages of an arrangement in to a simple easy to follow format that, no matter how new you may be to flower arranging, you will be able to follow without getting flustered! Then it’s over to you. With a rich assortment of fabulous flowers and lush foliage to choose from, you will begin your own creation. With plenty of one-to-one guidance, you’ll soon be lost in your own horticultural heaven, snipping flowers and foliage with your newly acquired skills! Our workshops last over two glorious hours, so there’s plenty of quality time to work on (and perfect) your own design as well as taking time to enjoy the stunning gardens of the venue and beautiful array of blooms in full view from the workshop terrace.
Q. DO I NEED TO BRING ANYTHING WITH ME?
All materials needed for our workshops are provided on the day, so there is no need for you to bring any additional equipment. Feel free to bring cameras (we encourage you to take lots of photos!) or even notebooks and sketchbooks so you can capture all the special little details from this memorable experience. Our workshops are held under a lovely heated covered terrace, so we tend to avoid the unpredictability of the British weather, but for those of you that feel the cold, we advise bringing a few extra layers to keep you toasty.
Q. HOW CAN I TRAVEL TO THE WORKSHOP?
Eleven Didsbury Park is easily accessible by car or public transport. The Metrolink stop in Didsbury Village and East Didsbury are a 10-minute walk from the venue and there are plenty of buses servicing Wilmslow Road. For those visitors arriving by car, there are a parking spaces outside the venue and in the adjacent streets of Didsbury Park Road and Ruabon Road. A word of caution, please be mindful to avoid parking on the single yellow lines as the Wardens are very vigilant!
Q. CAN I TURN THE WORKSHOP INTO A FULL DAY EXPERIENCE?
After enjoying your flower arranging workshop with us why not treat yourself (and your loved ones) to the Eleven Didsbury House Afternoon Tea? It’s the perfect way to enjoy a relaxing afternoon in this stunning venue. If you ask us, finger sandwiches and floristry are the perfect combination!
Q. DO YOU CATER FOR LARGER GROUPS?
We offer bespoke workshops for groups that are looking for unique and private celebrations such as a baby shower, hen do or birthday party. Tailored workshops are a special way to host your own bespoke floral experience and create a totally one-off unforgettable event. Whether it’s corporate entertainment or a private party, we can expertly tailor our workshop format and style to create a unique floral experience you and your guests will never forget.
From using the seasons best blooms to finding out our top secret flower arranging tips and tricks, if you’re looking for a workshop with a special sort of wow-factor, then why not join us for some floristry fun? Find out what workshops we have coming up here.