What you need for a flower arranging workshop

A flower arranging workshop needs more than flowers and vases. Each participant needs a workable space, suitable cutting tools, water, an apron and a tray to keep stems and offcuts under control. Buy or borrow the shared equipment before the workshop, and allow time to condition the flowers when they arrive. This list covers the materials, serving items, drinks equipment and cleaning supplies needed to run the session without last-minute shopping.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Work tablesqty 4
Chairsqty 14
Side tableqty 2
Coat rack
Tableclothsqty 4

Tools

Flower scissorsqty 14
Utility scissorsqty 8
Wire cuttersqty 6
Florist knivesqty 6
Pruning shearsqty 2

Materials

Work traysqty 14
Flower vasesqty 14
Flower bucketsqty 8
Water jugsqty 4
Apronsqty 14
Name card holdersqty 14
Presentation board

Tableware

Coffee cupsqty 16
Drinking glassesqty 16
Cake platesqty 16
Serving plattersqty 4
Serving tongsqty 4

Equipment

Kettlesqty 2
Coolersqty 2
Extension cordsqty 2
Bluetooth speaker

Decorations

Welcome sign
Table decorationsqty 4

Cleaning

Cleaning bucketsqty 2
Microfiber clothsqty 8
Hand brush and dustpanqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Roses - 40 pieces
- Tulips - 40 pieces
- Chrysanthemums - 30 pieces
- Eucalyptus - 20 branches
- Ruscus - 20 stems
- Gypsophila - 10 bunches
- Green decorative leaves - 30 branches
- Floral foam - 14 blocks
- Florist tape - 6 rolls
- Binding wire - 2 rolls
- Floral wire - 2 packs
- Adhesive tape - 4 rolls
- Ribbon - 6 rolls
- Wooden satay skewers - 2 packs
- Paper placemats - 20 pieces
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 1 pack
- Milk - 4 liters
- Oat milk - 2 liter
- Spa Blauw - 24 bottles
- Spa Red - 12 bottles
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Apple juice - 3 packs
- Orange juice - 3 cartons
- Paprika chips - 3 bags
- Plain chips - 3 bags
- Salted nuts - 2 bags
- Olives - 2 jars
- Grapes - 2 kilos
- Apples - 14 pieces
- Mini carrots - 2 bags
- Hummus - 2 tubs
- Crackers - 3 packs
- Cheese cubes - 1,5 kilo
- Napkins - 100 pieces
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 4 rolls
- Toilet paper - 12 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Hand soap - 2 dispensers
- Sponges - 1 pack
- Paper towels - 2 packs

Tips

Order the flowers early enough to check the delivery and replace damaged stems before the workshop. Once they arrive, trim them and place them in water rather than leaving them dry in their packaging.
Plan one work tray, vase and apron per participant, plus a small reserve if your group is larger than expected. Trays are especially useful for keeping cut stems and leaves off the protected tables.
Provide at least one suitable cutting tool for each participant. Add shared wire cutters, florist knives or pruning shears only if the flower varieties require them, and keep utility scissors separate for general use.
Allow around two to three drinking glasses per person for the first hour, then add coffee cups, cake plates and serving platters if drinks and snacks are part of the session. Chill drinks before guests arrive and place serving tongs with the food.
Buy or set aside cleaning supplies before setup: cleaning buckets, water and microfiber cloths. Flower workshops create wet surfaces, leaves and stem pieces quickly, so clean as you go instead of waiting until the end.

Frequently asked questions

How many flowers do I need for a flower arranging workshop?: Allow enough flowers for one finished arrangement per participant, with extra stems for trimming, breakage and demonstration pieces. A practical allowance is 10–15 stems per person, depending on the flower size and arrangement style.
What tools does each person need for a flower arranging workshop?: Give each participant a flower scissors or similarly suitable cutting tool, a work tray, a vase and an apron. For a group of 12, prepare 12 individual sets and keep two spare cutting tools available.
How far in advance should I buy flowers for a workshop?: Order the flowers several days before the workshop when possible, so you have time to inspect them and replace poor-quality stems. Pick them up or arrange delivery early enough to cut the stems and put them in water before setup.
How many vases and buckets do I need?: Prepare one vase and one work tray per participant, plus at least two extra flower buckets for sorting and holding stems. For 12 participants, that means 14 vases if you want two spares, and 14 flower buckets if each participant works from a separate bucket.

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