FLORAL Design
ATTENTION: Depending on enrollment numbers, registration for classes may close seven (7) days before the start date. If you have any questions regarding your registration or the status of your class, please reach out to the Non-Credit Registration Desk at (609)570-3311 or email ComEd@mccc.edu for further information. It is also suggested that you do not purchase textbooks until seven (7) days before the start date of a class to ensure the class is running. Please be sure to check your email up to three (3) days before the start of your class for potential updates.
Floral Design Certificate
To satisfy the requirements for the Mercer County Community College Center for Continuing Studies Floral Design Certificate, students must:
- Complete the Basic Floral Design class (Those with work or classroom-related experience may receive a waiver for this course from the instructor.)
- Complete 10 elective courses, for 11 total classes completed.
- Basic Floral Design must complete 11 electives. All 11 courses are required for the Floral Design Certificate.
- Final Floral Presentation: Present a portfolio of your work, a current resume, and one completed floral design to three MCCC panelists at the culmination of the entire program
Whether you are an aspiring floral designer who is looking to start your career, considering making advancements in your profession, or looking to open your own business, enrolling in our certificate program is the ideal pathway. You will train with an industry expert while refining your skills for employment opportunities or business ownership.
To ensure enough resources, no one will be registered beyond seven days prior to class.
Prerequisite Class: Basic Floral Design (offered every semester)
- Funeral and Sympathy Floral Design
- Hand Tied Bouquets (Weddings, proms, etc)
- Crescent & Hogarth Curve Floral Design
- Compote Floral Design
- Cascading Wedding Bouquets
- Color Theory for Flowers
- Principles and Elements in Floral Design
- Foam Free Floral
- Armature-Based Floral Design
- Tropical Floral Design
- Flowers to Wear: Corsages, Boutonnieres, and Hair Florals
- Floral Tablescapes
- Thanksgiving Cornucopia
- Home for the Holidays
- Organic/Wildflower Floral Design
- The Business of Flowers
- Master Class: Elegant Event Table Florals
- Master Class: Staircase Decor
- Master Class: Decorative Arch/Ceremony Backdrop
- Master Class: Sweetheart Table Floral Display
- Final Floral Presentation
Basic floral design
Do you love flowers and have always wanted to learn how to create amazing floral arrangements? Discover the art of floral arrangement in this Basic Floral Design Class, perfect for beginners and flower enthusiasts alike! This hands-on workshop introduces fundamental techniques for creating beautiful, balanced floral compositions. Whether you're looking to design arrangements for your home, gifts, or special events, this class will provide you with the skills and confidence to work with fresh flowers. During this introductory class, we will discuss an overview of the Principles and Elements of Floral Design. Using industry standard techniques, you will learn how to choose flowers and what to look for, process flowers, design two floral arrangements: one in a vase and another in floral foam, as well as how to create a ribbon bow. The skills taught in this class are the foundations for all the elective floral design courses. Come join us and immerse yourself in the beauty of floral design!
Cost: $225
Thanksgiving Cornucopia: A Floral Design Workshop
Celebrate the season of abundance by crafting your own Thanksgiving cornucopia—a timeless symbol of harvest and gratitude. In this hands-on floral design class, you'll learn to create a stunning centerpiece that brings the warmth and richness of autumn to your holiday table.
What You'll Learn:
- Cornucopia Construction: Discover how to assemble and secure a cornucopia base, using natural materials to evoke a rustic, organic feel.
- Floral Selection: Choose from a variety of seasonal blooms, foliage, and accents to reflect the colors and textures of fall.
- Design Techniques: Learn the principles of balance, proportion, and color harmony to create a cohesive and visually appealing arrangement.
- Personalization: Incorporate personal touches or thematic elements to make your cornucopia uniquely yours.
Cost $225
floral tablescapes
Join us for an immersive, hands-on workshop where you'll learn the art of designing captivating floral tablescapes. Whether you're preparing for a special occasion or seeking to elevate your everyday dining experience, this class will provide you with the skills and inspiration to create stunning table settings.
What You'll Learn:
- Design Principles: Understand the fundamentals of floral design, including color theory, balance, and proportion, to create harmonious arrangements.
- Seasonal Flower Selection: Gain insights into choosing the right blooms for various occasions and seasons, ensuring freshness and longevity.
- Table Setting Integration: Learn how to seamlessly incorporate floral arrangements with tableware, linens, and decorative elements to craft cohesive tablescapes
- Hands-On Arrangement: Under expert guidance, create your own floral centerpiece to take home, applying the techniques and concepts discussed.
Cost $225
home for the holidays
Embrace the warmth and magic of the season with our Home for the Holidays floral design workshop. This hands-on class invites you to craft a stunning, seasonal centerpiece that brings natural elegance and festive cheer to your holiday table or mantel.
What You'll Experience:
- Seasonal Floral Selection: Work with a curated collection of winter blooms, evergreens, berries, and textural accents to create a lush, fragrant arrangement.
- Design Techniques: Learn professional tips on composition, color harmony, and floral care to ensure your centerpiece remains vibrant throughout the holidays.
- Personalized Creation: Under the guidance of our expert floral designer, you'll assemble your own unique arrangement, reflecting your personal style and the spirit of the season.
Cost $225
Mastering the S-Curve in floral arrangements: Crescent and Hogarth Curve
Inspired by the crescent shape of the moon and the elegant curves of the female body, these florals are very creative artistic designs. The class will begin with the history and inspiration behind the design and the origins of the Hogarth Curve, inspired by 18th-century artist William Hogarth’s "Line of Beauty." How this S-curve creates elegance, movement, and flow in floral arrangements will be reviewed. High-end events, formal settings, and artistic floral displays are great settings for this elegant design. Establishing balance with a sturdy container and initial floral placements are the foundation followed by shaping the S-curve by layering flowers and greenery to define the curve’s movement. Placing flowers strategically to draw the eye along the curve is essential along with negative space for an airy, elegant feel. Final touches including adding texture, contrast, and depth with secondary flowers and elements.
Cost: $225
FloraL art I: weddings part 1
armatures and flowers to wear
*Prerequisite: Basic Floral Design
*Floral Art classes do not need to be taken in order. You may pick and choose which classes you want to enroll in.
Floral Design Class: Exploring Armature-Based Arrangements and Corsages, Boutonnieres, and Hair Florals
Unlock your creativity and elevate your floral design skills with this exciting class focused on armature-based floral arrangements and bouquets. Armatures, the structural frameworks for holding flowers and foliage in place, allow for intricate, artistic designs that defy traditional floral arrangement techniques. Enhance your floral design skills by mastering the art of creating elegant corsages, boutonnieres, and hair florals—perfect for weddings, proms, and special events. This hands-on class will guide you through the techniques and tools needed to craft small yet impactful floral pieces that beautifully complement your clients' or loved ones' special moments.
In this class, you’ll learn:
- The Basics of Armature Design: Understand the materials, tools, and techniques used to craft custom armatures, from wire and branches to gridwork and natural supports.
- Sustainable Practices: Explore eco-friendly methods of creating armatures using recyclable and organic materials.
- Design Principles: Incorporate balance, symmetry, and movement into your arrangements, using armatures to create innovative and gravity-defying designs.
- Advanced Techniques: Experiment with layering, negative space, and unconventional placements to transform your arrangements into modern works of art.
- Foundational Techniques: Wiring, taping and other methods to ensure sturdy, long-lasting designs.
- Design Customization: How to choose flowers, foliage, and embellishments to match themes and personal styles.
- Boutonniere Crafting: The step-by-step process of designing refined and wearable pieces for lapels, including the new full lapel designs and pocket boutonnieres.
- Corsage Construction: Create stunning wrist and magnet corsages using innovative techniques for modern aesthetics.
- Hair Florals: Learn how to craft delicate floral combs, clips, and crowns that are lightweight and durable for all-day wear.
- Join us to transform everyday flowers into wearable works of art!
Whether you're a seasoned florist or just beginning your floral design journey, this workshop is for anyone who wants to learn the latest styles, or anyone looking to add a personal touch to their floral creations.
Cost: $450
FloraL art II: weddings part 2
bouquets for the bride and bridesmaids
cascading and hand tied-bouquets
*Prerequisite: Basic Floral Design
A bride’s day is not complete without her stunning floral bouquet; after all, it is at the center of most of the photos! Using two different techniques (bouquet foam holder and chicken wire hand tied), learn how to create two cascading floral bouquets. In addition, this hands-on workshop teaches participants the art of creating stunning hand-tied bouquets, a fundamental skill in floral design. Students will learn the spiral stem technique for a well-balanced bouquet, proper stem placement to create shape and movement, layering focal flowers, fillers, and greenery for depth. Inspired by European floral design, this elegant floral form is designed to enhance the romantic silhouette of the ladies in the bridal party and other formal events, adjusting bouquet size as needed. Whether for personal enjoyment or professional use, attendees will learn essential techniques for crafting balanced, elegant bouquets using fresh flowers and foliage. Each participant will create three bouquets with one-on-one guidance and feedback from the instructor.
Cost $450
FloraL art III: weddings part 3
centerpieces and tablescapes
*Prerequisite: Basic Floral Design
Transforming Tables with Floral Art. Elevate your event decor with the art of creating stunning centerpieces and tablescapes that captivate and inspire. This workshop is perfect for anyone looking to craft beautiful table arrangements, whether for intimate gatherings, elegant weddings, or grand celebrations. We will create both low and elevated designs.
In this interactive session, you’ll learn to:
- Understand the design principles of proportion, balance, and focal points to create show-stopping floral arrangements while exploring layering, height variation, and unique container options for a personalized touch.
- Select flowers, greenery, and materials that complement the occasion while being mindful of the environment.
- Discover how to integrate candles, linens, tableware, and decorative accents into cohesive, visually stunning designs.
- Learn how to ensure your designs are sturdy, transportable, and long-lasting.
Whether you're a professional florist, floral enthusiast, a DIY bride, or an event planner, this workshop will equip you with the tools and techniques to transform any table into a masterpiece. Join us to make floral magic and leave with centerpiece designs that will make every table unforgettable!
Cost $450
Funeral and sympathy floral designs
This is a specialized workshop that teaches participants how to create elegant and heartfelt floral tributes for memorial services, funerals, and sympathy gestures. Students will understand the significance of different flower types, colors, and arrangements in expressing condolences. Traditional and modern funeral flower styles, as well as understanding how to adapt designs to suit personal requests and religious or cultural traditions will be discussed. Adding personal touches such as ribbons, keepsakes, or written messages and creating floral tributes that reflect the personality and memories of the deceased are essential for the modern florist. This class provides an opportunity to learn a delicate and meaningful craft while developing the skills to create beautiful, respectful floral tributes.
Students will learn how to design an easel spray and urn wreath to serve as wonderful tributes to a loved one.
Cost: $225
Hand tied bouquets (weddings, proms, etc.)
This hands-on workshop teaches participants the art of creating stunning hand-tied bouquets, a fundamental skill in floral design. Whether for personal enjoyment or professional use, attendees will learn essential techniques for crafting balanced, elegant arrangements using fresh flowers and foliage. Students will learn the spiral stem technique for a well-balanced bouquet, proper stem placement to create shape and movement, layering focal flowers, fillers, and greenery for depth. Each participant will create a hand-tied bouquet with one-on-one guidance and feedback from the instructor. Inspired by European floral design, this elegant floral form is designed to enhance the romantic silhouette of the ladies in the bridal party and other formal events, adjusting bouquet size and shape for different occasions. This workshop provides a fun and interactive way to explore floral artistry while mastering a classic bouquet technique.
Cost: $225
Flower power:exploring the therapeutic art of flower arranging
Celebrate the restorative and calming power of flowers in this unique flower arranging class designed to nurture your creativity and well-being. Learn how to select blooms and greenery that evoke positive emotions, balance energy, and create harmony. Participants will:
- Discover the symbolism of flowers and their connection to emotional healing.
- Explore techniques to create arrangements that inspire relaxation and joy.
- Practice mindfulness as they design their own therapeutic floral masterpiece.
This class combines the beauty of florals with guided meditations, reflections, and insights into how nature can restore balance to our minds and hearts. No prior experience is needed—just bring an open mind and a love for flowers!
Perfect for individuals, small groups, or team-building events. Leave with a gorgeous arrangement and a renewed sense of peace.
Cost: $225