Favorite Vessels for Designing
A few members inquired recently about the different vessels we use here for design work. So I thought I’d share some of our favorite styles and the features that make them great for design work. While you may not be able to find these same vases where ever you are in the world, the features that make them practical and useful are universal and you can look for them when you are vessel shopping.
Note: I operate full service wedding floral work with a rental vessel program. I stock a number of kinds of vases and we re-collect and re-use them again and again. The carbon footprint and waste (plastic, cardboard, styrofoam) created by single-use event vessel shipping is tremendous. If you are doing full service event work (even a la carte pick up orders) I HIGHLY recommend, hope/pray you will do the same to create a lower impact on the environment. I charge the SAME price for my rental vessels as I would for brand new vessels. This helps us pay for re-collecting and cleaning the vessels for re-use. I include vessel pricing in my standard arrangement fees, so the customer does not see it as a separate line item, anyways.
Favorites:
Wide bases, narrow mouths
First— I always mention this Horizontal Rib Vase from Quick Candles. It is inexpensive and great for designing hand held bouquets, centerpieces, and daily arrangements because it has a wide base and a narrower rim. If you prepare no-fuss, a la carte wedding/event orders for pick up or delivery, this can be a great go-to vessel. If customers ask what kind of vessel their designs will be in, we say “clear glass.” The ribs add a little extra texture for a look that is “more than mason jar.” The wire handle can be used for making and hanging pew arrangements. We do not need to use any chicken wire or mechanics in vessels with this kind of shape.
If you’d like something similar but with a cleaner, more refined look, try the Fat Pyramid Vase from Accent Decor. It is also great for designing and hand tied bouquet delivery.
The only mason jars that I like to use are low, wide mouth jars. Add a pin frog or some chicken wire and you can create designs that are beautiful and that look “vessel-less”. The shape of the jar and the rim allow for stem placements at low angles for designs that make the vase disappear all together.
Urns and Compotes
I appreciate the ‘Sanctuary Urn’ from Accent Decor. It comes in three different sizes and has nice weight. I didn’t keep this as a part of my centerpiece rental collection, but I think that is could be a good option for clients. It can serve events with rustic or romantic decor. The neutral grey color looks nice on any color table cloth. And, because it isn’t metal - it won’t clash with the flatware - whether it’s silver or gold-toned. This is a nice vase for statement arrangements on welcome tables. It requires some additional mechanics for arranging. I add a pin frog and chicken wire.
Roses and forget me nots in a Sanctuary Urn from Accent Decor.
My personal collection includes a number of white Oak Leaf Pattern vintage FTD glass compote vessels. This used to be a standard vase for tele-floral deliveries and you can find a bunch of them on auction websites or from re-sellers on Etsy. I think they are charming and really sing against colored tables clothes. But they don’t get the most use here. There is also a charming olive green line of these vases.
BOWLS
We have a large collection of hammered brass bowls (brass and silver- toned) from Jamali Garden. These bowls elevate our designs. They also hide all of your mechanics (vines, or chicken wire and pin frogs) from sight. They have an inner lip to catch vines or chicken wire plus a brace (see demo). These are some of our most requested rental vessels. Note: If you add metal vessels to your collection you may have clients that request certain finishes to match the flatware at their event. It’s just something to be aware of. I had many clients for whom this detail didn’t matter. They generally choose the warm brass colored bowls over the silver toned vessels.
I am also excited about these new vessels that we just received from Accent Decor. Have a look at the video to learn more.
I hope that helps you with vessel shopping. It’s one of the most fun (and costly) investments you can make in your design business. But if you choose wisely, and stick to your guns about your rental program and your commitment to sustainability, I think you will find that your clients appreciate your position and value your service.
