Behind the Bouquet: How Our Floral Arrangements Are Made

At William Paul Floral Design, people often ask us how we bring each arrangement to life. It’s easy to admire a finished bouquet without realizing the layered process behind it. We thought we’d walk you through how it really happens– from the moment we start sourcing to the final handoff. We will give you a real look at what goes on behind the scenes.

1. Sourcing matters more than you think

Everything starts with sourcing. We don’t just grab whatever’s available. Each week, we look at what’s in season, what’s traveling well and what’s staying fresh. Sometimes we plan ahead, but other times we have to adjust last minute if something doesn’t arrive the way it should. It’s a bit of a juggle but it keeps the end product perfect.

2. Prepping the flowers (and a lot of buckets)

Once the flowers arrive, the clock starts ticking. We spend a good chunk of time just prepping. That means stripping stems, removing damaged petals, cutting everything at a clean angle and then we place them in clean water with hydration solution. It doesn’t sound exciting but if we skip this, it shows in the final design. We’re also cleaning buckets constantly– probably more than we arrange, honestly.

3. Letting the flowers settle

We don’t go straight into designing. Most stems need a few hours to rehydrate and open up a bit. During that time, we look at the orders, the occasions and any special notes customers leave. Whether someone ordered online from one of the flower shops in Marietta, GA or called us directly, we check it all again here. It’s a step where we match the right blooms to the right intention.

4. Picking the palette and shape

No two arrangements come out the same, and that’s not just a slogan. We don’t follow a set pattern. Instead, we decide on a color direction and general shape that suits the event, mood, or style requested by our customer. This is where the creative side starts to come in. But we keep it practical too– each choice needs to work in terms of balance and placement.

5. Building the base

We always begin with the greenery. It gives structure, holds everything in place, and builds the frame. We move fast but steady here. It’s not about filling space– we need to make sure the design is set up perfectly so the focal blooms can really stand out. Whether it’s an everyday bouquet or a bigger order, this part stays the same.

6. Designing the arrangement

This is the part that looks like the main show, but it only works because of the groundwork we already laid. We layer in focal flowers, then secondary blooms and then we finish with textural bits. There’s a back and forth– sometimes we move a stem two or three times to get it right. Most arrangements take longer than people think. It’s a little messy, sometimes frustrating, but mostly satisfying.

7. Final checks and wrap

Before anything goes out, we do a full check. We look at water levels, stability, freshness, and overall appearance. If something looks even a little off, we fix it. Then we add the enclosure card, wrap or box the piece if needed, and set it aside for delivery. That last step has to be clean and secure– especially with flower delivery orders in Atlanta, GA that need to travel across town.

8. Delivery and follow-through

The last step is delivery, but that doesn’t mean it’s out of our hands. We track deliveries and confirm drops when possible. We handle issues quickly, whether it’s a missed address or a timing request. In a city full of flower shops in Atlanta, it matters that we follow through. It’s one of the things that makes us a trusted Atlanta florist.

Every bouquet has a process behind it– a mix of quick decisions, a few set systems, and a lot of hands-on work. If you’re ready to place an order or just want to see what’s fresh this week, visit us at William Paul Floral Design. Shop now!