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
- Cascading Wedding Bouquets
- Tropical Triangle Floral Design
- Floral Designs to Accent Cakes
- Armature Based Floral Design
- Flowers to Wear: Corsages, Boutonnieres, and Hair Florals
- Floral Tablescapes
- Horizontal and Vertical Floral Designs
- Organic/Wildflower Floral Design
- 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
Spring Fling Centerpiece
Step into the season of renewal and color with our Spring Fling flower arranging class! This workshop is all about embracing the playful energy of spring and creating vibrant floral arrangements that capture the essence of the season.
Participants will work with an array of cheerful spring flowers paired with fresh greenery and learn tips for arranging flowers to highlight their natural beauty and create lively, free-spirited designs. Whether you’re looking to refresh your home, celebrate with friends, or simply revel in the beauty of springtime blooms, this class is sure to bring joy and creativity to your day. Leave with a gorgeous arrangement and a heart full of springtime cheer!
Cost: $225
Compote Floral Design
A compote floral design is an elegant and romantic arrangement style that utilizes a footed bowl or pedestal vase as its base. This design is known for its lush, organic, and flowing aesthetic, often resembling the natural movement of garden-grown flowers.
Loose, Airy Structure: compote designs emphasize movement and negative space, allowing blooms and foliage to spill gracefully over the edges.
Diverse Flower Selection: A mix of large focal flowers (such as garden roses, peonies, or dahlias), delicate accent blooms (like ranunculus, sweet peas, or lisianthus), and wispy filler elements (such as Queen Anne’s lace or astilbe) create depth and visual interest.
Textural Greenery: A variety of foliage—such as trailing ivy, seeded eucalyptus, or ferns—adds dimension and a natural feel, often cascading over the edge of the compote for a soft, effortless look.
Support Mechanics: Since compotes have a wide, shallow bowl, florists often use a floral frog, chicken wire, or a floral foam-free armature to provide structure and support for the stems.
Seasonal & Color Harmony: Compote designs often reflect seasonal blooms and color palettes, making them versatile for weddings, events, or home décor. Soft pastels create a romantic feel, while bold jewel tones add drama and depth.
Asymmetry & Movement: These arrangements embrace a dynamic silhouette, often featuring taller blooms or branches extending outward to create an organic, garden-inspired shape.
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
ALMOST SUMMER TROPICAL FLORAL DESIGN
The tropical regions of the world offer some of the most unique and beautiful flowers for design use. Using a triangular geometric form, learn how to work with these vibrant tropical flowers. Bold, vibrant, and exotic tropical floral arrangements are perfect for summer vibes. Get ready to dive into the lush and colorful world of tropical floral design! In this hands-on class, you will learn how to create striking, summer-ready arrangements using vibrant tropical flowers and foliage. The introduction will include the characteristics of tropical floral arrangements and the importance of bold colors, dramatic textures, and lush greenery. Choosing the right flowers and foliage for tropical arrangements and preparing the flowers for longevity with proper hydration and stem care techniques as well as how to maintain tropical arrangements in summer heat will be emphasized. Evaluating shape, symmetry, and color balance will allow for finishing touches and an evaluation by the instructor.
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
irish eyes are smiling: a celebration of irish-inspired flower arranging
Channel the charm and beauty of the Emerald Isle in this whimsical flower arranging class inspired by the saying "When Irish eyes are smiling, sure, 'tis like the morn in spring." This workshop celebrates the lush greenery, soft florals, and vibrant traditions of Ireland.
Participants will:
- Create stunning arrangements featuring Irish-inspired elements like Bells of Ireland, green hydrangeas, white roses, and soft spring blooms.
- Learn the symbolism of traditional Irish plants and flowers, including shamrocks and heather.
- Explore techniques to incorporate natural textures, earthy tones, and organic designs reminiscent of Ireland's breathtaking landscapes.
- Celebrate Irish heritage with light Celtic music to enjoy while we design!
Perfect for St. Patrick's Day celebrations, a nod to Irish heritage, or simply to bring the joy of Irish-inspired beauty into your home. You'll leave with a floral arrangement that will surely make anyone's Irish eyes smile!
Cost: $225