Table of Contents Use Metallic Painted Greenery for School Colors Host Back-to-School and Teacher Appreciation Giveaways Offer Free Delivery to Schools with a Cute Mascot Coupon Code Cultivate Relationships with Office Administrators & School Boards Align Your Social Media with Local School Life Let’s Get You Flower-Ready! Florists, we’re always cheering for your growth in both business and blooms. One great way to plant the seeds for even more success is by building connections in your own community. If you’re a shop owner looking for fresh ways to grow, here’s a golden (or maybe metallic gold) opportunity you won’t want to miss: partnering with local schools! School events, such as dances, award nights, graduations, teacher appreciation, and even game days, are filled with floral potential. The key is to stand out and make it easy for schools to choose YOU. Here are some fun, fresh, and profit-boosting ideas to help you connect with your local schools like a pro. Use Metallic Painted Greenery for School Colors Let’s be real: not every school and college color combo makes for the prettiest bouquet. Yellow for gold? That school spirit purple and neon orange palette? Tough to make chic. Here’s your solution: metallic painted greenery. Offer bouquets and arrangements that actually shine, literally. Spraying greens in real metallic gold, silver, or bronze (or purchasing them pre-painted) lets you elevate school color schemes while staying festive. Metallics pair beautifully with standard florals and add a modern, sophisticated twist to traditional school colors. Plus, it’s a fun way to make your floral designs pop in photos and social media posts. Host Back-to-School and Teacher Appreciation Giveaways Who doesn’t love a good giveaway? Organize fun floral contests just for teachers and school staff. They deserve the love, and you’ll gain loyal customers along the way. Try a “Nominate Your Favorite Teacher” campaign where parents or students can tag a teacher on your socials, and winners get a custom bouquet delivered to school. This is perfect for Back-to-School season, Teacher Appreciation Week, or even just a random “We ❤️ Our Teachers” event. You’ll boost your visibility and warm up the community to your brand. Offer Free Delivery to Schools with a Cute Mascot Coupon Code Want schools to choose your shop? Make it simple and adorable. Offer free delivery to school addresses, and create a promo code like LIONLOVE or GOEAGLES. Offer promotions for 'welcome back flowers' and other minor events. People love using codes that feel personal, and office administrators or PTA parents will appreciate the thoughtful detail. Add a note in each delivery, maybe even with a mini mascot sticker or tag, to make it memorable. A little effort goes a long way in creating brand loyalty! Cultivate Relationships with Office Administrators & School Boards Here’s an underrated secret: build strong connections with the school office staff, you’re golden. These are the people who plan events, accept deliveries, and keep everything running smoothly. Pop in (with flowers, of course), introduce yourself, and offer your services for everything from teacher retirement parties to board meetings. You can even ask if you can host a prom flower pop-up or ordering station at the high school. Set up a small display with corsage/boutonniere options, take orders on the spot, and let the school do some of the marketing for you! Align Your Social Media with Local School Life Want to be the go-to florist in your school district? Show up on social media like you’re already part of the team! Celebrate big wins (congrats to the varsity soccer champs!), post floral specials for events like homecoming or graduation, and tag schools when appropriate. Another fun idea is to create School Spirit Spotlights where you showcase a bouquet inspired by each local school's colors, mascot, or values. Not only is it fun content, it makes you part of the community conversation. Bonus Ideas to Bloom With: Create Student Recognition Bouquets: Offer affordable mini-bouquets for students who win awards or hit academic milestones. Great for parent-teacher nights! Partner with PTAs: Offer a percentage-back fundraiser where parents order flowers and a portion goes to the school. Sell DIY Kits for Art or Floral Club Projects: Provide simple kits with blooms and greenery for school events, fundraisers, or classroom activities. Let’s Get You Flower-Ready! School season is full of energy, emotion, and community spirit, what better time to jump in and elevate your business? Whether it’s delivering metallic bouquets in school colors, celebrating teachers with giveaways, or setting up a prom flower pop-up, there are endless ways to make your shop the unofficial official florist of your local schools. At iBuyFlowers, we’ve got everything you need to make it happen, from wholesale pricing, free shipping, and thousands of varieties that help your shop stand out. Have a specific mood in mind? Check out our Fall Mood Boards for inspiration for your next floral designs. Ready to blossom this school year? Visit iBuyFlowers and stock up on the freshest flowers, lush greenery, and fun metallics today!
Table of Contents Swap Dahlias for Big Focal Mums or Zinnias Replace Toffee Roses with Warm-Toned Alternatives Choose Hardy Flowers Over Heat-Sensitive Varieties Trade Peonies for Open Garden Roses Get Creative with Carnations for Lisianthus or Poppies Stay Open to Color Palette Substitutions We know how important it is for florists and event designers to have the right flowers at the right time. Sometimes when you're working with nature, availability and pricing can shift, especially during the upcoming fall season. Another pain point for florists is clients wanting a specific vision without the budget to fit it (champagne taste with a beer budget). This is why having smart substitution strategies is essential not only for yourself, but for the sake of your client’s expectations. The good news? You can maintain the beauty, quality, and overall aesthetic of your designs with a few creative and cost-effective swaps. Here are some of our favorite flower substitutions that save the day when certain blooms are unavailable or out of budget. Swap Dahlias for Big Focal Mums or Zinnias Dahlias bring bold texture and presence, but when they’re limited or pricey, big focal mums or zinnias are fantastic alternatives. These flowers offer a similar size and richness, with excellent vase life and color variety, perfect for statement arrangements and bridal bouquets. Don’t be afraid to paint mums for installations. If the couple loves dahlias, pop one in their bouquets, but use more cost and heat effective mums painted in their colors for dramatic effects in installations. Purple Bombon Chrysanthemum Cremon Magnum Chrysanthemum Cremon Oefa Chrysanthemum Cremon Gaviria Chrysanthemum Replace Toffee Roses with Warm-Toned Alternatives Toffee roses have become a designer go-to, but when they’re not an option, try subbing with toffee-colored amaranthus, copper beech foliage, or rust-hued mums. These substitutions maintain the same cozy, autumnal tone while being more readily available and often more affordable. Painted roses are often readily available as well in these tones. More rose options in lieu of toffee roses include Cappuccino, Sand Dune, Golden Mustard, Cafe Latte, Coffee Break, and Earth spray roses. Hot Biscuits Amaranthus Coffee Break Rose Golden Mustard Garden Rose Cafe Latte Garden Rose Choose Hardy Flowers Over Heat-Sensitive Varieties Heat-sensitive blooms like hydrangeas can be tricky in warm weather, no matter how well you condition them. For a longer-lasting arrangement or installation, swap in sturdier options like roses, carnations, or mums, which perform well under pressure, and are less prone to wilting. Roses Carnations Chrysanthemums Garden Roses Trade Peonies for Open Garden Roses Peonies are crowd favorites for their lush texture, but they aren’t always in season or in budget. Itoh peonies in particular can be rare and expensive. A great substitution? Garden roses such as fully open Candelight. Their full, layered petals and soft round shape mimic the look of an Itoh peony, especially in warm-toned palettes. Similarly, open garden roses like White O’Hara work well as peony stand-ins in various colors, offering a romantic, ruffled look that brings elegance to any bouquet. Candlelight Garden Rose Keira Garden Rose Purity Garden Rose White O'Hara Garden Rose Get Creative with Carnations for Lisianthus or Poppies Looking for a lisianthus alternative? Carnations with the centers pulled out can mimic the same delicate, open look with a slightly more durable build. Want to emulate the poppy's charm? Try this trick: pull the center of a carnation, then glue a button mum in the middle. It’s a creative and playful solution that captures the poppy’s signature style while offering better availability and longevity. White Carnation Caramel Carnation Lege Marrone Carnation Creola Carnation Stay Open to Color Palette Substitutions One of the best ways to stay flexible, stress-free, and successful in floral design is to think in color palettes, not specific blooms. Encourage your clients to be open to items that match their theme and vibe. This flexibility allows for more creative freedom, often reduces costs, and opens the door to unique combinations your client might not even know exists. And when all else fails, “Just For Flowers” paint can come in very handy! To explore your options, we have created autumn color palettes for you to fit your needs. Check out our Fall Mood Boards for inspiration for your fall arrangements. Fall wedding and event season is just around the corner, and now is the perfect time to pre-order your flowers. Planning early ensures better selection, price stability, and time to think through any necessary substitutions with confidence. Need help planning your orders or finding the right subs? Our experienced team at iBuyflowers is here to help! Let’s make this season stunning and stress-free.
Table of Contents Garlands: Your Go-To Autumn Flower Statement Premium Florals Make Premium Statements Upsell with Bud Vases and Accent Arrangements Choose Long-Lasting Florals for Multi-Day Use Boost Your Thanksgiving Sales with iBuyFlowers With Fall and holidays approaching, florists across the country are preparing for one of the most decor-driven times of the year. Tables are being set, homes are getting cozy, and every detail matters. The centerpiece often becomes the highlight of the entire table setting. This fall, we're here to help you wow your clients with creative, long-lasting, and show-stopping designs that go beyond the expected. Whether you're designing for an intimate dinner or a full-scale holiday event, these tips will elevate your fall floral offerings and boost your sales. Garlands: Your Go-To Autumn Flower Statement One of the easiest and most visually stunning centerpieces you can offer clients is a lush, premade garland. Draped along the dining table or wrapped around a cornucopia, garlands bring texture, depth, and natural beauty to any Thanksgiving tablescape. Our fresh, premade garlands are perfect for florists who want a high-impact look with minimal prep. Available in a range of greenery mixes, they're a versatile option for clients seeking an elegant fall floral look that complements any space. Care Tip: To extend the life of your garlands before use, we recommend misting them with water, placing them in a plastic bag, and storing them in the cooler until needed. This simple care tip keeps the greens vibrant and fresh for days. Be sure to AVOID spraying any eucalyptus type with water or sealant - you will get spots. You can also invest in a greens sealant to spray before delivery. This or a leaf shine spray will go a long way for your clients! Want to step it up a notch? Sprinkle in seasonal bud vases or petite arrangements to add dimension and pockets of color throughout the garland. You can also use garlands to wrap around a cornucopia, tuck into a plant basket, or line a mantel. Their versatility makes them a great upsell for clients looking to carry the Thanksgiving theme throughout their entire home. Premium Florals Make Premium Statements This season, classic fall flowers like chrysanthemums, carnations, and sunflowers are still crowd-pleasers, but adding a few premium blooms can transform your Thanksgiving designs into something truly special. Think Toffee roses, Miyabi Brown garden roses, Chocolato Ranunculus, or Quicksand roses nestled into a bouquet of fall flowers. These high-end touches create fall wedding flowers-level elegance, even in casual home settings. Toffee Rose Miyabi Brown Garden Rose Quicksand Rose Chocolato Ranunculus A pastel fall arrangement, featuring blush, beige, dusty pink, and soft terracotta, can be a refreshing alternative to the traditional burgundy and bronze. These soft palettes still embody the season but with a modern, luxurious twist that feels both timeless and trendy. When clients are looking for something special, presenting them with rare and high-end floral options helps you position your work as premium and worth the investment. Upsell with Bud Vases and Accent Arrangements Thanksgiving décor doesn’t have to stop at the table. Help your clients envision a cohesive, floral-forward holiday experience by recommending smaller accent pieces for the home. Bud vases and petite arrangements are easy to create and quick to upsell. Suggest placing them on the kitchen island, guest bathroom counter, or entryway table. These tiny touches create a sense of floral storytelling that flows from room to room, making the home feel thoughtfully designed and fully festive. Offering these smaller pieces not only increases your average order value, but also enhances the customer’s experience with your work, and keeps your professionalism and talent in mind for future events and holidays. Choose Long-Lasting Florals for Multi-Day Use Let’s be honest, Thanksgiving isn’t a one-day affair. Many families start celebrating days in advance and continue enjoying their festivities throughout the weekend. That’s why it’s essential to prioritize long-lasting flowers when possible. Opt for hearty blooms such as carnations, roses, ranunculus, chrysanthemums, and eucalyptus. These varieties hold up well over several days, ensuring your creations look fresh through dessert and beyond. Be sure to educate your clients on basic flower care, including trimming stems every few days, keeping arrangements in clean water, and avoiding direct sunlight, heater vents, and ripening fruits that emit ethylene gas. Pro Tip: This small act of education builds trust and helps your arrangements stay photo-worthy for the long haul. A smart idea is to post social media reminders for clients that encourages them to remove dead stems and replace water. When your clients realize you want them to have the best experience, it builds trust for the future as well! Boost Your Thanksgiving Sales with iBuyFlowers Thanksgiving is the perfect time to showcase your floral creativity and give your clients something memorable. Whether you're creating fall floral centerpieces, bouquet of fall flowers for the kitchen island, or accent pieces for events, iBuyFlowers has what you need. Of course, inspiration can be hard to find at times. That is why we created Fall Mood Boards for you to check out and elevate your fall floral arrangements! Don’t wait until the last minute, shop early, prep your inventory, and promote your offerings with confidence. Let us help you create unforgettable Thanksgiving moments, one bloom at a time.
Table of Contents Show Off the Stars of the Season Play With Autumn Color Palettes Tap Into Wedding Season Magic Celebrate All the Cozy Moments Boost Engagement With Fun & Games Turn Likes Into Orders With Strong CTAs Wrap-Up: Let Your Feed Flourish Fall is more than just pumpkins and crunchy leaves. It’s a visual feast for florists. The rich tones, layered textures, and cozy vibes make autumn an ideal season to show off your creativity and connect with your audience on social media. Whether you're arranging bridal bouquets or bundling up weekly flower specials, your feed can bloom just as brightly as your studio. This guide is packed with fun, actionable ideas to help florists post confidently, drive engagement, and turn those likes into orders. Show Off the Stars of the Season Fall florals are nothing short of iconic. Chrysanthemums, dahlias, garden roses, marigolds and ranunculus are just a few of the headliners. Use your posts to give them the spotlight they deserve. Post ideas: Fall Flower of the Week with a short reel or a fun fact carousel Time-lapse videos of your bouquet-making process A how-to post: “How to Style Fall Flowers on Your Table or Entryway” Play With Autumn Color Palettes Color is your superpower in fall. Think terracotta, burnt orange, dusty rose, mustard yellow, and deep plum. Your audience loves a good color story, especially when paired with flowers. Post ideas: Flat lays of flowers sorted by colors “Autumn Color Palette of the Week” mood board posts Stories that ask followers to vote: “Which palette are you feeling this week?” Tap Into Wedding Season Magic Fall weddings are everywhere right now, and florists have a golden opportunity to shine. Your feed should reflect your role in those magical moments. Post ideas: A carousel of your favorite fall bridal bouquets Reels that take your audience from the shop to the ceremony Before-and-after wedding venue transformations Celebrate All the Cozy Moments Autumn gives you a full calendar of content opportunities, from Halloween to Thanksgiving and everything in between. Show how your flowers fit into the season’s celebrations. Post ideas: Halloween bouquet with deep burgundy, moody purples, and black accents Thanksgiving centerpiece pre-order reminders with a countdown Cute arrangements for the first day of fall or seasonal gifting Boost Engagement With Fun & Games You don’t have to be salesy 24/7. Sometimes, just starting a conversation is enough. Use interactive content to get your audience involved. Engagement ideas: This or That: Color palette edition (think terracotta vs. burgundy) “Guess the Flower” with a blurry image or zoomed-in petal Polls: “Would you gift this to a friend or keep it for yourself?” Turn Likes Into Orders With Strong CTAs Posting pretty photos is great but pairing them with a clear call-to-action turns browsers into buyers. Examples: “DM us to snag one of our limited fall bouquet bundles!” “Tap the link in bio to book your wedding flower consult” “Only 5 spots left for our Thanksgiving centerpiece delivery!” Wrap-Up: Let Your Feed Flourish Fall gives florists a goldmine of visual content: moody color palettes, lush seasonal blooms, weddings galore, and festive vibes that make people want to decorate. Mix educational posts with fun Reels, speak directly to your ideal customers, and don’t shy away from showing off your personality. Social media doesn’t have to be overwhelming; it can be the most joyful (and profitable) part of your marketing. We are here to support you throughout your journey! Of course, beautiful content starts with beautiful flowers. Ensure your shop is stocked with the freshest, highest-quality blooms by sourcing directly from iBuyFlowers. Check our Fall Mood Boards for inspiration for your next fall arrangements! Want to take a look at other creations and social media ideas? Follow us on instagram to explore more floral creativity from our community! Let’s make this season truly special for both your business and your customers!