Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Floral Parade of Creativity: DIY class showcases flower arranging on a budget

Story by Misty Bouse. Photos by Ric Getter.

Springtime means blossoms—and weddings!

According to TheWeddingReport.com, the average spring wedding in Portland with 100-150 guests costs around $35,000. Floral costs alone can easily reach $3,500 so couples looking to save money and personalize their special day can learn flower arranging skills from certified floral designer Theresa Frid-Lowndes of T’s Blooms. Her “DIY Wedding Flowers” class is offered this April (and repeats in summer) through Portland Community College’s Community Education Program at the Sylvania Campus.

“My look is artistry mixed with the natural world—something a bit wild,” Frid-Lowndes said.

Frid-Lowndes, originally from Stockholm, Sweden, brings a warm and personal touch rooted in her family tradition of always having fresh flowers and a belief in community spirit. After 25 years teaching art and preschool, she brings patience in combining her love for floral artistry with community outreach. She also volunteers as a family art teacher at the Southwest Portland Family Promise emergency shelter twice weekly and has used her floral know-how, gained over many years, to teach local businesses floral arranging.

Her inspirations range from the Pacific Northwest’s Floret Farms in Washington to global designer Kiana Underwood of Tulipina, who creatively incorporates branches, vegetables, and fruits in luxurious arrangements for weddings and special occasions.

In the class “DIY Wedding Flowers,” students will gain hands-on experience wielding their own floral shears in crafting bouquets, centerpieces, corsages and boutonnieres. They will learn essential floral techniques, including color theory, design basics, and proper flower care and purchasing.

“Students will realize they can personalize their wedding flowers, find valuable new flower resources, and draw inspiration from each other’s ideas,” Frid-Lowndes said.

For ambitious projects like floral arches, she advises couples to seek professional help. However, she firmly believes most people can achieve beautiful, personalized results themselves.

“What I love most about flowers is how adaptable and personal they can be,” she said. “They don’t have to be florist-perfect to be perfect for your wedding day.”

Frid-Lowndes has three budget-friendly DIY flower tips for the penny-pinching wedding planners. She said to select in-season flowers to ensure freshness and significantly reduce the cost. She recommends lisianthus—a rose-like flower available from spring to fall—in several colors from white and pink to apricot, purple and green.

Also, purchase from local farmers’ markets or Trader Joe’s, or consider cultivating flowers yourself. Succulents, popular in the Pacific Northwest, come in colors ranging from pink and purple to green and white and make a good accompaniment to floral. And, try to incorporate summer wildflowers like cornflowers for a vibrant “something blue” or use dahlias and ranunculus for added punch. Or pop in an unexpected piece of fruit, seed pod or branch.

For more information visit the “DIY Wedding Flowers” class landing page, or to view all non-credit class offerings, check out www.pcc.edu/community.