In the ever-evolving world of weddings and event design, one trend has been hot and seems to be here to stay for a while: flower meadows. Today we're diving into these gorgeous designs and sharing several different mechanics for creating them!

What Are Flower Meadows?

Flower meadows create the illusion that flowers are growing directly from the surface they're sitting on. You've probably seen this look a lot in floral meadow "runners" – maybe in front of a head table, down the center of a long table, or on a mantle. It can also work beautifully for arches or even bouquets – it's all about that hand-picked, garden-fresh look.Whereas traditionally a floral runner is more compact with low groupings, the meadow look is an explosion of stems and varied textures with tons of depth.

Photo: Ian Prosser / Zoe Prosser at Botanica

The Foundation: Choosing Your Mechanics

The secret to successful tablescape meadows lies in their foundation. The mechanics you choose will depend on a few things: the style and fullness of your design, where it's going, the product you'll be using, and how long it has to last.

I know all of us florists are essentially floral MacGyvers and there are endless possibilities, but these are some Oasis products that I've personally found make meadow designs easier. You may prefer different mechanics, and that's totally okay! You do you.

We're a small team and most of our weddings are out of town, so we need to be able to create them ahead of time at a large scale, keep them hydrated, transfer them easily, and set them up on-site very quickly – then get the heck out of there!

Round Tables: Lomey and Ecossential Dishes

For brides on a budget, I love using intentionally styled Oasis Designer Lomey or Ecossential dishes. Picture a long king's table with several sizes of these independent "growing" designs spaced along it, or one large one in the center of a round table with moss spilling over to create a tablescaped look.

Photo: Kelsey Thompson AIFD

Using an airy design like this as a focal area on a table can create that just-picked look without the budget of a solid floral meadow. This method also gives the client the option to include other objects – fruit or veggies, books and lots of moss with tons of candles have all been trending.

This can give the tables the feel of being more curated while easing the stem count and cost a bit.

Long Tables: Brick Trays for Linear Designs

For long tables, the single, double, or triple brick trays work perfectly. For these types of designs I like to use Midnight Oasis or FibreFloral bricks. The FibreFloral medium is made of volcanic rock with a bio-based binder, and it's more eco-friendly. I think it lends itself to this design style really well because you honestly don't even need to cover it with much – it looks really cool on its own and you can edit down the brick for a softer look as well. Just pull bits of it off!

Secure your preferred mechanics with Oasis waterproof tape and use a bit of fresh moss if you'd like for coverage. The Brick Trays are the perfect size to give you plenty of design space without overwhelming a lengthwise table - and they come in Petite sizes too! These are great for mantles as well, just make sure your weight is balanced. You don't want them too front heavy.

Photo: Loann Burke, AIFD, AAF, CFD, PFCI

Cake Meadows: Mache Wreaths and Foam Garlands

If you're designing a cake meadow, try an Oasis mache wreath cut in half or quarters. Simply dip the cut ends into your hot glue to seal them, then soak the foam and design. You can also use the Oasis foam garlands in the same way! These hold water well and allow for flexibility. If you're creating a cake meadow, be sure to get the dimensions of the cake and the "drop" from the base of the cake stand if they have one.

Photo: Loann Burke, AIFD, AAF, CFD, PFCI

Heavy-Duty Solutions: Event Saddles

For meadows that need more stability or need to be moved, I like the Oasis event saddles. This is what I'd use for an outdoor aisle or in front of a head table or a stage where I can be sure the sturdy base won't get kicked or tipped. When the macarena comes on we don't need flowers flying, right?

Photo: Ian Prosser / Zoe Prosser at Botanica

If you've got a bride that wants large headed, heavy blooms like hydrangea and garden roses you may want to consider a saddle because you'll have more room. If you're creating a runner look or a long "floral fence," keep in mind that the ends of your trays will be butting up against another tray, so account for that with your recipes and insertions.

Tips for Efficient Production

If you're creating several duplicate pieces, it can be helpful to line them all up, assign your designers a few stems and assembly-line the process. For example, one person may moss and green, one person does the vertical insertions, the next the lower focal flowers and the last person finishes with accents and filler. This way you know they will all flow visually the same and it can save you time, which is important.

Speaking about stem placement – think about where your design is going! A table centerpiece needs to consider sightlines, a cake meadow needs to be proportionate to the height of the cake, etc. Keep the photography and the couple's guests in mind when it comes to height and fullness.

No matter your chosen mechanic or how you style a flower meadow, the concept is the same: stems are intentional, with mostly vertical placement or radial placement, and lots of depth and height difference. You want your piece to look like it is growing naturally.

Photo: Ian Prosser / Zoe Prosser at Botanica

Flower meadows aren't just another trend that'll be gone next season – they're tapping into something deeper. People are craving that natural, organic beauty that feels authentic and garden-inspired. And honestly, once you get the hang of the different Oasis mechanics we've talked about, you'll feel confident tackling any meadow design that comes your way.

The thing is, it's not just about which foam or tray you pick. It's about understanding what works best for each situation – whether you're doing intimate centerpieces or those show-stopping aisle installations. These tools are just there to support your creativity and make your life easier.

At the end of the day, the magic happens when you combine solid technique with your artistic vision. With the right mechanics backing you up, you'll create meadow designs that make people stop and wonder how flowers could possibly look so perfectly imperfect – like they just sprouted up naturally from wherever you've placed them. And isn't that exactly the kind of floral experience we're all trying to create?

Watch the Video