The Art of Choosing Flowers for Someone Else

When someone walks in and says, “just make something beautiful,” my first thought is… I’m not a mind reader. I mean that in the nicest way possible — but it’s true. Because what feels beautiful to me might not feel beautiful to you. And what feels beautiful to you might not feel right for the person you’re giving it to.

Beauty is very personal. So that question, as simple as it sounds, is actually one of the hardest things a customer can ask a florist. Of course, I don’t say that out loud. Instead, I ask questions. Color preference. Favorite flowers. Style. Occasion. Budget.

That’s why our online ordering form is structured the way it is — it helps us understand what you’re actually looking for, even if you don’t fully know how to describe it yet. In person, it can be a little more challenging. A lot of people don’t really know what they want — or what their recipient would want. But once we start asking the right questions, it usually becomes clearer.

Sometimes someone thinks they love something colorful and seasonal, and after a few questions we realize they’re actually drawn to something simple and modern. It just takes a little guidance.

Creating Something That Feels Right

And honestly, to a florist, every flower is beautiful. So the goal isn’t just to make something beautiful — it’s to make something that feels right for that person. That’s where it becomes more of an art.

I notice this a lot when I teach flower classes. You can actually learn so much about someone just by the way they design. The way they listen, how they receive feedback, what they gravitate toward — and especially their final piece.

If someone creates something tall and abstract, they’re usually more modern and artistic. If it’s colorful and whimsical, they tend to be more free-spirited. If it’s soft, romantic, pinks and whites — they’re usually a little more classic, a little more “girly.” It might sound a little cliché… but most of the time, it’s pretty accurate.

With customers, it’s a bit harder — but when someone starts describing the person they’re gifting for, you can usually start to build a picture. A color palette. A feeling. A direction.

Still, they know that person better than we do. We’re just translating it.

Designing for the Person Receiving the Flowers

One thing I’ve noticed is that people tend to gravitate toward one specific flower. Peonies are a big one. Even if it’s not the right season, not the right color, not even the right style — they’ll still ask for it.

And sometimes, people choose flowers based on what they like, not what the recipient would actually love. That’s one of the most overlooked things.

The most meaningful bouquets are the ones that reflect the person receiving them — not just the person buying them.

Following Feelings Instead of Rules

When it comes to design, color, texture, and flower type all influence the feeling of an arrangement. Some people believe every flower or color has a fixed meaning — but I don’t really see it that way. I think flowers feel different to everyone.

That said, there are general directions. If someone asks for something romantic, I’ll usually lean toward soft pinks, whites, and a fuller, more lush design. If they want something that feels like the rainforest, it’ll be more green, more movement, more wild.

But even then, I’m still following a feeling more than a rule.

When a client gives us full creative freedom, I usually start with what we have in the cooler or what’s in season. Sometimes it’s a stem that’s been catching my eye all week. That’s usually where the design begins. From there, everything builds naturally.

Making Flowers Feel Personal

If I had to give advice to someone choosing flowers for a meaningful moment, I would say this: take the time to really think about the person.

What do they like? What colors do they wear? What kind of energy do they have?

Even something simple — like keeping a note in your phone when a friend mentions a flower they love — can make a big difference later. Or even sharing a moodboard.

The more intentional you are, the more personal it will feel.

Because that’s what makes a bouquet feel special. Not how big it is. Not how expensive it is. But how seen it makes someone feel.

And I think that’s also why flowers are so powerful. They can express something words sometimes can’t.

If you really take a moment to look at them — the movement, the shape, the color — they make you feel something. And that feeling is different for everyone.

That’s what makes it so meaningful.

XoXo,
Your Fleurist,
Angelina