I absolutely adore having fresh flowers in my apartment. They instantly brighten up a room with color and fragrance and make the perfect table centerpiece! Typically, I keep it simple and grab a bouquet at one of my favorite local floral shops (you can check out my list of go-to places here), however, recently, I took a floral arranging class through Alice’s Table, and now I feel inspired to get a bit more creative with my floral skills.
Boston has a handful of local places that offer classes to teach you how to create DIY floral and plant arrangements. Over the years, I’ve attended quite a few of these tutorials, and I can’t recommend them enough. Instead of just grabbing cocktails and dinner with friends or having a shopping day with your mom, these classes provide a fun and interactive alternative to your traditional “girls’ day.”
Whether you’re interested in designing your own arrangement of beautiful bright blooms or creative lush terrariums, I’ve rounded up my picks for classes in Boston.
The A-Lyst for Boston’s Best Floral & Plant Classes
Each month, the Alice’s Table team pops up at various venues around Boston to host floral arranging classes. I had been wanting to take one of these classes for quite some time, but kept missing the window of opportunity because they sell out so fast! Finally, my friend Kate and I found an upcoming Saturday afternoon class at Trade Restaurant in Boston that we wanted to take, and without hesitation, bought our tickets. For around $65.00, you and your friends can sip cocktails and create a beautiful arrangement under the instruction of a trained floral designer. Since the class I took was focused on spring, we incorporated gorgeous greens, light pink berries, and stunning dark pink roses into our circular vase. The instructor, Michelle (you can check her out @electricflora on Instagram), gave us helpful tips on the correct length to cut our blooms, where to place them into the handy grid system that we learned how to make, and of course, insight on caring for the arrangements at home (for example: change the water every 3 days!). Creating my own arrangement was much easier than I had originally thought and I can’t wait to use my newfound skills at home. You can check out the schedule for upcoming Alice’s Table classes in Boston here. TIP: Book early and arrive early to class, as the seats fill up quick and you’ll want to make sure you and your party can sit together. Hosted at locations across the Greater Boston area.
Located just outside Boston in Watertown, Cass School of Floral Design specializes in offering novice floral arrangers the opportunity to learn the tricks of the trade. While the workshops at Cass are priced a bit higher (around $125 or more), they are offered on a very regular basis each week and run the gamut from “make your own floral crowns” to “make your own wedding bouquet.” Additionally, if you want to host a private class for a birthday or bridal shower, the Cass team will create a customized experience for your group. You can check out the list of upcoming classes here. 531 Mount Auburn Street, Watertown, MA 02472
Rittners School of Floral Design
Rittners School of Floral Design, located on quaint Marlborough Street in Boston’s Back Bay, hosts both multi-course workshops and one day classes to learn the art of floral design. The single classes are offered on Saturday mornings from 9:00am – 12:00pm and are priced at $125. If you’re interested in becoming more involved with the hobby, you can sign up for an evening or daytime class series. 345 Marlborough Street, Boston, MA 02115
Boston Center for Adult Education (BCAE)
From cooking classes to glassblowing, the BCAE offers Bostonians a diverse selection of classes, including many that are tailored to folks who are trying to develop a green thumb. If you take a look at the schedule, you’ll notice upcoming classes like floral design, terrarium creation, gardening basics, and more. Members can enjoy a discount on the classes year-round for the fee of $85.00 a year. As the oldest nonprofit adult education center in New England, the BCAE is a great option for residents! 122 Arlington Street, Boston, MA 02116
You’ve probably heard of Paint Nite, but did you know that the same company also offers Plant Nite at various venues in the Boston area? For around $50, you can create a gorgeous terrarium or planter that’s filled to the brim with succulents! As you sip cocktails with friends, an instructor will share tips on how to arrange your greenery, often with sand art or an assortment of rocks. I’m a big fan of succulents and if you properly care for them, they can last for a very long time a.k.a they are relatively hard to kill. If you’re OK with getting a little dirty, this is great way to enjoy a night out with friends! Hosted at locations across the Greater Boston area
Sunny Florist is one of my favorite places to stock up on air plants and succulents. They also offer both flower and plant arranging classes at their South Boston shop! Ranging in price from $25 for a corsage tutorial to $65 for a hand-tied bouquet tutorial, many of the classes at Sunny Florists are hosted through the website Verlocal, where you and your friends can put in a request for a class through the host. I’m personally interested in taking a class to make the six-inch wood box terrarium! 9 West Broadway Street, South Boston, MA 02127
To Keep in Mind…
Occasionally, Table & Tulip, and Bloom Couture in the South End host classes. I took an amazing holiday wreath class at Table & Tulip last winter and I would highly recommend it!
If you’re looking for a great deal on a floral class, check out Gilt City Boston, as the classes are often offered at a discount.
Outfit Details:
Blouse: Joie Forresta Silk Peplum Blouse
Bracelet: Rhinestone Bracelet from Isabel Harvey (similar here)
Watch: Timex ‘The Fairfield’ in Rose Gold
Nail Polish: OPI Sweet Heart
Lipstick: MAC Lustering topped with Bobbi Brown Hot Pink Lip Gloss
The A-Lyst is a Boston-based lifestyle blog curating the very best of style, beauty, food, and travel.