What's involved in having a floral ceiling installation?

Ceiling installs can be very tricky and can require a lot of time and extra hands to install.

- Be sure to discuss setup and removal times with your florist and venue coordinator being generous with time needed as these can be tricky at times.

- You can check if the venue has equiptment like cherry pickers, rigs or ladders if not then factor in cost for buying/renting as these will most deffinately be needed for the install.

- Speak with the venue to determine the ceilings weight capacity and material it is constructed from.

- Check with any venue policies the venue may have regarding ceiling decorations/installments

-The overall cost may vary depending on the complexity of your floral design and choice of blooms. Factor in any additional equiptment needed.

Remember to keep an open communication with your florist and venue as this will be the key to a successful floral installation. Goodluck! :)

Many venues these days have hooks (some multiple anchor points), suspended frames, mounts and other ways of installing your ceiling floral arrangements. Depending on the height the installation needs to be made and material of the ceiling, the size and weight of the arrangement, a ladder may be used, rig or scissor lift. Either way, to avoid any accidents or delays, when deciding on having a ceiling installation, it is best to have the florist, venue coordinator and yourself liaise on the following to ensure it all runs smoothly - 

- bump in, bump out times (to ensure there is enough time to get the job done)

- what the venue already has that can be utilised by the florist (rigs, ladders, hooks or any of the above mentioned facilities)

- what weight the ceiling can handle and its material type

- is there anything that is not allowed to be used (as a florist and something that I incorporate in my policy, it is always best to let the venue know what you are    providing or utilising to be within their policy)

If none of the above are being provided by the florist or venue, you will need to factor in hiring of any of the above on top of your florals.

Hope this helps and best of luck for your big day, feel free to reach out for assistance :)

RIGGING AND ADDITIONAL MANPOWER. Set-up for standard wedding 3 hours, for Extraordinary 5-6 hours.

A ceiling installation will depend on many things not the least is the necessity to have anchor points in the ceiling or the ability to screw them in. So you need to check this with your venue. If the ceiling is very high as well as the florist team designing the installation you may also have to hire a person capable of hoisting it into place and taking it down. Set up time will depend on the size of the installation. We usually like to have this done early and it is usually the first thing we do. It is good to get it done first as bits often fall . It is fantastic if we can get it done before tables etc are in place so ladders are easier to move. Removal is easier that installation and that will also depend on whether there is a wedding there next day. If so you may be charged an extra fee by the florist etc. If that is the case the next bride may be happy to split the cost if the colours are complimentary to both weddings. Cost will depend on all these factors as well as the type of flowers and foliage used. 

If you are considering an instillation it depends on the height of the ceiling and if there are beams for the structure to be attached for a start.

Ask the venue manager if they have had them before, and have pictures to show you. When choosing your florist, some will provide this service and 

some will get a rigging company to provide the beam or structure and they will provide the florals and attach them on site for you. Prices are 

varied depending on the work involved to suspend the flowers,if  machinery is involved and how big you want the arrangement. We do complete instillations ourselves in some venues and use a rigging company in others. A complete setup can be between 2 hours and 6 hours, an hour for pull down the next day.

Kerilyn

Lavish Gold Coast

Near everything has been covered and to push the point, they take up a lot of resources including, product, labour and time. You don't always need a scissor lift. Scaffolding is better to work from and can often be wheeled around. The venue may have a rig (or two) available so ask them before speaking to the Florist. With the design you end up choosing the florist will advise if it's a full insitu build or any prefabricated panels can be made. Finally, always consider liability. Not so much about the fixture itself but any damage to floors or ceilings during installation. We avoid using scissor lifts. They are super heavy and prone to causing damage to anything but concrete floors. As for their use on or crossing lawns just don't.

-The right place to secure it properly and easily- some venues may already have hooks up to use, but others you will have to check for- these things can get heavy! And need to be safely secured. 
-The right budget- floral ceiling  installations use a lot of flowers/foliage as they often can be seen from all sides. They also need to be made on site so extra hands are necessary to get them made and in place with the time florists have to bump in (more hands= more money.) 

- The right mechanics to arrange the flowers. This is one of the arrangements where floral foam free mechanics shine- allowing for bigger branches and a fuller design along with holding all the materials extremely well

Ceiling installations are dependant on the venue and the rigging company (if required).  Will you require a rigger to be on site?  do you need a sciccor lift and these lifts need a special operator.  The venue dictates access times so your supplier has to work within this time frame.  So if you have a tight get in time, the supplier will need many workers to assist in putting the decor up.  This also applies to packdown.  What time is packdown?  How many hours are they giving the supplier?  Do you need the rigging company to come back in and lower the truss.

Good luck with the install.

Ceiling installs usually take a lot of time, florals and hands, that is why it costs so much. We usually do an inspection at the venue to see what suits best for the design and how heavy on the florals can we go so it is safe for everyone. I love doing ceiling installs, I think it adds to the space and if you are doing share platers, it is an excelent option to make your wedding look luxurious without compromising table space. I also recommend table end arragements for share platers.  Hope this helps creating your dream wedding.

Lots of love,

Maz from Dusty Gypsy <3