From Canvas to Centerpiece: An Artist’s Journey into Florals
For Cole Buys, floral design is more than arranging stems—it’s a creative expression rooted in art, architecture, and instinct. His journey began long before he ever held a bouquet, with childhood sketchbooks, painting sessions, and an academic foundation in architecture all shaping the way he approaches design today.
Cole didn’t follow a typical path into florals. Entirely self-taught, he began experimenting as a creative outlet and quickly realized flowers were just another medium—one full of texture, movement, and color. His work now blends artistic composition with structural intuition, resulting in floral designs that feel as curated as a gallery and as inviting as a garden.
The Signature Look: Whimsy Meets Elegance
Cole’s floral aesthetic can best be described as whimsical, modern, and abstract—often leaning into asymmetry while maintaining an undeniable elegance. He’s known for his signature U-shaped arrangements and airy, dainty blooms that float and move with intention. Think delicate stems, unexpected color palettes, and a sense of refined freedom.
He loves surprising couples with unique floral combinations, even when weddings share the same color scheme or style. No two events are ever the same in his portfolio. Whether it’s reimagining a classic Southern blue-and-white theme or embracing more modern, editorial trends like color blocking or petite bouquets, Cole finds ways to layer in his distinctive voice. He also favors intentional design choices, like mismatched bridesmaids’ bouquets and floral lapels for grooms—trends that feel fresh but timeless.
His biggest message to couples? It’s okay to branch out. He believes tradition can be reimagined in ways that still feel elevated and beautiful.
Sourcing Like a Stylist: Growing, Mixing, and Finding the Unseen
Cole’s relationship with flowers runs deep—literally. He grows many of his own blooms, giving him access to varieties most florists can’t source. This garden-first connection allows him to offer clients rare, high-quality stems that elevate each arrangement with texture, movement, and a distinct sense of character.
While based in Birmingham, Cole regularly travels and draws inspiration from global floral landscapes. This exposure gives him an edge—he’s not just pulling from the standard Southern bloom selection but instead creates dynamic combinations with both local and imported finds. His garden is also curated with intention, growing specialty flowers he knows his couples will love.
Seasonal sourcing is another key part of his process. He’s transparent about what’s in season and what’s worth the splurge when it comes to rare or high-end florals.
Impactful Installs & Mindful Design
Cole’s love of dramatic floral moments shines in his installations. Whether it’s suspending an arch between two trees, covering a fountain in florals, or creating mirrored aisle illusions, he understands the power of statement pieces. His advice? Invest in florals where guests—and photographers—will spend the most time. Think: the bar, the ceremony space, or the band stage.
He isn’t a fan of floral “fillers” in spots where they’ll go unnoticed, like a guest book table. He also dislikes using bridesmaids’ bouquets for reception florals—they’ve been through a lot by the time dinner rolls around and rarely look fresh.
On the sustainability front, Cole designs with intention. He avoids floral foam, opts for chicken wire mechanics, keeps flowers well-hydrated, and even wears gloves when handling delicate white blooms to prevent discoloration from natural skin oils. He also loves transforming blooms to get the most out of them—like peeling petals open to create bigger visual impact or selecting hypoallergenic flowers for sensitive clients.
Every design he creates is rooted in artistry, tailored to the couple, and meant to be remembered.
Quick seasonal favorites:
-
Early Spring: ranunculus, anemones, tulips
-
Late Spring: peonies
-
Summer: dahlias, zinnias, lisianthus
-
Fall: heirloom chrysanthemums, seasonal foliage
-
Winter: imported florals and berries like pomegranates
He even incorporates unexpected elements—like citrus fruits, herbs, and artichokes—to bring his designs to life. One couple is having a wedding with stonefire pizzas, and guests will be able to pick basil or oregano from potted herb centerpieces for their food. It’s these playful touches that make his work so memorable.
Cole’s Floral Facts + Pro Tips
-
Roses are notoriously hard to grow in the South due to intense heat and humidity.
-
Dahlias don’t ship well, so sourcing them locally or from a garden ensures the best quality.
-
White flowers can discolor from skin oils, so Cole wears gloves when handling delicate blooms.
-
Lilies are full of pollen, but if a bride loves them, the pollen can be removed once the blooms open.
-
Misting your flowers throughout the day helps them “drink” through their petals and leaves.
-
He avoids floral foam, opting instead for chicken wire for a more sustainable and eco-friendly design.
-
Skip the bridesmaids’ bouquets for reception decor—they’ve been through too much by then to look fresh.
-
Pearl and sand candles are his go-to accessory—they’re chic and reusable.
-
Berries can stain linens, so he avoids using them in arrangements.
-
Always consider your dress and height when choosing bouquet scale and ribbon texture.
