NYBG ORCHID DINNER 2025
From Farmer’s Market to The Plaza—How I Landed This Dream Design Gig
If you’ve been following me for a while, you know I haven’t been in the flower game for long—just three years. So how did I end up at The Plaza, designing for the prestigious NYBG Orchid Dinner, alongside 40 of the best designers in the country? It’s a story of taking chances, following instincts, and a little bit of flower magic.
Follow the Breadcrumbs
When I started growing flowers, I knew I wanted to sell at the farmers market. I’ve always loved them—growing up in France, my mom and I would shop for local produce at our market every week. To this day, farmers markets bring back those cherished memories. They’re a mix of vibrant colors, bustling energy, and that deep-rooted sense of community. I wanted in.
Did I have a clue if I’d have enough flowers? Nope. It was my first year, and I had zero gardening experience. But something told me I needed to be there. It sounded fun, and I’m a big believer in chasing what excites you, what lights you up!
So, I took the leap. I set up my small stall, filled with whatever I could grow, and hoped for the best. Some days, I sold out early; other days, I packed everything back up. But through it all, I built connections—real conversations with people who loved flowers as much as I did.
Fast forward three years—I get an email from someone at NYBG:
"I bought flowers from you at the farmers market and have been following your journey ever since. I love your work—would you consider designing a table for our annual Orchid Dinner?"
Cue double-checking if this email is real. Mild panic. Attempt to sound cool and professional while accepting.
Had I let fear stop me from applying to the farmers market, I might never have met her. You never know where life will take you, but I truly believe that when you follow what feels right, amazing things happen.
Behind the Scenes at The Plaza
Now, let me take you behind the scenes of this adrenaline-filled day at The Plaza and show you some of my favorite tables and designs from the NYBG Orchid Dinner!
This year’s NYBG Orchid Dinner theme was “Mexican Modernism”, inspired by architect Luis Barragán. If you’re unfamiliar with his work, imagine bold color contrasts, clean lines, and a deep appreciation for natural materials. It’s a dream theme for a floral designer who loves color as much as I do!
For my design, I wanted to reflect the contrasts in his work—sweet vs. spicy, soft vs. spiky, chunky vs. delicate. I chose bold color blocking, featuring one side of the centerpiece in fiery oranges and the other in sunshine yellows.
To tie it all together, I used aged terracotta urns to bring in that warm, natural desert feel of Mexico. The textures, the colors, the vibrancy—it all felt so alive, just like Barragán’s architecture.
The Nerve-Wracking Set-Up
Walking into The Plaza’s Grand Ballroom is already an experience. But walking in with your floral arrangements, knowing you’re about to design a table alongside the best in the industry? That’s a whole different level of excitement.
There’s an unspoken pressure—will my design stand out? Will it hold up under the weight of so many talented creatives? But the moment I started arranging, the nerves faded. Flowers have a way of grounding me, even in the most high-stakes environments.
The clock was ticking, tables were filling up with jaw-dropping designs, and I could see how each designer interpreted the theme in their own unique way. Some went for towering orchid installations, while others embraced a more sculptural approach with sleek, modern containers. The room was a floral dreamland.
My 5 Favorite Tables
With over 40 incredible designs in the room, picking just five favorites is not easy. But these were the ones that stopped me in my tracks:
A Pearl-Adorned Masterpiece – This designer took elegance to the next level with strands of pearls woven through the arrangement, paired with funky alliums that added unexpected bursts of texture. It felt both classic and avant-garde.
A Texture-Forward Installation – Think grass pods, dried elements, and orchids in a mix of heights and forms. It was a feast for the eyes, proving that texture can be just as impactful as color.
A Butterfly-Laden Tree – Yes, an actual tree centerpiece filled with delicate, floating butterflies nestled among the blooms. It felt like stepping into a whimsical fairytale.
A Structure-Driven Wonder – This table had a geometric, almost architectural approach to floral design. The placement of orchids and sculptural elements created a modern, gravity-defying effect that was impossible to ignore.
The Unexpected Orchid Ice Sculpture – Someone (a true visionary) turned orchids into a full-on ice sculpture that looked like a piece of modern art. It defied gravity, logic, and everything I thought flowers could do.
Above designs by Enriken NY, Love Me Not Florals, Mossome Floral, Bottega de Flores, Flowers by Ford, Pomona Floral.
Lessons from This Experience
Looking back on this entire journey—from selling bouquets at the farmers market to designing at The Plaza—I realize a few key things:
Every connection matters. You never know who you’re meeting and how they might impact your journey down the road. That simple market transaction turned into one of my biggest career opportunities.
Take the risk, even when you’re unsure. I had no idea if my little farm could support a market stand. I had no idea if I’d be “good enough” for an event like the NYBG Orchid Dinner. But here I am, writing about it.
Flowers have a way of opening doors. There’s something about this industry—people notice passion, authenticity, and artistry. When you put your work out there, the right opportunities will find you.
What’s Next?
This experience has made me even more excited about pushing my creative boundaries. I want to keep experimenting, keep creating, and keep saying yes to opportunities that scare me just a little.
And who knows? Maybe the next email that lands in my inbox will be from someone who picked up a single bouquet at a market years ago. That’s the beauty of flowers—they’re small moments that can lead to something much, much bigger.
Until then, I’ll be here, hands in the dirt, growing for whatever comes next.
A close up of our design for the NYBG Orchid Dinner 2025
You can visit the NYBG orchid show from now until April 27th. I had a chance to go and it was the most magical thing ever!
Want to bring unique, artistic floral design to your next event? Get in touch to chat about how we can make magic together!
