Wedding/Event Design Workshops

“Thank you for the workshop!! I learned so much in three days! You are so gracious in sharing your years of experience and knowledge in such a warm and nuturing way. Your cirriculum is well planned and endlessly full of important information. My sincere gratitude.” Susan Coulon, White Salmon, WA

 

“I found Françoise’s work completely by chance when looking for ideas for my wedding flowers. I immediately fell in love with her woodland creations; with their amazing shades and textures, all ordinary flower arrangements suddenly paled in comparison.
Within a few weeks I had flown from the UK to Portland to attend Françoise’s wedding workshop, determined to learn about her woodlands arrangements in the hope of producing my own for my upcoming wedding.
From the moment I met Françoise until the moment I left Portland, the smile never left my face. Françoise, in her lovely little studio filled with amazing plants, flowers and other goodies, is an incredibly friendly, generous and effective teacher. She taught me an unbelievable amount in such a short space of time, instructing and encouraging with lots of useful tips and suggestions.  In the three day period I learned how to make numerous different centerpiece arrangements, bouquets, corsages, head wreaths, flower balls and more. She helped me to plan for all the details of my wedding flowers – including some difficult logistics – and even took me to the flower market to help purchase some necessary supplies.  As for the flower arrangements I created and took home, well, my fiancé couldn’t believe how beautiful and professional they were (he has suggested I change careers!)

Françoise has amazing creative genius and is kind enough to share it with others. Her workshop is one of the best things I have ever done and I couldn’t recommend it highly enough. Carrie Lambert, Derby, UK

 

“I stumbled upon Françoise’s work by pure chance.  Her woodland creations were so unique that I knew I had to make my way from Australia to meet this mastermind! After 27 hours of flight, I was finally here in Françoise’s charming studio.

There are florists and there are talented florists and without doubt, Françoise is the latter.  In the short three days spent with her, she has showed me the difference between a mediocre floristry work and one created by someone who is passionate about her work.  Françoise’s passion is clearly evident in her creations.  Moreover, the level of details and her meticulous approach to her work is unbelievable.  Françoise has definitely mastered the technique of woodland design.

Françoise is such a warm and down-to-earth type of person.  She is not afraid to share her design ideas and techniques, a trait that is hard to come by in the competitive world of floristry.  For someone who just starting out, I am grateful of Françoise’s willingness to share her “know-hows”.

After all the discouragement and disappointment, thank you Françoise for helping me rediscover the reason why I took up floristry and thank you for your words of wisdom, I will continue to work on my passion to succeed and not succumb to my fear of failure.” Jessie Wong, Perth, Australia

 

“I had the absolute pleasure of spending the last three days with Françoise Weeks attending her wedding workshop. From the moment I entered her studio, I was overwhelmed by the bounty of materials and possibilities. Then I was thrilled to watch her create her trademark masterful floral designs. She carefully led me through example after example and then encouraged me to try everything on my own. Her quiet encouragement and support was just what I needed and I loved everything I made. Without hesitation, she accommodated every request I had for instruction and it will take me months to translate the wealth of knowledge and experience she shared. I cannot express completely how talented she is and I am so grateful for her willingness to share her hard earned skills and abilities. I came to the workshop as a hesitant novice and left feeling like a professional. Thank you Françoise!” Christy McMillen, Bella Lula Flowers, Boise, ID

 

“This workshop was a dose of pure inspiration: from the minute I walked into the studio, I felt the buzz of creative ideas rocketing around in my head. Françoise is a brilliant teacher who has a clear excitement for sharing her methods, and also for encouraging the unique voice of each student. Her generosity was truly a special gift: it is quite rare to find someone so willing (not just willing, thrilled!) to share the secrets behind their work. Françoise did just that and more- demonstrating techniques and mechanics, then encouraging us to follow our own instincts and ideas, helping us along the way with one-on-one feedback and suggestions. It was so fun, inspiring, informative and encouraging- I left feeling elated from three days of flower-filled learning, with tons of new ideas and little tricks to bring my own artistic vision to life. It was fantastic in every way- thank you so much!!!!!” Kelly Sullivan, Seattle, WA

 

“The Wedding Workshop is the most valuable investment I’ve made in my start up business as a floral designer. Françoise generously shared her knowledge, insight, tricks, design process, and business acumen.  Her experience as an A-list floral designer and successful business owner provides her with the insight and wisdom to mentor flower enthusiasts and seasoned professionals.  She created an environment of camaraderie, allowing everyone to share our passion for flowers and discuss our business strategies.  She shared a wealth of experience in determining what works and doesn’t work in all aspects of the business, from marketing to delivery, from Facebook to driving home safely.

The workshop provided the opportunity for each student to focus on the areas they wanted to work on. Because it’s limited to 4 students, she was able to spend quality time with each person.   She drew out our individual goals and dreams and gently guided each designer to stretch and see each flower, leaf, and berry with new eyes.  She shared lots of deep knowledge of flowers, plants, greens, (and other secret ingredients.)  She outlined characteristics that make certain flowers better for certain types of arrangements.  She answered each question with a personal story that illustrated her early mistakes and her ingenious solutions.

As an out-of-stater, I was thrilled to be able to take most of my arrangements home on the plane.  If you’ve never been here, plan an extra day or two.  The charming town of Portland has amazing restaurants, gardens, galleries, and retail.  I hope to return some day soon to take more workshops from Francoise.”  Lori Eschler Frystak, Los Angeles, CA

 

“I have just returned home after taking Françoise’s 3 day class, and I can tell you that I am now full of ideas, motivated and even more passionate about floral design than before. It is still a ‘hobby’ to me, and I am thinking about taking the next step. Her love of nature is evident from the moment you walk through her gate and into her lovely studio. Françoise has provided me with new skills, and has helped me to overcome challenges.

Françoise gives her knowledge freely and eagerly, she wants to share her love of this art and her vast experience. She shares not only her mechanics on how to design, she tells you what has worked and not worked for her, how to avoid disasters, how to order and how to price. My ‘takeaway’ from this 3 day course is that I now have ‘new eyes’.

It is a class to inspire you, no matter what your level of expertise. Thank you, Françoise, for the encouragement, I know you are someone I will stay happily connected to. .”  Karen Batman, San Mateo, CA

 

“Spending time in Françoise Weeks’ studio is a magical experience, where she weaves a bounty of foliage, flowers, fruit, vegetables and little bits of sticks and moss from the forest into enchanted arrangements. Walking into her studio, I was awestruck by the selection lined along the walls, all for me and my fellow participants to choose from for our own creations made under Françoise’s guidance.

The day passes by at rapid speed.  We started by getting to know the other students.  Soon, sitting around the worktable, we watched the creations taking shape.  Mixing tips and tricks learned in her years as a teacher, businesswoman and florist with detailed demonstrations for making the unique arrangements she is known for, we soon set about making our own versions of the morning lesson.  Choosing from the huge selection of materials provided, we went to work.  Everyone’s creations were so different, imaginative and wonderful.

She guides with a quiet manner and gives great practical advice. I have been in the floral industry for many years and came away with so many time and money saving tips, and a renewed spirit of creativity.

The area where the studio is located in is very pleasant for a person travelling alone; lots of walkers and bicyclists out. I stayed at a B&B which is a 5 minute walk to her studio, and there are many casual eateries and coffee shops just a few minutes away too.  From the airport, the light rail and bus was an economical and easy way to get to my lodging.

I can’t wait to walk up the driveway, through the gate, into that wonderful studio, to be inspired again by Françoise!” Laurie Garza ,Reedley, CA

 

“Just completed my second floral design workshop with Françoise in her dreamworld studio. Three days with Françoise, and I’m completely reinspired in floral design and in life! Aside from being an incredibly talented artist who’s portfolio includes hundreds of gorgeous weddings, she is an exceptionally effective teacher. She approaches her students much in the same way she weaves unsuspecting raw materials into art. She brings to mind the Michelangelo quote, “In every block of marble I see a statue as plain as though it stood before me, shaped and perfect in attitude and action”.

When a group of students come together in her studio with differing skill levels and various work and life perspectives, she sees within each one a talented artist full of raw potential, ready to blossom before her. Filling the workshop with her old-world Belgian charm, Françoise shares her experienced knowledge generously, nurturing each student with a high level of individual attention. The next time I need a creative jump start and a dose of enriching food for my soul, I’ll be back for another workshop! Merci Françoise!” Jessica Munn

 

“I read about Françoise and her classes on the internet.  I was delighted to find that she had room for me in her class.  It was three days of intense learning.  Françoise is an amazing teacher.  Her design style is so inspiring.  I was happy by the small classroom size and we all enjoyed each other a lot.  I can hardly wait to return and take another class from Françoise.  I believe that I will incorporate many of the wonderful tips and ideas into my flower design.

Thank you Françoise for everything.” Elizabeth Marvin, Austin, TX

 

“Just a week ago flowers were not my business though they were my world. Well, after three days with Françoise they are so imbedded in my thoughts I simply can’t walk away from all my new found knowledge. So, I spent Sunday cleaning the garage for a new work space, I am working on a business license and plan to dive in (slowly, weddings??? well, we’ll see) and allow my creative energy to continue to soar! When I read the article in the Oregonian about Françoise something screamed out to me and I had to meet her. I hesitated because I had no interest in doing wedding flowers though knew there was more to this class than a bouquet and table arrangements. Once I met her I was hooked! It was a most amazing three days! Françoise is truly an artist as well as amazingly business savvy, she shares all. Her esthetic concept is intoxicating and her wisdom over the years has taught her mechanics beyond the traditional. She most certainly thinks outside the box and never says no to any request, instead she embraces each challenge and is always determined to succeed. Her studio was like entering a safe zone where life outside didn’t exist. It was just a few ladies (new friends!) and we all soaked up as much as possible, every minute was cherished while time seemed irrelevant. There is no judgement (except our own…) and everyone is given the space to do what works best for them. There was so much energy in that studio I think the roof could have lifted! As the ideas began to simmer and the wild and fantastic materials became more familiar there were endless new ideas emerging as the days progressed. I am a changed person and my last trip to the coast proved that. I foraged better than any junker as my arms were always full and now on my daily walks I am making mental notes of the fabulous natural materials that are so abundant. I am kind of obsessed and there is no looking back with Françoise as my new hero!!!” Susan Levenhage

 

“This June, I was lucky to attend Françoise Weeks’ Wedding Flower Workshop. Arriving to her studio in South East Portland was any flower lover’s dream come true. It was full of all kinds of amazing flowers, greenery, succulents, house plants and other things all waiting to be used.  We began each of the three days with discussion on different business aspects of the floral world and then moved to the design table to watch Françoise create some amazing arrangements and share her mechanics and secrets. Then, the studio was ours as we choose what we wanted to use and do.  Françoise was right there to answer questions and help us to make what she had shown us.  After a short lunch break we were back in the studio for more demonstrations and to create more of our own pieces.”

“I learned so much about all the available floral materials out there, mechanics, and the flower business itself. I gained a great amount of confidence in my floral design skills. And, I had so much fun playing with all the woodland things and whimsical flowers. I would highly recommend this class to anyone interested in getting started in the wedding flower world or to anyone who is already in it and wants to further their creativity and expand what they have to offer. Thank you Françoise for the wonderful class!!!” Melissa Frazier, Boise, ID

 

“After spending three days in the flower heaven that is Françoise’s studio, it was so hard to leave! This class was exactly what I was looking for and Françoise is exactly the teacher that I’d hoped for. It was a perfect blend of useful conversation, hands-on playtime, and awe inspiring demos. Françoise is so open and willing to share her experiences out of a genuine desire to help aspiring designers like myself learn the realities of the floral business while also gaining the courage to follow their dreams. It was profound enough of an experience that I expect to look back 5 years from now and credit her class for changing my life forever. Thank you, Françoise!” Tonya Ray

 

“Taking a class with Françoise has been on my to-do list for a very long time, and the real thing was even better than I could have imagined. The wealth of information that Françoise shares with her students, and her easy-going yet straight-forward approach allows for a super fun yet educational atmosphere. I learned to make the types of arrangements that I had been too intimidated to try in the past, and Françoise gives you the tools to make the most intricate of designs. I really can’t say enough amazing things about Françoise and her class, and can’t wait to come back and take more!” Olga Miroshnichenko, Los Angeles

 

“I loved Françoise Weeks’ wedding workshop and would recommend it to others who love flowers. Her openness to share about her business and her gentle instruction made it easy for me to let go and be creative. Her studio was a wonderful place to spend time – one of those places that you just have to experience to fully appreciate. If you are an aspiring florist this class will give you a taste of the business and if you are already a florist this course will remind you of why you love what you do, allow you sometime to just “play” (with others who love the same craft) and give you the tools and instruction to do some of Françoise’s signature designs.” Jeri Barr

 

“My experience with Françoise Weeks is simply priceless.  I discovered her classes as I was searching to work with a floral designer that had something “different” to offer.  As a business owner and floral designer myself, I wasn’t sure what to expect upon meeting her and taking her classes.  Françoise is unbelievably talented, her vision is incredible and her teaching technique is outstanding.  I had the pleasure of spending three days with Françoise and it was worth every penny.  I was able to work one on one with Françoise, and gained endless amounts of knowledge in floral design, and also gained a friend.  She is so caring, so passionate and makes you want to be a better floral designer.  She helped me to understand the mechanics of design, and really empowered me to think outside of the box.  I am looking forward to traveling again from NC to Portland to work with Françoise.  Thank you Françoise, your classes are amazing, truly the best experience of my life!” Robyn Oakley, North Carolina