By Antonia Lopez-Vega and Amanda Guevara, Feb. 21, 2023
Love, as well as pollen, was in the air on Valentine’s Day thanks to the Bronco Blooms event, where students were given the opportunity to design their own personalized bouquets and share a special written message to place on notecards.
After signing in and picking up a goodie bag and drink at the entrance, students sat at tables, where seven different kinds of flowers were laid out for their use. The supplies also contained a detailed note with the unique meanings behind each flower, a summary of the history of floriography, and “Flower Recipes.” Flower Recipes are the flowers and materials used to create an arrangement for all sorts of occasions such as birthdays or even an apology.
Students filled up the room eagerly looking forward to the event. Sophia Arce, computer science student and Sarah Mora, animal health and veterinary science student decided to attend with their group of friends. Sarah Mora saw the event as “a little treat yourself thing.”
All attendees faced the front, where the two owners of Flower Duet, sisters Casey Coleman Schwartz and Kit Coleman Wertz, taught students the special meaning behind each flower there and the bouquet making process. The vendors were chosen for the event because they teach floriography — the study of the meanings and the messages that arrangements such as the ones made carry.
Schwartz led the presentation, detailing the history of sending messages through flowers, which dated back to the Victorian Era. She explained that by combining the flowers’ unique meanings, the bouquets served as a full depiction of a person’s feelings towards someone.
The co-owners of the floral design company showed students how to make a hand tied bouquet, otherwise known as a European wrap or the Dutch spiral method. This method is often used for bridal bouquets but can be used by anyone who wants to make their own floral arrangement.
The seven flowers presented were alstroemeria, carnation, fern, green trick dianthus, hypericum berry, pink rose and rosemary. With these flowers and their unique meanings, students were able to convey a message of love through their bouquet. Whether that form of love be self-love, platonic or romantic was entirely up to the person making it.
As the event wrapped up, students were able to decorate their bouquets with wrapping paper, stickers, ribbons and little written messages.
The event coordinator, Alexis Castelan, shared that she wanted to host an event for students to learn how to make their own bouquets while keeping in mind their meaning.
“Originally my idea was to give a message with flowers, so that could be like to yourself, to someone you love, a friend. I don’t know, I just wanted to make a really cute event for students to make a bouquet, give it out on Valentine’s Day, share some love,” said Castelan.
Being that this was the first bouquet event held by ASI, the workshop reached max capacity, with all desks filled with excited students and a long line formed outside the room with students who wanted to get in on the festivities. Several students who didn’t RSVP were not allowed in, however were given priority registration for future events like the one hosted.
Julia Mora, the event supervisor, explained that DIY events allow for students to enjoy making stuff on their own.
“We’ve had DIY events in the past, where we’ve incorporated DIY activities into our events. With Midnight Madness, we had a tote bag room where they painted the tote bags. People stayed in that room all night painting; I think people like to be creative,” Julia Mora said.
Castelan disclosed that there will be similar events to come. “We are planning on hosting another event this semester like this one. I’m thinking around graduation so people can make flowers for graduates, we’re still waiting on the details.”
Feature image courtesy of Antonia Lopez-Vega