How to Make a Pedestal Flower Arrangement
Pedestal arrangements sit on 30–40 inch pedestals — tall, dramatic, visible from a distance. They're typically used as entry statements or to flank ceremony altars. This guide covers the specific mechanics of building a stable, photographable pedestal piece.
Supplies needed
Tools, mechanics, and supplies you'll need before starting this build.
- Pedestal vessel (footed compote or urn)
- Wet floral foam
- Chicken wire for foam support
- Floral tape
- Pruning shears
Flower Recipe
Real stem counts with 2025 US wholesale pricing
| Flower | Role | Stems | Wholesale/Stem |
|---|---|---|---|
| White Hydrangea | focal | 6 | $4.50–$6.50 |
| White Garden Rose | focal | 10 | $3.00–$4.00 |
| Blush Lisianthus | secondary | 10 | $2.00–$3.00 |
| Snapdragon | secondary | 8 | $1.75–$2.75 |
| Silver Dollar Eucalyptus | greenery | 12 | $1.00–$1.50 |
| Seeded Eucalyptus | greenery | 6 | $1.50–$2.00 |
| Total Stems | 52 | ||
White Hydrangea
White Garden Rose
Blush Lisianthus
Snapdragon
Silver Dollar Eucalyptus
Seeded Eucalyptus
Wholesale Cost
$165–$290 wholesale
Suggested Retail
$165–$290 wholesale
Step by step
- 1
Prepare the vessel with foam and chicken wire
Soak foam, trim to fit the urn, and wrap with chicken wire for extra stem support. Secure with floral tape.
- 2
Plan viewing angle
Pedestal arrangements usually have a 'front' (where guests view from). Plan the design with a strong focal face, knowing the back can be simpler.
- 3
Establish height with tall stems
Place snapdragon and tall greenery stems first to set the arrangement height. Aim for 1.5x the vessel height for proportion.
- 4
Add focal clusters
Cluster hydrangeas and garden roses at varying heights. Concentrate the 'front' face with the most visible weight.
- 5
Layer secondary flowers and fill
Fill with lisianthus in the gaps. Work from the front backward, adding visual interest to every viewing angle.
- 6
Finish with cascading greenery
Let long silver dollar eucalyptus cascade down the front of the pedestal for 8+ inches. This is the signature pedestal move.
Now price this arrangement for your client
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Pro tips
Pair two pedestal arrangements to flank the ceremony — they work best in matched sets.
The cascading front greenery is what makes pedestals look 'expensive' — don't skip it.
Front-heavy is fine — pedestals aren't viewed from behind most of the time.
Common mistakes to avoid
Building 360-degree symmetrical on a front-facing piece — wasted labor.
Skipping cascading greenery — makes the piece look unfinished.
Using top-heavy stems without chicken wire support — structural failure.
Interactive calculator
Pedestal Arrangement Pricing Calculator
Adjust stem counts and get real-time wholesale + retail pricing →
Related how-to guides
How to Make a Tall Wedding Centerpiece
Tall centerpieces sit on elevated compotes or pedestals and reach 24+ inches.
Explore →How to Make a Floral Column
Floral columns are vertical pillars covered entirely in flowers from base to top.
Explore →How to Create a Compote Centerpiece
Compote centerpieces use footed, pedestal-style bowls (compote vessels) that elevate the flowers 4–6 inches above the tabletop.
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