Designing with Local and American-Grown Flowers by Kelly Shore
In this floral demonstration, Kelly Shore showed the variety of flowers available during March and discussed the importance of supporting American agriculture and how it captures time and place. She designed a foam-free centerpiece for the home to showcase botanicals.
Kelly Shore is the owner and lead designer of Petals by the Shore, a wedding and event floral design business in the Washington, D.C., area since 2011. She’s a proud supporter of America’s flower farmers and sources the blooms and foliage she uses in designs from throughout the United States 365 days a year. Her work in bringing visibility to local and American-grown flowers and the people who grow them launched her into a new season of her business and the creation of the Floral Source, which she founded in 2019 to celebrate community, connection, and confidence in U.S. floral sourcing.
THE DESIGNER
Kelly Shore
Petals by the Shore & The Floral Source
Kelly Shore is the owner and lead designer of Petals by the Shore, a wedding and event floral design business in the Washington, D.C., area since 2011. In 2019, she founded the Floral Source to celebrate community, connection and confidence in U.S. floral sourcing. She’s a proud supporter of America’s flower farmers and sources the blooms and foliage she uses in designs from throughout the United States 365 days a year. Her work in bringing visibility to local and American-grown flowers and the people who grow them launched her into a new season of her business and the creation of The Floral Source. Many designers are learning where they can source in their local communities while adding more sense of place and season to their designs.
PHOTOGRAPHED BY
Ayanah George Photography
Ayanah George is a digital and film photographer based in Washington DC. She specializes in female portraiture and uses double exposures to portray the background and subject as one.
Inspired by the work of Kehinde Wiley, Ayanah is passionate about the representation of women as majestic and elevated. Her portraits often use florals and patterns, representing growth and harmony.
She has been featured in Travel & Leisure, American Illustration, as well as by American Photography, the Washington Historical Society and the DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities (FY25 Art Bank Grantee).
Floral Headdresses and Inspirational Designing by Ace Berry
Attendees joined Ace Berry, Aifd PFCI, a world-renowned award-winning florist, on a creative journey through the art of floral headdress design. In this engaging demonstration, Ace shared his story of transformation—from working in the oil fields to discovering his passion for flowers, which changed the course of his life. Now a globally recognized floral designer and former contestant on HBO Max’s Full Bloom, Ace has been named Texas Designer of the Year and showcased his talents at prestigious events like Floramour.
In this session, Ace shared the techniques and inspirations behind his vibrant designs, offering a glimpse into the creative process that has taken him from Texas to the global stage. Ace’s work is a blend of artistry and inspiration, earning him accolades across the industry. Participants learned how his unique perspective fuels his designs, and gain insight into the techniques that have made his floral creations stand out worldwide.
THE DESIGNER
Ace Berry AIFD PFCI
Ace in Full Bloom
Ace Berry is a world-renowned award-winning florist. Ace’s story is one of transformation—from working in the oil fields to discovering his passion for flowers, which changed the course of his life. From his early days working in the oil fields to being named Texas Designer of the Year and showcasing his talents at prestigious events like Floramour, Ace’s journey is one of passion and transformation. Ace’s work is a blend of artistry and inspiration, earning him accolades across the industry. Ace is a globally recognized floral designer, and former contestant on HBO Max’s Full Bloom.
PHOTOGRAPHED BY
Tori Del Photography
Tori Del is a fine art wedding film photographer who caters to the Washington D.C./Montgomery County/Arlington County area as well as destination locations.
She cultivates the art of your love story through a fine art perspective and provides an experience not just for your wedding day but throughout your wedding journey.
Tori was also a participating photographer in Beyond the Blackout, an industry event celebrating the contributions of Black artists, co-produced by Anderson House.
Holly Heider Chapple’s Signature Floral Style Featuring Her Patented Floral Design Mechanics
Floral designer Holly Heider Chapple of Hope Flower Farm and Winery in Loudoun County, Virginia, will create a seasonal floral design using her patented floral design mechanics. The design will feature blooms from Hope Flower Farm and her favorite garden rose grower, Alexandra Farms.