Welcome
We are thrilled to have you join us for Refine Your Craft.
OVERVIEW
July 16 · 8 AM-4 PM · Dominion Valley Country Club
ARRIVAL
We’ll begin the day with a relaxed arrival, light breakfast, and time to settle in. This is a moment to connect, ease into the space, and prepare for a full day of intentional, hands-on design.
CEREMONY BACKDROP
We’ll start the creative work of the day by building a modern, structural draped ceremony backdrop. You’ll be guided through installation mechanics and design principles as we work together to bring a large-scale floral installation to life. This piece will also serve as a styled focal point for the day and will be professionally photographed.
BOUQUETS
After lunch, we’ll shift into bouquet design. Each attendee will create their own structural bridal bouquet, learning techniques for form, movement, and balance using premium seasonal blooms. Your finished work will be styled and photographed with a model in an editorial setting.
BUSINESS Q&A
We’ll close the day with an open, casual Q&A focused on both design and business. This is an opportunity to ask questions, gain insight, and talk through real-world floral business topics in a supportive setting. The experience wraps with time for conversation, light bites, and additional candid photography of the day’s work.
ADDITIONAL GOODIES
Your experience is thoughtfully curated from start to finish, combining hands-on floral design with real-world insight into the industry. Throughout the day, you’ll work with premium blooms to create a custom draped ceremony backdrop and your own structural bridal bouquet, while also learning installation mechanics, sourcing, and design principles. The day includes all materials, light breakfast and lunch, editorial-style photography of your work, and an open Q&A focused on both creativity and business with Shanda Zelaya. You’ll also leave with a take-home guide outlining the recipe and pricing structure behind the ceremony installation, along with practical insight into working from a small studio space.
GETTING HERE
Most guests will find driving the most direct and convenient way to arrive at Dominion Valley Country Club in Haymarket, Virginia, where on-site parking is available. For those traveling from out of state, the closest major airports are Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Reagan National Airport (DCA), both offering rental car and rideshare options for the final drive to the venue. Some travelers may also choose to take Amtrak into the Washington, DC area and continue to Haymarket by rental car or rideshare. We recommend planning transportation in advance, especially for early morning arrival, to ensure a smooth and stress-free start to the day.
WHERE TO STAY
Haymarket is a charming and peaceful area tucked into Northern Virginia, known for its rolling countryside, historic character, and quiet small-town feel. It offers a welcome escape from the city while still being easily accessible, creating a calm and beautiful backdrop for your time with us.
Additional nearby areas that also offer convenient lodging options include Middleburg (25 minutes), Leesburg (30 minutes), and Washington, D.C. (45 minutes).
WHAT TO
BRING
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Comfortable shoes (you’ll be on your feet throughout the day designing and working hands-on)
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Dress code: creative, comfortable, and photo-friendly (you’ll also have the opportunity to change outfits before professional photos, if you’d like)
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Light jacket (recommended for the outdoor portion of the morning)
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All tools, materials, and blooms will be provided for you
We’re so looking forward to welcoming you to Refine Your Craft and spending the day creating alongside you. This experience has been thoughtfully designed to give you space to learn, experiment, and grow all while connecting with other florists who share your passion for the craft.
If you have any questions before the workshop, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We can’t wait to create with you.