Wedding Flowers at BLOC

BLOC is a masterclass in modern industrial design, trading traditional ballroom artifice for the raw honesty of exposed brick and polished concrete. For a floral designer, this 7,000-square-foot space in Roseville is less of a room and more of a gallery, requiring a specific approach to scale and texture to ensure arrangements don’t get swallowed by the architecture. The venue’s strength lies in its neutrality, offering a high-contrast canvas that rewards bold, structural floral decisions.

The 24-hour rental period at BLOC is a significant logistical advantage for floral design. It allows for complex, on-site builds—such as ceiling-mounted floral clouds or intricate wall installations—that wouldn’t be possible in venues with tighter flip windows. This luxury of time means we can prioritize fresh, water-heavy installations that remain crisp from the first portrait to the final dance.

The Spaces

Ceremony Space

The Ceremony Space at BLOC is defined by its industrial textures—exposed brick, concrete floors, and those signature diagonal support beams. The lighting here is intentional, often a mix of natural light from the periphery and focused interior lighting that hits the ceremony altar area.

• What works: Asymmetrical ground-level installations are the most effective way to frame the couple. Because the floors are concrete, we can create “growing” meadows that appear to sprout directly from the ground. These are more modern and sophisticated than a traditional four-post arch.
• Skip: Standard pedestals or thin, spindly arches. The scale of the brick walls is too grand for lightweight structures; they often end up looking like an afterthought rather than a design choice.
• Watch out: The diagonal support beams. If your ceremony backdrop is placed directly in front of one, ensure the floral design is tall enough to break the line of the beam, or lean into the asymmetry so the beam looks like a planned part of the composition.
• Budget hero move: Invest in a lush, floor-based “nest” or “meadow” for the ceremony. These pieces are highly movable and can be repurposed to the front of the sweetheart table or the base of the cake display for the reception.

Main Hall

The Main Hall is where the venue’s industrial-chic aesthetic reaches its peak. With soaring ceilings, exposed wood beams, and ductwork, the vertical space is the most important element to address.

• What works: Hanging installations are the gold standard here. Utilizing the exposed beams to suspend greenery or floral clouds draws the eye upward and fills the “dead air” that often exists in high-ceilinged industrial spaces. For table designs, a mix of long farm tables with low, lush runners and round tables with medium-scale centerpieces creates visual interest across the room.
• Skip: Tall, narrow trumpet vases. While they add height, they often feel dated against the modern, clean lines of BLOC. If you want height on the tables, opt for architectural branches or modern metal stands with clean geometric lines.
• Watch out: The ductwork. While the beams are great for rigging, the silver ductwork can be a visual distraction. We recommend placing hanging installations strategically to mask or soften the most prominent sections of the HVAC system.
• Budget hero move: If a full ceiling installation is out of reach, focus on one high-impact hanging piece over the dance floor or the sweetheart table. This creates a focal point that defines the room’s energy without needing to cover every square inch of the ceiling.

Final Touches Lounge

This is more than just a getting-ready room; it is a high-end portrait studio. The dark walls and arched mirror provide a moody, sophisticated backdrop that is rare in the Sacramento market.

• What works: Petite, high-texture arrangements that sit on the vanity or the floor near the arched mirror. Because the walls are dark, white, cream, and pale blush flowers will pop with incredible clarity.
• Skip: Large, sprawling arrangements that clutter the space. This room is about intimacy and sophisticated lines; the florals should feel curated and intentional.
• Watch out: Space constraints. This is a functional lounge for the wedding party. Florals should be positioned in “dead zones” like corners or high shelves to stay out of the way of hair and makeup teams while still appearing in the background of photos.

What Works at BLOC

1. Hanging installations are a signature opportunity. The exposed wooden beams are structurally sound and perfectly positioned for rigging. Suspended greenery—like Smilax or Italian Ruscus—softens the industrial edges, while floral “clouds” of Baby’s Breath or Hydrangea create a high-impact, modern focal point.
2. Organic textures provide the necessary contrast. In a space dominated by hard surfaces like brick and concrete, the florals must provide the “soft” element. We recommend using garden roses, ranunculus, and flowing greenery to break up the rigid lines of the architecture.
3. Monochromatic palettes shine against the brick. While BLOC handles color well, there is something undeniably premium about an all-white and greenery scheme against the red and white brick walls. It leans into the “gallery” feel of the venue.
4. Ground-level meadows frame the grid windows. The large windows are one of BLOC’s best features. Placing low, lush floral installations along the base of these windows takes advantage of the natural backlighting and creates a stunning frame for portraits.
5. Asymmetrical designs navigate architectural quirks. The diagonal support beams and various wall textures mean that perfectly symmetrical designs can sometimes feel “off.” Embracing asymmetry allows the floral design to feel like it was built specifically for the quirks of the space.

Budget Guide

The character of BLOC is one of sophisticated, industrial minimalism; your budget should be spent on scale and placement rather than trying to cover every brick in the building.

Tips

• Prioritize rigging early. If you want a hanging installation, ensure your floral team has the equipment and experience to rig from the beams; the height of the Main Hall requires tall ladders or a scissor lift.
• Lean into the 24-hour rental. Use the extra time to have your florists build the ceremony installations on-site for maximum freshness and custom fitting to the brick walls.
• Repurpose ceremony nests to the sweetheart table. The concrete floor makes it easy to slide or move large ground-level arrangements from the ceremony to the reception without needing to dismantle them.
• Account for the diagonal beams. When choosing your ceremony spot within the venue, look at how the diagonal beams will intersect with your heads in photos and place your florals to mitigate any awkward lines.
• Use the dark lounge for contrast. If your wedding palette is moody or dark, the Final Touches Lounge is the place to showcase your lightest, most delicate blooms for high-contrast detail shots.