If you had told me a year ago that I’d be launching my own luxury flower wall brand, I probably wouldn’t have believed you. My background is in user experience (UX) design, working in tech, where my days revolve around designing digital products that are intuitive, beautiful, and user-friendly. But outside of work, I’ve always had a creative side that couldn’t be fully expressed through screens.
I’ve long been passionate about floral design, and I often helped my friends create flower arches, arrangements, and installations just for fun. I loved the process—choosing the right blooms, balancing colors, and transforming a simple backdrop into something breathtaking. It was purely a hobby, but the more I worked with flowers, the more I realized how much joy it brought me.
What changed? I started paying closer attention to the flower wall industry—and I didn’t like what I saw. Most flower walls were overpriced, inconsistent, and dominated by a few big players. Smaller event planners were stuck choosing between low-quality options on Etsy or Alibaba—outdated styles, clashing colors, loose blooms—or paying thousands for something that still might disappoint.
I knew there had to be a better way. That’s how Once Upon a Blossom was born.
How It All Started: Seeing the Problems in the Flower Wall Industry
At first, I just wanted to understand why flower walls were so expensive. What I found shocked me.
- The market was controlled by a few big players—meaning little competition and unjustified price markups.
- Quality was inconsistent—many vendors on Etsy and Alibaba were selling flower walls made from cheap plastic flowers but still labeling them as "premium." Customers would receive something that looked nothing like the product photos, with thin floral coverage and artificial-looking blooms.
- Lack of transparency—customers had no way to tell whether they were getting what they see in the pictures or a cheap-looking backdrop until it arrived.
As a UX designer, I’m trained to identify problems and design better solutions. And I saw a huge gap in the market for high-quality, handcrafted flower walls at fair prices—with a seamless shopping experience to match.
That’s when I decided to build my own brand from scratch.
Beyond Sourcing: How I Built a Flower Wall Brand from the Ground Up
Once I knew what I wanted to create, the next challenge was figuring out how to make it real. I wasn’t interested in white-labeling generic products or outsourcing without oversight—like so many big brands do. I wanted to be involved in every detail, from the first bloom to the final shipment.
12 Months of Research and Experiment
I spent months looking for a manufacturer that could meet my standards. I needed high-quality artificial flowers that looked and felt real—not stiff plastic, not dull colors, and definitely not mass-produced shortcuts. I tested over 20 types of zippers and backing fabrics, trying to find the right combination of structure and softness. Many samples were disappointing—low-density designs, poor craftsmanship, or materials that simply didn’t hold up. But I kept going until I found a partner who shared my commitment to quality.
Eventually, I built a close relationship with a trusted factory in China. Unlike typical supplier arrangements, we communicate directly and constantly refine materials, textures, and build techniques together. In 2024 and 2025, I spent over six months living in China—working U.S. hours through the night for my day job, and spending my days side by side with my manufacturer to finalize every detail. From selecting the right blooms to adjusting building methods, I personally oversaw each part of the process to make sure it aligned with the standard I envisioned for Once Upon a Blossom.
Made to Order, Never Mass-Produced
Every flower wall at Once Upon a Blossom is crafted one at a time—not churned out in bulk. We handpick the blooms, fine-tune the palette, and make sure each piece feels artful and intentional. What you see isn’t just designed to look beautiful in photos—it’s meant to feel immersive in person.
To get there, the process is anything but simple. For every finished wall that features maybe 10 types of flowers, I test and review over 50 different styles, textures, and colors to get the right combination. It’s a labor of love and dedication to perfection.
💡 What I Learned
Many companies don’t actually design their flower walls. They just slap a logo on a generic product and call it a brand. I didn’t want that. I built Once Upon a Blossom to be different—from the materials, designs to the mission.
Why Our Flower Walls Are Different
When I first studied the flower wall market, I noticed the same design flaws showing up again and again—flaws that led to flat, lifeless backdrops that looked nothing like the photos. So I set out to fix them.
Realistic, Premium-Looking Flowers
Most flower walls on the market use low-grade artificial flowers that look stiff and fake—especially under lighting or in close-up shots. We use high-quality silk flowers designed to mimic the texture, softness, and movement of real petals. It’s the kind of detail you can feel—and that shows up beautifully on camera.
Individually Placed, Not Pasted-On Panels
Many competitors take a shortcut by gluing pre-made boxwood panels onto a board, creating a flat, generic backdrop with uneven coverage. At Once Upon a Blossom, every single flower and blade of grass is placed by hand. No boxwood mats, no shortcuts—just layered, organic compositions that feel lush and dimensional from every angle.
Fresh, Modern Design Aesthetic
A lot of flower wall designs haven’t evolved in years. You’ll see the same tired layouts and color combos repeated across dozens of brands. We design each wall with a fresh eye—using custom palettes, balanced composition, and trend-forward styling. Our walls don’t just fill a space; they transform it.
Transparent & Fair Pricing: No Crazy Markups
One thing I knew for sure: I didn’t want to pass on unnecessary markups. Some brands inflate their prices just so they can run constant promotions—slashing prices with flashy “Buy One Get One Free” deals that look generous but are baked into the math.
Personally, I don’t think any brand with true craftsmanship behind it should play that game. Have you ever seen Louis Vuitton run a BOGO sale? Exactly.
At Once Upon a Blossom, I designed a pricing model that reflects the real cost of what we create—no gimmicks, no inflated margins, just honest pricing for handcrafted flower walls made with intention. It’s built to last, not to trick you into thinking you got a deal.
At Once Upon a Blossom, I wanted pricing to be:
- Fair & transparent – No hidden fees, no misleading pricing.
- Honest without the markup – Premium materials at a price that actually makes sense.
- Free shipping on all orders – No extra costs due to tariffs or logistics.
💡 The Bottom Line: You shouldn’t have to overpay for a high-quality product, and you shouldn’t have to worry about hidden fees. What you see is what you get.
More Than Just a Flower Wall: Thoughtful Additions for Event Planners
Many of our customers are event planners who travel frequently with their flower walls. We know that durability and convenience matter, so we don’t just provide a product—we provide everything you need to maintain and transport it easily.
- Protective storage bags – To keep your flower wall in good condition between events.
- Gloves for handling – No more accidental damage to delicate flowers.
- Extra flowers – Quick fixes on the go, so you’re never caught unprepared at an event.
We don’t just sell flower walls—we think about how our customers will actually use them in the real world.
And yes—we run a full shake test before every shipment to make sure your wall arrives secure and show-ready.
The Future of Once Upon a Blossom
This is just the beginning. My vision for Once Upon a Blossom goes far beyond flower walls alone. Here’s what’s next:
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Expanding the collection with more high-end, trend-forward designs
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Offering deeper customization for luxury event planners
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Collaborating with wedding brands for exclusive collaborations
But no matter how we grow, one thing stays the same:
Our mission is to empower event planners, balloon artists, photo booth owners, and venue professionals with stunning flower walls—helping them create unforgettable experiences for every client and occasion.
📩 Let’s build something beautiful together. Ready to bring your vision to life?
Explore our full flower wall collection here.
Founder
Claire Zhang
claire@onceuponablossom.com