Profile

Join date: Sep 8, 2021

About

With over 35 years’ experience, Karen Barnes is one of the UK’s leading consultants to the floral industry.

An expert high-profile wedding and event floral planner, trainer, educator, prominent international judge, creator of trend directions and a 1-2-1 business overview consultant.

Karen has been awarded RHS Chelsea Flower Show Gold, Silver-Gilt and Bronze medals and in 2016, led the Interflora Design Team at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show to achieve another RHS Gold medal.

After being awarded a scholarship to attend an AIFD symposium, Karen got the bug for AIFD, and was inducted in San Fransico. She has had the privilage of being a headline designer at three symposiums in the USA and was awarded Laureate status in 2022.

Karen travels nationally and internationally, working on society weddings, royal events, celebrity weddings in London, New York, Dubai, Mumbai and Turkey.

Quote "I find the Floristry Trade Club so diverse in the subjects it covers. I can find such a lot of advice and information of what is happening within the floral industry"

Overview

In association with

https://www.karenbarnesconsultancy.com

Posts (74)

Jan 23, 2026 ∙ 2 min

Watch Karen Barnes' Winter & Christmas Trends 2025

Karen Barnes is an expert at identifying and interpreting key seasonal trends and translating them into commercial opportunities for florists. Jump to: Christmas and Winter Trends Christmas Garland Winter Vase Design Winter Floral Arrangement Watch how Karen brings popular winter & Christmas trends to life. Discussing colours, designs and packaging to inspire your winter & Christmas range. Showcasing three designs that will be featured in future videos. Karen shares expert insights on...

Jan 22, 2026 ∙ 5 min

Do’s and Don’ts for Valentine's Peak Success

Valentine’s Day is one of the busiest single peak days of a florist calendar. For many florists, it can account for a significant portion of annual revenue, but it can also be one of the most stressful periods of the year. It is the only peak that I have never enjoyed. Due to heightened customer expectations, tight delivery schedules, high wholesale prices, and intense competition (both local and online), getting Valentine’s Day right requires more than just beautiful flowers. Whether you’re...

Jan 19, 2026 ∙ 4 min

Early Spring Flowers and Their Meanings

As we come out of Winter and nature merges us into Spring, we as florists sense the change – in hedgerows, in gardens, in parks and anywhere where plants, trees and plant material are growing. Early Spring flowers emerge, delicate, symbolic, and full of promise. These blooms carry emotional weight far beyond their petals. For florists, they are more than seasonal offerings; they are storytellers, mood-setters, and the first messengers of renewal each year. Understanding their meanings allows...