ABOUT US
The organization of Chapel Designers was founded by Holly Chapple of Holly Heider Chapple Flowers, in 2010. She considers this network that grew organically one of the greatest miracles/blessings of her career. As Holly was one of the first in her field to utilize social media as a part of her marketing strategy, she had the opportunity to develop close relationships with floral designers worldwide. These designers began to regularly seek out her advice, guidance and moral support. Based on Holly’s ability to deal with a large family, nurturing and supporting these designers was a natural love for her. It was very clear to Holly that a network of like-minded floral industry professionals needed to be started earning her the name “Flower Mama”. With that, Holly created the first organization of its kind. An organization that not only educates, supports, and mentors creatives, but encourages the individual designer to be his or her most authentic self.
To support these designers Holly hosts annual conferences and workshops in various markets and at her farm, Hope Flower Farm, in Waterford, Virginia. The Chapel Designers gather to tour flower markets, have creative & business workshops, and most importantly to collaborate and share new inspiration with each other. Look for exciting new conferences and workshops to be added as the Chapel Designer group expands. These relationships have become invaluable to each of the Chapel Designers as both strong industry relationships and close friendships have been born. Throughout the year the group stays connected through a private forum that is built to support one another. The group has also committed to a new standard of excellence when it comes to expanding horizons, and setting industry standards in wedding and event design.
Theo Milo Photography
Andrew Wrae Photography
The Chapel Designers Mission
The Chapel Designers organization has grown into a global support system for floral designers servicing weddings and special events. Our goal is to provide a supportive and nurturing environment that encourages and cultivates the unique and individual talents of the designers in this group. With more than 26 years in the floral and events industry Holly recognizes the unique challenges facing each designer individually and thus fosters an environment dedicated to cultivating success in each designer and encouraging members to maintain their own identities, design from their hearts, and learn to listen and trust their intuitive voices. Support of individuality serves as a catalyst for new trends and creative designs in the floral industry.
Testimonials
““I’ve been an event florist for over 10 years, and I’ve struggled to find a sense of community and support in the industry. I’ve attended local conferences, national conferences, design classes, and numerous networking functions, only to leave feeling that my point of view wasn’t represented. As soon as I heard of the Chapel Designers group, I knew I had found my people! Holly Heider Chapple has put together an amazing organization- really a movement- that has completely changed the way I feel about my chosen path! The atmosphere in the group is incredible- we are all here because we are passionate about elevating floral design. We want to continue to learn, get better, share knowledge, and help our fellow designers grow. The annual conference is an absolutely life changing experience! Last year, I was overwhelmed by my good fortune- I learned from Holly Heider Chapple, Francoise Weeks, Ariella Chezar, Karen Tran, David Beahm, Naomi De Manana, Anne Chertoff, and Abby Larson! In those 3 days, I received more knowledge and inspiration than I had in the past 10 years of attending other conferences and classes.
As well as offering demonstrations from the best, most artistic and current designers in our field, the conference also offers top notch business advice, insight into the best floral and supply resources, and networking with an amazing group of talented, passionate, generous event florists that have all become friends and confidants!In the past 8 months since I became a member, I have crossed so many goals off my list, that I am encouraged to dream bigger than I ever allowed myself to dream before!
With the support of the Chapel Designer family, I know there is nothing I can’t achieve. I have joined an amazing support system full of eager, knowledgeable designers that are willing to help me figure out any problem I may encounter.
I am truly thankful for this group!””
Susan McLeary
““I am just so full of joy and want to thank Holly and the entire CD family for sharing your knowledge and just being such a fantastic floral family! I know many of you have already said it before but attending the CD conference in London was one of the most valuable things I’ve done for the business- we just finished our biggest wedding of the year and I didn’t imagine we’d have one so big this early in our business! Next weekend we are creating a luxury chuppah which I’m thrilled for (thank you for the chuppah making class Nick Priestly)!
I’m at a place of peace where we finally have our target market and are creating the designs we love. Thank you so so much!! ””
““I had been in business for 10 yrs when I signed up to attend the Chapel Designer conference in NYC. I was at the point that I was ready for the business to grow, and not sure how to do it. I knew the second Holly called me up that this was something different. She has a passion and energy like nothing I have ever seen. She genuinely cares about every attendee, and not because they are paying to come. But because she truly embraces each individual and invites them in to her family. By the end of the last day I was exhausted emotionally, mentally, physically and couldn’t have been more excited to put my knew found knowledge to work. This group has become a second family to me. We all feel it’s a safe place where we can dream big, share our fears, ask for help (which isn’t always easy to do), and problem solve.
Since attending the conference my business had the best year it’s ever had. A lot of that is because this group gave me the encouragement to think the unthinkable. I think our mantra has become ‘this job isn’t for sissies’ – which is so very true. Together, we are all working to create a higher standard, set ourselves apart and educate clients. As Holly says ‘just leap!’.
I’m so very proud to consider myself a part of this group and have them as my extended family!””
