Be Our Guest Vol. 6 | Maria Flores
Welcome back to Be Our Guest, our series celebrating the people who set the tone and always get invited back.
In this edition, we sit down with Maria Flores. Based in Portugal, Maria has a style that is instantly recognizable. Wild, sculptural, and deeply informed by the landscape around her, her arrangements feel as though they belong exactly where they are.
Her work moves effortlessly between intimate dinners, multi-day celebrations, and some of the most beautiful tables we've seen. Never overly arranged. Never predictable. Always unmistakably hers.
What's the difference between a beautiful arrangement and one people can't stop talking about?
The layers. If you make it interesting enough that every time you look at it you find some new interesting detail.
The flower that taught you the most.
Gosh, all of them! They are just so different, each one with its timing and temperament. It’s hard to choose!
What do you notice first when you walk into someone's home?
The state of the flower water in their vases, if they have fresh flowers at home. And if it’s looking a bit too dirty, I quietly change and try to do it so no one sees me. I know, I’m that kind of florist.
A bloom that's had its moment.
We have limited blooms in the world, so no bloom will ever have its moment. Like every trend in fashion, music or any form of art, everything works in cycles. Same for flowers and color palettes. We just watched the calla Lilly having a huge rebranding in 2024, and it’s still going very strong and it will always be present.
A color combination you keep returning to, even when you try not to.
These change every year, right now I’m exploring the red and yellow palettes. It had actually been no-go for me to pair those two together, but this year it all changed. I’ve become so attracted to the warmth of this type of composition.
Something happening in florals right now that genuinely excites you.
People hiring the right florist, not just a florist.
Something happening in florals right now that needs to stop.
People judging the techniques of other florists.
The dinner party that's still going in your memory.
Our wedding dinner. I got married in April, so it’s still fresh in my mind, and I revisit it often. My grandparents had a restaurant in the south of Portugal, so some of my best childhood memories are from there. In Portuguese culture, we have these moments at the table. We brought so many details from the Portuguese tasca, and I know we activated some core memories for everyone present. The draping, the paper tablecloths, menus stamped in the tablecloth, our guests writing us messages there, a few interesting flower details. South of Portugal food, wine from the Dão, fado music and cante alentejano. It was beyond special. A true homage to our culture and Portuguese roots. Witnessing everyone feeling so comfortable, as if we were hosting a dinner at home, each talking about the decor, complimenting the food, singing along. That’s a dinner party I know I will never forget.
The market stall you'd be lost without.
Chicken wire.
The most expensive thing you've ever watched wilt.
The wiltness of the flowers is the most precious and beautiful thing to witness. We work with fresh product so if all goes well, everything will wilt eventually.
What does Portuguese hospitality understand particularly well?
That connection is more important than speed.
A hotel, quinta, or hideaway in Portugal you think deserves far more attention.
Casa Sacoto. It’s this country house 40 minutes away from Lisbon, perfect for an 80-guest wedding. Every detail of that place and the way the owners and all the team welcome you just makes you feel so comfortable and well taken care of.
What do you always keep within arm's reach on a wedding day?
My team and my tools :)
What flower behaves beautifully in theory and terribly in practice?
DAHLIAS! They are so dramatic, but I love them so much.
An arrangement that only works if you fully commit.
All of them. No detail is too small, no arrangement gets overlooked. All the compositions matter, it’s really a labor of love.
The part of your work no one sees.
The infinite care for my team and the infinite rendering with no AI, just me adding every flower and branch one by one until the compositions look exactly like I imagined them.
One thing you quietly fix right before guests arrive.
The lines that the candles and candle holders create in between the flower compositions.
What's your move when something isn't working and time is running out?
It has always to work in our events. The right processes, a dedicated team, and 100% focus will never put you in a position of not working or being short on time. Go prepared, don’t be late, and have fun!
A floral rule you break constantly.
No rules, just a lot of intention, fun, and care into my craft.
A place in Portugal you always come back to.
Madeira Island, where my dad’s side of the family is from. It’s such a gem, easily one of the most beautiful places on earth and a vibrant experience with great gastronomy.
The scent that instantly takes you somewhere else.
Eucalyptus in the rain. It transports me instantly to my family home in Ericeira, where we have towering eucalyptus.
What's the biggest misconception people have about florists?
That our work consists of playing with flowers. I have this feeling that the flowers are 10% of what we do. The majority of the work is production, planning, cleaning and packing. The flowers are the best part of the job, but don’t account for the majority of the practice.
What separates a good table from a great one?
The story and the intention behind it. When you create something personal, not something you’re replicating from somewhere else, it speaks to people, and it speaks about you. That’s where the magic relies and people connect with your work.
The flower you're currently obsessed with.
Gloriosa. I’m in a stage where I feel if I were a flower, I’d be a gloriosa orchid.
A wedding floral trend you'll never miss.
Making fun, unexpected compositions mixing flowers and other mediums that are meaningful to my clients.
