Designing Unforgettable Settings: 3 Years of Show-Stopping Pop-Up Chapel Florals in Toronto
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably heard of the Pop-Up Chapel. But in case you have been under a rock, here’s the gist: it’s an alternative to traditional weddings for couples on a budget. With one design shared across up to 10 couples, each pair picks a time slot, invites their guests, and gets married - with the venue, photographer, officiant, and decor all taken care of. Simple, stylish, affordable, and stress-free. Pretty cool, right?
When I was just starting out in floristry, it was a dream of mine to work with the Pop-Up Chapel team. Their designs were bold, creative, and fun - and I figured it would be a fantastic way to get my foot in the industry door. Some say I’m great at manifesting, but I’d like to think it’s a mix of that and my hard work and skill. Just a few months after finishing Toronto Floristry School, fate came knocking: Pop-Up Chapel reached out and asked me to design their November 2022 chapel. Was I terrified? Hell yes. Was I up for the challenge? Absolutely.
Fast forward to today: I’ve designed six chapels, with lucky number seven coming this September. Past Rachel couldn’t have imagined it!
So, why do I keep saying “yes” to working with Pop-Up Chapel? There are more than a few reasons: the creative briefs (no two chapels are ever alike), the chance to explore Toronto’s coolest venues, and the opportunity to collaborate with the same talented vendors time and time again. But one of the most exhilarating aspects? The fast-paced format.
A typical chapel starts marrying couples at 11:00 a.m., which means we’re usually out of the venue by 10:00 or 10:30 - with not a single twig, leaf, or petal out of place. Load-in typically starts at 7:00 a.m., so our van is packed and out the door by 6:15. Yes, that means a 5:30 a.m. wake-up call. It’s so satisfying building something beautiful while the city is still waking up - and knowing by mid-morning, the magic is already underway.
More than anything, Pop-Up Chapel has shaped me into a more confident, resourceful, and creatively-driven florist. I’ve had to problem-solve on the fly, make quick design decisions, and stay flexible under pressure - all before 9 a.m. It’s been the most rewarding creative sprint I’ve ever signed up for, and I can honestly say: it’s made me better.
Autumnal Vibes at Toronto’s Henley Room
My Very First Chapel Design - November 2022 at The Henley Room
Theme & Colour Story: Rich, golden fall tones that reflected the landscape surrounding the venue.
Floral Focus: The standout stars were the ‘High & Magic’ roses and my mom’s homegrown hydrangeas. Chef’s kiss. But the real transformation came from draping smilax along the plain white walls using 3M hooks - simple, but it completely changed the space.
Design Notes: Having my mom on-site to help bring this vision to life was something I’ll never forget. For my first chapel, her presence made all the difference.
Vendor Team:
📸 Alicia Thurston Photography
🏛️ The Henley Room
🪑 Furniture Rentals
✏️ Designer: Robyn Woytiuk
What do you think? That inspo board really came to life, huh?!
Bridgerton Inspired Romantic Fireplace for late Spring
Chapel Two - June 9 2023 at The University Club
Theme & Colour Story: Inspired by the beloved Netflix hit Bridgerton (fun fact: this wasn’t my first Bridgerton-themed project - or my first brush with Netflix!). This chapel channeled romance through sweeping greens and blooms in soft pinks, buttery yellows, and lavenders-all cascading over a dramatic fireplace installation.
Floral Focus: Yellow tulips, the flower of the season, were reflexed and popped into water tubes for a whimsical yet structured look. The entire fireplace piece was created with chicken wire, strategic hooks, and a few trusty Tupperware containers. Eco-friendly, baby!
Design Notes: This was the first time I worked with Stacey from Nunc + Thistle- my now go-to floral sidekick. We met for the first time at 5:45 a.m., and let’s just say... we’ve been bonding over early morning installs ever since.
Vendor Team:
📸 Alicia Thurston Photography
🏛️ The University Club
✏️ Designer: Robyn Woytiuk
Portugeuse Tiles brought to Floral Life
Chapel Three - June 22-23 2023 at The Henley Room
Theme & Colour Story: Inspired by the patterned beauty of Portuguese tiles found on winding streets and sun-drenched alleys, this chapel was the perfect way to kick off summer. With juicy oranges, fresh greens, and bold yellows, this palette was right up my alley.
Floral Focus: Yellow allium made her debut in my floral lineup - and she did not disappoint. We designed everything using chicken wire in Tupperware containers, plus the increasingly popular Oshun Pouches - a sustainable alternative to floral foam, especially great for hanging installations.
Design Notes: I loved the clean simplicity of this design. Two statement hanging pieces and the rest arranged in vases made for a smooth, efficient setup — and easy touch-ups for day two of the chapel.
Vendor Team:
📸 Frances Rose West
📸 Rita Kravchuk
🏛️ The Henley Room
✏️ Designer: Robyn Woytiuk
“Make Lemonade has been an essential part of bringing our Chapel events to life with their stunning floral work. Over the years, Rachel has consistently delivered breathtaking arrangements that perfectly complement our Chapels unique styles and the spirit of our pop-up celebrations.
Rachel is not only creative and professional but also an absolute joy to collaborate with. She understands our fast-paced, high-energy events and always shows up with enthusiasm, flexibility, and flowers that exceed expectations.
Whether it’s whimsical bouquets, elegant installations, or thoughtful touches on the ceremony backdrop, her designs have a way of transforming a space and elevating the entire experience!”
Bright Spring Flowers in an Iconic Toronto Venue
Chapel Four - May 2024 at Steam Whistle Brewery
Theme & Colour Story: Set in one of Toronto’s most iconic venues, this chapel was bursting with bright, punchy colour. Juicy magentas, coral tones, sunshine yellows, and vibrant oranges brought the wow factor to life.
Floral Focus: It’s hard to choose a star here - local peonies, gerberas, and roses all worked together in perfect harmony. And the handmade paper flowers from the Chapel team? Absolutely the cherry on top of this one-of-a-kind design.
Design Notes: Every time I finish a chapel, someone on the team says, “This is my favourite one so far!” And honestly? I think they were right. This one felt like me through and through - bold, colourful, crafty, and so much fun.
Vendor Team:
📸 Alicia Thurston Photography
🏛️ Steam Whistle Brewery
Carnation Dreamscape with a Moody Twist
Chapel Five - October 2024 at The University Club
Theme & Colour Story: Soft, romantic, and modern all at once - this chapel featured a dreamy palette of blush, cream, and faded greens. I loved the contrast between the delicate floral hues, hazy candlelight, and the structured black-and-white chairs. Minimalism, but make it moody and romantic.
Floral Focus: This one pushed my creativity in the best way. The design brief asked for mostly carnations - which are often underestimated but so versatile. I stuck as close to the brief as I could, but had a hunch the volume wouldn’t quite cut it. At the last minute, I added some of my mom’s hydrangeas to fill in the gaps. They ended up bringing the whole look together!
Design Notes: Think there was floral foam in this one? Nope. Staying true to my eco-friendly approach, the entire setup was created with chicken wire, water tubes, and good ol’ Tupperware containers. Proof that sustainable design can be show-stopping.
Vendor Team:
📸 Frances Rose West
📸 Alicia Thurston Photography
🏛️ The University Club
✏️ Designer: Robyn Woytiuk
Spring’s Secret: A Chapel Hidden in Blooms
Chapel Six - May 2025 at Windfields Estate
Theme & Colour Story: This design had Secret Garden energy written all over it - and I was obsessed! Think: winding vines climbing over a vintage hutch, playful little blooms peeking out of drawers, and vibrant bursts of yellow spilling from unexpected places. The palette featured shades of pink, buttery yellows, and so much green. An absolute spring delight.
Floral Focus: I knew smilax was going to take this look to the next level - and because it was peak spring season, I was able to get my hands on forsythia, pussy willow, and daffodils. Waxflower, roses, and statice helped fill in the gaps and add texture.
Design Notes: This one was pure fun to create. Since the brief was “let the flowers take over,” there was no such thing as a “wrong” placement - just a natural, organic flow that brought the scene to life. It was extra special being the first ones on-site, sipping coffee in the peaceful garden while the sun rose. Dreamy.
Vendor Team:
📸 Alicia Thurston Photography
🏛️ Windfields Estate
Six chapels later, I can honestly say that designing for Pop-Up Chapel has shaped me in ways I never expected - as a florist, a problem-solver, and a creative collaborator. Each chapel has pushed me to think quickly, trust my instincts, and bring bold ideas to life with limited time and limitless imagination. That fast-paced, high-impact energy has deeply influenced the way I approach all my work - from intimate weddings to large-scale brand activations and editorial installs.
To the couples who got married under these blooms: thank you for trusting the process. To the vendors who brought each vision to life: you’ve made early mornings and tight turnarounds feel like pure joy. And to the next creative brief - I can’t wait to meet you!
Whether you're considering a Pop-Up Chapel wedding (if you haven’t caught on, I highly recommend!), a full-scale celebration, or a creative event that needs floral magic - I'd love to hear from you.
