Bloom Wichita- 2025 Design Contest Runner Up

Bloom Wichita- 2025 Design Contest Runner Up

Honoring Kansas Roots with Heartfelt Design

Runner-Up | UrnTray Design Contest 2025

We’re excited to feature Bloom Wichita, the talented runner-up in this year’s UrnTray Design Contest! Designed by owner Vanessa O'Brien, this Kansas-based shop submitted a stunning arrangement that captured many hearts.

Colorful UrnTray design with bamboo urn and vibrant roses

This was Vanessa's official contest entry, featuring a bamboo urn surrounded by vibrant pink and yellow roses, soft blue hydrangeas, and airy green textures. The design was eye-catching, cheerful, and skillfully constructed—showing just how much thought and care went into every stem.

Vanessa O’Brien began her floral career in 1990 and brings decades of experience in freelancing, wholesale, and nearly 20 years at Susan’s Inc. In 2020, she purchased the beloved Wichita shop following Susan’s retirement, continuing its legacy of quality blooms, thoughtful design, and exceptional service under the new name—Bloom Wichita.

As a whole, Bloom Wichita has come to appreciate how our trays support both creativity and functionality:

“I’ve really enjoyed using the trays. They don’t take a lot of foam and the water reservoir makes me confident to send the day before. The mechanics are easy to hide. We’ve really enjoyed both sizes.”
UrnTray design with rustic floral arrangement and urn chest



We love hearing how florists integrate the trays into their workflow—especially when it allows them to focus more on storytelling and beauty, and less on mechanics and logistics. The ability to design confidently the day before a service is one of the many benefits of using our floral wreath platform tray, and it’s fulfilling to see it used in such meaningful ways.

This was created for a deeply personal tribute. In the designer’s own words:

“It was my husband’s uncle’s funeral, and the urn chest was huge! The large tray worked great! He was a big dog guy and hunter, so we used pheasant feathers and pods and pussy willow, along with other prairie flowers, for the Kansas native.”

This arrangement told a powerful story with texture and symbolism—pussy willow, feathers, and prairie blooms all pointing to a life lived close to the land. We were touched by the sentiment behind it and impressed by the scale and balance.

UrnTray floral arrangement with deep purples and cream roses


This third arrangement showcases the versatility of the small tray, featuring soft, cool tones with creams, lavenders, and deep purples. The compact size still allows for layered texture and gentle movement, creating a peaceful and elegant tribute. It’s a beautiful example of how the small tray can hold just as much intention and impact as its larger counterpart.

Thank you to everyone who participated in this year’s contest and voted on Facebook. And a special thanks to Bloom Wichita for reminding us that great floral design tells a story—not just with flowers, but with intention and care.

 


Thank You to Our Floral Community

We’re incredibly grateful to all the florists who participated in this year’s contest. Your designs continue to inspire us and show the meaningful ways floral art touches lives. Keep an eye out for more opportunities to showcase your work — and congratulations again to Vanessa and the team at Bloom Wichita!

We've seen our floral platform trays used for so many amazing purposes and are excited to see what you come up with! If you're looking for some more design inspiration, check out other Featured Customer posts or visit our gallery for some more neat ideas. And, as always, please continue to share your designs with us, and you may get picked to be our next Featured Customer!

  
To be featured, please submit your photos and details of your designs to amber@urntray.com


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