Expert Series / Karin Kock BLOEM Phillip Island
There is something inherently special about a destination wedding - where landscape, atmosphere, and experience come together to create a celebration that feels both intimate and unforgettable. On the shores of Phillip Island, BLOEM has carved out a distinct offering, bringing thoughtful, expressive floral design to weddings of every scale.
Led by owner Karin Kock, BLOEM is known for its flexible, inclusive approach - working across fresh, dried, preserved, and artificial florals to create designs that are both beautiful and considered. With no minimum spend and a philosophy rooted in accessibility and creativity, Karin and her team ensure that every couple, regardless of size or budget, experiences something truly special.
In this edition of The Wedding Series Expert Series, we speak with Karin about designing for destination weddings, the evolving role of florals, and how BLOEM brings a sense of individuality and ease to celebrations on Phillip Island.
Phillip Island offers such a unique and naturally beautiful setting. How does the destination itself influence your floral designs and overall approach?
Phillip Island plays a big role in how I approach each wedding, but my starting point is always the couple. I spend time with them brainstorming their ideas, getting a clear feel for their vision, style, and what matters most to them.
From there, I look at the venue and the ceremony space and think about how we can weave their vision into that setting in a way that feels seamless. It’s about making sure everything works together—the flowers, the space, and the overall atmosphere - so it feels considered and cohesive rather than separate elements.
The island offers such a beautiful backdrop, so my role is to guide couples in bringing their ideas to life within that space, making sure it feels true to them while also working naturally with the location.
You work with fresh, dried, preserved, and artificial florals. How do you guide couples in choosing the right medium for their wedding, particularly for a destination setting?
I always start by getting a clear understanding of the couple’s vision, priorities, and how their day will run -especially with a destination wedding like Phillip Island, where timing, transport, and weather can all play a part. From there, I talk them through the different options in a really practical way. Fresh flowers are beautiful and seasonal, but they do rely on timing and conditions. Dried and preserved florals are more durable and can be prepared well in advance, which can take a lot of pressure off, especially if there are tighter logistics. Artificial florals can also be a great option for certain elements where consistency and structure are important.
It’s rarely a one-size-fits-all approach. Often, I recommend a mix depending on the setup - what needs to look its best for the ceremony, what can be repurposed, and what needs to travel or last longer. My role is to guide couples through those choices so they feel confident, and to make sure the final result not only looks right but works smoothly on the day.
BLOEM has a very inclusive philosophy, with no minimum spend and a “no wedding too big or small” approach. Why was this important for you to build into your business?
This was a really intentional decision for me from the start. I wanted BLOEM to feel approachable and accessible, not like something you can only come to if you have a certain budget or a big-scale wedding.
Every couple values flowers differently, and not everyone wants, or needs a large install to make their day feel special. By not having a minimum spend, it allows more flexibility and gives couples the freedom to choose what works for them without feeling pressured.
It also means I get to work on a really wide range of weddings, which I love. Whether it’s something small and intimate or a larger celebration, the care and thought behind it is the same. For me, it’s about creating something meaningful for each couple, not about the size of the booking.
For couples planning a destination wedding on Phillip Island, what should they consider when it comes to florals, logistics, and seasonality?
Planning a destination wedding on Phillip Island comes with a few extra layers, so it’s worth thinking about florals a bit more strategically.
From a logistics point of view, access and timing are key. Travel to and around the island, setup windows, and pack down all need to be factored in. Some locations are more exposed or have limited access, so I always plan designs that can be installed efficiently and safely, without adding stress on the day.
Weather is another big one. The island can be beautiful, but also quite windy and unpredictable. That affects not just what we choose, but how we design and secure everything. Bouquets, arbours, and table pieces all need to hold up in the conditions.
When it comes to seasonality, being open and flexible really helps. Certain flowers may not always be available or may vary in quality depending on the time of year. I guide couples towards options that are in season and looking their best, so the end result feels abundant and considered.
Overall, it’s about creating something that looks great but also works with the location and the flow of the day. A bit of planning upfront makes everything run much more smoothly.
The bouquet is often seen as one of the most important elements of the day. How do you approach designing a bouquet that feels both personal and impactful?
I always start with the person carrying it. The bouquet should feel like an extension of them, not just something that looks nice in photos. So I take the time to understand their style, what they’re wearing, and how they want to feel on the day.
From there, I look at colour, shape, and size so it all works together with the dress and the setting. It should stand out, but in a way that still feels balanced.
I also like to bring in little personal touches where it makes sense, like a favourite flower or a pearl in a rose to remind them of a loved one who couldn't be there. Those small details are often what make it feel really special.
Can you walk us through your process when working with couples remotely or those planning from interstate or overseas?
These days I don’t meet the majority of the couples in person until the wedding day, which sounds really crazy but most of them work full time and the drive to the Island is not always possible.
The process usually starts with an email or phone call where we chat through their ideas, vision, and overall feel for the day. From there, I create vision boards, colour boards, and share examples so we can start shaping everything visually. We go back and forth a bit - refining, adjusting, and making sure it feels right.
Communication is key, so I keep things clear and easy the whole way through. Even without meeting in person, couples are really involved in the process and feel confident in how it’s all coming together.
By the time the wedding day arrives, everything is well planned and aligned, so it all runs smoothly, and finally meeting in person is always a really lovely moment.
How do you ensure your floral designs complement not only the couple’s vision, but also the natural surroundings and venue?
I start with the couple and what they’re imagining for the day. Then I look at the venue and surroundings and think about how the flowers can fit into that space.
It’s really about making everything work together. I don’t want the flowers to feel out of place or too much for the setting, but they still need to stand out in the right way.
I’ll guide couples with small tweaks if needed, so the final look feels balanced and natural to the space while still staying true to them.
What are some of the most memorable weddings or installations you’ve created on Phillip Island, and what made them stand out?
Some of the most memorable ones are often not the biggest, but the ones where everything just comes together really well.
One that stands out was a ceremony right by the water on a pretty windy day. We had to design everything with the conditions in mind, but it still felt soft and effortless. Seeing it all come together in that setting, and actually hold up,was really rewarding.
Another really special one was for a friend who had been looking forward to her wedding day for years. Being able to be part of that and help bring her vision to life made it feel extra meaningful. You could just feel how much it meant to her, and that always stays with you.
Weddings where everything has all the bits and pieces, ceremony, reception, all the little details tied together,are also really special. It feels like you’re helping create a full story across the whole day, and when that all works out, it’s the best feeling.
And then there are the more challenging ones too, I had one where my hayfever flared up massively, and I ended up dealing with quite a full-on allergic reaction on my face for about a week after. Not ideal, but you just push through on the day and make it happen.
For me, what makes a wedding stand out isn’t just how it looks, but how it feels. When the flowers fit the space, reflect the couple, and everything flows well,that’s what I remember most.
Flexibility is a key part of your offering. How do you work with different budgets while still delivering a beautiful and elevated result?
Flexibility is really important in how I work. Every couple has a different budget, and I don’t think that should limit how beautiful their day can be.
I start by understanding what’s most important to them,whether that’s the ceremony, bouquets, reception styling, or just a few key focal points. From there, I help prioritise where the flowers will have the most impact.
We then look at how to work smart with the budget, whether that’s choosing seasonal flowers, reusing arrangements from ceremony to reception, or mixing different flower types to achieve the look without overcomplicating things.
For couples drawn to the idea of a destination wedding, what makes Phillip Island and working with BLOEM such a special choice?
I know a lot of the venues on Phillip Island really well, and that makes a big difference when it comes to planning where flowers work best and how they sit in each space. Every location has its own little quirks, light, wind, layout,and experience helps you design with that in mind from the start.
A qualified florist can sometimes be a bit more of an investment compared to a creative cousin, a flower farmer, or a very garden-savvy Mum, but there’s a reason for that. You’re paying for experience, reliability, and a product that’s been tested in real wedding conditions.
Especially for a destination wedding away from home, I always encourage couples to invest in someone who does this regularly and understands the full picture, logistics, setup, timing, and how everything comes together on the day.
It’s also really important to do your research. Ask for real photos of previous weddings, not just styled shoots, and check with the venue for their recommended vendor list. Venues usually know who consistently delivers well and works smoothly onsite.
At the end of the day, flowers are a big part of the visual story of your wedding, and having someone experienced helps make sure that story is not only beautiful, but also stress-free.
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