Flowers

Real Weddings :: Nolan & Jessica

0 · Apr 29, 2015 ·

I don’t know if I believe in destiny or fate, or that there’s only one person in the whole world that you should marry and (finger’s crossed!!) you’ll meet them and timing will be perfect and you’ll fall in love. I do however, believe that God has a plan and know’s exactly what’s going to happen before we even have a chance to contemplate the possibility. I suppose he controls our destiny then.

Nevertheless, I think the way our paths are intertwined is really interesting, and our story of friendship is no exception. Back when I was just an under-aged, beauty school grad, I also had a late night weekend gig at a bar. And so did Jessica. However, we rarely had a chance to speak and although we worked at the same club, I’m not even sure I knew her name – she was just the girl with the most amazing highlights. And she’s always been someone I remembered and who stood out in my mind.

Fast forward a few years and here we are. I met my husband who happened to be best buds with Nolan, who would eventually become her fiance. My husband predicted from the beginning these two were in it for the long haul. And I guess he was right. Anytime I get to be involved in someone’s wedding day is really special to me, but when the bride and groom happen to be a couple of your closest friends it becomes one of the highest honors. It was more than just a wedding, it was a very happy celebration.

In the height of dahlia season, we watched Jessica and Nolan say “I do” at the historic Felt Estates. I handpicked every flower myself with sweet Jessica in mind knowing how important this day was, knowing that in just a few short hours she would marry her best friend, a relationship that I was lucky enough to see from the beginning. And will continue to see for years to come.

Comparing Florists :: The Experience

0 · Apr 2, 2015 ·

The last part of this series (even though this is hardly the end all, be all of floral design) is experience. And experience can be approached in two different ways. There’s the client experience and then there’s the experience level of your wedding professional.

First off, let’s talk client experience. I have found that florist approach the initial client consult in several different ways. If they have a storefront, then a meeting at the shop might be in order. But as it’s becoming increasingly common for boutique designers and independent florist to set up home studios, sometimes it’s a cup of coffee with your local barista that fits the bill or perhaps even a phone consult to make that initial connection. Others may even keep communications strictly through email and other virtual means. There’s not a right or wrong answer to this, it’s really what’s best for you, as the client. Which way to do you like to communicate? Would you rather just email a link to your Pinterest board and then have a florist provide a quote? Do you want to see, feel and touch objects in the flower shop? Or does a lengthy chat over a cuppa joe sound more like your cup of tea (hehe, pun intended!)

Personally, I like to meet all of my clients in person, whenever possible. This goes for both planning and floral design clients because I want to feel your passion. I want to know what the next few months working alongside you are going to be like. I want to see which flowers make your eyes light up and see the glow that spreads across your face as you giddily chat about your fiancé. I want to get a feel for your likes and dislikes and sometimes there are nonverbal communications and clues that I can’t perceive via virtual communications.

Beyond that, I work closely with my clients. I want to know as much as possible about the events surrounding your day and what your wedding hopes and dreams are. Some floral designers (myself included) offer additional services such as delivery, set up, full event design, event management (or day-of coordination) or even full wedding planning services. Other’s stick strictly to the floral basics. So consider your floral needs and whether it would better suit you to have one person providing all these services for you. Or perhaps that’s all a bit too fancy and all you need is a quick quote, some blooms in a vase and you’ll return the rentals and tear down yourself. That’s perfect too, if that’s the experience that you choose.

Then there’s the floral designer’s experience. Some basic questions to ask – how long have they been in the wedding or floral industry? Where else have they worked? What trends have they seen and are they up to date on the types of flowers and style you’re seeking? Who have they studied under or did they go to “flower school”?

When it comes to flowers, for the most part I’m self-taught. That might have scared me when I was a bride talking to a floral designer. But I’ve been in hospitality for over 12 years now with the past 7 being focused specifically on weddings. That means I bring a fair amount of wedding knowledge to the table. I’ve been in business since 2011 and have watched it flourish and grow while definitely making a few mistakes along the way. I soak up knowledge from whatever sources I can and have committed to attending at least one workshop or class-type experience a year because I refuse to give up on education. I’m a lifetime learner, for sure and have been enchanted by beautiful blooms ever since I was a little girl. With each flower order I receive, I make sure there’s at least one new flower variety for me to play with and learn from. For me, learning in this non-traditional way works and I hardly feel inexperienced.

Other designers have a wealth of floral knowledge, but they might not know as much about planning or customer service. Perhaps they have a specialty – be it large scale arrangements, foraged and textural design or the most beautiful bridal bouquets you’ve ever seen. Is their work well rounded? Where are your priorities with their experience? The fact that they can make the most fabulous arbors isn’t going to benefit you if you’re not having one at your ceremony site. Have they been published on every major wedding blog and magazine and hopefully your wedding will be too?

This can also circle back around to pricing. Expect to pay a bit more for someone with oodles of formal training at 20+ years in the floral industry. I’ll call them floral powerhouses or brand name florists. You might save a couple dollars by hiring a newbie or someone lesser known. You may or may not be making a sacrifice, just depending upon who you hire. Sometimes designers are lesser known simply because they do a smaller volume of weddings each year, they choose to keep their businesses small and are very selective about the clients they take on. This may actually improve your client experience, even if it means they don’t have as much floral experience. But on the other side of that coin, a florist who does lot in volume a year might not give you the same amount of personal attention, but they make up for it in pricing. From a business standpoint, they don’t need to charge as much because they take on 5 weddings a weekend whereas someone such as myself will only do one. But that’s why I am able to provide a more personalized experience.

Have you figured out what’s important to you about your floral designer? I really think it all comes down to a gut feeling and finding someone who you feel comfortable and can connect with. Do you have other questions about what to consider? I’d love to hear them and can absolutely expand upon this.

And in case you missed Part 1 (Pricing) & Part 2 (Passion) you can read those here and here.

Comparing Florists :: The Passion

0 · Mar 23, 2015 ·

Let’s talk about passion. It’s the next thing I think we need to consider when comparing floral designers (in case you missed point #1 – pricing – you can read that here). I think it’s seriously underrated how important passion is in life and business. But if we think back to the restaurants we used in our pricing example, my gut tells me that the master chef creating fine seafood dinners at the fine dining restaurant might have a little more passion for his craft than the fast food worker. That’s not to say that all fast food workers lack ambition and drive, their job might be a stepping stone for them – or it might just be a paycheck. Either way, there was something there that pushed the executive chef to his position, or odds are it was more than just luck.

So what is passion and why is it so important? For me, passion is what started me down this path in the first place. I eat, sleep and thrive on weddings. Flowers absolutely make me feel alive. I know, it sounds ridiculous, but I can’t make this stuff up. My spare time is spend Pinteresting bouquets, Googling new flowers and staring at wholesaler’s inventories – even when I’m not planning an event. I think about how I can add more flowers to my garden and perhaps even get myself a bit more of a green thumb, although I might be better off letting someone else do the growing. A girl can still dream. My spare dollars are spent on new clippers and flower coolers. It’s because I’m passionate about this.

I think passion is something that shines through in someone’s work. It can’t be taught. I can hardly wait to get home and put together a floral proposal after a great first meeting. I’ve emailed my brides back and forth numerous times a day swapping ideas about their weddings and dreaming up new ideas for them, even when I should probably be working on other things. And receiving a floral wholesale order is better than Christmas morning. But I’ve had brides complain to me that they’re talking with other florists who haven’t responded to them in over 2-3 weeks. Planning clients of mine have shared that they don’t feel comfortable in what they’re florist is telling them, or even if they come close to understanding their vision. This could possibly be due to a lack of passion on the other florist end.

With all this being said, you need to feel confident in your florist abilities and know that they love what they do. It’ll shine through and their work will reflect it.

Comparing Florists :: Pricing

0 · Mar 10, 2015 ·

Price – Passion – Experience

I think these are the main three things that set floral designers apart from one another. So I’m putting together a little miniseries about addressing these different ideas and how you should choose your wedding florist… or at least some things to consider during the decision making process.

And since it’s probably the most frequently asked of all the questions, I’m going to start with the subject of price and build from there. But that doesn’t mean that you can skip the rest of the series thinking you know it all because there’s valuable information ahead!

I was asked the other day how my prices compare to those of a typical flower shop when it comes to floral designs. I think this is an interesting question and actually one that I ponder quite often. Pricing is a tricky subject and I don’t like to talk money in general. I just like to create, put together something magical for you and see a smiling face at the end of my day. I don’t want to have to worry about pesky dollar signs.

But the reality of it is, we all seek to find that balance – the price that is fair and affordable for our brides to pay while still making it worthwhile for me to do the work and deliver amazing product.

I have never worked in a “typical” flower shop. I have been taught about pricing from several different sources and use what is considered standard flower markup in this industry. I have seen floral quotes from other florists and there are places where I think I would have projected a higher cost and other areas where my prices might be a touch lower. However, all I saw was a quote, not the actual delivered product so it’s really hard to compare apples to oranges (or visions of sugar plums dancing in my head).

Think about it in terms of food, a subject that many of us are very familiar with. If I’m craving a shrimp dinner, I have several options. I can head to Long John Silver’s or another similar fast food restaurant. I’ll get a basket full of battered and fried shrimp, some fries and possibly even a drink for around $5. Or I can go to a fine dining seafood restaurant. I could pay upwards of $30+ for half the amount of shrimp. Why am I willing to spend more about the fine dining restaurant? How do you compare the two? Shrimp is shrimp, right?

Flowers are flowers, right? Why can I purchase a ½ dozen roses from Aldi for $4 while if I head to a flower shop it’s going to cost more around $20 for that same arrangement?

The long of the short is, there are standards price markups in every industry. I think it’s fairly safe to assume that the quality of shrimp of being served at the high end restaurant is going to be better than that served at a quick service restaurant, it’s not always about quantity but also quality. Therefore we’re willing to pay more because there’s a higher trust factor, the food might be more naturally sourced and prepared with higher quality ingredients. One meal might be served in a paper wrapper and another on bone china. But they’re both restaurants and serve food to fill your bellies.

I am a floral designer and so is the girl working at the flower shop next door. But I can’t say where her flowers are coming from – are they local, sustainable, etc. Our markup might be comparable but what is the starting price? And how does that affect the overall arrangement?

Then let’s think about the little “extras”. As a potential bride, you were given a floral quote with all your needs for the day – the bouquet, corsages and centerpieces just to name a few. But what you might not have asked is how large each bouquet will be. Will it be the pieces be composed of many fillers? What kind of containers will the centerpieces be placed in and how big will they be? My bouquets are usually adored with at least 3 long streaming ribbons – long flowy ribbons are right on trend and I love them. Is this important to you? Are silky ribbons this style included within this other quote or is that extra? I love this Snippet & Ink article which shows even more detail about this and how to compare apples to oranges, because let’s face it, not all flowers are the same.

Don’t be afraid to pick out specific arrangements from a designer’s portfolio and ask about the price. This will give you an idea of what they might have quoted you and how it compares. You don’t want any surprises (unless they’re good ones!) on your wedding day!

Next week, we’ll chat about passion!

Background image beautifully captured by Hetler Photography.

Unloved Blooms

1 · Mar 9, 2015 ·

This photograph showed up in my feed a couple different places last week. It’s really really lovely.

Photography: Alexa’s Photography | Floral Design: Sophisticated Florals by Stephanie | Via: Ruffled Blog

The post was featured on Ruffled Blog last week as well as on their Facebook page. This picture had 667 likes, numerous comments about how pretty it is and was shared throughout social media.

If I’m not mistaken, this is a carnation. A carnation!! I personally have no issues with carnations, if fact, I think they’re really pretty if they’ve been placed correctly in an arrangement with care and attention to detail. However, during the process of designing with my floral clients, I always ask if there are any flowers that they really don’t like or do not want to see in their decor. The number one answer I receive is “no carnations.” And sometimes it’s really hard to sway their opinions otherwise, even though these 667 people love it. I know you can’t please everyone.

“There are no bad flowers, only bad flower combinations.” – Kelly Perry, of Philosophy Flowers. That thought is forever ingrained in my mind. So next time you’re passing by “ugly” blooms, I encourage you to stop and study them for a moment and think about what they might look like in a another light.

Simply Blue Weddings

0 · Mar 2, 2015 ·

Home is where the heart is. Do you believe in that sentiment? Have you ever longed to go home – even though you’re sitting in your own house, apartment or whereever else you might currently reside?

I live in Grand Rapids. I suppose I should call it home. But my soul is wondering free somewhere near the shores of Lake Michigan and it is without doubt that I can say if one where to search for my heart, they would find it in Lake Leelanau. Every time I make the 3 hour journey north, I feel like I’m headed home. It’s for this reason that I love networking with the local wedding vendors, feel a flutter of delight every time I get an inquiry for a Leelanau destination bride or can hardly convince myself that I should charge a travel fee since in reality my clients are doing me a favor and allowing me to come home. I have access to a studio location in Lake Leelanau, I have coolers and work space and so naturally I advertise my services to the Northern Michigan bride.

A couple weeks ago I was fortunate to play a really small part in the relaunch of Simply Blue Weddings. My dear friend Rachel, of Sincerely, Ginger Weddings, is the proud new owner of the fabulous blog which caters to the “up north” bride. Her and Margaret have refreshed the space, bringing new life to the Northern Michigan resource and reminding us why we love it so much. The new blog site launched yesterday, but some us who have experience and passion for working with Northern Michigan couples got the party started a little early, and last month had a coffee and conversations date in Traverse City – which I had the honor of providing blooms for! It was so fun meeting some of the faces that I “know” through social media, of who’s work I might have been drooling over for awhile but have never truly mustered up the courage to say “Hello.”

Photography: Northern Art Photography | Event Planning: Sincerely, Ginger Weddings | Floral Design: The Day’s Design | Venue: Kirkbride Hall

The region has so much to offer, if you’re considering a Northern Michigan celebration, let’s connect! And in the meantime, go check out the brand new Simply Blue Weddings.

Wedding in the Woods

0 · Feb 20, 2015 ·

I love Michigan. Beautiful lakes, gorgeous views and my forever home. But sometimes the weather can be just a tad unpredictable for me. Today the windchills are hovering somewhere around -15°, I can’t really tell you how cold that it because I simply refuse to leave the house. Flashback to June. June is usually a warm and fairly mild month. Perfect for weddings. But this particular day in June was hot, muggy and drizzly. The weather unpredictability never seems to stop us from planning outdoor celebrations, but sometimes I think it should (but that’s just my logical side talking… who really wants to be trapped indoors??).

Airemiss and Kykeo originally planned a grand scale wedding celebration. But as it often happens, during the planning process they began to feel overwhelmed. And then throw in a couple of other inconvenient life circumstances and they decided to ditch they’re lavish plans all together. This doesn’t mean that they had to give up style or having a special wedding day. It just allowed more room to get creative.

A simple ceremony in the woods was the plan. They love Alice in Wonderland, so that furthered their woodland theme. Aire was a dream bride, other than wanting an ode to Alice in Wonderland and white roses in her bouquet, she allowed me to create and surprise them with a fabulous setting for them to sit and eat cake after they officially said ‘I do”. And of course, no celebration would be complete without a fabulous photographer, so thankfully Kelly Sweet was there to capture the memories (and gorgeous misty light) from the day.

This wedding was also featured on Style Me Pretty back in November. You can see it here.

Happy Friday, stay warm friends!!

Just Create

0 · Feb 12, 2015 ·

Yesterday one of my favorite bouquets I’ve ever created was featured on Style Me Pretty, along with a whole other slew of talented ladies who love to create beautiful blooms, with beautiful hearts. It was a reminder of spring, of the vibrancy, the color and the much needed refresh we all need in our life after a long, cold winter.

Flowers have intrigued me for as long as I can remember, although it wasn’t with the passion for education and growth that they do now. When I was a little girl, I remember planting wildflower seeds around the perimeter of our above ground pool and waiting for them to bloom. The poppies always stand out in my memory the most. While it takes a while for those sprouts to grown, if you never plant the seeds, you will never see the fruits of your labor.

Kelly Perry, the creator of the Team Flower workshop, also shared our flowers on the Team Flower blog. It’s funny how two blogs can share the same content but connect with the subjects in a whole different way. To one, they’re just a bunch of beautifully captured images which audiences love to see. To another, they’re a story, a conquest and a beginning.

I was thinking about this beginning, the way we start our creations. Sometimes it can be paralyzing to start. We always want to put our best foot forward and aim for perfection, but like Kelly mentioned, it’s risky. It’s comforting to know that someone else also just starts arranging, not really knowing where the results will lead. And we can’t please everyone.

When I stepped off the plane to attend this workshop, I didn’t know where I was headed. I didn’t know who I would meet. I didn’t even know the girl I had agreed to spend the next 2 hours of my life carpooling with (she was awesome, by the way). And beyond this, I didn’t know where this workshop would lead me and the ways it would unleash a passion that was bottled up within, held hostage by fear.

Then I started to create this bouquet. Rows and rows of beautiful blooms were placed in front of me and I was told to go, create. It’s hard to know where to begin, I didn’t have a vision in mind. I didn’t have any limits or parameters. All I knew is that I wanted to make something gorgeous.

I remember seeing that big, beautiful fuchsia peony and I held it in my hand as it spoke to me. It was a starting point. I found some quirky little kumquats and a softer pink tree peony, which also called to me. This was the base, the inspiration. I continued to build upon this, grabbing ingredients that I liked and some that just felt like they belonged – they connected the colors, the story.

Every time I gather flowers for an event I seek to recreate this feeling that I had in that moment. I squeal with excitement when flower orders arrive at my doorstep. And I want to tell your tale while creating your bridal bouquet. It might sound a little deep but I can’t just cluster flowers together and call it a day. I’ve remade bouquets 4 and 5 times, until they’re accurately depicting the account of your celebration and worthy of being held in your hands. And sometimes that’s scary, sometimes I wonder where I’ll find the time or how I’ll ever conquer perfection but I know I have to start somewhere and my amazing clients are trusting me to take that first step.

So when I feel that pressure start to build up and that fear starts to creep in, I have to remind myself to take a step back, let the flowers do the talking and just create.

Photography: Heather Payne Photography

The Rose

0 · Feb 5, 2015 ·

We’ve downplayed the romance of roses. I had yet another bride tell me that she isn’t a fan of roses. While it’s not uncommon for me to hear, it is somewhat disheartening. I can’t use ANY roses in your arrangements? I think we’re sick of seeing tightly wound bunches sadly wrapped in cellophane, thrown together with a couple sprigs of baby’s breath and being advertised as something we should love. However, when I think of all the beautiful blooms that you’re excluding, it’s somewhat heartbreaking. There are so many great varieties beyond the typical South American blooms we associate with the word “rose” leaving so many flowers behind that we’re simply not appreciating.

I love creating with roses. I love pulling the center petals from the little spray roses to reveal the cute little stamens hiding inside. The way a garden rose can transform from a tight, round bud to a glorious bloom layered with ruffles and frills is really exciting. And I want to share this with you.

Picture: Heather Cisler Photography

The yellow rose – a symbol of friendship. I could stay friends with these lovelies all day long. What you see here is an American grown, buttery yellow California bloom paired with a yellow Finesse rose – which is a standard variety but they have a softer, almost ruffly texture on their outer edges making just a touch more fancy. The butter tones accentuate those found in the ivory spray roses on the left and who can resist adding a couple of tulips and ranunculus to the mix!?

Picture: Kelly Sweet Photography

I created this bouquet for a bride who had her heart set on peonies. There’s no doubt that peonies are one of my all time favorites and I’m hopeful for the day that they’re available year around… or maybe it’s the fact that they’re not that makes them so special. Either way, I wasn’t able to accommodate my October bride’s wishes. However, I don’t think either of us were too disappointed by the results.

I had the roses shipped in from Oregon, which made them extra special. The large ivory ones (Helga Paiget) were especially my favorites as some blooms had just a touch of pink accenting their outer petals. And when they opened it was pure magic. Layer upon layer of delicate petals were revealed. They were placed next to the Romantic Antike roses (the coral-y pink ones). Those too are extraordinary in their own way. While closed, they are a beautifully round bud and opened, they flatten out with a swirling petal arrangement that leads to a golden center. Also shown are a few delicately sweet Champagne roses in blush tones and some PeeGee hydrangeas with peach stock.

Picture: Ashley Slater Photography

I’m not sure what what exactly inspired this combination of roses. The Caramel Antikes and the red garden roses (which the grower considered brown) were shipped to me from California (on a side note… I would love to source more roses from Michigan, anyone want to recommend a grower to me?) and the pale blush/beige one of the left in fact is a South American Quicksand rose. I just threw these in a vase together with some chocolate cosmos and grabbed a couple leaves off a bush in my backyard but I loved the results!

Still think roses are boring? If you still don’t like roses, I understand and will not force my preference upon you. But with so many varieties, colors, sizes and design options I really think we should reconsider.

“That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” – Shakespeare

Real Weddings :: Abby & Jon :: Married in a Month

0 · Feb 2, 2015 ·

As I’m sitting here today watching the wind and drifting snow… and extremely grateful for my new weatherproof windows (!!), I can’t help but think back to the time of year when the anticipation of snow was high. I couldn’t wait for some white, fluffy frosting to cover our gray world that fall left behind. It was also during this time that I was wrapping up wedding season.

My youngest sister decided not to wait until May, her originally planned wedding goal, but rather she’d like to get married before the holiday season officially hit and so we set about planning a wedding in just about a month’s time. The first venue site visits happened October 25th and by the evening of November 22nd – Abby and Jon were celebrating the fact that they had just said “I do.”

Creating an overall mood and vision for a November wedding can be a bit tricky. While it’s still technically fall, our thoughts have started to shift to a holiday frame of mind. Venues are starting to be decorated, trees are trimmed and yet there are still crunchy leaves on the ground. So we created a vision that felt festive without screaming Christmas, we let the jewel tones of the historic Georgian mansion inspire us and let just let nature be our guild. You can see the inspiration here.

The bride (and groom’s) list of “must have’s”:

color
the bridal party wearing moccasins
simplicity
white lilies (her favorite flower)
chicken, cheesecake and dutch apple pie

With a little vintage, a touch of classic and a dash of boho chic, I present Abby & Jon’s wedding.

Original Recipe :: Delphiniums & Yellow Blooms

0 · Jan 26, 2015 ·

A couple weeks ago I was asked to create an very special arrangement. I was given a loose set of instructions and told to do my thing. So I let my mind wonder and creativity soon took over and I crafted a piece I was truly proud of. But recipes, colors and instructions are open to different interpretations as I very quickly learned upon delivering my floral arrangement. And it’s not to say that any one floral designer is right or wrong, but their vision, style and perceptions of color and floral pairing preferences are all different.

I was asked to create using yellows and white, with delphiniums and touches of lavender. And since it’s winter, we thought evergreens should be used along with some twigs and more masculine touches, this wasn’t meant to be my typical “girly” flower arrangement.

So I began to compose my display using these ingredients –

Ivory roses, Yellow spray roses, Ivory Stock (which is actually a buttery, pale yellow color), Evergreen branches, Delphinium, Sahara Roses and Blue Thistle.

In addition to the above ingredients, I also went on a little winter foraging adventure in search of twigs — I found the most perfect ones, complete with small blue berries — I just had to dig them out of the snow.

With the same loose instructions, another artist was inspired to create with the flowers pictured below — a combination of flowers that had never even occurred to me but again just shows how it never hurts to show some extra attention to detail while being very visual in your descriptions. And the only argument I might make is regarding the snapdragons and carnations, which I consider more of a fuchsia rather than a lavender.

They choose a darker shade of delphinium and a brighter yellow bloom, but they’re still within the original description. The pine used was a longer needle, probably white pine and I’m not really sure the one terra cotta rose really fits with the other flower choices but I’m trying not to judge.

Using my recipe, here’s what I created –

While this certainly is not the most beautifully photographed arrangement (I’m so sorry for the icky Iphone photos!) I think it’s important to understand why I ask my clients so many questions about their wedding day and what EXACTLY they’re hoping for. It’s not only because I’m nosy, it’s because I want to make sure our imaginations are traveling on the same road together. I never assume anything and always try to incorporate a few pictures or visual examples of designs.

Fell in Love in Fishtown

0 · Jan 22, 2015 ·

Don’t you just love Northern Michigan? The Leelanau Peninsula is one of my absolute favorite places on earth. There’s something so quaint and simplistic about the area and yet it holds on to a sophisticated splendor that locals and travelers from near and far can appreciate. It’s no wonder that the beaches have received national recognition for their beauty and its bride’s love to plan their summer weddings there.

But life on the peninsula almost comes to a halt as soon as the first snowflakes begin to fall. The Fishtown shanties board up their rickety doors and the world becomes quiet. I think it’s a shame. The magic of the region doesn’t stop just because the weather turns colder. Last winter, Rachel of Sincerely, Ginger Weddings and I dared to dream about what it would be like to elope on the shores of Lake Michigan with ice and snow all around. We imaged the cool beach color palette paired against rustic touches. We loved the concept of freshwater nautical. We thought of the practical-ness of a toboggan serving as the getaway car (and a fabulous cake table!). We imaged what it might be like if the couple were to get ready together, the bride taking a moment to adjust his tie and place his handkerchief. It would be a vision all about the couple, about their romance and a place where love is enough to keep them warm.

We were also honored to have this inspiration shoot featured on Style Me Pretty earlier this month. You can see this feature here. Want to get married in Leland? No matter what the season, I’d love to help you plan it!

Farewell 2014

0 · Dec 31, 2014 ·

I was not going to do a year end post, I mean, do people even read these? I don’t think it’s an original idea and I’m not sure that there’s a single person out there that truly cares what my year looked like. But earlier this week I was going through some goals, figuring out how to get where I want to be in 2015 and it really did inspire me to think about where I started in January of 2014 and how my business has evolved over the course of a very short year.

Even though 2014 was The Day’s Design’s second official full wedding season, I was still a little unsure of myself and did not have high expectations. But the thing about having low expectations is, it’s not hard to exceed them — which I did, 10x over. I gave myself a boost of confidence this past year and know that I am worthy of an amazing 2015, which is looking really busy and cannot wait to celebrate with the sweet couples I have booked this year and the ones I am yet to meet.

I hope my journey inspires someone out there to keep moving forward and following their dreams, it’s not easy but if you’re passionate about doing what you love, then it’s so worth it. Without further ado, I’ll take you on a walk through my year.

January

I got the brilliant idea to put together a Valentine’s bouquet and model it myself… in the middle of a blizzard. Thanks Heather for freezing along with me!

February

Rachel, with Sincerely Ginger Weddings, and I collaborated on a gorgeous winter inspiration shoot in my favorite place ever – Leland, Mi! It was so sweet and full of wintery romance and rumor has it, Style Me Pretty will be featuring the shoot in it entirety next month! Photography: Eliza Jean Photography.

Later that month my Valentine’s bouquet was featured on on Burnett’s Boards. You can see the feature here.

March

Cabin fever officially set in and I found myself getting antsy and itching to use a little creative energy. In remedy, Ashley Slater Photography and I teamed up to put together a little tutorial on how you can make your very own gilded floral crown.

April

This month was special for two reasons. First off, Heather Cisler and I teamed up once again to put together a fabulous fairytale inspired photo shoot.

And secondly I made a HUGE business changing decision and took a leap into adding floral services alongside planning and coordination. All I can say is, what took me so long!? This passion was hidden deep within me and a creative freedom has been unleashed and I will never look back. Bring on the blooms!

May

I stepped away from weddings and floral work for a moment to be a part of something a little different, but equally amazing. Kellie Hetler has a heart for service and put together the More Than a Face campaign, which is designed to help high schools girls to find their inner worth and realize what a difference they can make. Each one of these women was so beautiful and unique – I’m so glad I had the opportunity to be a part and bring a little extra style to this shoot.

Shortly thereafter I packed my bags and headed for the mountains of North Carolina. I wasn’t prepared for how this experience would change my life. I realized how to create, how to better see things and found a deep appreciation for my surroundings and finding beauty in the everyday. I climbed mountains both literally and figuratively and walked away with friendships I will cherish forever. Kelly Perry of Philosophy Flowers is an absolute delight and the true definition of a floral artist. The rest of the Team Flower ladies are an equal treasure. If only we could travel back in time, I would relive those moments of and over again, sure to find something fresh and new every time. Photography: Heather Payne Photography.

I rushed home from my workshop to share my experience with those I cherish most, my family. I picked a few foraged blooms and we ventured out to the apple orchard to have our family photos taken with Kellie Hetler. I love these sweet moments.

June

June started out on a rather cold note. I was part of Bloom the Workshop, hosted by Ashley Slater Photography and Michaela Noelle Designs. While I remember how great is was providing beautiful blooms to such an inspiring group of women, I also remember how cold it was that day.

And then came the first wedding of the 2014 season… an intimate ceremony in the woods with an ode to Alice in Wonderland. This was a fabulous way to kick off the wedding season and was featured on Style Me Pretty last month. Photography: Kelly Sweet Photography.

July

July was a month of rest. I had a busy August ahead and took the first part of the month for a little relaxation and the second half and full on wedding prep — but there’s never any pretty pictures to share from that!

August

This was my busy month, but it’s definitely worth my couple moments of being frazzled to see the smiling faces at the end of a wedding nice – so happy, so in love.

First up, a day-of coordination with the ceremony at the blue bridge in downtown Grand Rapids and a beautiful blush and grey reception to follow at the Downtown Market. I haven’t tracked down any pictures yet but think modern, airy space, soft grey silky linens and soft blush blooms.

Next came floral design for a couple who said “I do” at the Bissell Tree House. And in case you’re wondering, Thursday weddings are totally fun! Photography: Joe Matthews.

And then it was off to Northern Michigan for a festive and fun celebration at a llama farm… because who wouldn’t want to get married at a llama farm?! Again, I don’t have pictures to share yet but if you’re looking for a fun celebration – why not get married on a hilltop overlooking Lake Michigan with llamas in the background. Think local wildflowers, a live jazz band and fun dinosaur escort cards.

Then we celebrated one more set of nuptials this month. I feel honored to be a part of any wedding day – it’s a big deal, and these memories are extremely important, but when the bride and groom happen to be a couple of your closest friends, that just adds a whole new level of special to the day. I was lucky enough to provide floral services, and then helped the couple celebrate into the night. Dahlias, dahlias and more dahlias surrounded this love filled day. Photography: Chelsea Seekell Photography.

September

The months of August and September seem to be increasingly popular times to get married. I did a little freelance floral work for not one, but 2 weddings in Northern Michigan with Sincerely, Ginger Weddings. It’s always super fun to collaborate with like-minded, creative individuals.

And let’s not forget Amy & Emyr’s picture perfect day at the Gull Lake Country Club.

Bloom 2.0 brought us back to the Hydrangea Blu Barn for another round of education and fun with Micheala Noelle and Ashley Slater. I love creating flowers and helping with their workshops. Photography: Jenn Anibal.

September also hosted one of my favorite styled shoots ever. I actually hesitate to call it a styled shoot because in reality we invited guests, guests who needed a little extra love and a night to remember just how special they really all. This was the dinner parties of all dinner parties and I’m so thankful for all the vendors who volunteered to be a part. Photography: Ashley Slater Photography.

October

This past summer I received a phone call from the sweetest bride you have ever met telling me how she didn’t have a florist yet for her October wedding. After hearing all the details she had in place for her Northport wedding, I knew I had to be a part. The Willowbrook Mill has been so high on my list “must work” wedding locations that I just about fell out of my chair when she said that was her venue. It was a match made in heaven as I created florals, helped design and coordinated all the details of Christina and Tim’s day.

November

In the name of furthering education, Kaci Muller (of Just Delightful Events) and I got together for a morning of flower talk and coffee and compared notes on how we typically create our beautiful wedding bouquets and Kellie Hetler joined in the fun so we’d have a few pictures to share with you.

I thought my wedding season would officially end with the conclusion of October’s love filled celebration, but surprise… my younger sister decided to push up her wedding date by 6 months and she tied the knot after only a month’s worth of planning. Photography: Katie Grace Photography & Videography.

December

And then to cap off the year, Katie Grace Photography and I just had to go play with a few of my leftover blooms. I’m going to start making bouquet and floral recipes a more common feature on my blog, I can’t wait!

It really has been a fantastic year! I can’t believe we’re bidding it farewell in just a few short hours. Let’s see what 2015 has in store – I”m ready, bring it on!

Original Recipe :: Peonies & Pinecones

0 · Dec 15, 2014 ·

People tell me all the time how limited they feel when it comes to winter flowers. It’s as if their imaginations just can’t see what’s not in bloom staring at them right in their face, or in their backyards. Perhaps this attributes to the low number of winter weddings, sometimes you just have a hard time finding beauty in all the grey and the muck.

I think peonies are one of these forgotten winter flowers. It’s often assumed that they’re a springtime bloom, so only available during that time. While this is true in Michigan, it is springtime in other parts of the world and today it’s possible to have flowers shipped all around the globe while still keeping the costs low. So let’s beat the winter blues and remember that we can create beauty all around us, we might just have to search a little beyond our own gardens.

Today’s recipe includes a couple springtime favorites (peonies and ranunculus), combined with some winter greens (magnolia leaves, seeded eucalyptus, and foraged cedar greens), a variety of roses which are available for most part all year (amnesia roses, lavender and white spray roses) and then head on out to your back yard for a couple of pine cones – which I think are extra lovely when gilded gold (a little dusting of spray paint should do the trick).

Photography: Katie Grace Photography | Flower Recipe & Design: The Day’s Design

Are there any flowers you’re missing this season?

Ribbons :: A Graceful Extension of Design

0 · Nov 13, 2014 ·

Photo by Hetler Photography

Yesterday I posted a little tidbit on my Facebook page about my love for ribbons. When it comes to ribbon on a bouquet for me it’s simple (kind of), the more the merrier and the longer the better. I spend just as much time picking the perfect accent colors, textures and styles for the ribbons as I do picking the blooms themselves. The process might seem pretty straight forward, and maybe I’m just an over thinker (scratch that – I know I’m an over thinker) but it’s really important to me that the ribbons adorning your bouquet are perfect.

You may be wondering what there is to consider, I mean your wedding colors are pink and black so the blooms are pink the ribbon should be black. Simple enough, right? That’s one possibility, definitely one that would add lots of drama. But let’s think beyond just the color palette.

I like to consider what the bouquets will be photographed against. If the bridesmaids are wearing black dresses, you’ll never see the black ribbon up against them. On the contrary, black against the bride’s dress would certainly make a huge statement and will not be missed. When they’re not being held, where might the photographer place them? Are there pretty wood floors or upholstered chairs in the bridal suite, I certainly wouldn’t want my ribbons to clash. Will they be outside against the grass or against a tree… what might the photographer be thinking?

I also think about the overall feel or theme of the wedding. I like to imagine what the ribbon will look like in conjunction with all the other décor elements. If you’re using beautiful hand-dyed silk table runners, plain grosgrain ribbon simply won’t do. Satin is classic, silk is flowy and graceful and suede is an earthy, more natural chose.

Ribbons are so beautiful blowing in the wind so if it’s an outdoor wedding (or if there’s the possibility of lots of outdoor pictures being taken) I always use lightweight ribbons that will look so carefree and elegant if the breeze should catch them. You know those gorgeous flowing veil shots that make us all swoon? Well my heart gets just as happy when I see the ribbons in motion with the wind.

Odd numbers are visually pleasing and since I can rarely decide on just one, most of my bouquets have at least 3 ribbons draping down. Sometimes I aim to combine the styles of the décor, and sometimes I focus more on extending the color palette with a cascading trail of fabric.

Personal touches such as family heirlooms, meaningful trinkets or Grandma’s handkerchief are always sweet touches and make your bouquet extra special and unique. I believe every bride should love her bouquet more than any other piece of the wedding décor, it really does become an extension of you, an expression of your personal style and stays by your side for most of the day.

Accent Flowers

0 · Nov 11, 2014 ·

It’s no secret that I love the art of floral arranging. I can’t seem to get enough of designing with pretty blooms and I sincerely hope that this always holds true and never becomes a burden or a chore because it is my “job”.

While making big, lush arrangements is one of my favorite things ever I think they’ve become somewhat expected when you come to an event. People expect to see the massive urns overflowing with lush greenery and delicate roses at the front of the ceremony. They look for the floral centerpieces and ooh and ahh over the bride’s romantic bouquet. In today’s world, these are “standard” pieces of wedding décor.

Sometimes it’s the simple anybody-can-do-it details that capture me the most. It doesn’t have to be extravagant or over the top but rather tastefully done and even a little unexpected can have a huge impact. Adding a couple leftover sprigs of green to the cake table, having a small simple bud vase with a single colored bloom by the guests book or having a couple of extra flowers on standby to photograph with your accessories or wedding invites. Often these details that we find ourselves swooning over really aren’t so glamourous, they were just staged well and someone knew how to accessorize.

The picture above (so beautifully captured by Heather Cisler Photography) showcases the most gorgeous white ranunculus, which just adds a whole new level of pretty to the sparkly bar set up. The sweet little ranunculus is the most perfect accent flower. At times details like this are thought out and other times, I will completely admit, they were just a spur of the moment inspiration, which again is why you hire artists and vendors who you trust to make your special day even more than you ever imagined. It’s also a great way to add a little extra romance or natural feeling to a party that might not necessarily call for floral centerpieces or showpieces.

My philosophy is simple – every flower should be showcased and loved, leave no flowers behind.

Bloom the Workshop :: September Edition

0 · Oct 24, 2014 ·

Well my extremely talents friends are at it again, this past September they brought Bloom the Workshop back to West Michigan and once again I got to be a part. (You can read all about the first edition here.) I’m not going to share all the gorgeous workshop details or the behind the scenes but rather I’m going to skip right to the good part, the styled shoot portion.

With fall beginning to close in, the florals were inspired by shades of berry and orange, with subtle touches of pink set against a bold black and white pattern. A little modern, a little rustic and completely chic describes the tablescape that Michaela designed. It was my job to adorn not only the tabletop but also provide the models with gorgeous blooms. 2 centerpieces, 2 bouquets a boutonniere and a whole lot of pretty made this shoot come to life at Rockford’s Hydrangea Blu Barn.

Bloom the Workshop | Fall bride | The Day's Design

Photography: {Jenn Anibal} | Event Design: Michaela Noelle Designs | Floral Design: The Day’s Design | Dresses: Spring Sweet | Chandeliers & Rentals: The Rental Company | Calligraphy & Invitations: Graceline Calligraphy | Hair & Makeup: Hailey Hollenstien | Table Runner: Mrs. Freund & Co. | Venue: Hydrangea Blu Barn

Those dresses? Aren’t they just amazing, I wish I had the back to pull that off. And the cockscomb in centerpiece number 2 is the biggest piece of locals cockscomb I have ever seen! I can’t wait to see what the these talented girls do for Bloom in 2015!

My Bucket Runith Over…

0 · Oct 21, 2014 ·

Sometimes life hands you a few extra blooms (or perhaps I ordered a few extra due to my extreme paranoia about being out of town and extra far from my usual “back-up” plans), but either way, I have some happy looking buds that still have a couple days’ worth of life in them and sadly they’re spending that life in a dimly lit garage. It’s tragic.

I would love to share them with anyone in need. Whether you’ve got a case of the blues, need to cheer up a friend or are a photographer with a fun photo session in the works within the next day or two, I’d love to create a hand-tied bouquet just for you! You must be local to the Grand Rapids area and able to come pick them up but if this works for you, send me an email to hello@eventsbythedaysdesign.com. I’d love to brighten someone’s day!

Saying “Pish Posh”

0 · Sep 25, 2014 ·

It was around this time back in 2011 that I had my first paid floral order. It was a small order, 3 arrangements for a casual, catered dinner party. Needless to say, I was excited.

I researched and schemed. I gathered information and I was going to make these arrangements be the most beautiful flowers anyone had ever seen. Being as it was September, I choose to add some autumn hints, with browns and burgundy, a few sunflowers and some seeded eucalyptus. One large mantel display and two centerpieces later, I was almost pleased with myself. It was missing something…

So off I went for a walk. The perfect mix of green and yellow is what I sought and I found it easily within my reach, right in the comfort of my own yard. Now they were perfect. The foraged greens added the perfect amount of extra texture and completed my color palette.

Upon arrival with my arrangements, the secretary in charge of the dinner did not share my enthusiasm for the foraged greenery I was so proud of. In fact, other than some pleasantries about how nice it was to meet me, the only comment I heard about my flowers was “these greens, they look like they’re dead”.

I was mortified. I thought I had found a way for me to create; I thought I was stepping outside of the comforts and confines of a traditional floral shop and perhaps even finding my niche. I had always picked roadside blooms and other treasures for my garden, I didn’t see why I couldn’t do it even if I were selling the arrangements. And so I let one negative comment stop my vision of becoming a floral designer. Fear and judgment took over.

A year passed before I played with more flowers. And even then it was mostly for my own viewing pleasure. Her voice was always there, in the back of my head questioning my every move, every flower I choose and leaf I picked.

Today I would like to say “Pish Posh” to her. Her who had the audacity to question my art and pass criticism my way. Today I understand that negative criticism will always be lurking around the corner but I will press forward, maybe learning from my mistakes and maybe just taking it with a grain of salt.

“The voice you believe will determine the future you experience.” — I saw this quote last night and thought it was so fitting.

The above bouquet was 100% foraged from my garden and might include a couple of “weeds” from my yard, but I think it’s kind of lovely in its own spunky way. The picture was captured by Hetler Photography.

That’s a Wrap… almost

0 · Sep 24, 2014 ·

I have had a delightfully busy wedding season and have just one more gorgeous fête on the 2014 calendar. Each celebration was so special and unique and I am so honored that so many brides have entrusted me to be a part of their special day. However, I did something during this wedding season which I said I would never do, and I paid the price.

August was a grand slam of a month. When I started my business I promised myself I would limit the number of weddings I took on in any particular month or I might lose my mind. I did not heed my own warning and in the middle of my busiest month – where I not only booked too many brides but also booked two weddings in one week – my grandpa passed away. In an 8 day stretch I had 3 weddings a funeral, 2 trips to Traverse City and I was an emotional wreck.

Moving forward I realized I will endure and how much I can endure, even though I’m still catching my breath. I thought being too busy with weddings was a reality I wouldn’t have face for years to come. It really is an answer to prayer, even if in the craziness of the moment I began questioning every career decision I’ve ever made! So if you’re wondering what I’ve been up to I really can’t wait to share. Unfortunately I’ll have to keep you on the edge of your seats a bit longer as I wait for more photos to arrive. However, I will get back to blogging because there are a lot of ideas in this head of mine I just haven’t been able to write about just yet.

And obviously I have to reveal at least a glimpse of one of my happy couples – this bride was too beautiful for words (and carrying a bouquet created by yours truly).

Photo courtesy of Joe Matthews

Destine to Bloom

0 · Aug 6, 2014 ·

Photo by Heather Payne Photography

I think it’s really funny how life turns out sometimes. I mean you head down one path and completely turn and do a 180, finding were meant to be on another all along. And the answers really were simple, and right there in front of you – you just never knew it.

My great grandma was a lover of flowers. She had beautiful gardens and knew every variety. Sadly I just recently learned this and I never had the opportunity to meet her. But here I am, unknowingly following in her footsteps. It’s like all along this journey was there, it’s in my blood, and all I had to do was reach out and accept it.

Do you believe destiny is in your blood?

An Evening in the Orchard

0 · Jul 21, 2014 ·

Spring brings a magical time when blooms are all about. I love finding excuses to drive by the orchards in all their flowering glory. The cherry orchards might just be my favorite as they remind me of my childhood trips to Grandma’s house but just about any flowering tree will bring a smile my my face.

This year I promised myself that I would have more pictures taken. I want to capture moments in life before they fade away. I want to remember Gretta’s spiky pigtails, how she hated to wear shoes (but loved to carry them around) and the way her eyes light up every time she sees her daddy.

Back in May these two things collided. My friend Kellie so graciously offered to spend a evening in a blossoming apple orchard and help me preserve a piece of my life. Thank you Kellie. Now the challenge is to pick my favorites to hang on my walls.

Photography: Hetler Photography / Styling & Flowers: The Day’s Design / Loveseat: Fancy Fray / Location: Private Orchard

Always capture the laughter, you may need to remember it in a time of sadness.

Making It Work

0 · Jul 18, 2014 ·

I’ve been working on several design plans lately. I love it when a bride comes to me full of the most perfect ideas you could ever imagine. Everything from the wedding party attire to the venue to the cutest wedding party favors all match and flow seamlessly, making her a dream to work with and my job rather simple. Then there’s the bride who has a couple ideas, but really needs me to help get the creative juices flowing. That’s why you hire me – because I’m pretty creative. When you can feel her excitement from across the planning table I know I’m doing my job and the excitement I feel is beyond words.

However sometimes it doesn’t end there. Sometimes she continues planning and things go astray. And then there’s the situation that the planning that has already been put into motion really isn’t the direction that you think the event should take and she just can’t see how you’re trying to eat pizza and oranges together in the same meal.

This is where the challenge begins. This is where I have to remind myself that there’s a reason that she hired me. She hired me to make it all work, to make it come together and make it beautiful. I have to find a way to bridge that gap and bring her dream to life.

The problem is we’re so overwhelmed with images and ideas – Pinterest, wedding blogs and various other sources – that we just want it all. And we want it to be amazing, budget friendly and stress free (I mean, you might as well, we’re already living in a fantasy).

Have you ever considered hiring a designer just to unjumble your brain? They can help you focus on your priorities and come up with a plan that is truly you and not what every other Pinterest bride is doing. Maybe mason jars (although sometimes inexpensive), might not be the right “thrifty route” for you. Psst… I have some other fun ideas that are just as cheap, err… cost effective. Talking to an expert – whether it’s a wedding planner, florist, designer etc. before committing to designs and ideas is always a great idea. Who knows, they might have a more inventive, charming or creative idea or perhaps you were on the right path all along. And maybe we can just find a way to make it all work.

Some happy flowers from myself and Ashley Slater Photography for your Friday… Happy Weekend!!

PS – This is not pointed at one of my brides specifically, just general information and thoughts I’ve had based on life and conversations & I love a design challenge xo

Bloom the Workshop :: Recap

0 · Jul 14, 2014 ·

I used to think that learning should take place in school. I thought that to get a good education, you needed to attend a good school or college. At least that’s what was always preached to me, so why shouldn’t I believe it? I was taught that in order to succeed in life, you needed a bachelor’s degree and possibly more. And if you didn’t invest in your education, you were destine for failure.

My thinking has shifted away from what my 18 year old self once thought. I definitely had those “why do I need to know this?” moments in school, but for the most part just sucked it up and went to class every day believing that this is what would help me achieve my goals and get a good job. In fact, the thought never occurred to me that perhaps I could teach myself a thing or two, or I could learn from other business people or attend small workshops.

I now think that it’s determination more than anything that will help you succeed in life. I learned language skills, basic business principles and various other things in college which I’m sure impact me more than I realize. I believe that college teaches you how to interact in the “real world”. However pushing yourself and being open to new ideas and learning from one another is HUGE. Surround yourself with like-minded individuals and people who inspire you – you will absorb so much.

About a month ago I was able to play a small role in bringing Bloom the Workshop to West Michigan. I supplied some super pretty blooms and did a little behind the scenes work for Ashley and Michaela and helped bring their creative vision to life. They are the type of people I like to surround myself with. And the best part is, they want to inspire, they want to teach and they want to see you succeed. I was able to watch them teach 30 ladies about business, blogging, social media, styling, design, photography and life. And I left inspired. I wasn’t even an attendee!

So while I want to share with you some of the pretty that took place that day, I also want you to consider investing in yourself, your creative side and your business. There’s always something more to learn.

One of my favorite parts of the workshop was how interactive it was. Ashley and Michaela didn’t give give the attendees a bunch a information and send them on their merry ways, but they also planned a time to put that information and new skills to the test. The afternoon consisted of a styled shoot portion, which believe it or not, is a great way showcase work in many industries, not just the wedding inspiration shoots we’re so accustom to seeing. From styling papers to models to flowers and beyond, participants photographed and played with different designs, poses, locations and lighting.

Photography: Ashley Slater Photography / Styling: Michaela Noelle Designs / Floral Design: The Day’s Design / Venue: Hydrangea Blu Barn / Wedding Dresses: Bridal Gallery / Chalkboard signage: Add {Vintage} / Mugs: Ashley & Malone / Calligraphy: Jessica Albers / Tassel Garland: One Stylish Party / Place Setting & Chair Rentals: The Rental Company

Want to attend a creative workshop? Bloom is coming back to West Michigan this September and rumor has it registration opens tomorrow. More info here.