Up next in my series of thoughts from proposal season: Budgets. It always feels a bit forward to ask about budget early on the consultation process. Most people don’t have much of an idea how much event flowers cost, so I get that it feels like a hard question to answer. But if you can give me a range, I can give you better advice and guidance. There are so many variables - quantities and varieties of flowers, size and cost of vases, rentals for candles, glassware, etc. When we connect, I want to hear what your design priorities are and match that with your target budget, and design a plan to get you as much of those priorities as I can in your target budget range. A mentor of mine once described asking clients if their budget is “more like $2,000 or more like $20,000” - even a ballpark helps me to pull together ideas and be efficient with your planning time. I promise to make gorgeous pieces, whether large or small.

Hello! In my first in a series of posts on thoughts from proposal season, I discussed “Going big” on focal pieces for your wedding. And today, it’s contrasting advice - “Go petite!” When I suggested “Going big” on the things that matter most to you, the balance is also often to create some petite, but still lovely, pieces to make sure you cover all the bases. This could be a mix of larger and more petite centerpieces, smaller boutonnieres/corsages (or it’s becoming more popular to skip these entirely, and that’s ok with me!), or smaller bridesmaid bouquets. Some centerpieces could be a petite candle collection, and especially in areas that will mostly be used in the evening in dim light (like a separate dancing space), leaning int to candles will give the most impact. I like to say that I only make pieces that I would be happy to have at my own event, so even when I suggest a very petite centerpiece, it can be perfectly lovely and create a spark of joy on the table. Fell free to go petite in places, so you can go big in the places that matter most to you!

Frigid January here in Michigan (and soon everywhere else, it seems), and its firmly proposal season, working with couples on wedding designs and planning, and I’m doing a series of thoughts on this process - themes that tend to come up during the design process and insights that I hope will help you in your planning journey.

Today I’m sharing about “Going Big!” I love to create wow moments, focal pieces, as we’re thinking about your wedding flowers. And by going big I mean more about how we prioritize within your budget than about increasing the amount. I like to learn about your floral priorities and find ways to allocate significant budget to those pieces, while maybe trimming back on things that are less important to you. You get more floral impact for your budget - a fantastic arch for your ceremony, a statement piece at your sweetheart table, an elevated design down the length of your captain’s table in the center of the room, a glorious welcome table in a grand entrance space. You and your guests will have so many pictures and memories of these pieces, and I think it’s worth making more petite centerpieces, or omitting other pieces to accomplish this. I encourage couples to “go big” in one or a few places - allocate the budget unevenly - and make some other pieces smaller to compensate. Some centerpieces can be petite. Eliminating boutonnieres and corsages is increasingly popular. You don’t have to tick all the boxes and put flowers everywhere, you can get more impact by going big where it matters most to you.

Your thoughts and comments very welcome, and let me know anything else you’d like to hear about!

Samantha and Chance had the perfect dusting of snow for their gorgeous winter wedding at Zingerman’s Cornman Farms. They brought the warmth and glow to a cozy winter wedding - beautiful and elegant, the details captured so beautifully by Adore Wedding Photography.

Chelsea and Suraj’s celebration at Cornman Farms was a perfect sun dappled autumn day. Their floral inspiration was dutch masters paintings, so their arrangements and Chelsea’s bouquet oozed with large blooms in moody dark and contrasting pastel tones. So many stunning details captured so beautifully by Dayna Mae Photography.

I just loved this design right out of the gate - the matte black silverware and bold red chairs were such statement pieces! The florals were bold pops of color in black ikebana-style vases - a contemporary feel with modern upright style. Loved creating these pieces for the University of Michigan Museum of Art - thank you for having me!

Brooke and David’s celebration at Cornman Farms was elegant and refined, with thoughtful details and every turn. The florals and candles were in elegant whites, with lots of texture and gentle clouds of babies breath. It was a warm and sunny September day - just perfect for lingering on the lawn at the farm. It was such a joy to create these flowers, and I loved how the tall taper candles felt made it all feel extra special. Thank you to Adore Wedding Photography for these beautiful images! They even captured me doing what I do - thank you :)

It is always a special honor to be asked to create flowers for another wedding vendor. I remember setting up next to Minh at the Polo Fields, and when we introduced ourselves, he told me how much he loved the flowers and would like me to do the flowers for his upcoming wedding. I was honored to be asked, and so loved creating bright, vibrant garden-inspired pieces for Monika & Minh’s celebration at The Gandy Dancer.

I am always so excited about an opportunity to dive into all the color. And this Weller’s wedding with a rainbow ombre of dahlias, marigolds, garden roses, foxglove, zinnia, and more did exactly that. It was such a thrill setting this up and seeing all the come come together. We had beautiful ceremony pieces with the full ombre and the reception had a focal piece in the middle of the room as you walked in, with monochromatic tables creating an ombre across the room. These are just my set snaps - can’t wait to share the professional pics later on!

New venue excitement! Hello and a very warm welcome to the gorgeous Vanguard Hotel in Ann Arbor! This place is stunning! It was such an honor to create florals for The Vanguard for some opening branding photos and welcome party. I love this place, it feels so luxurious from the moment you walk in, and there was friendly smile at the door everytime I arrived (even when lugging carts of set up materials :) ). The ballrooms are elegant, sophisticated, modern. Wedding guests will love being able to stay here and walk to the highlights of the University of Michigan campus and downtown Ann Arbor. I can’t wait for a date night out for drinks at the lovely bar! Welcome to the Vanguard, so excited that you’re here!