JENN & DAREN

THE WEDDING OF

PHOTOGRAPHER: CHELSEY BLACK PHOTOGRAPHY

PREMIER VENDORS

photographer / CHELSEY BLACK PHOTOGRAPHY venue / WHITE SHANTY VENUE florist / CYNTHIA THORSEN cake / MUNDY MADE dress / DAVID’S BRIDAL ring / SHANE CO. catering / CHELSEA BLOSIL balloons / LOU BALLOONS letters / ALPHALIT SLC dj / BRADY MCDONALD

Advice from a Florist

by Katie Estrada of Tapestry Floral

My love affair with flowers started in my grandmother’s lush home garden. She was able to pack an unbelievable amount of life into her small plot of land in the arid Idaho desert. I spent many summer evenings feeding her koi among the water lilies and smelling the fragrant roses she let grow wild along her fence. I learned how to enjoy honeysuckle nectar and made clover crowns for my sister and I.

I want to offer my best advice as a florist to those planning their weddings. Flowers add such a magical flair to weddings, especially when executed well. I find that I get asked the same questions over and over again and I know that many of my friends in the floral industry get these questions as well. I want to offer answers as well as some advice on how to find your perfect floral match.

I consider floristry to be an art form. I love what I do.

Question 1: How much do flowers cost?

The short answer is that you should plan on spending 20-30% of your entire wedding budget on florals. Every couple is different, every wedding unique, so there is no one-size fits all template. My job as a florist is to bring your specific vision to life. I have chosen not to offer package pricing for several reasons. I want your florals to be unique to you and your vision. I love providing custom designs for my clients and I want every project to be unique.

Another note on costs; Since the pandemic, shortages have become the new norm. Flower costs have risen 30% since 2020 and haven’t come down. I do my best to combat the inflation by ordering locally grown flowers from Utah flower farms.

Question 2: How do I pick a florist?

The best advice I can give you is to pick someone you love. Pick someone who has created designs you would like to see on your wedding day! Most florists can do a range of styles, but usually have one they tend to stick to. Make sure that you are selecting someone who has experience doing large events such as weddings.

Photo by: @coleycookphototgraphy

Question 3: Why the cost?

Often, my clients have questions on pricing. Here is a short list of what you are paying for when you do hire a wedding florist: Planning, creating design guides, ordering, addressing ordering issues, hiring help, processing and conditioning the flowers so they stay alive, design and design experience, delivery, clean-up, website overhead, social media management, and so much more.

Question 4: How much experience do you have?

My career as a designer started in a retail floral shop in 2016. I was trained to make corsages for prom and learned how to arrange flowers for funerals. After some time spent doing simple designs, I craved creative freedom and started my own business.

After a few events and a lot of time spent on instagram and various wedding blogs, I was able to nail down the techniques I still use today. I am always striving to keep up on trends and do my best for the planet. I have developed close relationships with local Utah flower farmers and have transitioned to more eco-friendly options for mechanics in my designs. I love bringing the best and the most beautiful flowers mother nature has to offer to my clients.

Photo by: Hailey Wells

Question 5: What sets you apart?

I do my best to keep sustainability in mind during every step of the flowering process. There has been a shift in recent years to do so and it’s exciting to see this transition. With international flower costs on the rise, and major shortages happening, purchasing flowers has been one of my biggest concerns. Last year as I was building my current website and re-branding my business, I set a goal to source as many flowers locally as I could, not only to save on cost but also to help lessen the environmental impact of my business.

During my research, I realized just how many micro flower farms there are in Utah and surrounding states. I source as many flowers as possible from these amazing farms. In addition to sourcing my raw material locally, I have tried other ways to make my designs more sustainable. I now rely solely on compostable or reusable products for my designs. I’ve tested alternatives to floral foam such as chicken wire, moss, water picks, recycled wool and even watermelon.

I hope answering these questions will guide you to finding your perfect match for your wedding florist. Flowers really can make or break a wedding. It is a wonderful investment that will elevate your special day. Each time I have the privilege of creating beautiful floral designs for my clients, I am transported to a plane of creativity and zen. And most of all, I get to be reminded of my sweet grandmother and her overflowing garden.