Floral | A June Wedding at The Lagaret, Stoughton Wisconsin
Mike and Kristen’s wedding day was nothing short of stunning. With personal details throughout their special day, a host of incredible vendors including Ruthie Hauge Photography and KIS Event Planning their wedding day came together so perfectly.
A June Wedding at The Lageret
Mike and Kristen’s wedding day was nothing short of stunning. With personal details throughout their special day, a host of incredible vendors including Ruthie Hauge Photography and KIS Event Planning their wedding day came together so perfectly.
Using heavy greenery and white and blush blooms to compliment their sophisticated yet youthful vibes, I created some of my favorite floral arrangements to date.
It was such an honor creating the wedding flowers for these two and cheers to all the years to come Kristen and Mike!
Floral | FAQ's
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do wedding flowers cost?
Pricing will depend on the size of your bouquets, the number of attendants you have, the size of your centerpieces and your ‘extra’s’.
However, most of my bride’s spend between $2,200-$4,000
Do you offer complimentary consultations?
Yes! Let’s meet for coffee or wine and chat all things flowers!
Who should I bring to my consultation?
Bring whoever will support your individual taste! Just like dress shopping too many ‘cooks in the kitchen’ can distract you from choosing the flowers YOU love. It is also a good idea to bring whoever will be putting down your floral deposit. While I don’t accept deposits until you receive a formal proposal, it is a good idea to bring them with you so you can be on the same page when it comes to pricing and options.
What if I don't know anything about flowers?
That’s totally OK, I’m here to help! Bring images with you to your consultation and I will help you formulate a floral palette that will best fit your personal aesthetic.
Do I need to purchase vases?
You do not! I have a selection of vases that you’re welcome to use for your event, they are complimentary.
Am I the only bride you’ll work with on my wedding weekend?
If you’re booking full-service flowers then yes, you’ll be my only wedding that day. If you’re looking for floral styling only it is likely I will book another wedding on your date. But, rest assured your flowers will get my best attention no matter what service level you choose.
Do you offer delivery and tear down?
I provide full-service delivery and installation. I do not offer night-of tear down but am happy to work with you to pick up any rentals the week after your event.
If my wedding is outside of Madison, can I still work with you?
Absolutely! I work with couples getting married within a 45 minute radius of my farm in Belleville, Wisconsin. If you’re outside of this radius I would still love to work with you, but I have a floral minimum of $4,000 + travel fees.
Do you create samples of bouquets and centerpieces?
I can not. I am a small shop that works with seasonal flowers and create them for my individual couples, meaning I don’t have ‘extra’ flowers on hand. Each floral creation highlights flowers that are in-season and that are at the top of their game the week of your wedding. This decision was made to make insure you’re getting fresh, beautiful flowers on your special day. However, I can guarantee that the flowers selected will match your vision and will incorporate any ‘must have’ flowers.
What does it look like to book with you?
Booking is rather simple.
Book your consultation
Let’s have coffee or wine and discuss your vision
I will create a custom proposal for you
Review your proposal
Send in your deposit
Check flowers off your ‘to-do’ list!
Floral | Vendor - Blushing Willow Bridal
I’ve worked with Kassie on several occasions and she is one of the kindest vendors I’ve ever met
Photo by Ruthie Hauge Photography
Blushing Willow Bridal
One of the things that makes my job so fun is getting to know and become friends with some talented, passionate and inspiring vendors. Today I’m sharing one of these vendors with you.
A beautiful bridal boutique
I’ve worked with Kassie on several occasions and she is one of the kindest vendors I’ve ever met. Kassie started Blushing Willow Bridal out of pure passion as many vendors do. She saw a need in the bridal industry and instead of clinging to her degree she felt called to fill that gap by going out of her comfort zone and opening her very own boutique dress shop.
Kassie has some of the most GORGEOUS dresses and she literally blows me away each and every time we get the chance to work together. She see’s all the details and is on her toes to make every woman that wears her dresses to feel their very best.
If you’re looking for a hands-on vendor who will be there to help you select your perfect dress look no further. Say yes to a dress with Kassie and you even get to celebrate with a pink bottle of champagne. Need I say more?! Oh wait, yes I do, her space is absolutely INCREDIBLE and it stands out from the crowd.
Floral | A Fall Wedding at Devil's Head Resort
Kate and Brad are two people that just beam with love for each other. They are also two of the kindest people I’ve had the pleasure to work with.
A Fall Wedding at Devil’s Head Resort
Kate and Brad are two people that just beam with love for each other. They are also two of the kindest people I’ve had the pleasure to work with.
Kate and Brad met while studying at the University of Wisconsin - Madison and both have careers in agriculture. When this duo asked me to be their florist I couldn’t have been more thrilled.
They got married on a chilly fall day but these pictures speak to the warmth in their hearts for each other.
Congrats you two!
Floral | September Wedding Inspiration
Oh.my.goodness! It’s incredible the beauty that happens when vendors come together creatively. I’ve been honored to get to spend this year getting to know and work with some of Madison’s passionate wedding vendors.
September Wedding Inspiration
Oh.my.goodness! It’s incredible the beauty that happens when vendors come together creatively. I’ve been honored to get to spend this year getting to know and work with some of Madison’s passionate wedding vendors.
Jamie with HYPE Event Planning pulled together some talent for this shoot and I think all of us stood back after set-up in AWE of what can be created by some talented people and a lot of passion for our industry. It’s a pleasure to share this shoot with you today and I hope you are inspired to seek one of these lovely people out for your special day.
A huge shout out to the following vendors
Floral | Vendor - HYPE Event Planning
One of the things that makes my job so fun is getting to know and become friends with some talented, passionate and inspiring vendors. Today I’m sharing one of these vendors with you.
vendor raves
One of the things that makes my job so fun is getting to know and become friends with some talented, passionate and inspiring vendors. Today I’m sharing one of these vendors with you.
my honest opinion of an incredible vendor
I met Jamie over a cup of coffee back in January after she opened her business HYPE Event Planning.
Jamie has a background in event planning and wanted to bring her skill of organization to the wedding industry. Jamie has spent her first year getting to know vendors, attending bridal events and immersing herself in the industry. She’s well connected, knowledgeable and a total gem to work with.
It’s evident to me after coordinating several weddings in her first season that she’s going to be someone people seek to work with.
I would hands-down recommend Jamie to you. I'm sure from the first time you meet you'll feel her genuine enthusiasm. So get HYPED about your wedding and get to know this girl!
Floral | How to Find the Right Wedding Florist
Finding the right wedding florist can be tricky. Here are a few tips to help you find the perfect florist for your wedding day.
Photo by | Silverlight Photography
finding the right florist
In the world of weddings you will never run short of options when it comes to vendors. However, this can make your life rather overwhelming when it comes to choosing the right vendors for you. Not every vendor is going to be a perfect fit and your florist is no exception. In the world of wedding flowers there are incredible vendors each specializing in a specific style, fitting a specific budget and only a few will be able to give you exactly what you've been dreaming of. So what should you ask yourself and look for when searching for the right florist for you?
Determine your style
This is probably the hardest part of the process, seriously. Thanks to Pinterest it's hard to narrow down your unique style and overall vision for your floral styling. There is an abundance of options but only one option will speak to you, your event and your floral vision. Once you determine your floral aesthetic you can better search for your perfect florist.
To start you will want to determine if your style is traditional, loose and organic, formal, garden-inspired, bohemian, etc. Arm yourself with some images, then when you browse a vendors website you will better be able to determine if their style fits yours.
Start Your Search Early
I really can't suggest this one enough. Vendors book fast and you'd hate to lose your perfect florist because it was last on your list. The earlier you can get in touch with your dream florist, the better off you and they are. It gives you and them more time to figure out the details, and they are more likely to have your date available.
Ask for recommendations
Ask your friends and family if they have any recommendations, likely you've been to a wedding recently, did you like their flowers? If so, reach out and ask them who they worked with.
Did you book a photographer, a venue? These vendors probably have a few florists to recommend. If you ask another vendor you can get a very intimate recommendation and a good place to start your search.
Schedule a Consultation
One of the best ways to find the right florist is to sit down with them to discuss your vision. Make sure you've established if you like their style first, it's a waste of your time and theirs if they don't have a portfolio that matches your vision.
Do you feel understood after you meet with them? Did they seem to grasp your vision? Did their recommendations improve your vision or solidify you're on the right track? Meeting someone is gold, for you and your vendor. If you aren't a good fit it will become obvious to the both of you at this point.
Don't be offended if a florist guides you in another direction. Remember you're after your perfect fit and if they feel someone can better service you vision appreciate their honesty, they may lead you directly to the florist of your dreams!
Do you Love their Online Portfolio
Take the time to really browse through a florist's website. Look through their image galleries, do they make you swoon? Not every gallery has to speak to you but does one really jump out? Mention it to them when you meet, it's a good place to start a conversation, especially if you're looking for some guidance.
***Now I'd hate for you to get tied up in the 'serviced before' rat race put out by so many online lists but you may find your venue in your dream florist's portfolio. This is incredible if you can see their work in your venue. Keep in mind florists don't share every event they've done in their portfolio online, so you can also ask if they have any images tucked away from another wedding at your venue. It may be able to give you a good idea of their previous work in the same setting. However, with the number of venues available for florists (and other vendors) to service don't get tied up on if they've serviced your venue in the past. While it may be the cherry on top many newer, yet quality vendors, are still working their way through the hundreds of venue options in your area.***
Is your budget in line with their service costs?
Are you looking to spend $1,000 or $40,000? This question may be the most important one you can ask yourself. Some florists will share a rough starting point on their website, others may not share at all. If you can find pricing on their website you may be able to rule them in or out quickly. If you love their work and it isn't shared on their website, a simple email to them explaining your budget will allow them to respond if they can service your wedding in your desired budget.
When it comes to floral you can quickly narrow your search by being honest about your budget.
Are they able to accommodate your delivery/set up needs
If you're looking for a full-service florist make sure you ask about delivery/set up. Is your venue open the day before, is it the morning of? This may make a big difference on what your florist is able to accommodate.
A lot of florists will book a couple weddings a weekend, some will only book one. Your florist may have a team which allows them to service more weddings per weekend or it may just be them. If they typically service more than one you could also ask if there is a separate 'minimum' that gives you the ability to exclusively book them (if it's a smaller vendor).
If your event is out of town are they willing to travel? Are there extra fees for traveling out of their area? What would a delivery/set-up look like if they are traveling? Again, if they need to travel out of town be prepared to have a higher minimum if they typically book more than one wedding per weekend.
Booking your florist
When you find your perfect fit, don't hesitate to book them. Some florists may hold your date for a time while you decide, but some florist are on a first-come-first-served basis. Florists get inquiries frequently so don't hesitate too long or they may assume you've gone another direction. If you're serious about booking them and have a few details to figure out, stay in touch. Communication with your vendors will help them know how serious you are about working with them.
I really hope this helps
There are many things to consider when hiring your florist but hopefully this list gives you a good basis to start your search. I wish you all the best in finding your florist!
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Floral | Vendor - Relax Event Planning
I met Amy back in February of 2018 over a mimosa and some delicious cupcakes to discuss a styled shoot. Amy is one of those people that radiates a love for this industry.
vendor raves
We all want to make planning a wedding simpler, more fun and to work with incredible and honest people to make our the vision come to life.
When I, as well as my friends, were in the midst of planning our own weddings I started to notice a common theme. We all ended up endlessly scrolling through wedding websites wondering about more than the price of a vendor, but if we could trust them.
The benefit of being immersed in the wedding industry is that vendors get to know one another on a very intimate level, and there is a ton to be said about these deep relationships we build. We know what we can expect from each other, so when a vendor offers a recommendation it's probably a pretty dang good one.
Since I happen to be on the tail-end of the planning I never get to give much of a recommendation of some vendors that I find incredibly talented, honest and completely in love with helping you make your special day dreams come to life.
So, starting today you'll start hearing more about some incredible ladies making my job in the wedding industry so much more of a team atmosphere and helping people like you create a beautiful day.
my honest opinion of an incredible vendor
First on my list for some incredible reasons is Amy at Relax Event Planning. I met Amy back in February of 2018 over a mimosa and some delicious cupcakes to discuss a styled shoot. Amy is one of those people that radiates a love for this industry.
If I can say anything about this girl it's that she's the real deal when it comes to planning. Amy is incredibly organized, has relationships with quality vendors and has impeccable taste to go along with her enthusiastic personality.
Amy is a planner at heart, she's be planning events for years so it shouldn't be much of a surprise that this budding entrepreneur is making waves in her first year. Her knowlege of coordinating events large and small is very evident in her work, she's a coordinating queen.
I would hands-down recommend Amy to you. I'm sure from the first time you meet you'll feel her humble nature and her genuine love for making your special day uniquely yours. So relax ladies and leave the stress of the planning to Amy.
Floral | Badger Wedding at Union South
I just can't get enough of Stephanie and Dan's July wedding, do I say that a lot?! How lucky am I to get to be a part of such special moments?
a big, beautiful, badger wedding
I just can't get enough of Stephanie and Dan's July wedding, do I say that a lot?! How lucky am I to get to be a part of such special moments?
These two lovebirds met online and it was a quick badger romance. The two tied the knot at Union South in Madison, Wisconsin, a beautiful venue right in the heart of campus. From the backdrop of dusty blue bridesmaid dresses to the mini flower girl bouquet I fell in love with creating the florals for this incredible couple. It was my absolute pleasure to bring their floral dreams to life.
Venue: Union South | Photographer: Larissa Marie Photography
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Floral | A Tansy Hill Farm Wedding
Stacy and I met when we were both living in our college dorm, working towards acceptance into the College of Design at Iowa State University. Stacy was a few doors down and was pursuing her dream of being an architect, myself a landscape architect.
stacy + art
There is something so special about getting a request to do the floral for an old friend's wedding day.
Stacy and I met when we were both living in our college dorm, working towards acceptance into the College of Design at Iowa State University. Stacy was a few doors down and was pursuing her dream of being an architect, myself a landscape architect.
When Stacy contacted me about her wedding flowers I just had to say, YES!
Stacy and Art were planning on getting married at her parent's resort in northern Wisconsin, what a beautiful place to say I DO! However, after years of trying to sell the resort, her parents got an offer to purchase just a few months prior to the big day. Stacy took the change in stride, and with the change she found another gorgeous venue spot, Tansy Hill Farm in Wausau. This barn was gorgeous and came with chickens and all, outside in a pen of course.
Stacy had an incredible vision for her flowers. Touches of lavender to match her bridesmaid dresses, something loose and organic, with a good balance of greenery and blooms. I knew when I said yes to being her florist she'd have impeccable taste and I let her give all the guidance for the final bouquets. We found great substitutes to give her the look she was after using blooms that were in season. I have to say I have all the heart eyes for the way these bouquets turned out!
So, congrats to Mr. & Mrs. Adams, thank you for giving me the honor to create the blooms for your special day!
Thank you Silver Light Photography for the gorgeous photos!
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Floral | Spring Inspiration
In early March I was honored to collaborate with a few lovely ladies to put together an inspirational shoot for brides searching for a fresh spring look. It was refreshing to see green again and get my hands designing with such incredible spring blooms.
Spring Wedding Inspiration
Spring has never been one of my favorite times of year, the weather is so unpredictable, one day it's beautiful the next it's snowing. Am I right?!
However, after this incredible styled shoot, I had the privilege of being a part of my mind has changed a bit. Look at these amazing colors that spring weddings have to offer!
In early March I was honored to collaborate with a few lovely ladies to put together an inspirational shoot for brides searching for a fresh spring look. It was refreshing to see green again and get my hands designing with such incredible spring blooms.
I had such an incredible time working with these creative ladies and I'm sure you will too!
Styling and Planning | Relax Event Planning
Photography | Emily B Photography
Stationary | Peninsula Creative
Dress | Monirose
Venue | Charlie's on Main
Floral | What to bring to your first floral consultation
So you’ve found a florist you’re dying to work with. Your florist is probably ecstatic about working with you because she knows if you can’t wait to work with her you’re probably her perfect match. So what is your florist going to need from you during your first consultation?
So you’ve found a florist you’re dying to work with. Your florist is probably ecstatic about working with you because she knows if you can’t wait to work with her you’re probably her perfect match. So what is your florist going to need from you during your first consultation? Here’s an un-exhaustive list to help you and your florist create something beautiful together.
Details of your venue and pictures if you have them!
Venues pop up every day. Expecting your florist to have been to every venue is like asking if someone has seen every Disney movie, they may have seen a lot but probably not every one.
Details of your floral vision.
Again pictures are SUPER helpful here. While your favorite flower colors are absolutely important it is more helpful for us to see your vision in its entirety. Are you going for a modern, bohemian, classic, rustic or a blend of these styles on your big day? Are you after flower walls or just some simple centerpieces.
Pictures of your bridesmaid dresses and your’s.
If you have pictures and the colors of your dresses it really helps give us a sense of colors and how we can best compliment your attire.
Colors of the groom’s and groomsmen attire.
Just like it’s helpful to know what color dress we’re looking to compliment let’s make sure the men look just as stunning.
Guest count estimate. Knowing roughly 200 people is helpful.
We can figure out how many tables based on these rough counts and can give you a more accurate proposal. We understand that 200 invites doesn’t mean 200 guests but it gives us a good place to start.
Details that are important for us to incorporate.
Lace from your grandmother’s gown you want to be wrapped around your bouquet - things like this will help guide some of our discussion on these details.
An idea of your floral ‘dream’.
Centerpieces, arbor garlands, swooping garlands behind your head table, sprigs of green on every chair. Let us know what you’re looking for!
Your target budget
Now, this isn’t last on my list because it’s the least important thing to bring to your meeting. It’s the MOST important piece of information you can bring to your initial consultation so I wanted to end with this so it’s fresh in your mind. Knowing your budget helps us help you craft a design that is within your budget. We’d hate to send you a proposal for the $20,000 Pinterest wedding when your budget is $2500. Pinterest is the queen of stunning, over the top, unique arrangements and floral installations, but they don’t fit every budget. If you know what your target budget is we can help craft a beautiful day and give advice on ways to cut costs if necessary. If you don’t tell us we can’t help but propose everything you ask for, and we’d hate to give you unnecessary sticker shock.
So, while this is not an exhaustive list it can help guide your thinking. It will also give you and your florists a good place to start discussions about what is going to make your day uniquely yours.
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Florals | For the Love of Flowers
As a landscape designer I've always found myself drawn to the details. The textures, materials and colors of a space. Which is also why I've focused my design business on creating more than just the space, but also the details of the space
Photo by treasurepeople.com
the details
As a landscape designer I've always found myself drawn to the details. The textures, materials and colors of a space. Which is also why I've focused my design business on creating more than just the space, but also the details of the space. This love for details translates directly into floral design as each and every bloom is thoughtfully placed to create the masterpiece. I love getting lost in the blooms, one minute it's 7am and the next the sun is setting. It's true bliss.
my love for events
I've always been an entertainer. I love hosting events and I love each detail that goes into making an event spectacular. Something as simple as hosting a Christmas party or something as complex as a wedding. Each event is an opportutniy to create something beautiful. Flowers for these events demand detail, uniqueness and creativity. No event is the same and I look forward to each opportunity to create something special, whether for a wow factor or a quiet appreciation of beauty.
my love for weddings
Each weekend throughout the year is an opportunity to create something beautiful that speaks to the individuals that partner with me. My creativity thrives on a Friday in the floral studio as floral dreams come to life in a matter of 48 hours. This fast pace allows me the opportunity to fully invest in the creative process as each bloom is taken from the bunch and carefully arranged. The beauty of this industry is that each wedding is unique so there is no opportunity to get stuck in a creative slump. It's an honor to be selected to take a bucket of specifically curated blooms and create the bouquets and arrangements for such special celebrations.
when you do what you love you never work a day in your life
This is the truest and most overused statement for small business owners. But it's so incredibly true. I'm blessed to have found a creative medium that continues to excite me and make Fridays one of my most favorite days of the week.