is this weird?

Entry arch covered in flowers, with coral charm peonies, garden roses, roses, ranunculus, spirea, black berries and smilax. Keely Thorne Event Planning, River Oaks Country Club, Maxit Flower Design

Something super odd about myself I must confess. I look back at the work we do and love it more once I have had some time to review. I just looked back on a wedding we did a year ago and I absolutely love it. On the day I thought we produced good work, but I could not get out of my head about a couple things I though we could do better.

As a creative entrepreneur I have to say that I am incredibly hard on myself. I love what I do, but there isn’t a time I don’t think we could have done it better. Not that everyone didn’t do an amazing job and that the client wasn’t super happy. (And that is what is most important!) But that I can improve.

One random thing I got hung up on was during set up was that I didn’t plan for the floral chandeliers needing to fit through the door. Sounds so absurd, but you guys…. they wouldn’t fit through ANY of the front doors. We had to truck them through the whole entire back end of the country club, roughly two city blocks. Ok, maybe just one, but when you have 4 floral chandeliers it started to feel like a stinking marathon.

Compote arrangement of lush, premium flowers. White ceramic container with coral charm peonies, garden roses, roses, ranunculus, spirea, black berries and smilax. Keely Thorne Event Planning, River Oaks Country Club, Maxit Flower Design

That happened Friday as we got access a day early. From that moment forward I could not get that out of my head. I began to have a pity party in my head and it would not go away. I lost sleep, and set up on Saturday feeling like I let my team down.

A year later I have perspective, learned lessons, and can totally appreciate the hard work and pieces of flower art we created for our amazing clients.

I never received professional pics, so please excuse the lack of quality. But sometimes we have to still share what we’ve created no matter the quality of images, right? Otherwise how is everyone going to see what we can make happen for you on your special day? Can I get an Amen?!

Hanging floral chandelier with coral charm peonies, garden roses, roses, ranunculus, spirea, black berries and smilax. Keely Thorne Event Planning, River Oaks Country Club, Maxit Flower Design

Small vases with taper candles. With coral charm peonies, garden roses, roses, ranunculus, spirea, black berries and smilax. Keely Thorne Event Planning, River Oaks Country Club, Maxit Flower Design

Garden compote with coral charm peonies, garden roses, roses, ranunculus, spirea, black berries and smilax. Keely Thorne Event Planning, River Oaks Country Club, Maxit Flower Design

Cross alter with coral charm peonies, garden roses, roses, ranunculus, spirea, black berries and smilax. Aisle covered in blooms. Keely Thorne Event Planning, River Oaks Country Club, Maxit Flower Design

Cross alter with coral charm peonies, garden roses, roses, ranunculus, spirea, black berries and smilax. Keely Thorne Event Planning, River Oaks Country Club, Maxit Flower Design

Room shot of Mollie & Alejandro’s wedding. We combined tall arrangements, low garden style compotes, with hanging floral chandeliers. Keely Thorne Event Planning, River Oaks Country Club, Maxit Flower Design

walking into the unknown: designing events with intention

The bride asked for a simple and classic design. We incorporated scented garden roses with roses and touches of jasmine vine for that delicate touch or greenery. Calligraphy by Jenny @ A Fine Flourish

Copying what we have done in our daily lives works well for most things. I tend not to reinvent how I take a shower, make my bed or brush my teeth. As we have created efficient methods that have become routine.

Designing weddings and events can fall into the same patterns. I have been guilty of this, as it also can help with efficiency and ease. And shall I say that it allows clients to feel comfortable that we are not taking risks with their special event.

On the other hand, bringing in a couple elements that might have never been introduced before can not only make your client feel special, but create intention with design. New design elements reminds us that each one of our clients is unique and that all our designs have them at the forefront of creation.

To our future clients, allow us to take some risks and meld that into what you feel comfortable with. The combination of both allows for the most beautiful events we have ever created.

5 common flower mistakes brides make and how to avoid them

Over the past 8 years we have seen some consistent mistakes that we believe are totally avoidable and once explained will completely make sense.  We will outline what the mistakes are but also give easy, practical ways to avoid them and correct them.  So here we go, let's dive in:

Mistake # 1: I can DIY the flowers 

Ok this is an easy one, don't do it. There are so many other times in life you can have fun with flowers. Baby showers, bridal showers, brunch, mother's day... but your wedding day?  I would say is a big fat NO. How to correct this mistake, allow your friends and family to help with other tasks if you need to redirect them.  Create your wedding shower flowers, this will give you an idea of how messy, how much hard work, and how expensive flowers really are. 

Mistake # 2: Not budgeting enough money

How much do you budget?  We suggest that a floral centric event should budget anywhere from $35-$75 a person.  Please note that this is a person that puts flowers as one of their top priorities in their wedding. You are a flower fan and want flowers to be a focus of the event. If you have a budget less than suggested, take a look at Mistake # 4 for solutions to stretch your budget.

Mistake # 3: Expecting a certain flower

We see brides coming in so hopeful that a particular flower will be available for their event.  Peonies are not available all year around, I am sorry.  And even in the middle of their season, all the following issues can arise: delayed shipment, held at customs, flower quality not to par with our standards, flower farmer thought you said red not pink, flower cooler froze over night due to the electrical outage in the building. You guys I could go on and on.  We deal with a perishable item that has many of hundreds of miles to cross and more variables than I can possibly mention in one blog post.  Solution: be flexible, tell your designer what aesthetic you like, find a designer you trust and allow them to find the best blooms the season/farmers have to offer.

Mistake # 4: Putting flowers everywhere

If your budget can't afford it, don't do it.  We guide our clients to make sure we use their budget to the best of our ability.  Let's make some statement pieces, let's have the bridesmaids carry a simple bouquet, remove those ceremony flowers and let's focus on where the party will be for most of the night.  Make simple adjustments that will allow your budget to be focused and purposeful.  We are a purpose driven design company that will make sure your whole budget will be seen and felt through out your event. 

Mistake # 5: Not allowing your designer to take the wheel

This is what we do for a living. We have our 10,000hrs in flowers. We live for this and have found our passion in flowers.  Find that designer that your trust and give them the wheel.  Just like anything in our lives, if we feel micromanaged, we are more likely to feel less valued and honored in any process.  We give up our weekends, birthdays, graduations, and so many special holidays for our clients.  We wouldn't do this if we didn't take severe pride in what we do and promise that we will do our very best to make this the most special moment.  We feel so inspired by our client's trust.