Following Your Heart

For me following my heart in floral work means following nature. As I’ve grown as a wedding florist, I have become very attuned to making bouquets that resemble flowers in their natural world. Muted colors or bright colors, but always colors that you would see naturally. And my bouquet styles always lean toward the organic, unstructured, whimsical way flowers would grow in my garden.

Beautiful Photos by Hannah Jo Photography

Another way I follow my heart is when I connect with a bride because of her wedding style. Sarah came to me as a referral (my favorite way to get new clients) and her wedding colors were mauve, dusty rose and cream for an October wedding. I was already dreaming of what flowers I would choose before we were even done talking!

The flowers I used were quicksand roses, amnesia roses, cottage yarrow, blushing bride protea, burgundy astrantia and terra cotta carnations, with caspia and mixed eucalyptus. The wedding was held at Twisted Pine Farms in Hutchinson, Kansas.

I love that Sarah chose to use her floral arch inside behind the cake table after the ceremony. It was too pretty to leave outside!

What a sweet photo! Sarah’s mom and dad were both so kind to me as I was setting up this wedding and we discovered we knew several people in common, including my good friend Lynnette!

Thank you all so much for letting me be a part of this beautiful day, and please keep sending me your referrals!

Sarah’s Bouquet unfiltered

Summer Weddings for Two Sisters

What a busy summer for the Dannels family! Catie and Calli both got married, one in July and one in August. I was lucky enough to be the florist for both and enjoyed seeing their different visions come to life.

Catie and her bridesmaids- Photos by Steele House Photography

Calli and her bridesmaids- Photos by Grassroots Studio

Can you see the difference in styles? Catie wanted lilies and roses in white and burgundy with blue accents, and a beautiful cascading bouquet. Calli’s colors were rust and orange with dried elements and her bouquet had a free-flowing, organic feel.

Some of the flowers I used in Catie’s bouquet were white lily, burgundy spray rose, alstromeria, Polar Star rose, astrantia and blue thistle. Calli’s bouquet had Coffee Break rose, Sahara spray rose, white scabiosa, chocolate cosmos, pampas and bunnytail grass.

And finally, I love the tiny details a photographer captures. These are the moments of your wedding you want to remember.

Style Round Up- Bouquets 2022

Color came back to wedding bouquets this year! It brought so much joy into my little studio. Don’t get me wrong- I love a beautiful neutral/blush palette but I find myself ordering the same flowers over and over. With this year’s color combos, my floral cooler was a brand new kaleidoscope every week. Here are just a few of my favorite bouquets from 2022 in no particular order (with flowers identified for you).

pink bouquet with ranunculus and roses

This all pink bouquet has ranunculus, roses, spray roses, astilbe and baby’s breath.

Shades of pink from blush to vibrant.

Peach and Rust bouquet

This was my last rescheduled wedding from 2020 and the bride originally thought she wanted all white. By the time we got to 2022, she decided to add in rust and peach. And she loved how the colors tuned out!

Peach ranunculus, freesia, rust mums, hypericum berries, Coffee Break roses and waxflower.

Blue Hydrangea bouquet

There are so few natural blue flowers, but the ones we do have are beautiful! Hydrangea, delphinium, thistle, and baby blue eucalyptus.

With just enough cream and white to make the true blue pop- snapdragons, callas, and spray roses.

Fall Bouquet with roses and dried grasses

This bouquet feels like Fall in the Flint Hills- burnt orange spray roses, Toffee and Quicksand roses, Agonis grass, pampas grass, leucodendron, and astrantia.

This bouquet is the perfect example of mixing fall colors with lots of texture.

Bright Spring bouquet mixed colors

All the colors of Spring! A true rainbow with Coral Charm peonies, larkspur, delphinium, craspedia, butterfly ranunculus, lavender spray roses, feverfew, Kahala roses, sword fern and yellow stock.

Sunflower bouquet

It wouldn’t be a Kansas summer without a sunflower bouquet. This one has burgundy dahlias, mums and roses, viking mums, solidago, and Italian ruscus sprayed gold.

I love using local flowers when I can and sunflowers are easily available here in late summer.

Blush and cream bouquet

This combination of blush and cream flowers- mostly roses- is pure and classic for any wedding. Tried and true!

Blush pink roses, cream roses, white ranunculus, larkspur, mums and stock, with astrantia and waxflower for fillers.

lavender and blue spring bouquet

Lavender, sky blue and peach. I loved these colors together. This bouquet has lavender roses, light blue delphinium, peach spray roses, pink waxflower, feverfew, and white phlox.

Plum and Lavender bouquet

This bouquet was so elegant in an old world sort of way. So much texture, so many things to see.

A dried King Protea was the focal point, with plum ranunculus and dahlia, lavender lisianthus and butterfly ranunculus, brunia, anemone and mixed dried grasses.

What a fun year it’s been for weddings! Click here if you would like to see more bouquet options. I love designing natural-looking bouquets so if that’s your style please contact me soon!

Part Two: Josie and John’s Magical Wedding Day

I’m so happy to share these professional photos of Josie and John’s wedding day on May 14, 2022 at Clover Cliff Ranch. All photos are by Lifeleak Visuals and they are beautiful!

I loved this combination of flowers. Coral Charm peonies, butterfly ranunculus, larkspur, delphinium, roses, feverfew and white daisies. It was like a fairytale meadow. All the colors of the rainbow.

And this smile!

Josie's wedding bouquets

My favorite part of the professional photos is seeing the wedding come to life with family and guests and all the happy faces. My couples spend so much time dreaming of how all their plans will come together, and I truly love being a part of the process, and seeing the final results.

This last photo is my favorite. This is how I pictured the reception flowers in my mind. This is what I thought Josie was imagining as well. This photo is when I know I did a good job and can put away my anxiety that happens when planning every wedding! Thanks for following along with me on this blog and please know how much I appreciate any referral you want to send my way.

wedding reception with floral garland

Part One: How It's Done

What do these things have in common? Cable wire, small sledge hammer, tin snips, staple gun, ferrules, nuts and bolts, zip ties, chicken wire and a scissor lift. You guessed it! Those are all things I used to make Josie and John’s wedding floral dreams come true. And flowers. Lots of flowers.

Read more

October Wedding in Loose Park

When I blog about one of my weddings, I always make notes first about special things I want to include. Every wedding I do is special to me, and there are always little details that stand out. This wedding was no exception!

Jessica and Tyson were married on October 23, 2021 in one of my favorite places, Loose Park in Kansas City, Missouri. In fact I considered this whole area my neighborhood at one time. I worked just blocks away as a chemist for MRI Global. I played in Loose Park on weekends with my husband because it was free entertainment and we had no money! The reception at the Grand Street Cafe was next door to my favorite chocolate malt place, Winsteads. So many memories!

(All photographs are by A.Lane Photography)

All White wedding bouquet

But that’s only one of the special things about this wedding. For instance, I have known the groom’s family for a very long time. Like way back. And I know the bride’s sister because I did her wedding as well! These are the things that bring a wedding story together for me. It really inspires me to create a floral vision when I have so many little stories and memories to piece together about a couple.

The bride wanted a big flowy bouquet, all white with lots of greenery. I used white roses and ranunculus, snapdragons, stock and hydrangea, with several types of eucalyptus including seeded. There was a pretty severe flower shortage in 2021, especially with white flowers, but with enough perseverance I was able to get most of what I wanted to use.

Bridesmaids with bride and their bouquets

The sweetest thing Jessica told me during our consultation was that she wanted her bridesmaids’ bouquets to feel special and look bigger, not small and unimportant. I don’t usually hear that from brides, and I think you can tell by this picture that the outcome was stunning!

Hand-tied cascade bouquet

Another picture of Jessica’s bouquet so you can see the hand-tied cascade. Also her dress was so beautiful!

Bride and her sister

Sisters!

Wedding Party

The Kansas City Skyline and all the wedding PARTY vibes

Bride and Groom kiss

So romantic! The couple wanted their wedding to be simple, elegant and classic and I think this picture sums it all up nicely. Jessica and Tyson, thank you so much for asking me to be your wedding florist, and best wishes for many happy married years.

Decorating with Wreaths Year Round

Check out the recent Redfin article we were featured in:

Stunning Wreath Decorating Ideas to Adorn Your Home All Season Long

When it comes to festive decor, wreaths are undoubtedly one of the most popular and classic options to bring holiday cheer to your home. And with so many different options, from classic florals to show-stopping festive ornaments, decorating with wreaths doesn’t have to be limited to just the holidays - with a few simple swaps, you can seamlessly transition your wreaths to suit the season.

Redfin reached out to us and other experts from Victoria, BC, to Tampa, FL, for our best wreath decorating ideas to adorn your home. Whether your style is whimsical and playful or rustic and organic, take a look at these wreath design ideas to find one (or a couple) that’ll speak to your home’s aesthetic. 

Stunning Wreath Decorating Ideas to Adorn Your Home All Season Long

 If you are interested in learning to make fresh or dried wreaths for any season with a group of friends, let me know! I love teaching you new tricks about floral things!


Married in Madison- Jenna and Robbie

Jenna and Robbie were married in Madison, Kansas on August 21, 2021. It was a beautiful sunny summer day in this small town and I’m so excited to share their wedding flowers with you.

These kind words from Jenna are why I love my job- “I want to say thank you so much for agreeing to be our florist, we truly could not have picked anyone better. The flowers were absolutely perfect and exactly what I was hoping for!”

Jenna's bouquet

All photos by Jennie Marie Photography

The couples’ colors were dusty blue, slate, and navy with sage and blush. Jenna’s bouquet was hand-tied, with white anemone and blush garden roses, blue thistle, other blush and ivory flowers with mixed greenery including seeded eucalyptus.

There is just something special about a church wedding for me. The beautiful architecture and windows, flowers on the altar, friends and family in the pews are all wonderful symbols of the love surrounding this couple.

white and blush bridal bouquet with bride

This is Jenna with her bouquet outside of the First Christian Church in Madison, Kansas.

Bridal party wearing dusty blue and navy

The reception was held at the Sauder Center in Madison. Every detail was thoughtfully considered–from the mismatched antique china, to the display of both mothers’ wedding gowns, to the rustic wood and burlap accents–the theme was unique and romantic throughout every detail.

By far my favorite thing about this wedding was the story of the car. Jenna’s grandfather drove away with her grandmother after their wedding in this very same car many years before. The family spent time cleaning it up and getting it to run for Jenna’s wedding. Jenna told me even if someone had to tow the car with a tractor, she would definitely be seen pulling away from her wedding with Robbie in this car. As far as I know the departure went off without a tractor!

Vintage car with floral garland

What a joy it was to work with both Jenna and her mother Diane on this beautiful wedding. My clients are the best and some of the kindest people you ever want to work with, including this family. Congratulations to Jenna and Robbie and best wishes for a happy, healthy marriage!

How It's Made- Wedding Flowers Edition

I wonder if you’ve wondered what goes on in my floral studio the week before a wedding? I thought I would share some photos that explain my job as a wedding florist and give you some insight into what happens behind the scenes. Never a dull moment!

My Floral Studio

It starts out pretty calm. My studio is relatively clean and organized. The trash is empty and the flower buckets are all clean. I love this feeling. This is Monday. 

On Tuesday I pre-fill all the buckets with water and flower food so I am ready for flower delivery on Wednesday. I also check all my supplies- tape, wire, floral glue, ribbon, vases. I will not have time to run to town and purchase these things anytime later this week!

Flowers in buckets

Wednesday is the big day! My wholesaler delivers all the flowers I spent so much time choosing for your wedding, and puts them in my cooler. The next step for me is to make sure I got everything I ordered, in the right colors and quantities. Seems like that should not be a problem, but I work with Mother Nature. Sometimes flowers are smaller than I expected due to extreme weather where they were grown. Sometimes the wholesaler will substitute for something else that may be way too pink when I needed blush. Sometimes the flowers looked fine in their protective wrap but are in bad condition when I open them up. Luckily I work with some great growers and wholesalers that help me get everything I need even if they have to come back on Thursday!

Thursday and Friday are my work days. I need to prioritize from your order what can be made two days before the wedding and what will need to be made the day before. In general, bouquets are made Thursday because I want them to have the very best flowers from each bunch, and because they are stored in vases with water so they will last longer. Boutonnieres and corsages need to be made on Friday because they do not have a water source. 

As you can see by these photos, it’s at this point my whole studio looks like a flower explosion. I’m not neat or careful about where the stems and leaves end up. I have little piles of greenery and flowers everywhere, and I’m constantly moving buckets of flowers in and out of the cooler. Controlled chaos.

Sunflower bride's bouquet

When I have the bride’s bouquet done, I “try it on”.  If you look you can see my arm in this photo. I stand in front of the mirror with it and look at it the way a photographer would, looking for holes or things that just don’t sit right.  

Boutonnieres

When the corsages and boutonnieres are done, they all get bagged and labeled. I have learned over the years to triple check everything I do. I get the names of everyone receiving flowers from the bride, make the labels, and check the list against the actual order, just to make sure nothing gets overlooked. 

Delivery of wedding flowers

And then it’s wedding day! For an average wedding, it takes about 45 minutes to load my vehicle. The bouquets are in vases loaded in special crates. Everything else is packed strategically so nothing gets crushed. (It should be noted here that strategically packing a car is not my forte’ but I’m getting better!) In the summer, I have the AC on full blast. In the winter, I have to make sure everything is covered in plastic. And then I drive like my grandma the whole way to the wedding! I am always so happy and relieved to empty my vehicle and get positive feedback on my work. The anxiety that has built up over the last week is all gone when the bride tells me how much she loves her bouquet.

Here are the top five things that motivate me during wedding week:

1.) Country Music on Alexa while I work. (Weirdly this is the only time in my life that I listen to country music).

2.) LaCroix

3.) Dot’s Pretzels

4.) Friends that help me on big weddings. (It’s lonely working alone).

5.) The music I’ve been listening to as I deliver the flowers: Jason Mraz, Classic Rock, and Hamilton the musical!

I really love wedding flowers! Please refer me to all your friends- wedding weekends are filling up for 2022!

Makenzie and Jordan at the Historic Post Office

May 1, 2021

Makenzie Harder and Jordan Turner were married on a beautiful spring day in May, exactly 364 days after they originally planned to be married. The venue changed, the guest list changed, the floral order changed slightly, and I’m sure there were many other things I don’t even know about. Like other couples who needed to change their wedding date in 2020, these two had to make adjustments. But through it all, from my perspective, they did it with much grace and compassion for the situation and the vendors they were working with. 

For me this wedding held many firsts. It was my first re-schedule from 2020. It was my first time doing a wedding at the beautiful Historic Post Office in Ottawa, Kansas. And it was the first time I have had to lean on friends and family to help me put a big wedding together, while I was with my husband in the hospital as he was having heart surgery. I couldn’t have done it without help! I didn’t want this couple to know my situation because I knew that could add stress to their perfect day. So from processing all the flowers for me, to designing centerpieces, to delivering and setting up with me, Alice, Gay and Maryann are the reason I was able to keep my anxiety at bay and deliver what I promised to Makenzie. Everything turned out perfectly, including my husband’s heart surgery, and I am so thankful for people I can rely on when things are crazy.

Friends helping with wedding prep

Makenzie’s dream was blush, navy, dusty blue, gray, elegant, formal, peonies and Gerber daisies. We met over coffee way back in 2019 and talked about her favorite flowers and the overall feeling of her wedding. She was one of those brides who trusted me from the beginning and that makes my job so easy.  She was truly a joy to work with. And as another first for me, she was the first bride in 10 years to email me the day after her wedding to tell me how much she loved her flowers!

It’s all in the details when it comes to designing wedding flowers. The centerpieces were sitting on a slice of wood from a family farm. The dusty blue ribbons on the brides bouquet holding her grandmother’s rings. The simplicity of the cake flowers. And the ceremony arch built and stained by her father. (Professional photos by Adam Pane)

Bridesmaids with bouquets
Reception tables

I can’t say enough about this beautiful venue. The lighting in the dining room was beautiful and the private courtyard with the big old tree was perfect for the ceremony. From the florist’s perspective delivering two carloads of heavy floral things, the back entry with just a few steps made everything so easy. And the staff was the best, great communication and helpful on wedding day.

Wedding bouquet- no filter

I always take a picture of the bride’s bouquet on the same limestone rock near my flower garden, and I use no filters. It helps me to remember the true color of things for future weddings.

Makenzie and Jordan

And here they are! Makenzie and Jordan, happily married in 2021! I’m sure they would agree it was worth the wait. Thank you for letting me be a part of your magical day!

Sisters in St. Louis

My sister’s sister-in-law got married in St. Louis on September 5, 2020 and I got to be the wedding florist! I was happy and honored to be a part of Mary Beth and James’ big day, but I was equally thrilled and excited to work , play and hang out with my sister Melissa who I hadn’t seen in months thanks to the pandemic.

When I said yes to this wedding, I knew I would have to find a place to purchase flowers and design in St. Louis since it is six hours from my studio. A huge thank you to the Baisch and Skinner home office for renting Melissa and me space to work, and allowing me to order and pick up all my flowers from them. They are my wholesaler at home as well, with a branch in Topeka. Always the very best customer service!

The wedding was held at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church and the reception was at The Cedars Event Center. It was a joy to work with Mary Beth on all the details. After a year that created many challenges for everyone, especially the Abkemeier family, it was so nice to be able to help with this event that brought joy to such a nice family.

Bride and Groom

Mary Beth’s colors were shades of plum and lavender with pale yellow accents. We used lavender roses, plum callas, lisianthus, scabiosa, and ranunculus, along with yellow stock. Beautiful for a late summer/early fall wedding!

Bridal Party at the Arch!

I just had to include this picture to prove we were in St. Louis! It was such a fun weekend spending time with my sister. Even though she’s not a florist, she has worked in the business and has the same love of flowers I do. It was hectic not working in my own studio and not knowing my way around the area, but Melissa and I even managed to find time for some takeout food and a glass of wine. Congratulations to Mary Beth and James and thank you so much for choosing me to be your florist!

Photos by Sarah Klump with White-Klump Photography

The light at the end of the tunnel!

It’s here! Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2021 and it is actually two colors. Illuminating which is a sunny yellow, and Ultimate Gray which needs no explanation. Pantone chooses colors late each year that will be trending in the coming year. According to this New York Times article these colors very clearly represent “the light at the end of the tunnel”. Maybe “A Tale of Two Years”? “Out with the old, in with the new”? The difference between 2020 and 2021?

Ultimate Gray and Illuminating

Ultimate Gray and Illuminating

In my world of Kansas weddings, could this be the year of the sunflower?

Sunflower field
Sunflower Bouquet
Sunflower Bouquet

Let me know what you think. Is yellow an option for your wedding? There are some beautiful natural yellow flowers that can be used as a soft contrast with many other colors. And honestly, gray and yellow are beautiful together. Click here for more bouquet photos with yellow accents.

Sarah and Branson at the Hartford Methodist Church

The wedding of Sarah Moyer and Branson Kocher was at the Hartford Methodist Church in Hartford Kansas on October 10, 2020. What a beautiful small town church! Old woodwork, stained glass windows and lots of wedding memories over the years I’m sure.

Thomas Felts Photography

Thomas Felts Photography

And look at that dress! So classic, and the little details were stunning. Sarah made such a beautiful bride. Her flower request for her bouquet was burgundy dahlias and anything that went with them.

There were FOUR flower girls wearing flower crowns and dropping rose petals. Plumosus crowns with baby’s breath and pixie carnations in burgundy.

Bride's bouquet with dahlias, astrantia, and quicksand roses

Sarah’s bouquet- a close up. There are Quicksand roses, blush anemone, astrantia, burgundy hypericum berries, spray roses and burgundy dahlias,

Sarah and Branson

Sarah and Branson

I have so many connections with Sarah and her family. Her mother is a close friend of mine, we are all PEO sisters, and our families were a part of the same 4H club. I’ve said it before, but it is always a joy to work with a bride that I know. I pride myself on making the day extra special with my attention to detail, and that is so much easier when I have that personal connection.

Bride and Groom with confetti

Larkin and Martha's Wedding

Larkin Bennett and Martha Johnston were married on August 15, 2020. It was sunny. It was warm. It was beautiful! To be fair, I’m biased because Larkin is my son, but it really was a wonderful day.

Larkin

My sweet new daughter in law Martha was the perfect bride when it came to designing wedding flowers. She told me she loves purple and was fine with whatever flowers I chose to use. What could be more fun for a florist?

Martha’s bouquet was a mix of all shades of purple, and had lots of texture. Ocean Song roses, plum ranunculus, anemone, larkspur, stock, veronica and scabiosa.

Martha's bouquet

This wedding was such a family affair- top to bottom! The photographer for the amazing photos was Hannah Kraus Photography and her husband, Connor, my stepson and daughter in law. My grand daughters were the flower girls, Nora and Eleanor. And Larkin and Martha’s day was complete when they got to take photos with their chocolate labs, Rebel and Hazel.

Martha, Hazel, Larkin and Rebel

Our Family- these kind of pictures always make me so happy and thankful.

One of the best parts of their wedding ceremony was the tree planting. Sort of a unity ceremony that blended their two families together. Larkin is from Kansas, Martha is from Minnesota, and they have made their home, and bought a farm, in Iowa. For the ceremony they each added dirt from their home state to an oak tree that they later planted on their Iowa farm. How cool is that?

Each one of my weddings is special to me. I wouldn’t be in the business of wedding flowers if I didn’t care about each and every wedding I do. But of course this one is extra special. Larkin is my last child to be married, so there is also a sigh of relief!

Jennifer and Larkin

I saved the best picture for last. The look of pure joy on Larkin and Martha’s faces is exactly how it should be on your wedding day!

Larkin and Martha

For the love of houseplants!

In this crazy out-of-our-control year, let’s talk about something that adds joy to our lives just by existing. Houseplants! Okay maybe it’s just me, but there is something about growing things that keeps me grounded (pun intended) and reminds me that some parts of life aren’t cancelled. Like spring, summer, fall and winter. For three seasons, I love my big cut flower garden, but in winter it’s my houseplants that make me happy. I am a firm believer that armed with good information anyone can keep a houseplant alive and thriving. So here is everything you need to know!

Peperomia

First things first! What plant to buy? It all depends on your available light. Decide what room the plant will live in, and check the light. Big south window? Office with no window? North or east window with low light? Make sure you research which plants work best in that space. This little Peperomia sits on my office desk and only gets light when I turn the light on. It’s doing okay but a Sansevieria would be a better choice for no natural light.

Another consideration is size. In order, these are Bird of Paradise, Ponytail Palm, Kimberly Queen fern, and Norfolk Pine. They are all BIG, which is fine in the summer when they spend their days on my covered porch. But before first frost I’m scrambling to rearrange my house and find a helper to help me lug them inside. Still love them! If you are looking for a plant that can totally be ignored, it’s the Norfolk Pine. That one is probably 10-12 years old, has only grown about 6 inches and requires very little water. I know this because I constantly forget to water it and it always looks fine!

Phalaenopsis orchid

This is one of several Phalaenopsis orchids that I have. They also spend their summers outside, no special attention at all, watered with the garden hose. The key to re-blooming is never cutting off the bloom stem- it will produce new buds. This is my favorite flowering houseplant.

Lemon Tree

See where the grasshopper ate those leaves? This is how you know my plants are on the porch right now. See those bring green fruits? This is my lemon tree! I have absolutely no advice for you on how to successfully grow lemons or limes. I have had both trees for about 10 years and they only bloom and bear fruit when they feel like it. It’s been three years since I’ve had a single lemon.

Pilea

This little guy is Pilea or Coin Plant, or Pancake Plant. It’s the newest addition to my collection and so far has been easy to grow. If you are just getting started, start small. The real keys to success for any potted plant is to grow them in a pot with a hole for drainage (a must), fertilize in the summer/don’t fertilize in winter, repot in late winter/early spring and then let them spend their summers in the fresh air, somewhere protected from direct sun. They can not tolerate frost (because houseplants are all considered tropical) so don’t put them out until danger of last frost is over and bring them in before freezing weather in the fall. In Kansas, the average dates for first and last frost are October 15 and April 15.

Even though I am an Extension Master Gardener in Kansas, most of my houseplant knowledge came from trial and error, and I have had to tell myself many times that it’s okay to throw away a plant that’s on it’s last leg even though they all feel like children to me.

Here’s a link from K-State Extension that has all the best information on growing your own houseplants, but the key is to just dive in!

Basic Care of Houseplants