A NAME THAT STANDS OUT AMONG THE WEDDING FLORISTS IN BOZEMAN

People have been asking since the beginning why i named this little business rowan & Larch.

There are actually several really good reasons why out of all the wedding florists in Bozeman I would choose this name. One very simple one is that I like to name things a unique and meaningful name and I didn’t want to have crossover with anyone else. The rowan and larch are two incredible types of trees— I chose tree names because paper comes from trees and I started this business making paper-goods to sell on Etsy (Hello! Multimedia artist over here!). When I realized I LOVED designing wedding flowers in Bozeman MT and only liked creating paper goods, I shifted gears, but the name was so pretty and the trees are so compelling that I chose to keep the name.

So why the Rowan and the Larch?

Rowan Trees (Sorbus aucuparia)

I chose Rowan trees because I’m a nerd—I’ve read the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings at least 15 times in my life, and the Silmarillion and Tales from Middle Earth a handful of times. In one of my favorite parts of the book, Bregelad (or Quickbeam in the common speech), an ent, or Tree-man, sings a song of mourning over these beautiful trees:

“ ‘There were rowan-trees in my home,’ said Bregalad, softly and sadly, 'rowan-trees that took root when I was an Enting, many many years ago in the quiet of the world. The oldest were planted by the Ents to try and please the Entwives; but they looked at them and smiled and said that they knew where whiter blossom and richer fruit were growing. Yet there are no trees of all that race, the people of the Rose, that are so beautiful to me. And these trees grew and grew, till the shadow of each was like a green hall, and their red berries in the autumn were a burden, and a beauty and a wonder. Birds used to flock there. I like birds, even when they chatter; and the rowan has enough to spare….

    …O Orofarnë, Lassemista, Carnimírië!
    O rowan fair, upon your hair how white the blossom lay!
    O rowan mine, I saw you shine upon a summer’s day,
    Your rind so bright, your leaves so light, your voice so cool and soft:
    Upon your head how golden-red the crown you bore aloft!”

–J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, “Treebeard”

OTHER INTERESTING FACTS:

• Rowan trees, also known as mountain ash, are celebrated for their striking appearance, ecological importance, and the role they have played in folklore throughout history. Native to the northern parts of Europe, western Asia, and parts of North America, these trees have a reputation for thriving in temperate climates, particularly in woodlands and forest edges.

• The rowan tree is often admired for its beauty, from the delicate white or cream-colored flowers that bloom in spring to the vivid red or orange berries that appear in the autumn. These berries are a favorite food for birds, especially during the colder months, and the tree itself provides shelter and nesting sites for various small creatures. In addition to their ecological contributions, rowan trees are also prized for their aesthetic qualities, with their bright foliage turning a rich golden hue in the fall.

• In folklore, the rowan tree holds special significance. Many cultures have regarded it as a symbol of protection, with ancient beliefs suggesting that the tree could ward off evil spirits. This connection to safety and good fortune led to the planting of rowan trees near homes and places of importance. The Scots, for example, believed that the tree’s powerful aura could keep witches and harmful spirits at bay. Some people even carried small pieces of rowan wood as charms for good luck.

• Rowan trees have not only held cultural sway but also had practical uses over the centuries. The strong wood was once used to make tools, handles, and walking sticks. Though the berries are quite bitter, they have been used in traditional herbal remedies and even turned into jams, jellies, and beverages like rowan berry wine.

• Interestingly, while rowan trees are found throughout parts of North America, they are not native to Montana. However, their adaptability allows them to grow well in various climates, including Montana’s, where they’ve been introduced into gardens and landscapes.

Gus, the largest Larch in the world is in Montana!

Larch Trees (Larix spp.)

I chose the Larch tree because they are, in fact, native to Montana. Their ability to turn yellow and lose their needles (unique among conifers) was very compelling to me. When I did a bit of research, the following facts stood out as very compelling reasons to choose this particular variety.

• The largest known larch tree in the world is located in Montana. This massive tree, which is a hybrid between the Western larch and the Interior larch, stands at an impressive height of over 170 feet and has become a celebrated natural landmark. You can see an article here!

• The larch has small but beautiful, rose-shaped pinecones.

• The Western larch (Larix occidentalis) is commonly found throughout Montana, particularly in mountainous regions. This species thrives in the cold, high-elevation environments of Montana’s woods, where it has become an integral part of the ecosystem.

• Larch trees are a unique group of conifers that stand apart from other evergreen trees due to their deciduous nature—losing their needles in the winter. These trees are found in cold, temperate climates, with species like the European larch (Larix decidua) and the American larch (Larix laricina) being the most prominent. The larch’s resilience and striking golden autumn foliage make it a beloved tree in the regions where it grows. Larches are known for their ability to thrive in harsh environments, from high-altitude areas to the freezing temperatures of the northern latitudes. Their wood, prized for its strength and resistance to decay, has long been used in construction, particularly for outdoor purposes such as decking and boat-building. The warm reddish-brown color of larch wood also makes it a favorite for crafting furniture and flooring.

• One of the most fascinating features of the larch tree is its ability to shed its needles each winter. Unlike other conifers, which retain their needles year-round, the larch transforms into a brilliant display of gold before losing its foliage. This striking change marks the arrival of colder months and adds to the tree's charm.

• In nature, the larch is essential for maintaining the balance of its ecosystem. Its fallen needles enrich the soil, adding nutrients that help foster the growth of other plants, particularly in areas where the soil might be poor. Larches are also a valuable resource for wildlife, offering both food and shelter to various creatures, from birds to insects.

• In some cultures, the larch tree is viewed as a symbol of resilience and adaptability, given its ability to survive in some of the most challenging environments. Its graceful shedding of needles is often seen as a reminder of the cycle of life and renewal, a theme that resonates with many who encounter these trees in the wild.

Bringing it home

Like Tolkien, I’ve been pretty obsessed with trees my entire life. I grew up in the Northwestern part of Washington between hills covered in logging trails between towering evergreens. We had woods filled with cedar and various other evergreens on our piece of property that we made trails in and climbed. We had fruit trees we harvested every year. My two daughters both have tree names. (Linden and our littlest’s middle name is Ellowyn, (Welsh for Elm Tree, a very resilient type of tree.) As a family, many of our special places are outdoors amongst the woods and mountains of Montana.

Both my husband and I are interested in the transcendant qualities of truth, beauty and goodness, and when I came to name my business, the Rowan’s beauty and efficacy in making tools and remedies, as well as its use a good luck charm in Scottish culture, combined with the Larch’s uniqueness and resilience in the rugged, wild landscape of Montana, felt like just the right blend for the goals of this business. I also have some Scottish heritage (My grandfather is a Robertson!) and love Scotland (and would happily live there part time.) When I look at the names of the wedding florists in Bozeman, MT I see so many that I like, but the meaning behind Rowan & Larch feels deep, significant and lasting.

Like the Rowan, I am a transplant to Montana, but have been here long enough (20 years now!) to think of myself as a Montanan, rooted and real like the Larch.

This business is here to underline the transcendant beauty, truth and goodness of your relationship with elevated and unique flowers.

Working on a snowy installation in a tree for a bridal session. Of all the wedding florists in bozeman, i think I may be the most obsessed with trees.

One of my dreams is be asked to do an installation on (or in front of) a magnificent, gnarled old tree for a wedding.

Another Milestone

Each step on the journey feels like a struggle sometimes. There are days that the grind is exactly that.

But some Mondays you wake up to a milestone. A dream come true-but a dream you barely dared to think about a year ago. Thinking about how far I’ve come in one year feels insane.

October 28th was my first styled photo shoot last year. With those photos, I built a website and ordered business cards. I stepped out on my own.

My initial goals: Break even, gain experience, say yes to everything- hope for maybe 10 weddings, cultivate a few business contacts, and don’t die.

Never would I have guessed that those goals, though noble, would actually be blown out of the water.

I’ve made beautiful friends, not just cultivated business contacts! I’ve grown in confidence and courage and more than that, in purpose. My purpose is to bless people, build relationships, show them how important they are, care for their needs, and create beauty.

24 weddings, 3 events, numerous small deliveries, business collaborations, and 20 styled photoshoots (of varying size) later, I’ve achieved a goal I did not anticipate in my first year.

I was able to pay myself!

I also didn’t die.

This milestone wasn’t on my radar because I thought it wasn’t attainable. It was in the back of my mind, but not really a hope. It was a distant dream that has become very focused and very real:

My work has been featured on one of the most esteemed wedding websites in the Western United States, Rocky Mountain Bride, a premium curator of all things wedding—vendors, locations, inspiration, and planning. Take a look at the feature by following this LINK.

Now that’s what I’d call a milestone. I’m so lucky to have been involved in a styled photoshoot with Ingrid and Plume Bridal and our beautiful bride, Alex. We used Honeysilks Co Ribbon and a Willowby by Watters Nala Dress. I ordered product in and foraged leaves and grasses from local fields. Texture is key. We created what Ingrid has termed, Wild Autumn Whimsy. And she’s so right. We got a little window of colorful leaves, and she capitalized. What a gift that we get to call Montana home.

How amazing that this year has been a success. I still love what I do. I was blessed by every single bride, quirks, foibles and ALL.

I get to do this.

Unique

Many brides feel that they don’t actually know what they like as they’re choosing their florals. Some are positive what they want and don’t have a clue how much it will cost. Some are just happy to have flowers at their wedding—in whatever form they come.

I’m a passionate person—passionate about flowers. I want your flowers to tell your story. Set you apart. Show your personality. Everyone is different and every arrangement I make is different. Don’t let anyone tell you that arrangements can be cookie cutter. Arrangements are like people—made up of the same parts, but infinitely different in variety. Each one tells a story, absorbs the eye differently, directs the thoughts differently.

SO. I’m going to ask you about yourself. What makes you you? Why do you like your fiance/fiancee? How did you meet? How did the proposal go down? What do you dream of doing? Where do you dream of living? Do you have anything that you REALLY want at your wedding? How do you describe yourself? If a friend was describing you, what would they say? What do you and your partner like to do together? What’s your house like? If you had an animal that best represented your personality, what would it be?

Some serious, some not so serious questions.

I want your flowers to reflect YOU. Wildflower sprays, recently foraged weeds, graceful peonies, fluffy dahlias, arching ivy, exploding astilbe, soaring ranunculus. What can we put together that will say, “This bouquet belongs to THIS bride”?

You are unique. Beautiful. Let’s say it with your flowers.

Tea for TWO- me and YOU!

Hey there! It’s ME! Hannah—your prospective florist!

A strange little factoid about me is that I don’t actually like coffee. I’m from a family devoted (almost religiously) to coffee and I’m the only one of 6 who doesn’t like the taste. BUT I love the SMELL and I love coffee shops. I usually get myself a chai, some hot lemonade (try it—you won’t regret it!) or a steamer.

What’s your drink of choice? Let my buy it for you and let’s get planning on your BIG DAY! I’d LOVE to meet with you to see if I’m a good fit for you and your wedding.

To prepare you for our meeting, I’ve made a list of things so you can feel prepared! Sending me this information prior to getting tea with me is a HUGE help, but not required!

1. Come up with pictures of what you like—pin en masse on Pinterest. If you like it, pin it. Don’t overthink too much. There are three types of brides: A. Those who don’t really know what they want. If that’s you, don’t sweat it! Just pin what you like! B. You want me to just go ahead and use creative license, and make you something unique and beautiful! C. You know exactly what you want and know that I’ll do my best to recreate it (while also realizing that flowers are a creative art that can’t really be copied EXACTLY).

2. After you’ve pinned en masse, decide what you like about your pictures on Pinterest—do you see any themes? Shape of bouquet or boutonniere, flower color, type, size or texture? Do you prefer floral heavy bouquets or greenery heavy bouquets? Do you like flowy bouquets or compact, smaller bouquets? These things will help me determine what you’re really into, and what is just extraneous detail.

3. What words describe the theme of your wedding? Rustic Boho elegance? Trendy classic circus? Farmhouse geometric vintage? You tell me! The world is your oyster. Let’s make it happen. But let’s define it a little bit!

4. Come with what you already know— vendors (cake, photographer, bar, food, coordinator, rentals), venue, dress pictures, color scheme, bridesmaid dresses and color.

5. Decide how many of each type of arrangement you want—and don’t forget corsages, boutonnieres for family members and ushers, flower crowns, flower girl basket, arch decor, runners, or centerpieces. I’ve noticed that the bride usually gets focused on bouquets and forgets about all the rest. Which is great, because those are the center of attention, but don’t forget the others!

6. Think about where you will get vases for your centerpieces and what they will look like. Arch size (if applicable) is important too. That will help me determine what kind of mechanics will be needed to make the florals look beautiful, stay put, and stay hydrated.

7. Budget. Determine a range for me. It helps to adjust the quote to which flowers fit your budget. Where can we splurge? Where should we save? Please be as specific as possible that way I can be as direct as possible and save you time and energy in your decision making. The flowers should be one of the easiest decisions for you— I hope I can make it so!

Hopefully this is helpful! I’m a list person— so I made this for all of you list brides! This crazy and exciting part of your life is going to be one you remember forever! Let’s make the process of choosing your flowers as PAINLESS as possible and we’ll make them punctuate the day.

Camaraderie

In the last year, I have come to find relationship to be the one thing, the ONLY thing that life is about. Building, maintaining, and investing in relationships. Further, relationships must also be reciprocal- not energy exhausting or sapping. I’ve learned that not pursuing one sided relationships is healthy.  

For me, the value of relationship is in vulnerability. Relatability. Openness.

It also means that there aren’t expectations to fit an implied or enforced standard. I’m free to be myself in that relationship and they don’t feel the need to change themselves for me.   

There are so many people who have been this for me. Women who are all for me. Excited about my work. Asking tough questions, but also lending their voice to encourage the journey.

This week alone, I’ve met with two amazing women—one who taught me about florals and gave me some initial steps in the flower world. We want to work together, collaborate somehow in the future.

The other is SusanBeth Breuner from Elements of Light Photography who wants to do another styled shoot with me in January to help my business. I so appreciate someone further into the wedding business offering me a chance to showcase my talents.

A few weeks previously, was Allison with Capturing His Creation, who gambled on a girl who’d helped with a couple weddings, arranged flowers all summer, and was available last minute for a styled fall shoot. She offered me the opportunity to step into some much larger shoes a more experienced florist had vacated.  

Since then, people from the wedding industry and elsewhere have tagged their friends in my giveaway post, messaged me with encouragement, and helped my business grow. This positive energy in the growth of a my business and the encouragement of more experienced business-women has reinforced the excitement of what I’m doing.

This is the beginning of an exciting journey. A journey arm-in-arm with other people who want me to succeed just as much as I want to succeed. And relationship is the goal. The friendship. The camaraderie.

If you, too, are one of the people who love relationship, crave vulnerability, and feel deeply other people’s joy, let’s connect.

 Cheers!