Another Milestone
“Never would I have guessed that those goals, though noble, would actually be blown out of the water.”
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
What can we create that will say, “This bouquet belongs to THIS couple!”
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!
Let’s make the process of choosing your flowers as PAINLESS as possible and we’ll make them punctuate the day. Photo by Ingrid Svare Photography
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!
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).
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 big flowy bouquets (my speciality!) or compact, smaller bouquets? These things will help me determine what you’re really into, and what is just extraneous detail.
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!
Come with what you already know— vendors (cake, photographer, bar, food, coordinator, rentals), venue, dress pictures, color scheme, bridesmaid dresses and color.
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!
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.
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
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.
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!