Florists are one of the most important wedding vendors. They can bring your vision to life with their artistry and talent. Or… it can all fall flat. Which is why selecting the right (note: that does not mean most expensive) florist is crucial! One of our favorite florists to work with is The Red Twig. They do both custom event and commercial work, and are exceptional at taking a vision (even part of a vision) and bringing it to life even better than it was imagined. You know how you can spot a vendor with true integrity? Their brutal (but refreshing) honesty. You will see what I mean when you read our interview! :)

How would you describe your style and/or your brand?

I prefer to not pigeonhole myself into one set design style. I am happiest when I can change styles frequently. If I had to pick words, though, I would say most others describe my work as having movement, or looking as though it is blowing in the wind… I have also had it described as complicated. Haha, I get that. I like designs that draw you in, that make you want to look at them more closely. So I am a complicated florist blowing in the wind.

How did you get started in the floral/wedding industry?

The florist that designed my wedding hired me on as a delivery driver. The marriage didn’t take, but the industry did. That was back in 1999, so my relationship with flowers is pretty committed by this point.

What questions should couples be sure to ask when selecting flowers for their wedding?

Hmmm, that is difficult. Most people would answer with budget I’d imagine… I think they need to ask themselves what they want their flowers to say about them, or the day. I think the element of design reigns supreme when it comes to weddings and events. Meaning, I want the client and the attendants to walk away feeling like they had an experience, as opposed to simply putting something on the table to cover a blank spot. I understand, though, that budget means function over form occasionally, which is why we like to think outside the box when possible to pull a vision together.

If you had a client with endless funds, what unique ideas and products/ services would you offer them?

Free standing floral sculpture. Endless flower tattoos, for everyone! Floral tattoos on site!

Who is your ideal client?

Couples or people willing to stretch their concepts of event design. I can do white hydrangea in a vase all day long but maybe we can add a personal touch somehow.

What was your most memorable event that you were part of?

Oi there have been so many, one wedding we had looped in a calligrapher to hand script props with movie quotes as part of their centerpieces. Another we built a series of hexagons to make a honeycomb pattern, accented with floral, to hang on a wall…

And then there was this one wedding where the couple had faced some unexpected hurdles during their engagement. It was seeing a place at one of the reception tables set for me…to be included at their celebration was such an honor. I took a picture of my place card!! Forgot to take pictures of the flowers that day, it was the name card that got me in the feels.

What is the biggest misconception about the floral industry?

Oh there are sooo many! That we do everything the day before the wedding. That working with flowers is fun all the time. That flowers are inexpensive (no the grocery store does not have the same quality flowers as your local florist) That there are seasonal flowers in the dead of winter in northeast Ohio.

What is something you wish all of your clients knew, or a certain thing you wish all of your clients would do to make working with them easier?

Come prepared to be asked a lot of questions about design, I don’t expect clients to know flowers, but I do need you to know what you like to look at. At least a little.

If that second to last question doesn’t sell you… I love vendors that become personally vested in their clients or even potential clients. That is one thing that always stands out to me when I am working with someone in the industry. Is our mutual client just another number? Or do they see them as a person and are willing to go above and beyond if unexpected circumstances come up? Red Twig is one of the good ones! Check out their website to see more of their beautiful work!