For as long as I have been in love with all things wedding, I have been in love with all things floral. And, let’s face it, that’s a long time. There is just something so very wonderful about some pretty, pretty blooms. I like to fill my house with them, use images of them as screen savers and gaze at them longingly here on Style Me Pretty. And so it’s a no brainer that I would be head over heels for Sprout, the ah.ma.zing boutique floral studio located in downtown Fredericksburg. Time and time again, I find myself picking my jaw right up off the floor when I get a peak at some of the gorgeous that Sprout is creating. (And I may or may not save certain images of Sprout bouquets in a folder I call “My Wedding.”) Needless to say, I was just a tad bit excited to do a little Q&A with Sprout’s sweet-as-can-be owner, Michelle. And I was right. She’s awesome.
What do you do, how long have you been doing it and what makes you awesome?
I have had Sprout, a flower and gift shop in Fredericksburg, Texas, since 2008. The first week we were open, I received a call asking us to do the flowers for a wedding. Since that time, providing florals for weddings and events has become a very important and vibrant part of the business. The word “awesome” makes me a bit nervous, but I think I have been fortunate enough to stumble upon a niche market in our community – catering to couples looking to have a unique destination wedding in the Texas Hill Country. We design florals for stylized boutique weddings, taking our lead from the style of the bride and groom, as well as the flowers currently in season. I like to incorporate as many natural elements as possible, as well as unique vintage vessels. Flea markets have become a great source of finding the perfect containers to incorporate in the design and we are constantly adding to our collection.
What sets Texas weddings apart from weddings anywhere else?
Cowboy boots with wedding dresses for one. While not unique to Texas, I would say the term “rustic charm” sums up many a Texas wedding. Often it is the mixing of rough elements like rusted metal, worn wood, deer antlers or limestone with the romantic softness of peonies, hydrangeas and garden roses. Succulents are often another key ingredient.
What kind of weddings do you love most and what is your favorite trend right now?
I love it when the bride and groom bring their own personality, heritage and interests into the mix. As to current trends, I’m enthralled by the more natural styled arranging that allows flowers to be seen more as they would appear in nature or in a garden. Ariella Chezar is the queen of this in America at the moment with many other shining stars appearing all the time. I also love the use of tablescapes – creating collages of florals and other items, often vintage, especially ones that resonate with the personalities of the bride and groom.
What is your biggest piece of advice for people planning a wedding?
Don’t sweat the small stuff. Choose your vendors well, communicate your style clearly and thoroughly and then let them deal with the details. Our job is to please you. With that in mind, I find that I am much more able to be creative when given a bit of leeway.
Who are your favorite vendor friends in Texas that keep the inspiration flowing?
I’m always amazed with the photography of Suzi Q from QWeddings. I often start the day checking in on her “photo of the day” from her blog. It inspires me to find beauty in unusual places and to look at things more carefully. Svetlana Frolova of Svetlana Photography is another favorite as her images are so often simply breathtaking. Elizabeth Harris is an event planner with a vast amount of experience and creativity. She builds a rapport with her clients and is a great collaborator. As for wedding cakes, Sophie’s Choice Bakery creates the most beautiful designs and they taste great, as well. And I’m really excited about a new kid on the block here in Fredericksburg, Sisters Vintage Party. They have a growing collection of vintage dishes and accessories available for rent.
Oh, and it gets better. Michelle was gracious enough to share some floral tips for your big day. I told you she was awesome. So, without further ado, Sprout’s Top 5 Floral Tips!
Top 5 Floral Tips From Sprout
1. Define your style. Pinterest is a great way to pull together photographs of things you love.
2. Choose flowers that are in season. A flower not at the height of its season can be disappointing, while there is nothing quite like the robustness of a flower at its peak. That said, if there is a particular flower that you really have your heart set on, communicate that to your florist—sometimes we are able to get our hands on that special flower and add it in.
3. Do a walk-through. If possible, walk through the venue with your florist so you can see areas that may need a bit of embellishment.
4. When planning your decor, take into consideration the time of day and possible exposure to the elements. You don’t necessarily need candles if your ceremony takes place in daylight. Just as you may want to consider weighted vessels as opposed to small bud vases if there is a chance of wind.
5. Consider ahead of time what you will do with the flowers after the reception. Our local hospice program is happy to get leftover flowers and distribute them to their patients.
So, that concludes our Sprout tour of pretty for the day! It’s been an honor, Michelle. Thank you so much for giving us a glimpse in to your beautiful world!
Floral Design: Sprout / Photography: Jen Huang Photography + Alina Prax of La Dolce Vita Photography + Crystal Littrell of Littrell Photography + Suzi Q Varin of Q Weddings + Stacy Sodolak of SMS Photography + Sveltlana Frolova of Svetlana Photography + Kristin Radicke Light of Urth Studio / Film Work: Richard Photo