I know hiring a wedding photographer is extremely tough. And usually this is one of the biggest decisions a bride makes. But, after you’ve done that you realize there’s a zillion other things you have to get done on your “To Do Lists”.
One of the ways I will serve you while you’re prepping for your wedding is to give you a list of wedding vendors in the surrounding area. This list is a compilation of my favorite vendors to work with, specifically in Utah (from Provo – Salt Lake City). It includes florists, videographers, makeup artists, caterers, etc.
So, to begin I want to focus on one of my favorite parts of the wedding details – THE FLORALS. I love love love looking at beautifully arranged flowers and plants.
Each florist is an artist.
They create.
They know the names of each flower or plant used.
They know what’s required to keep them looking healthy and alive (tricky stuff – right?).
They spend so much time ensuring that they create the bouquets and arrangements on a specific timeline so they don’t wilt half-way through your wedding day.
Here are my recommendations: 3 Utah Florists to hire for your wedding
Here’s some of my favorite florists in Utah:
1. Celebration Flair https://www.instagram.com/celebrationflair/
2. Mountainside Florals https://www.instagram.com/mountainsidefloral/
3. Harper Florals https://www.instagram.com/harperflorals/
I spoke with each of them to learn a little more about one: how they got such mad floral skills and two: some of the skills they’ve developed to ensure each floral arrangement is perfect for your wedding day!
I also attached some images of my work + their work!
INTERVIEWS
Celebration Flair
Amanda Otis
1. How did you get started in the business?
My first job when I turned 16 was in a flower shop. I knew I wanted to be a florist as long as I can remember so as soon as I turned 16, I applied at a little flower shop in St. George, UT. I had no training. They just gave me a book of arrangements to copy and let me get creative. I loved it! I continued to work at a flower shop even as I went through college and earned my degree in Visual Arts Design. I actually met my husband in a flower shop (he worked for the competition down the street 😆). So flowers have always been an important part of my life. I’m excited to be celebrating 19 years of creating wedding flowers this year!
2. What’s the process for preparing all of the floral arrangements for your brides?
I love meeting with my brides and understanding their vision as they share with me their color choices and ideas. I’m also big on educating my brides on what flowers are in season, their names, their qualities, and also what flowers we can substitute if what they want isn’t available. I create a Pinterest board for each bride and collect all of their ideas that support their vision so that everyone is on the same page, visually. I also create a flower recipe that will include all of the flowers that will make up the bridal bouquet, corsages, boutonnieres, centerpieces, etc. That way the bride has everything they need to coordinate colors and style as they plan the rest of their wedding. Of course, the fun part is putting all of these ideas together to create the wedding of their dreams. In the end, flowers are always beautiful and always make a wedding even more special.
3. Why do you do what you do? (Aka why do you love it)
I love weddings! I obsess over every little detail and love to add beauty to such an important moment of life! I will always find joy in watching a bride react to seeing her bouquet on her wedding day or a couple walking into their reception and seeing all of the months of planning come to life. It’s very rewarding.
Mountainside Floral
Jennifer
1. How did you start in this business?
I got started in the floral business as part of a college job to help pay for rent. I went a started off working in the back at a flower shop. I wasn’t designing and it was not glamorous at all, but after this first job I knew I loved flowers and I wanted to learn to design. The second shop I worked at the owner went out on a limb and asked me if I wanted to be mentored and learn to design, and of course this was my dream! This is where my passion really began. After I left the second shop because I had to move, my boss suggested I try to do weddings when I got to Utah, so that’s what I did! It’s been an amazing journey.
2. How much time does it take to prepare your floral arrangements for weddings?
So the first thing I do is meet with the bride for a consultation so we can talk about their specific needs. After that I put in the order for the flowers and pick them up when the wedding date is almost here. When I get the flowers back I have to process all of them and clean their stems, which just means getting rid of extra leaves and cutting the stems at a slant and putting them in water and into the cooler for the night. After that I get to design!! The best part!! I love the creative side of being a florist so this is truly where I have fun and just put things together that I see in my head and make them in real life! Then I do the finishing touches like ribbons etc. and then I take the flowers out for delivery.
3. What is your favorite part about being a wedding florist?
I LOVE being a florist!! It is seriously my dream job come to life. Not only do I love love love the outdoors and the amazing things it has to offer, I love being able to create something from an image in my mind. I think the best part of the job for me though would have to be the delivery. Seeing a brides face light up when she gets her flowers is the best part of the job for me. I live for that. I love to make people happy with my work and get them excited about their wedding day!
Harper Florals
Autum Harper
1. How did you get started in the business?
I got started because my sister Aubree (@aubreebellephotography) asked me to make a bouquet for her for a photo shoot, and I did and it ended up really beautiful, so she was like ‘you’re doing this’ and I started!
2. What’s the process for preparing all of the floral arrangements for your brides?
So the process is basically, they give me their colors, and inspo pictures, then I order the flowers, go pick them up, I make the bouquets and arrangements in my house, and they come pick them up usually.
3. Why do you do what you do? (Aka why do you love it)
I love working with flowers, it’s so fun to create different looks and see how I can use different flowers in different ways! It is so fun, plus I just love flowers in general and they make my house smell so wonderful and they bring color into my life!:)
Find more bride tips on my Pinterest board made just for brides like you!
Also, I have a comprehensive list of my favorite vendors on my blog found here!
