Blog

Where is Sweet Pea Floral Designs located? Our consult office is located at 415 Detroit Street across from Zingerman’s Deli. Rather than operating a store where customers can walk in and buy flowers on the spot we maintain an office space where our clients can come for a consultation. We chose to go this route because we prefer to focus on events and weddings. This keeps our overhead low which helps keep our customers price low too.

How did you decide to get into the floral business? My business partner Melissa and I have a combined 10 years experience in the floral industry. We worked as designers and managers in various flower shops while in college. When we graduated and got “big girl” desk jobs we would have lunch together and always talk about how much we missed working with flowers every day. One day we just decided to stop mourning and start our own design firm. It was exciting and scary to start a business from the ground up but so rewarding!

 

What types of events do you create arrangements for? We create arrangements for weddings, showers, banquets, bar and bat mitzvahs etc. This year we had the privilege to design for the University of Michigan Museum of Art, and a Chrysler Co. product release gala.

What are your favorite flowers? I love all flowers but my favorites are the unique textured flowers that make everyone say “what is that”? Here are a few:

What are your least favorite flowers to work with for wedding bouquets, and why? I try to stay away from carnations, baby’s breath and other over used flowers. That said I never limit my clients to what I like they get what they like of course.

Do you work with local growers, and how does that affect price? Yes we love to work with local growers by request! With our offices located right around the corner from the Ann Arbor Farmers’ Market it is easy to stay in touch with what is in season and buy local. Local flowers are a great alternative to flowers trucked in from California or Columbia. Depending upon what is in season Local flowers can either be less expensive or 10-30% more expensive than their Columbian counterparts.

What colors and styles have you seen a lot of for 2010? The trend I am most excited about this season is succulents, or hens and chicks bouquets, boutonnieres, and decor.

I hear you have an etsy shop as well, right? Yes, on our Etsy shop we sell everlasting boutonnieres made from dried flowers, herbs, and small findings. Like these with tiny skeleton keys:

What is one thing people would be surprised to learn about you? I earned my degree in business management which surprises a lot of people who imagine me more as the art school type then the business school type. I’m also a licensed cosmetologist, but I can’t stand the gossipy atmosphere of salons so I do hair from my home instead. I guess with my background in beauty and floral design weddings were bound to be in my future.

Cheers! ~Sweet Pea