Vendor Spotlight- BLUUMBLVD Floral & Events

Oh, hey Friends! Met with one of my many florist beauty crushes Stephanie aka Steph (as I call her lol) of BluumBlvd to chat on how she became a wedding florist, tips for brides + what’s next. Her ability to turn a space into a dream continuously blows my mind (again, I know I’m not alone here. She’s collaborated on editorial features and photo shoots, you may have seen her work in: The Black Bride Magazine, WeddingStar Magazine, the Wedding Planner Magazine, and StyleMePretty as well as featured on Breakfast Television and CityLine. Take a peek at our little chat.

Can you share what first inspired you to start designing flowers?

My love for flowers started really young for me. Every spring my mom and sisters would head out to the garden and plant begonias in front of our house, it was something us girls always did every year.  Flowers has always reminded me of my mom and the good times with my family. But life eventually got busy, I went to college, got married, moved out, and started working. And then one day I just picked up some cut flowers on a day off and started playing. I’ve always loved creating beautiful things, but what I wanted most is to be a part of people’s love story and that’s how my business was born.

How did you develop the BLUUMBLVD flower design look that you’re known for?

We created a logo that was both feminine and strong, which are characteristics I think every woman has. You can be a boss and take charge of your life and still be considered a woman and show off your feminine qualities.  And my logo illustrates that perfect balance and I think that’s why my logo resonates with a lot of people.

Florists Vary a lot in price. If a bride knows exactly what she wants and has inspiration from Pinterest can any florist achieve the look she’s hoping for?

This is quite a loaded question! Pricing and design. No two florists pricing are created alike, the pricing of wedding flowers depends primarily on the types of flowers used, the florist experience and the workload of the wedding. A florist first starting out will have a lower price range because they are trying to build a portfolio and gain experience. Whereas a florist who has been executing gorgeous weddings week after week, will know exactly what it takes to create a wedding and will have a team to ensure it gets done. Are they looking for a hanging installation or an elaborate archway, ask a florist if they have experience creating those pieces, the kind of experience a florist has will determine if they can actually achieve a couple’s look and their pricing will accurately reflect that. 

When a bride gathers inspiration from Pinterest, I advise them to look at the florist portfolio and see if they are similar in style. When a couple chooses a florist that is more in line with their desired wedding style, the couple can make sure to get their dream wedding that they’re envisioning. Also, not all flowers are available year-round, if a bride is asking for peonies and garden roses in her wedding flowers, they come with a premium price, so it helps to be flexible with flower choices as well.

 I’m really honest with the brides that I meet and I think that’s really important.  At BLUUMBLVD, we really enjoy making large flower installments, but if what they’re asking for will not fit their budget, I design an alternative that they’re happy with. Over time, I’ve learned that you can take one aspect of that Pinterest image and flush it out to all aspects of the wedding. So, although, brides will want an exact replica of a Pinterest image, I use it as inspiration and create something unique to the couple getting married.

When it comes to flowers, where should a bride prioritize her budget?

It depends on the couple! Some couples want a jaw dropping ceremony installation where others want to go all out for their reception. I try to work with the bride and groom and help them figure out what is important to them and prioritize their budget accordingly.  I will say this though; the reception is where everyone will spend most of their time on the wedding day. Their guests will be sitting at their tables for a couple of hours so I would put attention to detail to the reception. It does take a little bit more than just flowers to fully execute a wedding design, so I help couples curate beautiful details like calligraphy paper goods, linens, and tableware etc.  

If you had one tip for a bride, what would it be?

One tip I would share is, trust the process, I know organizing a wedding is probably the biggest thing a bride has ever had to plan. But once a couple has found a vendor they believe does good work, trust that they will, instead of overlooking and dictating every small detail of the wedding.  I love working with couples who trust me and give me some creative freedom, when I have that I’m able to create even more beautiful arrangements because they’re created with a little more love and a little less stress! So, although a couple’s wedding day is the most important day of their lives, us wedding professionals do this every day, enjoy your engagement and let us sweat the small stuff. 

Fun Fact: Guilty Pleasure

Oh, there’s a lot of them! But one I’m willing to share is my love for Reality Shows! From 90 Day Fiancé to Catch a Contractor, I’m addicted! Can anyone suggest another reality show I should be watching?