June 10 2020 Photo by South and West Today on the blog we are chatting with the beautiful Anastasia Andenmatten If you are looking for a unique floral design this is your gal I love encouraging couples to think outside the box for florals the reality is that florals make a huge difference in photos and the feel of your day They can be such a statement piece and I find floral designers to be some of the most creative vendors on the wedding day Ready to get some inspiration and questions answered for florals Keep reading

Tell us a little about you Where are you located and what services do you offer Thanks for having me My name is Anastasia and I am a floral designer based in San Francisco I focus on creating contemporary thoughtful floral designs for weddings and special events

Tell us your story How did you become a fulltime florist My career in flowers started with a high school summer job at my neighborhood florist in a small town outside of Philadelphia I learned all the basics at the shop while sweeping floors schlepping water buckets and memorizing the names of flowers While I originally moved to San Francisco for a job in tech I found myself designing on the side for friends Fast forward and I found myself starting my own full time floral design business My first ever San Francisco wedding was at Foreign Cinema for colleagues turned friends of mine Since then I havent looked back I am an open book about my small business journey and talk more about it in this blogpost Sharing my story transparently has been a passion of mine as I feel the industry keeps a lot of getting started information behind closed doors My hope is that by sharing the gritty details I can help inspire someone else to take a small step in the direction of their dreams regardless of what industry they are in

What is your favorite part of being a florist I love using floral design to create experiences More than just looking pretty I truly believe that flowers have the power to bring people together and create conversation in unexpected ways

How do you like to work with your clients In person over a video call etc In a way that fits their personalities and schedules best Luckily there are so many ways to collaborate on designs virtually That being said I love meeting my couples in person either over coffee or tea a cocktail or at the venue Getting to know their story their personalities and what is influencing their vision makes all the difference when designing

Are there any trends you are loving or ones that you are hoping to take off I am always hesitant to recommend trends Instead I like to urge my couples to focus on designs that are thoughtful and unique to them and their day Three areas where there are a lot of opportunities to get creative and have fun small celebrations custom installations and ikebana inspired designs Small celebrations Elopements and intimate weddings are becoming a reality for some during these times But they are also economical options that can still be just as special if not more With fewer guests comes lower expenses meaning the opportunity for floral designs that really wow guests Custom installations Floral design can and should be used to create experiences for couples and their guests I am a sucker for custom unexpected installations that start conversations An epic ceremony backdrop a suspended installation over the dance floor a photo opportunity moment at cocktail hour the options are limitless Ikebana A lot of my couples are incorporating ikebana inspired designs into their tablescapes and I am so here for it Ikebana is the art of Japanese floral arranging known for emphasizing the form and balance of flowers and is being seen more and more with contemporary minimal wedding designs With ikebana you end up with super thoughtful arrangements that often make guests stop and admire

What is something unique a couple can do for flowers to make their day stand out Be bold Couples should not feel like they need to check all the boxes bouquets for the bridesmaids boutonnieres for the groomsmen one round centerpiece on each table There are no rules Instead go for the custom installation or risky color palette This is what will add personality to the day

If a couple knows exactly what they want and they have inspiration from Pinterest can any florist achieve the look they are hoping for Of course Anything is possible In the early stages of planning a floral designer will consult couples to give them an idea of pricing flower seasonality in case any expectations need to be set This is the time to be vocal about priorities and ask questions That being said I recommend couples be open to asking their designer for ideas as well Ultimately it is important to choose vendors that are a great fit who can truly be partners in the planning process If it is a match the vision easily comes to life Instead of viewing vendors as vendors view them as artists

When looking at their budget for flowers where should a couple prioritize their money to be spent Having planned my own wedding somewhat recently I recall putting a lot of thought into the budget I think it is important for couples to first take a step back and meditate on their wedding vision write down what they are dreaming of what they want their guests to feel as they enter the ceremony when they sit down to dinner This will help identify what is most important and exciting and what they can skip While it would be nice to have all the things your floral designer can recommend areas to save versus splurge My number one recommendation is always to go for impact look no further than floral installations While installations are pricier overall they have the power to transform a room not to mention the photo opportunity potentials Plus installations can often serve multiple functions giving couples a big bang for your buck This is the type of design that people notice and a great way to focus the budget

What are some common mistakes couples make when it comes to florals One Budget The floral budget is often overlooked despite being a priority for couples Setting priorities and expectations within the budget upfront will save time and headaches when searching for the perfect floral designer Two Relying on Pinterest It is really easy to go down a Pinterest rabbit hole and feel influenced by trends and what everyone elses wedding looks like I urge my couples to go beyond Pinterest and wedding planning sites to find inspiration whether that be from nature architecture food and drink travels fashion art or music I recommend creating a vision board using a limited number of images that truly speak to you Keeping this board simple prevents the process from getting overwhelmed

If someone has no idea how much wedding flowers cost where should they start This is always daunting On average florals account for ten percent of the overall wedding budget Of course there are many different variables that can have a big impact on the budget including the number of guests location date size of bridal party flower selection and quantity and types of arrangements Once a couple knows their preliminary needs and guest count they should reach out to one or two designers to get started While many designers would be providing couples a fully custom design they are often able to share a high level estimate based on preliminary details prior to scheduling a consultation or drafting a formal proposal

Aside from pricing what is the best way to find a floral designer that is a good fit for me There is no shortage of talent in the San Francisco Bay Area and each designer has a unique set of offerings So during initial consultation calls I urge my couples to evaluate several designers Start by asking for referrals from the venue planner and friends Look at designers work and read their reviews Know what is important in your evaluation process whether it be aesthetic testimonials or communication style Then from there create a shortlist of favorite designers to schedule consultations with When couples choose a designer that they feel most aligned with the process of working together and the end result will be that much more rewarding

How can people find you and get in touch Instagram anastasiandenmatten Website anastasiaandenmattencom Email helloanastasiaandenmattencom