Lisa Roy is one of our favorite people! The woman has a smile that is just as warm and inviting as her flower arrangements and she is just as awesome of a vendor to work with as the work she creates! Her work is simply gorgeous and each bouquet, centerpiece - you name it - is handcrafted with a lot of love! We think that your flowers add SO much to your wedding and that they are also a big reflection of your personal style. We wanted to catch up with Lisa and learn more about her company, Flora Bella, and we also wanted to pick her brain on what inspires her as an artist!
Q. You have incredible style. Hands down. What kind of resources did you use to gather inspiration for designing florals for your clients?
A. Thank you! We draw inspiration from so many sources. The top industry blogs, current fashion trends and Pinterest are chock full of goodness but we also draw from modern, timeless and classic design/art from the past. Our natural environments also have plenty to offer. A walk through a busy city can be just as inspiring as a quiet walk in the woods.
Q. What are the first steps a bride could should consider when booking their florist?
A. Experience and expertise are extremely important elements to consider as well as personal compatibility with your florist. An exceptional florist will be able to work within many different styles while still expressing elements of their own design aesthetic. As with any good designer/artist/stylist, over time they will develop a strong, consistent, prolific body of work while maintaining the ability and openness to collaborate with a client. Hire a florist whose work you love and whose personality is compatible with your own. Hire who you trust and in turn, trust who you hire and the entire collaboration will be a smashing success.
Q. How would you describe the style of Flora Bella?
A. We love to create lush, textural and vibrant floral with unusual or unexpected elements. We strive for an artful balance of color, texture and form. We work with modern, clean and classic elements as well as textural organic, natural forms with lots of movement and depth - all while staying true to the honestly of the materials. Our emphasis is on handcrafted floral and personal attention to details.
Q. You tend to go above and beyond as a florist. What is a unique piece you have made for a client?
A. We tend to attract our perfect clients - smart brides and grooms who share our obsession with good design, quality and attention to details. With the help of several Minneapolis talents, we recently dramatically transformed a local cafe into a stunning environment for Joynoelle's latest collection debut and runway show called the Caged Bird. Our installation was complete with vintage furniture vignettes, bird cages bursting with floral and garlands dripping with amaranths, seed pods, roses, hydrangea, moss, unusual orchid varieties and pheasant feathers. We carefully curated collections of flower and feather filled apothecary bottles, urns and cloche covered orchids, succulents and oddities. The result was a warm, candlelit, unforgettable evening.
Q. How does the venue choice and time of year effect the choice of flowers and design?
A. The choice of venue is extremely important. Choosing one that fits your style and the vibe of your day will make it much easier to provide complementary floral elements, resulting in an integrated feel throughout.
Choose a time of year consistent with your favorite blooms. If you're in love with peonies, then plan a May or June wedding. Choosing seasonally available blooms is not only cost effective, but also an environmentally responsible choice.
Q. What was your philosophy in investing in the florals / details of a wedding day (money wise)?
A. Be honest to your season. In-season blooms are not only best in size, color and quality, but also a smart investment. Trust your florist and allow for flexibility in seasonal flower varieties as well as color tones within your desired palette. We know our materials and will always have your vision in mind.
Q. How many weddings to you do each year?
A. All of our floral elements are laboriously handcrafted with love, and that takes time and skill. This number can shift from year to year, but generally we like to take one large wedding per weekend in order to offer the best personal attention to our clients. Sometimes we take several smaller weddings per weekend depending on the details involved.
Q. What are some hot trends for florals right now?
A. Although I've been working with succulents and various unusual botanicals and foliage my entire career, they seem to be a hit again lately. In recent seasons, I've noticed a shift to more eclectic, variety rich decor elements, which we find inspiring. Vibrant, textural, natural bouquets with movement have replaced compact, round bouquets. Organic elements with an abundance of texture, depth and pattern have also been in vogue.
Q. What advice do you have for brides who are planning a stylish wedding that incorporates so many details?
A. An experienced florist will have the ability to see the entire picture and can style your wedding with grace and artistic integrity. Allowing us flexibility and freedom to create beautiful floral and decor will result in a more beautifully unified wedding. Use quality vendors, and trust their expertise. Grant them the freedom to do what they do best.
You can also check out Flora Bella on Facebook.