(above left photo by Jose Villa)
I have had the opportunity to work with some of the most talented and personable vendors and wedding consultants in the wedding industry. I love to refer my clients to professionals I have worked with who I truly believe will do an amazing job for them. I have a blog post dedicated to my favorite vendors but I also like to occasionally spotlight each of them more in depth.
Today, meet Randi Eshelman of Carte Blanche Design! I've been blessed to work with Randi on both real weddings and styled shoots, and I'm always amazed by how natural and delicate her designs are. Just magical! Randi and I got together for a fun, floral play date recently, so you'll see some of her stunning work from that day throughout this post.
Here is a little Q & A to help us get to know Randi better. Read Randi's answers below each question:
1. How long have you been a florist?
I have owned my business 4 years. I started very small, doing weddings and events very part time. It worked out well. My kids were still very young, so I was focused more on keeping up with them. Eventually I knew that I was at a crossroads: either quit (and go back to corporate America) or ramp it up to full time. It was scary at first! But my husband and family were very supportive and every year has been huge in the growth of my little company.
2. What got you interested in starting your business?
I have always loved flowers, and I wanted to do something creative instead of be in a cubical, punching numbers. I went the corporate route for a while, but I was dissatisfied and looked into a change. I was a researcher, so I researched the ins and outs for years before taking the plunge.
3. What do you feel sets you apart from other florists in the wedding industry?
My style. I love a look that is more organic and loose. I want my flowers to look romantic and effortless.
I have had the opportunity to work with some of the most talented and personable vendors and wedding consultants in the wedding industry. I love to refer my clients to professionals I have worked with who I truly believe will do an amazing job for them. I have a blog post dedicated to my favorite vendors but I also like to occasionally spotlight each of them more in depth.
Today, meet Randi Eshelman of Carte Blanche Design! I've been blessed to work with Randi on both real weddings and styled shoots, and I'm always amazed by how natural and delicate her designs are. Just magical! Randi and I got together for a fun, floral play date recently, so you'll see some of her stunning work from that day throughout this post.
Here is a little Q & A to help us get to know Randi better. Read Randi's answers below each question:
1. How long have you been a florist?
I have owned my business 4 years. I started very small, doing weddings and events very part time. It worked out well. My kids were still very young, so I was focused more on keeping up with them. Eventually I knew that I was at a crossroads: either quit (and go back to corporate America) or ramp it up to full time. It was scary at first! But my husband and family were very supportive and every year has been huge in the growth of my little company.
2. What got you interested in starting your business?
I have always loved flowers, and I wanted to do something creative instead of be in a cubical, punching numbers. I went the corporate route for a while, but I was dissatisfied and looked into a change. I was a researcher, so I researched the ins and outs for years before taking the plunge.
3. What do you feel sets you apart from other florists in the wedding industry?
My style. I love a look that is more organic and loose. I want my flowers to look romantic and effortless.
4. What kind of flowers did you use in your own wedding? Would you still make the same choice now if you were getting married today?
Haha. No! I got married quite a number of years ago. We didn't really have Pinterest or anything like that. But I was completely obsessed with flowers, even back then. My wedding had 1000+ red roses. I found a photo in Town & Country Weddings that inspired my floral inspiration. Back then I didn't know there were so many different types of flowers. Now ... I would choose many different varieties of flowers, and I would use lots of colors and textures.
5. What do you enjoy most about working in the wedding industry?
It makes me so happy that my brides love flowers just as much as I do! They value the effect floral design has on how the wedding looks and feels. And I really enjoy working with so many wonderful people in the wedding industry (You're a big part of that, Melissa!).
6. When meeting with brides who don’t know much about flowers, what is the biggest tip you find yourself giving them?
Peonies are only in season twice a year and most of our brides would love to use them. Unfortunately, sometimes they just aren't in season when our brides are getting married. We recommend using garden roses as a great substitute. They are full and fluttery like peonies.
Haha. No! I got married quite a number of years ago. We didn't really have Pinterest or anything like that. But I was completely obsessed with flowers, even back then. My wedding had 1000+ red roses. I found a photo in Town & Country Weddings that inspired my floral inspiration. Back then I didn't know there were so many different types of flowers. Now ... I would choose many different varieties of flowers, and I would use lots of colors and textures.
5. What do you enjoy most about working in the wedding industry?
It makes me so happy that my brides love flowers just as much as I do! They value the effect floral design has on how the wedding looks and feels. And I really enjoy working with so many wonderful people in the wedding industry (You're a big part of that, Melissa!).
6. When meeting with brides who don’t know much about flowers, what is the biggest tip you find yourself giving them?
Peonies are only in season twice a year and most of our brides would love to use them. Unfortunately, sometimes they just aren't in season when our brides are getting married. We recommend using garden roses as a great substitute. They are full and fluttery like peonies.
7. What current trend in wedding flowers do you personally like the most?
Outdoor receptions with long feasting tables; soft, organic flowers; and beautiful candlelight!
8. Any fun-facts that we should really know that would contribute even more to your coolness?
I love old houses, I'm an HGTV junkie, I love Jesus, and I enjoy going to new places and exploring.
Outdoor receptions with long feasting tables; soft, organic flowers; and beautiful candlelight!
8. Any fun-facts that we should really know that would contribute even more to your coolness?
I love old houses, I'm an HGTV junkie, I love Jesus, and I enjoy going to new places and exploring.
Thank you, Randi, for sharing a little of your beautiful world with us! Click here to visit the Carte Blanche Design website to see even more of Randi's beautiful work!
-----------> If you are caught up in the whirlwind of selecting your wedding vendors, click here to download a FREE form to help you through the decision-making process! We've created a convenient form to help you track and compare your top 3 vendors in each category. Download your FREE copy today!
-----------> If you are caught up in the whirlwind of selecting your wedding vendors, click here to download a FREE form to help you through the decision-making process! We've created a convenient form to help you track and compare your top 3 vendors in each category. Download your FREE copy today!
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