Ever wondered what it takes to be an Event/Wedding Decorator? What better way to find out than from a Professional Floral Designer with over 20 years experience.
Say hello to Candice Milliard, the owner of Candi’s Floral Creations; an Events and Wedding Floral Decoration Company in Connecticut, U.S.A. Her work was featured on our blog post about alternative wedding bouquets.
In an Exclusive Interview with us, she tells us what it takes to run a successful Floral Design business. Read excerpts below……….
Can you tell us about your business? What you do, when you started and what your mission was when you started?
I am a Wedding and Special Events Floral Designer in Connecticut. I am very lucky to have been born with a very creative gene and had a floral arranging talent. When I figured that out at 15 years old I ran with it and learned under the best of the best in the industry.
I worked in ‘main street’ flower shops where they design every day arrangement, fruit basket, balloon bouquets, planter basket, etc I knew I wanted to work more closely with clients and soon came to realize it was weddings where I soared. Hence, starting my business in 2000.
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So far, how has it been? Would you say your mission has been achieved?
Yes it has.
In the midst of diverse career paths, why did you choose this particular business? What inspired you to go into Floral Designing. Was it something you were passionate about or for quick monetary rewards.
Definitely my passion. I have worked extremely hard to get noticed within this industry. I have won numerous awards and my work has been featured in prestigious publications, such as Martha Stewart, Grace Ormonde, Style me Pretty – just to name a few. You can not make quick money in this industry. I need the trust of my client in order to do my job and that does not happen over night.
So, what is it like being a Wedding Florist in 2019. The only thing wedding guests see is beautiful floral decoration. What goes on behind the scenes?
I am more than just a Florist. My weddings are very detailed. I have a full rental division where I provide ceremony structures, hundreds of different styles of candles and vases, table numbers to brooch bouquets. I am unique in the fact that I specialize in themed events such as Beauty and the Beast, Clue, Game of thrones weddings, just to name a few.
Therefore, I will coordinate every aspect of design for that event – from favors, to table top to bridesmaids dress colors. Most of my clients hire me for my Design Coordination Services which means I will be there every step of the way, styling their wedding decor.
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Tell us about a time you had to deal with a last-minute change or an unexpected situation when planning wedding decorations.
Every wedding something unexpected happens and if you hire a professional, you’ll never know. Most of the time there’s unexpected situations around weather. For example, outdoor ceremonies in Summer. Being on the East Coast, we have many pop up summer storms that we have to plan around.
Whether it’s moving the ceremony indoors or waiting for the storm to pass – we need to be ready. I have a team that stays with me to ensure we are ready for when that decision is made. We also have to deal with snowstorms and hurricanes.
Have you ever planned multiple events at the same time? How did you prioritize your time and resources to meet critical deadlines?
I have a big enough team and am very organized to be able to take multiple events on the same day. I try to deliver all of the bouquets to each bride, if I can, and then I’ll be at the reception of the wedding that needs me the most.
When you read my reviews that clients have written, they talk a lot about my team – that’s huge for me, as my team represents me, so I know I’m doing a good job of training them.
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Florists Vary a lot in price. If a bride knows exactly what she wants can you achieve the look she’s hoping for?
I can achieve any look. I always use their photos as inspiration, but will design it slightly different so that she is getting a bouquet that you haven’t seen before – it’s unique to her.
I am a designer at heart and need to style things how I see them. Usually they are getting better than what they bring- which is my ultimate goal.
My weddings and events have starting budgets and I advice clients as to what price their vision is in line with.
Most client’s are not sure what things cost, so I try to educate a lot on social media and during my scheduled phone consultations.
From there it’s a dance of showing them my version of their vision and tweaking things to get to a place where they are comfortable
I always use their photos as inspiration, but will design it slightly different so that she is getting a bouquet that you haven’t seen before – it’s unique to her.
With the growing number of entrepreneurs within your niche in the U.S, how have you been able to stand out as an Event Decorators in Connecticut? What makes your brand different from others?
I think it’s due to my experience and presence on the internet within the industry and at my venues that I’m preferred at. My weddings are very unique and more detailed from other Connecticut Florists and my skill level is superior.
What advice would give to prospective wedding florists from your lessons over the years. What steps should they take to set up a wedding/event floral business the right way.
I am a firm believer that a wedding florist has to be talented in the skill of designing. If they have that then my advice would be to always educate themselves about the industry and the way it changes. You’ll need to be on trend, always.
Are there opportunities for interns to learn from your company?
Yes. I love to teach and welcome interns.
Are there other things you do aside providing floral decorations for weddings which you would love to share?
I also design for big events. I currently design all the commencement florals for a local University and a Gala for a local Aquarium among others. I am always on trend with my rental pieces. For instance, I am the only wedding florist in CT that has a full circle hoop ceremony structure.
It can be decorated various ways for indoors or outdoor weddings. I try to keep my designs and inventory on trend and up to date. I’m always trying to have and design the next best thing.
I hope you enjoyed this interview session. Watch out for more exclusive & juicy content on the blog. If you are looking for an Event or Wedding Decorator in Connecticut, connect with Candice Milliard on Instagram & Pinterest.
Images: Abigail Scott Photography
