the ae&f blog

I had an incredible experience participating in this floral design workshop with Kristiana Enya of Wild Indigo! Continuously growing my knowledge of floral design by participating in classes, workshops, and 1:1 coaching is one of my top priorities. I’ve admired Kristiana’s work for years, so learning from her for an entire day was an extra-special honor! I’m all about community over competition, especially in an industry where there’s always more to learn. This shoot shows what can happen when two florists work together to create something beautiful!

Wild Indigo 1:1 Sustainable Workshop

At Aesthetic Events & Florals, we strive to be as sustainable as possible. Through education from Alyssa at Flowering Minds, we have been working on using less floral foam. Instead, we use compostable products such as Agra-wool and Oshun pouches. We also incorporate reusable materials like chicken wire, flower frogs, and hairpin holders to execute stunning floral installations that are kind to the planet. I was thrilled to learn more about sustainable floral mechanics at this 1:1 workshop with Wild Indigo!

Kristiana dreamed up a gorgeous palette for the shoot that featured blush pink, ivory, and yellow with pastel purple and maroon accents. The bride carried a whimsical, organic bouquet filled with roses, cosmos, Sweet alyssum, and lilac that trailed with a delicate peach ribbon. Meanwhile, she wore a coordinating pink tulle gown with a layered waterfall skirt from The Clothes Vine. Her dreamy, romantic look paired perfectly with the Wild Indigo aesthetic!

Kristiana also styled a reception table with her signature modern centerpieces filled with more soft pastel flowers. White linens and taper candles accompanied the designs for a clean and elegant look. I had the opportunity to observe the secrets behind her techniques firsthand and learned so much. Additionally, we practiced her floral designs for cakes and photography flatlays! All the while, we discussed business, marketing, and design proposals and built an incredible friendship.

Community Over Competition

Building relationships with other vendors is one of my foremost values as a business owner. I believe investing in workshops and educational opportunities so I can continue to master my craft and better serve my couples is essential. I also thrive off constructive criticism! The truth is that I don’t know all there is to know about floral design and wedding planning—and I never will. This industry is constantly changing, with new trends coming to the fore and new techniques emerging. But rather than discouraging me, knowing this motivates me to seek growth opportunities!

There hasn’t been a single event or workshop like this one where I haven’t learned something new. If you’re a business owner (or considering becoming one!), I encourage you to educate yourself while you grow your business. No one in this industry knows everything there is to know about their craft (nope, not even that planner with 100k followers on Instagram!). Instead, success comes with drive, dedication to your clients, and a willingness to learn. So, remember to step back, quit comparing yourself to others, and celebrate even your small victories. When you constantly pursue growth, the rest will fall into place!

I can’t thank Kristiana of Wild Indigo enough for investing in me and my business for an entire day! She generously gave her time and expertise so I could become a better florist. Not only did I learn, but I made a new friend to navigate this crazy industry with. If you’re unfamiliar with Kristiana’s incredible floral designs, visit her portfolio! I have no doubt you’ll be just as amazed as I was when I found her work. Plus, see more of my work with AE&F here!