Fiore Blossoms - the biology of floral design

Alexa Johnson, owner and designer of the gorgeous Fiore Blossoms, created her business seven years ago in response to her search for creative self-expression and her love of nature. During her summers off from teaching biology and genetics, she spent her time providing floral arrangements for weddings and finally realized that it was her calling. We are so grateful to have Alexa and Fiore as part of Urban Unveiled! The 2011 event marks her third event in a row with us, and we couldn't be happier to have her on board!

photo by Sharlane Chase

photo by Mint and Sage

photo by Wallflower Photography

photo by Wallflower Photography

photo by La Vie Photography

photo by La Vie Photography

photo by La Vie Photography

When asked what she does for a living, Alexa's response is "I get to play with flowers!" Although her focus is the flowers, Fiore Blossoms can handle many other wedding design elements. She likes to be brought into the planning process early so that she can work with each couple to create an event with a cohesive look. This can mean helping source and select everything from invitations to attire and linens to lighting. When all of the elements complement each other, the whole ends up better than its parts.

What makes Alexa and Fiore Blossoms so unique is that she can draw upon a wealth of knowledge from her biology background and love of nature when working with flowers.  She will often incorporate several different stages of a plant’s life when designing, such as stems, branches - even roots,  pods, berries, buds, bark, moss, lichen.  She works with local farmers and searches for unusual items to incporporate.  She has even found a creative way to use shelf fungus that was growing on tree bark to create a gorgeous one-of-a-kind look.  At the end of the day, however, it is apparent to those that work with her that  she feels lucky to be doing what she does, and honored that her clients put their trust in her to make their day beautiful.

The typical client that is drawn to Fiore Blossoms is one that loves flowers and décor, but more importantly, really cares about the ambiance and feel of their celebration. They like having all of the different design elements play off of each other for a dynamic yet cohesive look.  A more lush, flirty, romantic look.

When asked about her favorite part of a wedding event, Alexa responded, "There is no way that I can only pick one! But I do have a FEW that are favorites…for me, the most fun moment is creating the bride’s bouquet. I get really nervous and excited and giddy and it’s just so much FUN! And then, I think the sweetest moment is right after the whole wedding party has walked in, and the bride and her dad are standing all alone waiting to go down the aisle. Most people never see that moment, but I see it a lot. And I cry every single time. There is so much wrapped up in that moment."

After that story we couldn't wait to ask her about a recent “wow” moment from one of her past events. "I consistently get the same “WOW!” moment from my clients…SO many brides hold it together just fine until I walk in with their bouquet, and then the reality of the moment hits them. I think it’s that they’ve tried their dress on, worked with their accessories, thought about every sparkle. But then, they get their bouquet and all of a sudden, they become a BRIDE. It scared me the first couple times—I thought, “Oh, no! Why is she crying? What happened?” I just wouldn’t have ever guessed that this is such an emotional moment, but it turns out it is for many people."

She continued, "My personal “WOW” moment is when I get to look across a ballroom or garden, and see all of the planning come together into one big gorgeous picture. All of the little minute details I’ve been focused on just fall away, and a seamless, layered event seems to have effortlessly appeared."