I didn’t intend to start Sierra Floral Designs. It happened by chance. It started after doing several friends weddings as a gift and people in the event industry encouraged me to pursue it. I am actually an intensive care nurse by trade and needed something more positive after dealing with so much sadness and loss in the ICU. Having grown up with my mom being a floral designer, I thought, “what a happy job!” So… I jumped in with both feet, not knowing what I was getting myself into. I spent time pouring through books and other designer’s work, practicing skills and taking on any event no matter how small. I really felt like the Reno/Tahoe area was lacking in the more modern, comtemporary designs I was drawn to. So, I focused on the designs coming out of the larger cities in Eupope and the US, trying to bring a taste of what the top designers there were doing. I have spent alot of time travelling abroad to Europe and Asia and I always drag my husband to markets to look at flowers or to shops to look at their design style and displays. Although I feel I am mostly self-taught, my mom and Liezet, the Dutch master designer that trained her, took me under their wings and have taught me so much. They are known in Sacramento for being the exclusive florist for the Governor and the Capital. I have gone down to do events with them and they have come up to work with me on my large events…I love it as I always learn something new and become inspired! I find inspiration everywhere, in magazines, websites, stores, my daughter Reilly…who LOVES flowers!
My business keeps evolving and growing as do I, as a designer. After over 5 years, Sierra Floral Designs has a solid reputation for unforgettable, fresh and unique wedding and event flowers. I like to spend a couple of hours with clients when I do a consultation, getting to know them and their style and looking throuhg alot of idea books, taking notes on what they like and don’t like and then I design something unique to them! I am so passionate about what I do, I find myself involved in more aspects of events than the flowers. Many things can have an effect on the flowers, such as linens for example. I help my clients with linen and other site decor to complete the look but also refer them to coordinators, photographers and other vendors that I think would fit what they are looking for.
I spend alot of time looking at new ideas and products, trying to find a new edge in event floral design to be able to offer my clients the floral decor they would get from a top event designer, with personalized attention and service. I am always on hand for set-up and final touch-ups, which is why I only book one event at a time. I meet with my clients for unlimited consultations, for free. We stay to move the ceremony decor to the reception and we come break down that night, no matter what time it is. You might call me obsessive about details…but I like the final say on quality control and can’t just let someone drop off the flowers for me. I think it is the little things that sets us apart and would rather do less events and have my reputation be great than try to do many events and not be able to oversee them all. Ask any of the vendors or clients we have worked with…people are always raving about the flowers at events! This blog will be my attempt to share ideas and inspirations as well as vendors we like to work with. Hope you enjoy!
