The Vendor Edit: Grown By Love
Brianna Love
Instagram: @grownbylove
Website: https://grownbyloveweddings.com/
Floral arrangements by Grown by Love. Photography by Zoe Wood
Get to Know Brianna
Tell us a little about yourself and your role in the wedding industry.
I’m married to my husband of almost eight years and we have two little girls. We live on a farm with chickens, ducks, dogs, and cats! We love being outdoors and spending time with each other. I am a florist, so I create bouquets and flower arrangements for weddings and special occasions.
How did you get started in floral design, and what first sparked your love for flowers?
My earliest memories of flowers are my mom’s beautiful flower beds in our yard. She would gift tulip bouquets to our bus driver and teachers wrapped in wet paper towels with aluminum foil, but it wasn’t until after college that I reconnected with flowers again! I was in the process of getting my BCBA certificate and working long hours in a clinic with children diagnosed with ASD. It drained me of everything. I found happiness coming home to my garden of flowers and vegetables. I started researching and found out that you could actually grow really pretty flowers like they sell at Trader Joe’s. So one thing led to another and my mom and I started our own flower farm, which then led to weddings, and now here we are!
What’s one thing couples might be surprised to learn about you or your business?
We started out as a flower farm first, selling to florists, but then fell in love with weddings.
Floral Business & Design
How would you describe your floral design style in three words?
Organic, Artful, Romantic
What inspires your designs most - color, texture, seasons, emotion, or something else?
Texture and seasons. I love being able to bring local in-season flowers that really capture the essence of the time of year and each person's unique style.
What sets your floral work apart from other wedding florists?
I really listen to what my couples are imagining and wanting. I, of course, offer input and guidance, but it's important that each couple walks away from their wedding loving the flowers that they chose and helped create.
What types of couples or weddings do you feel most aligned with creatively?
I used to say colorful, but now just ones that are unique or just love flowers in general. Even if someone wants a classic white and green color palette, when they add textural elements and use a variety of flowers, it’s really magical!!!
The Role of Florals on a Wedding Day
Why do you think florals play such an important role in the overall wedding experience?
They can transform any space with their color and smell. They really connect people to the moment. Flowers only last for so long and the wedding day, unfortunately, only lasts just as long.
What floral elements tend to make the biggest visual impact?
Ceremony flowers, especially ones at the start of an aisle that lead all the way down, along with elevated centerpieces, especially in buildings with tall ceilings.
The Process & Behind-the-Scenes Work
How far in advance should couples book their wedding florist?
Full service 6-9 months. A-la-carte bridal bouquet, 3 weeks.
What goes into designing and executing florals that couples may not realize?
Flowers are perishable, so we only have a limited amount of time to work on them. We can’t get them too early because they might die, but because of the event, we can’t get them too late or then they won’t open up or hydrate in time to use.
What does a typical wedding day look like for you behind the scenes?
I start the morning by giving all bouquets a fresh cut. I load up the flowers right before it is time to leave, so they do not sit in the car longer than needed. We wait to wrap bouquets until we are on site so the ribbon doesn’t get soaked. We like to show wedding parties how to hold their flowers correctly and facing forward! Hauling buckets of flowers in case we need to replace something.
Budget, Expectations & Education
How do you help couples navigate floral budgets realistically?
I use more cost-effective flowers like carnations versus garden roses if we are working with a limited budget. I create my proposals as a menu so that couples can decide on their own what's the most important thing to them in their florals.
What are some common misconceptions couples have about wedding florals?
That guests won’t notice them. They may not know the exact flowers in each arrangement, but flowers influence mood, photos, and the way that everything feels.
Where do you recommend couples prioritize their floral budget for the most impact?
High-impact or the most photographed areas. Bouquet, 100% it’s going to be in all your photos, make sure you love it! Ceremony and head table, for sure! I’m always shocked when I get back wedding albums and how many photos there are of them at the head table/sweetheart table.
Advice for Couples
What information should couples come prepared with for their floral consultation?
Color and style are helpful. Guest count. Venue.
Are there any floral trends you’re loving right now—and any you see fading?
I love the aisles lined with different greenery and grasses. I think that's so organic and beautiful! Butter yellow is a color that is trending, and I love it!! Trends that are fading…personals. People are not ordering as many boutonnieres or corsages. I am not opposed to that!! They are tedious and often get forgotten about or removed after the ceremony anyway!
Personal Touches
What’s your favorite floral moment on a wedding day?
Giving the bride her bouquet!
What keeps you inspired creatively in the wedding industry?
Growing my own flowers. It’s amazing what sunshine and getting your hands in dirt can do! I also love connecting with other florists, especially in Europe and Australia. It's interesting to see their work and the different types of flowers they use!
If you could give couples one final piece of advice about wedding florals, what would it be?
Choose flowers for how you want the day to feel. When the emotion is clear, the design, budget, and decisions fall into place! The flowers become part of the memory.
Floral arrangements by Grown by Love. Photography by Zoe Wood
