Flowers are more than just décor—they tell a story, set the mood, and bring a wedding vision to life. At Sugarberry Blooms, floral artistry is about crafting personalized, locally inspired designs that reflect the heart of each couple’s big day. I am so excited to share more about their journey, their approach to wedding florals, and their best tips for maximizing floral impact while staying within budget. As a wedding photographer, collaboration with floral partners is such a priority for me and the couples that I work with - so take a look!

The Story Behind Sugarberry Blooms

“I’ve always been around flowers and floral design. I started arranging flowers when I was just eight years old, thanks to my first 4-H project, and I’ve loved it ever since. My background is in public horticulture—I spent twelve years as a garden educator at botanical gardens across the Midwest and East Coast. When my husband and I relocated to mid-Missouri in 2015, I decided to turn my passion for floral design into a business, and that’s how Sugarberry Blooms was born.

Fun fact: Sugarberry is actually a native tree in Missouri. The name came to me on a hike with my husband, Neal, who is a native plant horticulturist. I noticed a tree, asked what it was, and the rest is history.”

What Makes Sugarberry Blooms Unique?

“From day one, my focus has been on using locally grown, seasonal flowers and collaborating with incredible flower farms in the area. Prioritizing locally sourced blooms ensures:

Freshness – Flowers last longer and look their best.
Sustainability – Reduces the environmental footprint of floral design.
Unique Designs – No two arrangements are the same when working with what’s in season.

Bringing a Wedding Vision to Life

“I always tell my couples that flowers should be one of the fun parts of wedding planning—not a stressful one. My process is all about keeping things streamlined and enjoyable.

Start with the vibe & palette – These are the most important elements that set the foundation for the floral design.
Create a design plan – I put together inspiration based on what they love (and don’t love) to refine the overall vision.
Bring it to life – Seeing a couple’s vision become reality is my favorite part of the job. I love when they tell me it’s exactly what they imagined.

Maximizing Floral Impact on a Budget

“Flowers can be expensive, and I get it—sticking to a budget is important. During consultations, I break everything down so couples can decide what’s most important and where to save. Some of my favorite budget-friendly strategies include:

Repurposing Ceremony Florals – Choosing installations that can be moved to the reception space maximizes impact without increasing cost.
Scaling Personal Flowers – Instead of ordering personal flowers for every family member, consider keeping it simple or even skipping boutonnieres.
Prioritizing Statement Pieces – Investing in one or two large, high-impact floral installations (rather than spreading the budget across many small pieces) creates a wow factor.

Unexpected Ways to Incorporate Flowers in a Wedding

“Beyond bouquets and centerpieces, flowers can elevate a wedding in creative ways:

Floral-Infused Cocktails – Adding lavender, elderflower, or hibiscus syrups to signature drinks for a unique touch.
Floral Details in Attire – Embroidered floral designs on dresses, floral pocket squares, or even delicate floral jewelry.
Floral Rituals – Including flowers in the ceremony, like a flower shower as the couple exchanges vows or a symbolic floral exchange—something my husband and I incorporated into our own wedding ten years ago.

Final Thoughts

“Every couple’s wedding is unique, and I love creating floral designs that reflect their personality and style. Whether working with an intimate budget or going all out on florals, my goal is always the same: making their vision come to life in a way that feels natural, meaningful, and completely stress-free.”

View a real wedding with Chelsea and Sugarberry