Bride and Blossom’s NYC Studio

Get ready to swoon over a sea of hydrangeas and peonies because we’re touring Bride & Blossom‘s NYC office on our business blog today. It’s full of sparkle, shine, pink, & white, and we love it. Owner, working mom, and creative, Rachel, is sharing how she got started and how she’s making brides & grooms floral dreams come true on the daily. Love what you see? They host wine & floral design nights at their studio and have some exciting upcoming classes!

Your Work is amazing! Tell us about how Bride & Blossom began!

It all began with my own wedding in the Hamptons. I knew exactly what I wanted – a lush, exquisite floral landscape – and couldn’t seem to find the right wedding florist. I felt confident I could design the wedding flowers I envisioned, so I sourced suppliers, and did it myself! When I returned from my honeymoon, my wedding venue called to tell me a bride did a site visit the morning of my wedding, raved about the romantic decor, and wanted the name of my floral designer! I was inspired to leave my job as a television news producer and pursue my dream.

Where did you start your career, was floral design always a passion of yours?

Flowers have always been a passion. Growing up in Brooklyn, we had plots at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, which I loved. At Brooklyn Friends School, we were exposed to many forms of art and I constantly drew flowers, painted flowers. Later at Cornell, I developed a passion for business and entrepreneurship. Bride & Blossom brings it all together for me.

What does a typical work day look like for you?

As an entrepreneur and mother to two daughters, ages two and four, every day is different. On weekdays, after waking up early with my girls, I might head to the flower market, then to the showroom for meeting with brides-to-be, downtown to do a venue walk-through, back uptown in time for the girls to get home. All the while, I am emailing back and forth with my team, looking at sketches and moodboards, getting excited about ideas. Weekend are for weddings! That means I’m in the studio overseeing my designers, traveling to beautiful venues all over the greater New York City area, and often, attending ceremonies and receptions as a guest!

What is the main use of your showroom?

My dream was to have a gorgeous space to welcome our brides, and to reflect the Bride & Blossom aesthetic. We have a design studio in Long Island City; the showroom is our office and event space. I always hoped for a loft-like feel and never imagined it would come with outdoor space. We love finally having enough room for flower classes, parties and events. Recently I offered the space to a friend for her beauty-brand launch, and we’re thinking about hosting bridal-accessory trunk shows during bridal fashion week. Our large terrace is one of my favorite things about the showroom. Lighting candles and – of course – setting out flowers, makes it the perfect spot for warm evenings.

What was the inspiration for the decor?

The decor was a cumulative effort from the ladies on our team. We started with with our brand colors – shades of blush – and decided to add silver tones after falling in love with the Ralph Lauren metallic paint line. We filled the space with the very best images of our work, from our favorite  wedding photographers, and had them enlarged to create metal-mounted wall art. Weddings are all about detail, and we took the same care with our showroom, adding lots of shine, with chandeliers, lots of crystal, and beveled mirror tiles for the columns. I plastered those up myself with “help” from my daughter!

The table is a white marble from Italy. We love our velvet sofa from Z Gallerie with pretty throw pillows. The space now has the luxe, elegant feel we love for weddings. It’s like a big bridal suite!

Tell us about working in NYC! What’s nearby your studio?

We were quickly outgrowing our space by Grand Central and I looked for a new space for almost a year with a few that I had my heart set on falling through. I hoped to stay in the Midtown Manhattan for convenience. I found our showroom on a final search day after seeing multiple spaces and running around with my baby in an uber. It’s perfect!!

We are right in one of the city’s best shopping districts – practically across the street from Bloomingdale’s and Dylan’s Candy Bar, and steps from some of our favorite venues like The Plaza Hotel. Central Park is right near by which is great when we’re setting up for outdoor weddings there, and when we want to get out in nature, appreciate the seasons and get inspired. I can’t tell you how much we value this, working in Manhattan.

What is your favorite part of your job?

The wedding industry is so special – I get to be a part of such a meaningful day in our brides’ lives, and to make dreams come true. And I feel so lucky to work surrounded by nature’s beauty, with the most talented and dedicated team. I love everything about my job!

What you wanted to be when you grew up: Interior Designer.

Beauty Secret: Terra Origins night cream for those nights I’m working until 2am and need extra moisture.

Favorite Flower: Peonies – hands down!

What gets you going on a Monday Morning: Achieving my dreams and making my daughters proud.