Charleston has tons of amazing wedding vendors. We love highlighting our favorite vendors. So, we decided to do a Q&A with Charleston florist, Lauren Mosier. Lauren is the founder and lead designer of Tupelo Honey Flower Shop & Co., and we absolutely love her work.
Can you give us a brief snapshot of who you are and what led you to start Tupelo Honey Flower Shop?
Lauren graduated from UGA with a political science degree. After that, she ended up working first in insurance sales and then in a restaurant. But her work didn’t make her happy because she loves design and having a creative outlet. One day, she was looking at an issue of Country Living, and she saw Amelia’s Flower Truck. “I thought I could do that! I want to do that,” she says. So, Lauren started going to flower markets. She set up a booth and started selling flowers.
Soon after, a fellow vendor encouraged her to get into wedding florals. Lauren recalls, “First wedding I ever did was a lady at the market who asked me to do her daughter’s wedding.” From there, she did an event for the Junior League of Charleston and took on a couple more weddings. “No floral background. No proper training. No past wedding knowledge. Just an eye for design and a desire to do something different.” Now, she’s a Charleston florist pro!
Describe your style and what sets you apart from other Charleston florists.
Lauren describes her style as loose, organic, and free form. “I think perhaps my lack of formal training helps there. It’s a bit boho with a nod to old-world, euro-feel,” she says. She loves olive branches, lavender, and greens that are a little wild and wispy.
Do you have a personal favorite when it comes to blooms?
“LOL. More like a flower of the week!” Lauren exclaims before continuing on. “Butterfly ranunculus, Hellebore, Tree peonies. I do really love ranunculus. I like peach and blush tones.”
What are some spectacular blooms you recommend for fall color?
For fall, Lauren recommends dahlias, zinnias, football mums, Ruscus, ferns, roses, and tri-colored eucalyptus. She thinks couples should look into locally sourced varieties as well and says that September and October, in particular, are good months for color. Lauren says, “The golden mustard color is so pretty in autumn.”
It seems weird to talk about heat as we head into cooler weather, but right now we are having fall and winter weddings and planning ahead to spring and summer ones. Do you have any advice for brides that are getting married in the hotter, more humid, months of the year?
Her experience as a Charleston florist means that Lauren has plenty of experience with hot weather weddings. “Hydrangeas,” Lauren says. “Just don’t do them in the summer. It’s way too hot, and they just can’t stay up. Their stems are hollow, so they hold water like a straw… as in they don’t hold water.” She also points out that tulips open too fast in the sun, so you have to be careful with them outdoors. For those hot humid months, Lauren recommends dahlias, lisianthus, roses, and ranunculus.
As you know, a lot of brides see something they like online and then want something similar done at their own wedding. Let’s talk logistics surrounding set up for an indoor vs. outdoor venue and time restraints on a wedding day.
Lauren starts off by pointing out that every venue is different. For instance, historic venues and churches can be strict. They typically have rules like no open flame and lanterns and taper candles must have shields. You can’t do any damage to the walls or fix anything to the walls.
Continuing, Lauren says that many venues have no way to do mounted or hanging installations. This means florists have to get really creative on how to make their installations stand or hang. Meanwhile, wind can cause trouble on event day if things aren’t anchored appropriately for outdoor venues. This is why site visits are so important.
As far as time constraints go, Lauren says, “Set up times really come into play. The larger the install and shorter amount of time, the labor costs go way up.”
What advice would you give to a bride that wants their wedding to stand out and be different?
Above all, Lauren says, “Trust your florist! Give them free rein and space to work. Don’t dictate. Pick your colors and style and then be open to having a unique floral install.” Giving your florist some space means they can create a “floral moment at your event” and give you a different shape. You can get something unexpected that no one has seen before.
For budget-conscious couples who maybe don’t have florals as a top priority, where can they save on their floral bill and still have an elegant look?
Lauren starts off by suggesting that couples concerned by budget repurpose their bouquets. Aisle markers can be cut and reused as well. “Keep your timeline and venue in mind,” Lauren advises. “Mix up your centerpieces by doing two different styles – half floral and half non-floral. This also helps break up the room as your eye scans the space.”
As vendors, we see the floorplan and logistics of a venue much more clearly than the average joe. Do you have a favorite venue?
As a Charleston florist, Lauren’s clearly knowledgeable about local venues. “Oh my gosh,” Lauren exclaims. “There are truly so many good ones!” Lauren loves Middleton Place because parking and set up is easier there. She also loves Boone Hall, Lowndes Grove, the William-Aiken House, Lagre Waring House, Charleston Landings, River Oaks, Drayton Hall, and the Ocean Course at Kiawah Island. Not to mention, there’s the Swans House in Atlanta and Wormsloe in Savannah. “Those are probably my favorites.”
What are some general tips you would give a couple in planning for their wedding as it relates to floral design and decor? Is there something every bride should know?
“Understand budgets,” Lauren begins. “You can have a high-end wedding, but sometimes you have to creatively compromise.” Additionally, Lauren points out that flowers are a luxury item, so couples need to reset their expectations and be flexible. It’s a good idea to allow your florist to substitute certain flowers while staying in your color palette, shape, and style. As far as your splurge item, Lauren says, “Spend money on your bouquet – it is the single most photographed floral piece all day!”
As wedding planners, we have the opportunity to work with so many amazing vendors. It was so great speaking with Charleston florist, Lauren Mosier. We would highly encourage couples to check out her shop, Tupelo Honey Flower Shop & Co.
Image Vendor credits:
Photography: Sacia Matthews Photography | Location: Lowndes Grove Plantation
Photography: Wesley Peterson
Venue: Legare Waring House | Photography: Simply Korsun Photography | Planning: WeDO Charleston | Rentals: ooh events | Florals: Tupelo Honey Flower Shop & Co. |HMUA: contours and curls
Photography: Ashley Spangler Photography | Venue: The Ridge
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