Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Himmelhaver.
Hi Lauren, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I actually grew up around flowers! My grandfather owned a floral wholesale business in Dallas from 1963-1993 called Stringer Brothers Wholesale in the old design district downtown. I would go to work with my mom, who worked there when I was sick or “sick.” I would walk through the coolers admire the beautiful flowers, and help my mom wrap grocery store bouquets. I’ve loved flowers ever since! Growing up, I would watch my mom arrange flowers for friends of hers. I started dipping my toes in the water and actually did my own wedding and a few friend’s wedding. I became the go-to girl for wedding and baby shower flowers. I actually taught Kindergarten and Pre-K for several years before pleading on Facebook for someone to mentor me. Adri Smith with Moss Floral was the only one who answered! I swept floors watched her work, and basically did anything she asked so that I could learn from her. I pestered her with questions and worked with very observant eyes. She taught me so much, and I began to find my own style, my favorite flowers, and how I loved to arrange and coax them to life. After 3 years with her, I quit my teaching job and started pouring into Vintage and Vine Florals full-time. I’ve been doing this for 2 years full time now, and it’s the become a job and a world I absolutely adore.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Haha, no, not always. Thankfully, having a mentor like Adri has helped me immensely, but even finding someone who was willing to let me learn was tricky. I emailed several florists in the area, and she was the only one who responded. I took her to coffee, and now she’s one of my favorite people and friends. I am constantly evolving and changing, and am my biggest critic. I look at pictures of my work and always think “Oh, I should have done this,” or “That doesn’t look quite right.” I’ve also learned that this job is sooooooo much more than flowers. It’s very late nights (I had one wedding I did myself in my beginning year that left me up until 4 a.m. making boutonnieres. Poor time management on my part!) and lots of hard physical labor. It’s spreadsheets and a lot of math! But I am lucky to have people I can ask questions and a good head on my shoulders. Each wedding or event is a learning opportunity.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a floral designer specializing in weddings and events in the DFW area. I couldn’t really tell you “What I’m known for,” I feel like you would have to ask other people that! I aim to create organic, natural, and romantic pieces mimicking the beauty we might find in the world around us. What I hope I’m known for and what sets me apart from others is that people leave working with me feeling like they are loved understood and heard. I strive for kindness and understanding. I believe I have a talent for taking tiny pieces of what my brides tell me and helping them to create a vision or whole picture. Each bride I’ve had the pleasure of working with has told me that what I created for them was worth every penny and surpassed their expectations. I aim for my work to be something they will look back on for years to come and still be proud! I’m proud of the relationships I strive to nurture with brides and planners. And I’m proud of the fact that I am able to learn from and improve my work with each and every event. I also just simply love taking beautiful flowers and creating a piece of art with the most natural medium.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
I am also a mom to 3 beautiful girls, ages 7, 5 and 1. They love to be involved in anything related with flowers, from my 7-year-old creating arrangements out of my leftovers to my 5-year-old begging for flower boxes to make a fort. My girls motivate me to create dream and design as best as I can. Before my Grandaddy sold flowers wholesale, his family grew Gladiolas on over 200 acres outside of Canton, TX. He loved hearing about all of my floral adventures and would be so proud of where I am now.
More than anything, more than the events and the people and the design work, I love flowers. I love fresh flowers in my home, and I love walking through gardens of roses, daisies, and dahlias. I love how each flower is so intricately designed and beautiful. It’s what I keep in the back of my mind when things get hard. How lucky am I to get to work with such a wonderful form as floral?
Pricing:
- I have a 3,500 minimum for my services
Contact Info:
- Website: vintageandvineflorals.com
- Instagram: @vintageandvineflorals
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/vintageandvineflorals
Image Credits
Avery Earl
Paige Greener
Kyra Noel
Kassie Moore
Lane Gray
