Rita’s Floral Touch | Vendor Love
Rita’s Floral Touch is a wedding and events florist based in Bethel, Connecticut serving the Danbury, Westchester, and Fairfield County areas. Arturo and I first met Rita when we photographed Laura and Mike’s wedding at The Inn at Longshore in Westport, Connecticut last October. Not only was Rita sweet as pie, but her wedding floral designs were STUNNING! Her designs are lush and rich in color, which meant I had an absolute blast photographing them. I’m so excited to be sharing more about Rita and her work with you!
Tell me a bit about you and your business! How did you get started in the wedding industry?
"I recently found a grammar school project that was set up in an interview-style just like this one. After a sweet giggle and a few pages in I realized my floral path started way back then. Here's what I read and I quote, " I love flowers and their bright colors. I love tulips and pick them for my grandmother.” Family, traditions, and flowers are a beautiful combination so important to me today. I was only 10 years old then and had many more years of ahead to figure out what I wanted to do, but flowers were always present. After attending college with a degree not even remotely related to what I'm doing now, I got married and started a family. Busy with everyday life, a husband, two boys, and a pet, I needed to do something with my creative mind and for myself. I started designing dry wreaths and other craft items and attended craft shows. Staying creative and following my floral love, I decided to try fresh flowers. I worked at a local flower shop for over 13 years and truly found my niche... fresh flowers was it! My passion for wedding designs grew strong and with the help of my husband (my technical guy, business partner, and sounding board), I branched out on my own. Fast forward to now, an awarding winning business and a loving family that continues to support and encourage me. My home-based business of 10 years is located in Bethel, Connecticut. With a studio and office in my house, I welcome couples to my home with a friendly smile.”
What do you love most about floral design?
"I love working with flowers and creating an eye-catching design with a mix of balance, color, and texture in mind. Designing a bouquet is one of my favorite aspects of floral design. It's almost like having a recipe and your ingredients measured out in individual bowls right in front of you, ready to go. When creating a bouquet each stem is cleaned, placed in separate piles, and ready to be designed in a handheld bouquet. A perfectly gathered assortment of gorgeous fresh flowers tied off with a pretty ribbon is soon a masterpiece for your wedding day. Knowing that these flowers will be part of such a special day is so rewarding.”
What should couples know about your process and about working with you?
"When working with couples I create a relaxing atmosphere in the comfort of my home office. I want them to feel at home and make their floral planning journey stress-free and exciting. A simple call or an email marks our starting point. We connect after a contact form and schedule a consultation to meet in person. We share ideas about their big day and overall vision. We discuss together their style, color palette, flowers they love, and what they envision on their wedding day. We also discuss their floral budget and needs.”
What is your favorite part about working with couples who are planning their wedding day?
"What I enjoy most about my business is meeting couples and getting to know them personally. Sometimes it's just the bride and other times it's the whole family. We laugh together, get to know each other and share ideas. Learning about how they met, what their likes and dislikes and what they want their wedding day to feel like. I love designing their flowers and working with them step by step through this whole journey. My favorite part is delivering the flowers on the day of the wedding, walking in with the ladies’ bouquets while hearing the screams of excitement and seeing their smiles. A happy bride makes my day! Knowing that I captured what she wanted and making it come to life makes me so happy.”
What (or who) inspires your creativity?
"My floral business is an inspiration in itself. How can a flower not be? Its beauty brings you happiness, peace, and comfort at times. When a flower delivery arrives at my studio, I just can't wait to open the boxes. It's so exciting to see all the flowers we selected and how they complement each other with their vibrant colors, shades, and texture. My creative mind and talented working hands want to design gorgeous flowers for their wedding day. They will be part of a very important day, in every photo and memories for a lifetime. I can truly say that I love flowers, they are my passion and a message of beauty from my heart to my creative hands waiting for your amazing day.”
How early should couples book you to ensure you'll be available for their wedding day?
"I have couples who reach out a year before their wedding date and some that wait a little longer. Selecting flowers for your wedding day vision takes a little time and planning. A good timeline is 8-10 months before the big day. This gets you locked in on the calendar and gives us enough time for a second meeting with a demo option. I like to offer this service which helps us review and critique a sample arrangement together. In this time during the pandemic when we can’t meet in person, I’m offering video conferencing options instead.”
What is one tip or piece of advice you'd give a couple for their wedding day?
"The best advice I give my couples is to enjoy the ride and not to get hung up on the small details. I strive to make their floral experience as easy as possible. It's important to have some flexibility and trust in me to customize their flowers. I encourage them to let their flowers add beauty to their already special ceremony, let them complement their reception tables, all while giving a unique style and look that fits them. I encourage my brides to let their bouquet accent their stunning dresses, and lastly but most importantly, let the flowers be a part of their gorgeous photos. Let them speak on behalf of their personality and what they love most. I'm happy to be part of their planning, eager to guide them each step of the way, and honored to be part of their floral journey.”
If you don't already, be sure to follow Rita to stay up to date with her latest floral designs!
Facebook: Rita’s Floral Touch
Instagram: @ritasfloraltouch
I hope you enjoyed getting to know Rita of Rita’s Floral Touch! What florals or color palette do you envision for your wedding day?
