Vendor Highlight | Loreta Daka Floral Boutique
LORETA DAKA FLORAL BOUTIQUE
One of the many things I love about my career as a wedding photographer is the opportunities that Arturo and I have to meet SO many talented and creative vendors! Loreta Daka of Loreta Daka Floral Boutique is one of those people who we truly admire in the Connecticut wedding industry. She’s an incredibly talented floral designer whose work we just can’t help but oogle over!
Loreta is based in southern Connecticut and serves clients throughout New England, New York, and beyond. I always love seeing what she dreams up for her weddings and events! What I enjoy most about her designs is how different and versatile they all are. Some have softer colors while others have bold and vibrant ones. However, each of Loreta’s floral designs has a fantastic mix of textures, creating something unique for each of her wedding couples!
Arturo and I have gotten to know Loreta over the last few years with each wedding we’ve worked with her. She’s sweet as can be and brings so much love and creativity into everything she does. The world needs more people like Loreta, so what better way to spread her joy than introducing her to all of you?!
Tell me a bit about you and your business! How did you get started in the wedding industry?
”I acquired the floral industry tricks of the trade while scrubbing buckets in a flower shop. I learned how to cut, treat, cultivate, condition, and preserve flowers. I was given the opportunity to manage a floral department while raising two small children and attending business school.
After I graduated, I worked for several designers in the city. A client asked me to flower her wedding and the rest is history! I opened up my business in 2016 to focus exclusively on weddings and events. I serve Connecticut, New York, New England, California, and Croatia, and I'm currently in the process of expanding even more. Most days you can find me foraging for flowers, maneuvering through markets, or knee-deep in my garden curating my own product!“
What do you love most about your craft?
”There are three things that I enjoy about being a floral designer. The first is building relationships with clients. I love networking and meeting new people. The second is unleashing my creativity! I love pushing past my creative boundaries and experimenting with new techniques. Demonstrating versatility and self-expression is what keeps me thriving! Lastly, I enjoy having the ability to bring a concept to life. My goal is to give my clients more than just flowers. I want to give them an experience of a lifetime. That means making sure they feel comfortable, planning and preparing alongside them, and taking delight in their ideas.”
What should couples know about your process and about working with you?
"When choosing the right florist for your day, there’s a lot to consider: everything from budget to compatibility to who will be handling and designing your arrangements. My approach ensures that my clients are well taken care of and in trustworthy hands.
I like to keep my process simple. Potential clients fill out a questionnaire, set up a consultation, and receive a proposal. Going forth, we review the contract and a deposit is made at the time of signing to secure their wedding or event date. I spare no detail. I avoid products that contain harsh chemicals and dyes and prefer to use natural products that are friendly to our environment. Whether your wedding is big or small, I enjoy designing for them all! My job is not complete until I see the first happy tears from the bride. I love to be a part of these special moments in time!”
What is your favorite part about working with couples who are planning their wedding day?
”I like to work with detail-oriented people. However, those who favor "less is more" are my kind of people, too! There's nothing better than watching a client's face light up when they see their flowers for the first time!”
What (or who) inspires your creativity?
"The client or collaborator that I'm working with is usually the one who inspires me. Each wedding or event is unique and every client has a different personality. Whether it's the dress, the vision, or the mood board—that is what speaks to me!”
How early should couples book you to ensure you'll be available for their wedding day?
"Six months to a year in advance is best to ensure that I have the availability and the time to source only the freshest blooms and the most luxurious materials. A floral designer's process is a bit different from a traditional florist. A "floral designer" specializes in using flowers to create custom-made pieces for weddings and events. Each design is one-of-a-kind and tailor-made to meet your needs. Flowers are ordered and prepped in advance to make sure they are their absolute best for your special occasion.”
What is one tip or piece of advice you'd give a couple for their wedding day?
”Be open to different types of flowers. Those who have their heart set on a particular flower(s) must keep in mind that specific flowers are available but not guaranteed and can be substituted at any time. However, I will jump hoops to source the product you are looking for.
My best piece of advice for couples is to invest in a good natural light photographer. Sadly, flowers will die and regardless of whether or not they are preserved, the colors will fade. This could lead to disappointment given the amount of thought you put into them. Whenever you stop and stare at your photographs or turn the pages of your album, you'll be reminded again of that feeling—the first time you held your bouquet, the vows you spoke under the arch, the moment you walked into your reception space—and the beautiful colors and textures of the blooms. Those photographs will allow you to hold onto your flowers forever.”
If you don't already, be sure to follow Loreta to stay up to date with her latest floral designs and creations!
Facebook: Loreta Daka Floral Boutique
Instagram: @loretadaka_
I hope you enjoyed getting to know Loreta of Loreta Daka Floral Boutique! What do you envision for your wedding day floral designs?
