In Conversation With Youki of Sugar Bee Flowers

Delve into the world of wedding floral design with Sugar Bee Flowers as Youki shares her journey from childhood fascination with nature to becoming a seasoned florist specialising in personalised arrangements. Inspired by a pivotal experience at her own wedding, Youki understands the significance of tailoring designs to meet couples’ unique preferences and expectations. Through meticulous collaboration and a commitment to understanding each couple’s style and vision, Sugar Bee Flowers creates stunning floral styling that harmonises with the atmosphere, crafting unforgettable moments that epitomise the essence of love and individuality.

Interview Alexander Ross

“I think there are a few things that couples should keep in mind for wedding floral designs - first of all is the seasonality. Opting for seasonal blooms and foliage is always a good idea, not only they are beautiful, they are fragrant which fills the room as you walk into the room. Also, imagine seeing seasonal flowers at a local florist, which remind you of your wedding day in years to come! ”

What inspired you to specialise in wedding floral design, and how do you approach creating arrangements that reflect each couple's unique style and vision? 

From a young age, I loved the colours and textures of nature and seasons, particularly during my childhood in country Japan. Unknowingly, this laid the foundation for my journey into floral design.  

My decision to study floristry, and to specialise specifically in wedding floristry was sparked by a personal experience at my own wedding way back when. Despite requesting a pastel bouquet, I received a bouquet of red, bright yellow and dark green. At that moment, I decided that I could probably do this better. It really underscored the importance of understanding and meeting couples’ unique preferences and expectations on their special day. This has led me to this wonderful journey in the wedding industry, now 15 years ago.  

Drawing on my love for flowers, colours and weddings, as well as my commitment to creating what my clients communicate and envision, I want to approach each wedding with a good understanding of their own style and vision. By collaborating closely with couples and considering the overall atmosphere of the venue, we strive to create floral styling that seamlessly complements the entire wedding experience. It’s incredibly fulfilling to work alongside couples, turning their dreams into reality and crafting unforgettable moments that reflect their own love story. 

Can you walk us through your creative process when designing floral arrangements for a wedding, from initial consultation to the final execution?  

Upon receiving an enquiry, we schedule a consultation to delve into the couple’s vision for their wedding day. During this meeting, I like to get a good understanding of the style of the wedding - what colour is the tie? What are the textures of the suits? Will you have table linen on the tables? What is the styling that you are envisioning? Some couples may not have all the details finalised which is absolutely fine - we can go through the details together.  

Following the consultation, I craft a proposal complete with images and colour schemes to ensure alignment with the couple’s desired aesthetic. I believe that wedding flowers are a vital part of the colours and textures of the wedding, so it’s important for me to get it right.  

As a floral foam-free florist, getting ready for our client's wedding designs often involves a team brainstorming of ways to construct arrangements without compromising on beauty or durability. Creating sturdy bases for our designs is 

paramount, not only for aesthetic purposes but also to ensure the flowers remain fresh and vibrant throughout the day. 

On the wedding day itself, we collaborate with other vendors to bring the couple’s vision to life. The opportunity to work alongside familiar faces in the industry adds an extra layer of joy to the process for us.  

What are some key considerations couples should keep in mind when choosing floral designs for their wedding day? 

I think there are a few things that couples should keep in mind for wedding floral designs - first of all is the seasonality. Opting for seasonal blooms and foliage is always a good idea, not only they are beautiful, they are fragrant which fills the room as you walk into the room. Also, imagine seeing seasonal flowers at a local florist, which remind you of your wedding day in years to come!  

Another one is pretty obvious but the flower styling should complement the overall wedding theme and colour palette. Whether it be romantic and whimsical or modern and minimalist, a cohesive theme that spans over different elements always creates a visually stunning atmosphere. 

Tailoring floral designs to suit the specific characteristics of the venue can also be something fun to consider. For example, where do you get to sit underneath a big flower installation other than venues that offer that, like Stones of the Yarra Valley, and Zonzo Estate in the Yarra Valley?  

There are a few key considerations, but overall, I love seeing our clients having fun with the wedding planning. I think couples should first of all consider what they like and want for their special day.  

How do you incorporate seasonal blooms and trends into your floral designs while ensuring a cohesive and personalised look for each wedding?  

Incorporating seasonal blooms and trends into our floral designs is a cornerstone of our approach to creating unique and personalised wedding experiences. Seasonal flowers offer a diverse range of varieties, textures, colours, and sizes, making it relatively easy to incorporate them into our designs. Achieving a cohesive and personalised look for each wedding requires consideration and attention to detail. 

We work closely with each couple to understand their individual style, preferences, and vision for their special day. By taking the time to listen to their ideas and desires, we’re able to tailor our floral designs to reflect their unique personalities and aesthetic preferences.

We then carefully select seasonal blooms that not only align with the couple’s vision but also complement the overall theme and colour palette of the wedding. Whether it’s vibrant spring blooms, lush summer foliage, or rich autumnal hues, we draw inspiration from the natural beauty of each season to create arrangements that are both on-trend and timeless. 

To be honest, I’m not sure if being trendy is important for me and Sugar Bee. I like to create what our clients want and visualise, which sometimes ends up being something trendy. Ultimately, our goal is to create floral designs that not only showcase the beauty of the blooms but also reflect the individuality and love story of each couple. By combining our expertise with the couple’s vision, we’re able to create personalised and memorable floral designs.  

What advice do you have for couples who may be working with a limited budget but still want beautiful floral arrangements for their wedding?  

When working with a budget, I think it’s essential to prioritise and focus on elements that will have the most significant impact on the overall aesthetic of your wedding. While it may be tempting to adorn every space with floral arrangements, allocating your budget strategically is helpful to achieve a beautiful and memorable celebration without overspending. 

One effective strategy is to prioritise larger statement pieces that will serve as focal points throughout the venue. This might include a stunning ceremony backdrop, a striking hanging installation, or a lavish floral arch. These larger pieces not only make a bold visual impact but also set the tone for the entire event, creating a memorable backdrop for your special day.  

We will be there to repurpose the ceremony flowers to the reception space so you will get to use the larger pieces throughout the day, which can be another great way to cut costs. 

How do you ensure that the floral designs not only look stunning on the wedding day but also hold up throughout the event?  

I think this is an important question, that we get asked by other wedding vendors, especially on hot summer outdoor ceremonies. For us, to ensure that our floral designs not only look stunning on the wedding day but also hold up throughout the event, we, first of all, ensure that the flowers are well-prepped and hydrated even before the wedding day. This involves being organised and conditioning the florals so the petals are hydrated before they go out.  

Additionally, we carefully time the sourcing of flowers to ensure peak freshness on the wedding day. For example, while dahlias are absolutely gorgeous, they have a 

relatively short vase life. Therefore, we source them closer to the wedding date to ensure they are at their best. In contrast, flowers like roses are sourced earlier, allowing them to fully open and bloom in time for the wedding. 

As a floral foam-free florist, we pay special attention the flower placements. We incorporate water sources, especially for more thirsty flowers, to keep them hydrated and looking fresh throughout the day. 

Ultimately, our goal is to ensure that the flowers not only last the entire wedding day but also maintain their beauty and freshness until the very end. It’s always a gratifying moment when we return to pack down the flowers and find them looking just as stunning as when we set them up.  

Finally, what do you find most rewarding about being a wedding florist, and what do you hope to bring to each couple's special day through your floral creations? 

One of the most rewarding aspects of being a wedding florist is the opportunity to form lovely connections with my clients. I grow fond of the couples throughout the planning process, and seeing their joy and excitement when I deliver the bouquets and buttonholes before the wedding is truly heartwarming. Witnessing their  

happiness on the day itself is priceless and serves as a constant reminder of why I love what I do. 

It’s challenging to pinpoint a single rewarding moment because I love the entire process. I find my purpose and fulfilment in guiding my clients through the planning process and bringing their vision to life. 

Ultimately, my goal is to bring ease and comfort to my clients throughout the planning process and to create floral designs of their dreams. It’s a privilege to be a part of such a special day in their lives, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to contribute to their happiness and memories through flowers. 

Sugar Bee Flowers can be found online at sugarbeeflowers.com.au or on Instagram at @sugarbeeflowers

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