Friends! I’ve got another treat for you today. I interviewed one of Seattle’s greatest wedding florists (she is always in our top 3 choices)… Owner of From the Ground Up Floral, Miss Gina Thresher AIFD, EMC. What do those letters mean? She is certified with the American Institute of Floral Designers as well as European Master Certification.
Read on below to find out about her birds, growing her own flowers, what people should be asking their florist, and more!
Photo by Courtney Bowlden
How long have you been in business?
This year will be year 14! Hard to believe.
How did you get started in floral?
I did my own wedding flowers. We had a small intimate wedding on the Oregon Coast. There wasn’t a florist for miles, so I figured I had a year and a few months to take a basic design class and get my bearings. Turns out I really really loved it!
Why wedding flowers?
Weddings are just where it started. I love them.
What do you love about what you do?
Handing over the bouquet or pinning on the boutonniere for the couple is the best feeling. Second favorite is seeing the transformation of a room when flowers are added.
Do you have a favorite flower?
Kind of, but that’s like asking if you have a favorite child. LOL. I have to say overall, a good old fashioned garden rose is my favorite. They smell amazing, come in so many different varieties and colors.
If I weren’t a florist…
I was studying marine biology, and catching specimens for Highline Marine Science Center before I discovered floristry. I mean, maybe I would be writing research papers and diving daily.
I’ve also come to really love the field of marketing, I would totally go to school to get a marketing degree. I am social by nature, so it’s another good fit.
What is your secret sauce that makes you so awesome at what you do?
I believe I will never be done learning. I also believe that you can learn something from everyone you meet. So, I dive into trends, learn new techniques and mechanics, and everything I can get my hands on in this industry.
What is one thing you wish all couples would ask before booking you?
I wish more couples asked what the process looks like. I think there’s a disconnect sometimes. The flowers don’t magically show up looking gorgeous lol. It takes a lot of recipe making, procurement, prep, labor, designing, and delivery…sometimes a lot of onsite work too. It’s incredibly rewarding, but it’s not just playing with flowers all day.
I also wish more couples would ask about what I do to make good eco choices. I have really been focusing on making my footprint smaller, buying locally, or growing, and not using flower foam, but more alternative methods of mechanics for designs.
What are you most looking forward to as the Pandemic fizzles out?
Travel. And social gatherings. Really looking forward to those! I miss going to conferences and meeting new people.
Is there a wedding venue that is on your wishlist that you haven’t shot at yet?
Oooh good question. I can’t think of one off the top of my head, but I do love outdoor venues. They are so much fun!
Anything else our readers should know about you?
Well, during the pandemic we adopted birds. We now have an umbrella cockatoo named Mr. Gibbs, A blue and gold macaw named Touca, and a cockatiel named Coral. My family loves animals. We also have 2 cats, a giant dog, and a rabbit.
Besides that, I have an addiction to popcorn with garlic olive oil and sea salt. Love a good glass of wine, especially with a good friend.
I love to cook, hate to bake. (I burn all the cookies)
I have been dabbling in growing flowers since the pandemmy. My mom and I are growing lilacs, peonies, tulips, daffodils, dahlias, roses, zinnias, cosmos, and many more on her 5 acres in Enumclaw. I have learned so much the past year about how growing things requires patience and experimentation. I am looking forward to adding my cut flowers to designs. It is so special to hand off flowers you designed for someone, having them being grown by you just adds another layer of love though.
Yes! That is awesome. We want to run through the field of flowers. Thanks Gina! Be sure to contact Gina if you are looking for an amazing wedding florist!
Cheers,
Ashley
Principal Wedding Planner and Co-Owner of It’s Your Day Events
Who is It’s Your Day Events?
We are a Seattle, Bellingham and Bremerton, WA based wedding planning, wedding coordination and design agency. What we do is at times difficult to picture because the services we offer are intangible. When you are scrolling through beautiful photos, with stunning flowers, and amazing cohesive design; the magic behind that is the planning, design, and coordination. This is what we do.
We professionally organize, plan, and coordinate the details.
We dot the i's and cross the t's.
We triple check it all once more.
Then, when the day comes, we watch the wonderment and happiness on your face as your wedding day unfolds, just as you dreamed it would.
Contact us for any wedding planning, wedding coordination or design needs!
