Moxie Spotlight: Micaela and Brandon's DIY Flower Experience
Photographer: Amanda Brush Photography
Weddings are full of special moments, and for Michaela and Brandon, creating their own floral arrangements turned out to be one of the most fun and memorable parts of the process. With the help of Flower Moxie, they were able to turn their vision into reality and enjoy the hands-on experience of DIYing with loved ones. From selecting the perfect blooms to seeing everything come together, it became a creative adventure they’ll never forget. Their story is filled with helpful tips, heartfelt moments, and some good laughs along the way!
Photographer: Amanda Brush Photography
What was your favorite part about DIYing?
I honestly loved it all. It was kind of stressful thinking about doing it all myself. I was like, "There's no way I can actually pull this off," but then I received the email to take the free DIY Master Class* through Flower Moxie, poured a cup of wine, and got to planning! Being able to pick the exact flower combo I wanted and tools/materials got me really stoked about the process.
When I picked up the flowers from the friendly wholesaler, that's when things got even more exciting/real. Prepping the flowers and putting them together is something I'm extremely proud of and probably will never forget. Side note - I found out that me and Brandon definitely have allergies LOL.
Why did you choose to DIY your flowers?
Primarily due to costs. I was receiving quotes for over $2,000, and all I wanted were bouquets, boutonnières, and corsages. I was getting to the point of throwing in the towel and not having any flowers, but then I found Flower Moxie and had a glimmer of hope.
Who did you have help from?
Brandon (of course), my mom, my sister/MOH, one of Brandon's aunts, and basically a sister-in-law. I was really surprised and thankful for all of the people who offered to help - it made things go a lot quicker and was just a fun bonding moment for me... can't speak for everyone else ;)
Where did you get married and why did you choose this location?
Well, we actually eloped in July of 2022, but we wanted to celebrate with our friends and family with a smaller wedding which honestly took a lot of stress off the day. I went to school in Grand Rapids, MI and the Downtown Market was my go-to spot for studying as well as some amazing food. I absolutely fell in love with their greenhouse and knew if I ever were to get married, I would want it to be there. After meeting Brandon, we would often go on dates there so picking this venue just made sense.
Was it a destination wedding?
Yes! My family is from the east side of Michigan, and Brandon's is mainly located in Indiana.
What was your favorite part of your wedding day?
I'm very in-touch with my emotions while Brandon is super logical, so reading the letters we wrote to each other together was a really sweet moment for me.
In hindsight, is there anything you would have done differently?
I wish I would've stressed less aha. Also, I think I could've looked more into what bouquet ribbons to use... the ones I ended up buying were super glittery and got EVERYWHERE.
Photographer: Amanda Brush Photography
Photographer: Amanda Brush Photography
Photographer: Amanda Brush Photography
Photographer: Amanda Brush Photography
Tips for future DIYers?
Take advantage of all the information Flower Moxie provides to you, write down the important bits, and ask them any questions you have during this process (they are extremely responsive and helpful). This is really going to help you be prepared when the single digit countdown begins and the stress really starts to hit.
Don't be afraid to switch things up too. Being able to adapt to changes - AKA things being different than what you imagined - is extremely important. It helped me utilize all of my flowers which made bridal party photos a lot more vibrant when I could've stuck with my original recipes.
Photographer: Amanda Brush Photography
How did you add personalized touches to your day?
I designed my own signs, seating chart, table numbers, etc. and painted all moons, stars, and vases copper. It really created a consistent theme across the board. Oh, also, Brandon and his Grandma kicked off the dance floor with the electric side which was such a cute moment.
Photographer: Amanda Brush Photography
Were there any funny or strange mishaps?
I definitely erred on the side of caution when it came to the number of flowers I purchased. Initially, all bridesmaid bouquets and groomsmen bouts were only going to have Italian ruscus greenery and terracotta baby's breath. I had so many of the other flowers left, I was able to use them for all 14 bridal party arrangements! This also meant that I had a lot of greenery and baby's breath leftover, which we were able to further decorate the ceremony and reception with (thanks so much Annie!).
On a different note, March in Michigan can either be 70 degrees and sunny or a freakin' blizzard... we got the latter. I wasn't sure if people were gonna make it because of how bad the roads were but everything ended up working out. Oh gosh, why am I remembering everything now. The greenhouse was actually extremely hot compared to the blizzard happening outside.
At some point, someone opened the ceiling to bring down the temperature but it definitely got to the point where everyone was wearing winter jackets unless they were out on the dance floor that is.
Photographer: Amanda Brush Photography
Photographer: Amanda Brush Photography
Which part of your wedding are you most proud of?
I would say my overall theme/aesthetic. I put a lot of time, thought, and energy into making a celestial-fantasy-earth-style wedding (I know, it's very specific). Being able to see my vision come to life was honestly one of the most memorable things outside of marrying my best friend obviously. ;)
Photographer: Amanda Brush Photography
Anything else you would like to add?
I don't think I mentioned this, but get yourself a good day of coordinator. I don't think I could've balanced everything without Annie! Insta: @sagevents.llc
Photographer: Amanda Brush Photography
Thank you so much for taking the time to chat with us, Micaela!!
DIYing your wedding flowers is not just about saving money – it’s about creating something beautiful with the people who matter most. For Michaela and Brandon, the process was full of joy, laughter, and cherished moments with friends and family. Their story is a great reminder that with Flower Moxie’s guidance, you can make your wedding day even more personal and meaningful, while having a lot of fun along the way.
Love their vibe and want to start designing your own wedding flowers? Here are some great places to start:
* Earlier in the blog, Michaela mentions taking Flower Moxie's free DIY Master Class. Please note that since she took the class, it's been revamed and is now a DIY Academy that is deeply discounted for our customers. You can learn more about it here.
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About the Author
Tiffany Thomas is the true-crime-loving, logistic + artistic powerhouse behind Flower Moxie. When she's not ogling photos of protea, she can be found running her own online store, Good Wknd.