Behind the Blooms: Meet Jiska, the Mastermind Behind Your Dream Wedding Flowers
There have been a lot of new faces on my social media accounts and also on this blog. So what better way than to use this post to introduce myself.
Hi, my name is Jiska, a Dutchie, dog lover, cat person, and self-professed coffee addict. Oh, and I've been happily married to my hubby for nearly 9 years – a fact that still surprises me to this day. But above all else, I'm a lover of all things floral.
From Stethoscopes to Stems: A Surprising Career Shift
I've always loved nature. When I was 6 years old, my mom busted me taking the entire first aid kit to a tree in the estate where we were living, trying to stop the ‘bleeding’ after a branch broke off in a storm. I had quite a bit of imagination back then :) … still do actually.
When I started out in my career journey, I wasn't a schooled florist. Better yet: my profession had nothing to do with flowers at all. I am a trained veterinary surgeon, having worked for more than 10 years in the field of veterinary science as a large animal vet, a small animal vet, and as a veterinary consultant. Quite the switch to floral design, isn't it?
In 2017, a longing for a less stressful environment led me to explore new horizons. As a nature lover, I began growing my own flowers, drawn to the idea of providing locally-grown produce to consumers.
Springtime 2018 marked my debut at the farmer's market – an exhilarating experience amidst a year of sunshine and bountiful produce.
Crafting your Dream wedding. Courtesy: K-Photography
Blooms and Bliss: Discovering the Magic of Weddings
A year later, my hubby encouraged me to start ‘doing weddings’, which I initially refused. My own wedding was a good day, full of entertainment, however, it was so badgered by what other people liked to see us do, it lost most meaning for me. Therefore, I thought weddings were stressful affairs where plans were continually changed and décor budgets tightened to suit an ever-expanding crowd. I couldn’t have been more wrong. In the summer of 2019, I was asked to do my first wedding day for one of my regular customers. All Irish blooms and I got complete free hand in what to design. From that day onwards, I was hooked.
Painting Dreams: Crafting Floral Masterpieces
The longer I went on in the world of weddings, the more I saw that my signature style of natural designs was very popular among bridal couples that were planning intimate high-end weddings in castles and country houses. Or boutique hotels. My style developed more to suit their needs better and resulted in a distinctive way of arranging florals to reflect the elegance of the great Dutch master painters. I love using different techniques to not only make my pieces stand out or blend in more but to make them akin to those old oil paintings of dream worlds you see in a gallery.
Passion for Florals and Natural Design
A Commitment to Eco-Friendliness: Nurturing Nature
Being a nature lover and a flower grower, I also have always put a very high emphasis on the eco-friendliness of my designs. This is why since February 2020 till now I have made all my arrangements foam-free. I’m fully committed to a more sustainable approach in floristry. This is why my first choice is always Irish, followed by Dutch-grown. The less mileage my flowers have to make, the better.
Your Dream, My Mission: Tailoring Every Design to You
With weddings, I find the personal contact between me and the bridal couple just as important as putting down something lovely for the day. This results in a personal approach to wedding florals whereby each design is tailored to the couple’s style and vision for their dream day. I love dreaming and have a vivid imagination. Would you like to have floating candles from the ceiling? Why not? Would your style be a combination between a highly elegant Dutch Master painting and a derelict overgrown shed you saw driving down a bog road (True story). Sure: I can totally get into that. After being disappointed on my own wedding, I am determined to give you the day that suits you as a couple. This has been my passion all along and what drives me to always achieve excellence.
Conclusion: Inviting You to a Floral Adventure
So there you have it – a glimpse into the soul behind the petals, the artist behind the blooms. As a nature lover, I've always been drawn to the beauty of the world around us, from bandaging a tree as a child to crafting intricate floral arrangements as a florist. My journey has been one of passion, creativity, and commitment to sustainability.
I invite you to join me on this floral adventure, where dreams bloom into reality. Whether you're planning an intimate wedding in a castle or a hotel, I'm here to bring your vision to life with bespoke floral designs that reflect your unique style and personality.
Let's embark on this journey together, creating unforgettable memories and moments that will last a lifetime. Your dream wedding awaits, and I'm here to make it bloom.
Natural style tailored to your vision. Courtesy Bokeh Photography