blog | Michelle Edgemont | Decorations. Florals. Styling. Awesome.

When feels like forever ago (was actually mid-March), this room filled with 100 determined people looking to change their lives, start businesses, revive their current businesses, or simply get fired up to conquer their fears.

It was the first Making Things Happen TWO DAY conference and I was honored to be a guest speaker.

You might know that one of the big reasons I started this wedding design business is the kick in the pants I got when I attended Making Things Happen two years ago. Being a speaker gave the opportunity to share my experience in starting a business based on what I love and the tips I’ve learned on personal branding. Which really means, I talked the truth with a bit of sass to a group of 100 ladies and gentleman who were craving honesty without sugar coating.

There I am, with my lipstick and sequin Chucks, going through the exercises with the rest of the group. Not only was I able to teach about my last year and a half owning a business, I gained further clarity on how (with more focused work, less social media breaks, and collaborating with other wedding pros with my similar aesthetic) and why (to create artistic celebrations of two families coming together, to make my own schedule, to make colorful, quirky decor and florals) I’m going to grow this wedding design company to serve creative and modern couples.

I also learned I love public speaking and feel as though I have a viewpoint and a no-nonsense approach that people crave. It’s probably the New Yorker in me. I want to teach others how to start a wedding design business – since the term “wedding designer” is kind of a made up job that didn’t exist a few years ago. Would you be into that? If I started a blog series on how I got started and how I keep building? I mean, I don’t have all the answers, I’ve only been at this for a short while. But I do have the viewpoint of a brand new business owner, which I’m thinking might be more relevant and relate-able than getting tips from Martha Stewart.

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Kristine

Is there even a question we would be into that? OF COURSE WE WOULD. Your no-nonsense, passionate, creative, insightful, and non-Martha Stewartesque approach is what we all crave (and what we love about you). And thanks for letting me relive those two days for a bit. I can’t believe it was already two months ago now. Thanks for sharing your story, your experience, your wisdom, and your humor. It wouldn’t have been the same without you.
Melissa

Sounds very exciting Michelle. I would love to read your blog series on how you got started and how to keep building a wedding design business. I just started reading your blog in the last month or so. I started an Event and Interior Design business last year and now just trying to tie everything together digitally and social media wise and growing this business of mine too.

This Thursday, May 2nd, I’ll be participating in a fun wedding event at Lion In the Sun stationery store in Park Slope. Have you ever been to Lion In the Sun? I literally want to buy everything they have. It’s beautifully curated and they carry a TON of made-to-order wedding invitation suites.

Stop on by on Thursday for some sweet treats, yummy drinks, and pretty paper. I’ll be designing a reception table mock-up full of quirky details, handmade touches, and whimsical flowers.

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Last summer, the girls over at Revel (who I blog for each week) asked me to make colorful floral arrangements and help them style an inspiration shoot they were putting together based on masking tape. Of course, I said, “hell yes let’s do this thing.” Bklyn View Photography captured these bright images on a sweltering day on a roof top in July. Yes – the Revel offices have access to a private roof deck in NYC. Let’s just let those words sink in for a moment – private. roof deck. NYC.

What I love most about this shoot is that it was truley a hand crafted masterpiece. Each element was created with an artistic touch that made it one-of-a-kind. Like this striped runner here – it was conceptualized to this exact table setting and hand painted using painter’s tape to create the straight lines. These are the kind of decor pieces that are my favorite for weddings – the kind that could be seen as art, as well as decor.

Emily from Lael Cakes, a true artisan herself, created these custom striped mini cakes from dyed fondant to match the theme. These are the types of details that make bring personalization to a party. Sure, standard cupcakes with pink icing would have been fine, but there is no substitute for paying an artist to create a dessert for you that is 110% custom to your event. Honeybee brownies brought delicious blondie bites to round out the dessert table. This shoot, along with a fun DIY, was featured on Wedding Chicks.