The Process of Planning a Michigan Wedding Part 3: The Flowers
By Jamie May Photography: 
Building Beautiful Relationships Through Flowers and Photography
When I reflect on one of my favorite weddings to photograph, the role flowers played stands out—not just in their beauty, but in the connections they helped create. As both the mother of the bride and the photographer, capturing the day’s essence felt deeply personal. Flowers became more than decorations; they told a story of collaboration, creativity, and love. The journey of selecting the perfect blooms taught me so much about how relationships can elevate both my photography business and the art of storytelling.
Exploring Floral Options
Flowers are magical—not just decorative but capable of setting the tone and telling a story of their own. Our search began at Horrocks, a well-known flower shop with an impressive selection. I first learned about their wedding services while photographing another event and was impressed by their offerings. They only take on two weddings per month, so it’s crucial to book early with a $50 deposit. They also offer loose-cut flowers for a DIY approach, an option we initially considered. However, as we weighed the logistics, we realized another direction would suit us better. This experience underscored how important early planning is, whether you’re booking flowers or photography.
Next, we visited Grand Haven Garden House, a delightful option with a creative twist: a DIY floral experience. They allow you to rent their space mid-week to host a floral party, where they guide you in creating your own arrangements. They even offer storage, delivery, and setup services for an added fee. It’s perfect for families who want to add a personal touch to their wedding day. While we loved this idea, my daughter was finishing nursing school and needed something less hands-on. Grand Haven Garden House also provides full floral design services, offering flexibility for every type of couple.
Choosing Wasserman’s Floral with Skeeter
Ultimately, we chose Skeeter from Wasserman’s Floral, a decision that proved perfect. Skeeter and I share a long-standing relationship, and his unmatched talent made him the obvious choice. Initially, I was concerned about budget, but his quote turned out to be surprisingly affordable. His professionalism, combined with the trust we’d built over the years, made the process seamless. As a photographer, I’ve learned that strong vendor relationships lead to better outcomes, and Skeeter reinforced the importance of collaboration.
Adding Personal Touches
While Skeeter handled the main arrangements, we wanted to add personal touches and extra flowers without exceeding our budget. Early Thursday morning, we stopped by Trader Joe’s to pick up fresh eucalyptus and filler flowers for vases scattered throughout the venue. Despite being purchased days before, these flowers stayed vibrant through Saturday’s wedding, adding a natural, elegant touch.
My mistress of ceremony, who also has a green thumb, and I also harvested colorful zinnias from our garden, adding cheerful pops of color that reflected the joy of the day. Collecting vases became an exciting adventure. We discovered unique pieces at Goodwill, ordered mini vases from Amazon, and borrowed others from generous friends. These thoughtful, budget-friendly details not only brought charm to the event but also created cherished memories. It reminded me that creativity and resourcefulness often result in the most meaningful moments—and stunning photographs.
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Building Relationships Through Shared Creativity
What struck me most during this process was how flowers brought people together. From collaborating with Skeeter to laughing with the Grand Haven team to arranging blooms with loved ones, every step added meaning to the celebration. As a photographer, I treasure these behind-the-scenes connections, as they bring depth to my work. Weddings, after all, are about relationships—not just between the couple, but among everyone who helps make the day extraordinary.
Final Thoughts
This experience with flowers reminded me that photography is about more than capturing moments—it’s about understanding the love and care behind every detail. From the delicate petals of a bouquet to the laughter of those who arranged them, every element contributes to something truly unforgettable.
For couples, I encourage you to savor the process and the memories you create along the way. For photographers, dive into the stories behind the scenes. Together, we can create not only beautiful events but lasting relationships that bloom far beyond the wedding day.
Click on Part 1 and Part 2 of the Wedding Planning process to view my other blog post.
