Based in Wellington, Mindy Dalzell of
Twig & Arrow is more than your average florist. Transforming flowers, foliage and plants into breathtaking installations, arrangements and bouquets, Mindy considers herself more of a “botanical stylist” and when you look at her work, it is easy to see why.
With great importance placed on all things natural, Mindy and her team travel all over the country creating floral magic. We were lucky enough to have Mindy create our beautiful foliage garland and table arrangement for the Wellington Wedding Show and even luckier to get this super busy lady to sit down and chat for a few minutes about flowers, foraging and her love of weddings.
How did Twig & Arrow come to be?
For years I ran my much loved floral and design store. Due to flood damage I was forced to close but had an epiphany. I decided I really wanted to be just event focused and not having a retail shop meant I could totally dedicate myself to the client and work around the customers schedules. Really building a brief bespoke to the client.
What is your process when designing flowers for a wedding?
So many things factor into my design process. Not just style of attire being worn or colours but the personality of the couple is so important. Table plan and environment play a huge part in what is needed for ceremony and reception.
How would you describe the Twig & Arrow style?
Lush, seasonal garden style incorporating exciting textures with modern, refined styling.
What is an average workday like for you?
I’ll see the family off for the day, grab a coffee and go over the day’s appointments. I’ll answer a few emails and head in to see my floral wholesalers and stop off at my mates 'pay to pick garden' and forage seasonal interesting greenery and branches for the next few days events/orders/meetings. I head back to the studio and prepare all the flowers and greenery. If I don’t have a wedding or event on I will usually design something for the studio meeting table to photograph and post. Tidy up and take my recycling to the tip and stop into the tip shop and look for recycled treasures to add to our props department. I then head back to the house (I live down the road from my studio) take my dog Poppy for a walk and grab some lunch. I might then take a few wedding consultation appointments before after-school pick up. The kids and I’ll have some catch up time then it’s back to work on the computer building look and feel boards and compiling quotes for clients.
What do you love most about working in the wedding industry?
Being able to create something beautiful and memorable for one of the most important moments of a couple’s life is a privilege and honour. Also being a part of a great team of vendors that provides wonderful service.
What floral trends are you loving right now?I am loving a return back to table arrangements. After a few years of requests for jars and bottles of casually placed flowers it’s really lovely to see clients asking for something beautifully designed. Celebrating form and texture. I am really excited for this next season.
What is the most memorable wedding you have worked on? My team and I were putting the final touches on the tables for a 150 guests at a marquee wedding when a helicopter landed on the lawn and whisked the bride and bridesmaids away for a pre-wedding fly over Wellington harbor. It was to my surprise when we learned it was the groom flying it. We all had a great time waving to them as they took off. It was a gorgeous wedding and the couple and their family were just incredibly lovely to work for.
Do you have any tips or words of advice for those planning their big day?
Delegate. It’s so important to ask for help and especially on the day. If you have bridesmaids, they are there to help you. When making your schedule for the day, make sure to carve out a few moments for yourselves. Even if it’s just to have a cuddle, a kiss and a deep breath.
For bookings and more info, visit
Twig & Arrow here.
All images from
www.twigandarrow.com
