Today our spotlight is on Rachel Valenza, Director of Weddings and Events with Weddings by Vogue. Vogue has been a Richmond Weddings™ member since Amye’s mom started this business in 1989 and we have enjoyed working with them since the beginning. Get to know Rachel better here and why working with Vogue is a good choice for your wedding flowers!
If you care to share, how did you get to where you are now?
I have been a creator my entire life. I have explored so many different mediums of art: watercolor, jewelry making, pottery, calligraphy and more. I started off my professional career in the Interior Architecture and Design industry but it didn’t satisfy my creative craving as I thought it would. I honestly stumbled into working with florals and fell in love. The client relationship aspect and project management skills learned in the residential design field prepared me for consulting with couples about wedding florals. Creating with what is grown from nature is both humbling and so inspiring. The colors, textures, and movement that florals boast are incomparable to any other medium. Even though the mediums I have worked with over the years have changed, the key principles of design have remain the same!
What makes you or your business stand out and why should a couple hire you?
Weddings By Vogue stands out because we are the largest florist in Virginia that also has a wholesale department. This means we get the freshest blooms directly from farms. This allows us to offer our couples immense savings. Our tagline around here is whatever your budget is our goal is meet it or beat it. Honoring our couples dollar is what this department was built on.
Sarah Matozzi Photography – Vogue Flowers
What’s your favorite thing about working in the wedding industry?
Working with couples planning their wedding is such a celebratory time! I love getting to celebrate each couples own unique story and style! I love the process behind the work we do. You get to know the couple and then design something that tells their story.
What’s a unique tip you tell your couples?
A tip I have for couples planning their wedding is do not over DIY! I am all about DIYing, but there is a point where your DIY becomes more expensive and time consuming than it would have been to just hire a wedding professional. Before you go and buy the local craft store out of all their decor check with your vendors to see if they rent the same items for a more affordable cost!
Rachel Vince Photography – Vogue Flowers
What’s your best piece of advice for couples planning a wedding?
Remember the why behind your wedding – to marry your best friend!
What’s your favorite moment during a wedding?
Giving the bride their wedding bouquet. Every reaction is different and priceless.
What are your favorite wedding trends right now?
Bold and botanical florals! I am all about the deep saturated colors paired with botanical elements such as succulents and air plants.
How do you de-stress?
Bubble baths – always have, always will! There is nothing like sinking into a bubble bath after a long wedding set up.
What’s a fun or unusual fact about you?
I have traveled to over 30 countries in the Americas, Africa, Europe, and Asia! I have slept in a mud hut in Ethiopia, rode a camel through the Sahara Desert, and saw the tip of Mount Everest in Nepal.
What’s the coolest thing you’re working on now?
The coolest thing I am working on right now is in my backyard. This is my first year growing a cut flower garden. I am growing zinnias, dahlias, snapdragons, cosmos and more!
Do you love to travel?
If so, what are some must-see destinations? I love learning about and experiencing new cultures! A must see destination for an art and culture lovers is Marrakesh, Morocco. The souks (markets) are bursting with pottery, textiles, and spices. It is a sensory overload but a designers dream. Don’t even get me started about the architecture and tile – breathtaking! The food is just as satisfying as the art, like a flavor explosion in your mouth!
Contact Rachel today for a consultation! (804) 353-9600
Email: weddings@vogueflowers.com
Website: https://www.weddingsbyvogue.com/
Instagram: @weddingsbyvogue