We had the pleasure of working with Nancy Matthews, Owner and Lead Designer of Blossom Collective at a recent Bat Mitzvah and just wow! Her work is gorgeous AND she was a dream to work with. Definitely a winning combination! Read on to learn more about Nancy and Blossom Collective.
How did you get started with Blossom Collective?
After completing my Master’s Degree in Visual Arts in Venice, I remained in Italy working in Property and Events Management and relished my first exposure to flowers-as-art. After returning to my hometown of Washington, DC, I continued to work in the hospitality industry, experiencing events from the perspective of the venue, and gaining expertise in the industry. I continued to work with florals until launching my own business in 2018. We focus on floral and event design throughout DC, Maryland, and Virginia.
What’s your favorite part of what you do?
I love that I can be creative and project-focused at the same time—it suits my personality. Working with flowers for events can be intense. You have to be able to juggle weather patterns, farm and wholesaler supply issues, venue rules, client requests, and do so all on a very short timeline—there is no working in advance with fresh flowers! I love the mix of intensity and artistry. I am also continuously astounded by the creativity of my clients and love the ideas that they consistently bring to the table.
What’s your pop color–that something special that makes you, you?
Floral and event design is our focus, and obviously, it is important to be excellent at that, but communication is paramount, and I pride myself on not letting that ball drop, either with my client, the venue manager, event planner, or any of the other vendors with whom we must coordinate. I reply to emails, pick up the phone, answer questions, and solve problems. I believe that is equally important to my ability to create beautiful things.
What’s your favorite moment of a Bar or Bat Mitzvah?
The absolute best moment of a Mitzvah is the combination of joy, pride, and relief on the child’s face when they have completed their reading, and the celebration can begin! You can’t help but feel proud of this accomplishment, and happy that they can now party with their friends and family. I love the happiness with which they approach the festivities, and their faces when they catch the first glimpse of the venue!
What questions should parents ask someone in your field?
There are so, so many creative, unusual, and unique ways to use flowers and décor to solidify a theme and bring cheer to a Mitzvah. Do not be afraid to share your ideas with your florist, who will very likely be able to use lighting, candles, and other items in really creative ways. Also, be sure to ask about how flowers or items may need to be transported or reused between locations. Will you want something at dinner the night before? Can those items be moved to the venue the next day, and is it cost-effective to do so? Ask your florist about their setup timeline to be sure you have the venue ready in time for any photos you might want to take there. Do not be hesitant to share your budget from the get-go—it keeps you and your vendors on the same page, which is a great feeling!