READING TIME: 2 min 33 sec
PUBLICATION DATE: 05/26/2025
UPDATED: 05/26/2025
In the heart of Melbourne’s lush Yarra Valley, there’s a name whispered by brides, planners, and flower-lovers alike: Sassafras Flower Design. Behind this enchanting studio stands a woman whose artistry transcends trends—who sees florals not just as decoration, but as storytelling in bloom.
With three decades of experience and over 16 years at the helm of Sassafras, this florist-designer has cultivated a signature style that’s abundant, generous, and utterly romantic—a floral symphony that brings ceremonies to life.
“I love diving deep into the details that bring wedding flower design to life,” she shares. “I'm constantly amazed by the variety and nuances that we can bring out and showcase in different ways.”
The story of Sassafras Flower Design didn’t begin with business plans and spreadsheets—it began with a passion for creativity and an unshakable love of flowers. The years that followed were filled with weddings, events, and hands-on mastery, refining a vision that feels both wildly natural and effortlessly elegant.
Today, nestled in the Hills with her husband Matt and their four children, surrounded by forest and a growing menagerie of animals, she balances high-end design with a grounded, nature-filled life.
What keeps the passion alive after 30 years?
“The most rewarding part about being a wedding florist is stepping back at the end of setting up an installation and seeing all the months of planning come together finally. Admiring the lush and impactful flowers that just perfectly set the tone and the scene for a ceremony is magic and awe inspiring.”
It’s not just about arranging flowers—it’s about sculpting an atmosphere, one that reflects a couple’s love story with sincerity and soul.
Ask her what defines good floral design, and you’ll quickly realize: rules don’t apply.
“If it holds water, it can be a vessel. If it has a great tone or colour or texture, use it to enhance traditional florals,” she explains. “I've used vintage glass lightshades as vases… I've wired Brussels sprouts into sculptures on the table. I think anything goes, really—floral design is art!”
This fearless innovation is part of what makes Sassafras so beloved—clients aren’t just getting flowers, they’re getting a vision, a mood, and sometimes, a surprise.
One of the most common concerns couples have? Not knowing exactly what they want. Her advice is refreshingly simple:
“Choose a designer whose work you love and tell them what you love about their work. Trust them to create something bespoke.”
Design, after all, is a two-way conversation—one where intuition, taste, and creativity merge to form something unforgettable.
There’s one constant that keeps her inspired: the seasons.
“I’m obsessed with every new season bloom,” she says. “I will never tire of seeing and smelling the first spring flowers… I love the impermanence of flowers and the romance of changing seasons.”
It’s a deep appreciation for fleeting beauty—something that echoes the very essence of weddings themselves.
Looking back, what would she tell her younger self just starting out?
“I would encourage anyone starting out to invest as much time and money as possible into learning not just the creative side but the business itself. Understand your numbers and systems clearly so you can be sustainable and scale if you choose to.”
That blend of artistic flair and business acumen is what’s kept Sassafras Flower Design not just thriving, but evolving—season after season.
From dreamy arches covered in blooms to unexpected sculptural centerpieces, Sassafras Flower Design is more than a wedding florist—it’s a storyteller of love, a sculptor of nature, and an artist whose medium is emotion wrapped in petals. Brides seeking something heartfelt, grand, and original need look no further than this Melbourne treasure.
