by Johanna Osborne

The talented Kelly Lenard

“I’d rather have roses on my table than diamonds on my neck.” ~Emma Goldman

What do you do when a super talented florist from the American Midwest comes to good old Wellington, and as a long time admirer of her work (just look at the website and you will see what we mean!) you literally feel like you have nabbed the golden ticket? Why, you grab her for an interview of course! Yes, it’s New Zealand’s good fortune that Kelly Lenard, Owner/Designer of much loved American floral boutique ‘Intertwine’ has decided to visit NZ with a view to spending our summers here with a hope of branching out into the NZ wedding market, whilst America experiences its winter downtime. Kelly’s work is so tasteful, classic and gorgeous and we are thrilled to introduce her to Wellington brides.

So who is this amazing girl? The pretty photography major holds a deep passion for nature, art and history which are all ever-present in her unique designs. Kelly can be found searching the woods for interesting leaves, branches, or stones to add to a centrepiece and enjoys incorporating your personal family memorabilia into your special day. Her goal: to make every project uniquely individual. Kelly says “I love mixing old and new, rustic and chic, to intertwine your expectations with the unexpected.” We like the sound of that!

Of course we took this opportunity to ask Kelly some questions and see what style tips and predictions she has for the coming season. See what she has to share below, and of course don’t forget to check out samples of her amazing work. Eye candy at its very best! Swoon!

1. Kelly, you are here on a working holiday until April. That’s our gain. Why have you chosen NZ to visit?

Visiting NZ has always been a dream of mine. I love the outdoors and exploration has been a passion of mine since I was young. I come from the American Midwest where there’s flat farmland in literally every direction. It’s incredibly inspiring to see New Zealand’s amazing landscape and I love how much the scenery changes within such a short distance.

2. Obviously you are very talented and have excellent taste. What do you like about working on weddings?

I love how each wedding is like a new art project. Working with different flowers and design elements every week keeps my life fresh and exciting.

3. What are your predictions for floral trends this year?

I would love to see a growth in simplistic and organic style. I’m a firm believer that flowers are beautiful on their own. To me, it’s more about the right combination of shades and textures as opposed to the quantity and size of arrangements. I feel it’s very important to stay true to myself as an artist while still combining the tastes of my clients. I’m always concerned with what looks best as opposed to what’s trendy now. I want clients to look back on their wedding images and see a timeless beauty that reflected the love they share and who they are as a couple.

4. What are your personal favourite flowers and styles?

Cafe au lait Dahlias are my all time favorite flowers. Their tea stained petals with a hint of blush are perfection. I also love Anemonies, Ranunculous, Sweet Pea, and Garden Roses. Combining ruffly blooms with bold and interesting fillers gives arrangements just the right mix of earthy chic and classic romance.

5. What was your own wedding like – what kind of flowers did you use?

My husband and I had a vineyard wedding in the fall. The beautiful surroundings made it easy to decorate with simple arrangements of garden roses, amaranthus, grapes, thistle, leaves, and berries.

6. How does your home country and the people differ from NZ, and is that reflected in our taste/styling?

The people I have met here have kind, genuine, and extremely accommodating. I find that there is a great sense of community in New Zealand. Everyone I’ve met here has been very helpful. Whether it be for directions or information on places to see, someone is always willing to lend a helping hand.

Growing up in the country has definitely influenced my style. My personal taste is simple, somewhat muted, and a bit freeform. I like to let flowers dictate the feel of the arrangements by placing them in positions that emulate the way that they grow in nature. I adore rustic and weathered details mixed with feminine and natural patterns and textures. I’ve always pulled inspiration from the landscape of my surroundings. Being here in NZ already has me planning stylized shoots that convey the untamed beauty I see all around me.

7. Any other comments/thoughts you would like to add about yourself and what you do?

I feel so blessed to do what I love and to work with such amazing people. I’m so thankful for the opportunity to be here and to learn more about the New Zealand wedding industry. Because America has opposite seasons, my hope is that I can design weddings in the US half the year and spend the other half of the year doing weddings here in New Zealand. I know I have only been here for a short while, but I have already fallen in love with the culture, people, and landscape of your amazing country.

Intertwine -Event Styling, Floral, & Photography
www.intertwinestyle.com
[email protected]