MI Honeybee Flowers: 10 Questions with Amy Lybolt

Florist - Amy Lybolt

Business: MI Honeybee Flowers
Location: Troy, Michigan MI
Experience: 8 Years
Profile: MI Honeybee Flowers
Website: www.royaloakmiflorist.com

1. Introduction: What's your story?

After my son was born in 2015, I decided to seize the day and start my own floral design company. I have over ten years experience in project management and event planning, and nearly four years of experience working at a local florist. For years, I did flowers for friends and family and always told people I wanted to have a florist as my retirement plan. Life is too short, am I right?! MI Honeybee Flowers is my now plan! I absolutely love working along side my clients to make their day happier. I have a strong eye for details and promise that every flower, decoration idea, and arrangement I provide, is the best I have to offer.

I want to make your dreams come to life and ensure that it's enjoyable, affordable, and uniquely you. I want to build a family of clients where creativity, attention to detail, and communication are at the forefront. I love chasing dreams, the beauty and perfection of flowers, and building community for the betterment of your event and for residents in Michigan.

2. What's your experience as a wedding florist business? How many weddings are in there in your portfolio?

We are an established business that has been in the wedding industry for ever five years now. Each year we have been honored to grow into the company you see today. We started by doing about 10 weddings our first year and are currently doing 65 events a year, adding up to over 250 events total. We provide year round services for any events you are hosting and absolutely love working with all of our amazing clients.

3. How far in advance do couples need to secure your services?

Since we are more established, we are booking a year or year and a half in advance. I have options for booking events that are a month out, but it all depends on your needs and our team's capacity. I urge you to reach out if you are planning your wedding for 2022, as soon as possible. We are booking up quickly!

4. How do you price your floral arrangements? What are the different packages that you offer and which one is your most popular package?

I don't believe in packages. We pride ourselves on working within all different types of budgets and doing the best to make your wedding floral dreams come true within those confines. We are experts in marrying between your budget, reality, and Pinterest and finding the price that you feel most comfortable with. That being said, we are established and do incredible work. We aren't the cheapest, but we certainly aren't the most expensive either. On average our projects are $2,500 - $4,000. But again, the needs and priorities of our clients can be different and we will work with you to find the sweet spot pricing everyone is happy with.

5. How many meetings will you have with the couple, and how will they be involved?

When you reach out to us, we will schedule a phone consultation to discuss your initial needs and vision for your big day. I create a proposal for you, that will have different options and can be adjusted as needed. From there, if you reserve us for your big day you have unlimited email communication with me, as well as 1-2 phone conversations prior to the big day. I am happy to meet in-person if needed, but due to COVID, we are limiting in person meetings significantly. One month prior to the wedding, we will adjust the proposal to show any changes needed based on your final headcount and floor plan. We want to make this as easy as possible for you - and make sure that florals isn't on your list of wedding day stressors :)

6. Who else is in your team and how many people on your staff will be at the wedding?

I have an incredible team! My lead designer is Liz and has been with MI Honeybee since June 2017. Alongside her new found passion for floral design, Liz Lewis is also a textile artist, painter, and teacher. She studied painting and fiber arts at College for Creative Studies in Detroit, MI and has focused her recent artwork on natural fabric dyes. Liz has been gardening for the past decade and her passion for plants shines through in all aspects of her work. She strives to keep environmental sustainability at the forefront of her projects and also shares her love of nature with children by teaching eco-art classes in Detroit Public Schools elementary science classrooms.

We also have a great crew of part-time designers and set-up crews that you may see on your big day and help to make the Honeybee magic happen. This includes set up on the day of, dropping off your bouquets and personal flowers, and breaking down at the end of the night. Everyone is trained and highly trustworthy. Amy, the owner, is most likely available and setting up on your big day or available by phone for any questions or concerns you may have.

7. How would you describe your design style? (e.g. traditional, modern, rustic, organic)

We are capable of doing absolutely anything and love trying out new ideas and floral design techniques. That being said, I think our niche has a modern and organic feel to it. Our "slightly unstructured" bouquets are a huge hit with most of our clients and we love to use a variety of textures to add some creativity and flair to your day. We love working with classic colors, but also love bold colors. We like to use eco-friendly techniques and source our flowers from local farmers and vendors as much as we can! A client once told me that compared to other florists, she could see and feel the love that is put into each one of our creations. And that's the truth - we love what we do and put our passion into everything we do.

8. Who will handle setup and delivery? What other services do you offer?

We offer full floral services for your big day, and planning and coordination services, if it makes sense for our clients. Since we already know the clients vision, it can be a great fit to work together on the logistics of the big day. We also offer a lot of rental options that can enhance your event décor, such as candles, vases, and arches.

Amy or Liz handle all set ups, and we have a team of amazing folks that may help with delivering your personal flowers. Amy is always available by phone on the day of your event and will ensure everything goes smoothly.

9. What happens to the flowers after the wedding?

Depending on the logistics of your day, we come and breakdown any rental items and florals at the end of your event. We work with the client to see what flowers they want to keep, if any. From there, we try to re-gift flowers as much as we can depending on the condition. We also compote all of our flowers to be as environmentally friendly as possible.

10. What is your cancellation and/or refund policy?

All deposits are non-refundable. We understand this is a custom order and understand if payment is not made in full, this contract is cancelled and all payments are forfeited. Contract cancellation should be made in writing. Cancellations made less than 2 week before the wedding date may forfeit full payment if MI Honeybee Flowers has ordered flowers and the order cannot be cancelled. MI Honeybee Flowers reserves the right to cancel this contract if at any time we feel that the obligations cannot be met. In the event of fire, natural disaster, tragedy, or other emergency, liability is limited to full refund of all monies paid less the deposit.

No Party shall be liable in damages or have the right to terminate this Agreement for any delay or default in performing hereunder if such delay or default is caused by conditions beyond its control including, but not limited to, acts of God (such as hurricanes, earthquakes, flooding), fire, Government restrictions (including the denial or cancellation of any export or other necessary license), wars, terrorist acts, insurrections and/or any other cause beyond the reasonable control of the Party whose performance is affected. Should the Clients’ Event be cancelled, postponed or otherwise adversely impacted as a result of an Act of God/Force Majeure event, there shall be no refunds for payments already received, but MI Honeybee Flowers will use all reasonable efforts to work with Clients to produce the Wedding/Event at a later date if necessary, subject to Wedding/Event florist availability, and a substitute representative may be present on MI Honeybee Flowers behalf on the rescheduled date. Additional fees (reordering fresh flowers) may be incurred and due to Wedding/Event and/or Event Vendors as a result of a rescheduled event.