Heatherly Event Design: 10 Questions with Heather Muto

Florist - Heather Muto

Business: Heatherly Event Design
Location: Charlotte, North Carolina NC
Experience: 10 Years
Profile: Heatherly Event Design
Website: www.heatherlyeventdesign.com

1. Introduction: What's your story?

Hi I'm Heather Muto, owner and lead designer at Heatherly Event Design. I got my start in Los Angeles where I initial worked in production. I eventually made my way to events helping with things like the Daytime Emmys as well as hosting a variety of intimate celebrity events. I love weddings and found myself dabbling in that world until I took it full time. While designing weddings I found my passion for floral design.

When I moved to Charlotte in 2018 I launched Heatherly Event Design where we specialize in start-to-finish, full service wedding and event production with a focus on floral design.

Side note - when I get time, I love to ski, surf and hike and my husband and I have two young boys.

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

I have been working as a florist unofficially since 2013 and launched my first wedding business in 2014. Heatherly was established in Charlotte (after having moved from Los Angeles) in 2018. Since launching in Charlotte, Heatherly has done over 150 weddings.

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

The sooner the better! Especially for 2022 and 2023 as they are very popular years. That said, a good rule of thumb is about four to six months prior to the wedding. If design services are needed, getting a start once your venue is booked is generally a good idea.

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

As with most florists "packages" are not really a thing as everything is custom designed for the needs of the client. At Heatherly, we have line-item minimums which means a minimum price for which a certain item costs. For example, a low centerpiece for a round table might have a minimum of $95 and you'd build from there. Obviously there are a few exceptions to these minimum rules but they allow a client to get a quick sense of what their needs will cost them and pare down on their wish list if it comes to it.

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

After completing a questionnaire, we send an initial customized proposal. Sometimes this is all the couple needs to feel comfortable booking. However, the option to book a phone consultation is provided. Once the couple has signed, we touch base closer to the wedding date to finalize details.

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

The Heatherly team consists of 10 committed, talented florists. The amount of staff at a wedding depends on the scope of the project.

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

Elevated boho. Heatherly uses natural, ethereal designs that take nature's lead. Rather than fighting against the grain of a flower's natural tendencies, our designs focus on organic flow. We have an eye for catchy, ahead-of trend designs and point our efforts towards sustainability.

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

We provide delivery, setup and install as well as breakdown. Heatherly is a full service event design company also offering planning and coordination services.

9. What happens to the flowers after the wedding?

Clients may opt for floral cleanup the night of the wedding in which case we remove any leftover florals and collect our rentals. Clients are permitted to take the florals with them or we offer a transport service fee (for example, to refresh, transport and install the florals from the wedding to a next-day brunch). Clients may also opt for floral donation to local nursing homes (though restrictions currently apply due to Covid).