What if you could peek inside the wedding industry and learn all its secrets?

There’s a moment in almost every wedding planning journey when couples stop asking, “What do we love?” and start asking, “What is everyone else doing?” That’s when weddings begin to look beautiful, but strangely forgettable.

Choosing the right floral designer for your wedding is about so much more than selecting beautiful flowers. It’s about finding someone who understands your story, your personality, and the moments that matter most. In the very first episode of Architects of the Aisle, I sat down with luxury wedding floral designer Dakotah, owner of Jardinière Events and Dressed by Dakotah, to explore how thoughtful floral design can completely transform a wedding day and she spilled all her wedding secrets.

This conversation isn’t just about bouquets or centerpieces. It’s about creating an experience that feels authentic, designing with purpose, and helping couples celebrate their love story in a way that reflects who they are.

Whether you’re planning your wedding, working alongside other wedding professionals, or simply love hearing the stories behind incredible celebrations, this first episode is filled with practical advice, fresh perspectives, and thoughtful conversations that will change the way you think about wedding design.

Meet the Floral Designer Behind Jardinière Events

Dakotah founded Jardinière Events in 2018 with a mission to create intentional floral designs that tell each couple’s unique story. Before becoming one of the Lowcountry’s sought-after floral designers, she spent two years working in New York City’s fashion publishing industry. That editorial experience continues to influence her approach to weddings today, blending fashion, storytelling, and floral artistry into every celebration she designs.

Her passion for styling eventually led to the launch of Dressed by Dakotah, a luxury styling service that helps brides and clients curate thoughtful, elevated looks for weddings and special events. Throughout this podcast, it became clear that every creative decision she makes begins with one simple question:

“How can this better tell their story?”

A Wedding Hot Take That Might Surprise You

One of the first questions I asked Dakotah was about her most controversial opinion as a floral designer in the wedding industry

Her answer surprised me.

While dramatic dance floor installations are incredibly popular, she encouraged couples to think beyond what guests see from the ground. If you’re celebrating inside a clear-top tent, the design should also look beautiful from above, especially if you’ve invested in drone photography and videography.

It’s a perfect example of how an experienced wedding floral designer balances creativity with practicality to ensure every detail photographs beautifully.

Where Should Couples Invest Their Floral Budget?

Another surprising takeaway from our conversation centered around wedding budgets. Dakotah explained that many couples automatically purchase boutonnieres, corsages, and additional personal flowers simply because they think they’re expected. Instead, she encourages couples to ask a different question:

Where will these flowers have the greatest impact?

For some couples, that may be the ceremony. For others, it might be a dramatic reception design, a statement bouquet, or an unforgettable tablescape. There isn’t one correct answer. The best investment is wherever it creates the most joy and meaning for you.

A Wedding Designed Around Your Story

One of my favorite moments in our conversation was hearing how Dakotah begins every design. She doesn’t start by asking what flowers are trending. Instead, she wants to know about you.

She asks about:

• Your love story
• Your family traditions
• Your favorite places
• Your wardrobe
• Your home
• Your travels
• Your wedding stationery

Every answer becomes inspiration. Her goal is simple: when guests walk into your wedding, they should immediately think, “This feels exactly like them.” That’s what separates a beautiful arrangement from unforgettable wedding design.

The Biggest Wedding Myth Couples Believe

Perhaps the most meaningful conversation during our recording for Architects of the Aisle wasn’t about flowers at all.

It was about the idea that your wedding is “just one day” Dakotah completely disagrees. She explained that your wedding experience actually begins the moment you’re engaged. The vendor meetings, dress shopping, late-night planning conversations, and the excitement of watching your vision come together. Those memories become just as meaningful as the wedding day itself. It’s a perspective I couldn’t agree with more.

As photographers, weflorists, planners, and designers, we aren’t simply creating one incredible day; we’re helping shape an entire season of someone’s life.

Where Creativity Really Comes From

With social media overflowing with inspiration, I asked Dakotah where she finds her own creative ideas. Interestingly, it isn’t Pinterest. Instead, she draws inspiration from fashion, travel, fine art, and so much more. That diverse creative background allows her designs to feel fresh while remaining deeply personal to each couple.

A Reminder for Couples Planning Their Wedding

If there was one recurring theme throughout our conversation, it was that your wedding should look like you and not like someone else’s Pinterest board. Trends will always change and the flowers that are popular this year may disappear next year (in some cases that is a good thing). But when your wedding reflects your personalities, your memories, and your relationship, it becomes timeless.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• Why choosing the right wedding florist matters
• How to prioritize your floral budget
• Common wedding flower mistakes to avoid
• Why intentional design creates more meaningful weddings
• How your wedding experience begins long before the ceremony

One of my favorite quotes from this conversation is the idea that good design isn’t about following trends; it’s about helping people feel seen. Whether you’re an engaged couple or a wedding professional, this conversation will change the way you think about wedding flowers and the people behind them.

Listen to the full three-part conversation with Dakota from Jardiniere Floral Design and Dressed by Dakota on Architects of the Aisle to hear the candid conversations, behind-the-scenes stories, and practical advice that every couple and every wedding vendor needs to hear.

Be sure to listen to Episode 1 of Architects of the Aisle, then continue with Episode 2, where Dakotah shares what surprised her most after becoming a bride herself.

Photography by Abby Jiu Photography. All wedding images featured in this post were captured by the photographer and are credited with permission.