Today is my third in a series of posts that highlight area wedding professionals. In this post I am highlighting Lingky Sugg of Flowers by Lingky. Flowers are always a centerpiece to any wedding, so choosing the right floral designer is absolutely imperative! As with all my posts in this series, I am highlighting area vendors who I know both personally and professionally and are very client-centered. Lingky has a unique ability to translate her client’s dreams into reality. She is among the best floral designers in the Charlotte area and her designs are simply amazing! I love how elegant her presentations are and how much of her talent goes into each arrangement. Lingky’s clients love her and it shows. She has won numerous awards from both The Knot and Wedding Wire! Recently, I was able to catch up with Lingky at her studio in downtown Charlotte. Here is some of what she had to say, including some great advice for couples looking for the right floral designer:
How did you get into floral design and weddings?
It started when I volunteered in my church when I was still in Indonesia. They then gave me a big responsibility, which was decorating the altar for big mass/services such as Christmas & Easter. People then started to come to me to do their weddings. When I moved to the US ( end of 2007), my boyfriend (now my hubby) noticed that every time I went to the grocery store, I always bought fresh flowers and made beautiful floral arrangements at home. He then asked me “why don’t you do it seriously like a business ?” I then said … “umm… I can do that!” So I started my business in 2010, and I designed 2 weddings. The following year I had 20 weddings, and 2012 I had 40 weddings, and it keeps on growing. But I am more concentrated on quality rather than quantity.
What was your first wedding like? What stood out about it and what did you learn?
My first wedding in the US was in 2010. It was a very beautiful wedding at Providence Country Club. The bride was very fun to be around! It was a very pretty and large wedding. The color was Fuchsia, Orange & Lime Green. I learned how to secure an event and face obstacles. From that wedding, I was able to book another wedding in 2010 and by 2011 I was booking many weddings!
I know it is hard to pick a favorite, but could you describe one of your favorite weddings?
I had one last year with 1000 guests! We had to design 100 centerpieces for the reception. I have had some weddings with 2,500 people, which meant quite a bit of work and lots of flowers.
How would you characterize your style as a wedding florist?
I would characterize my style as contemporary, but certainly not in a minimalist sense. I love luscious floral arrangements and I want the design to be very elegant. My favorite flowers are Lily-of-the-Valley, Peonies, Japanese Ranunculus, and Poppies.
What trends are you seeing in wedding floral design, etc.?
It seems that cascading bouquets are back in trend, not necessarily the same style, but with modern improvisations. Also, tall/elevated centerpieces are very trendy now. We have been designing more floral arrangements that hang from poles, etc.
What advice would you give a couple who is looking for a wedding florist?
I would spend time looking at images of flowers and researching to determine your likes and dislikes. You could even print some images to show your floral designer, or create a Pinterest page of what you like. This way, when you meet with floral designer they can better explain the costs and have an understanding of your style. Also, look for a florist that has an interest in YOUR wedding, that takes your wedding as her/his own event, is truthful, and is fun to work with!
