In the autumn of 2023 I was invited to serve as the designer and lead florist for Certified American Grown’s 2024 Michigan Field to Vase Dinner. Hosted at Creekside Growers by a one of a kind team led by the incomparable Sue Dykstra, this event is a highlight in the homegrown, locally sourced flower realm and one cherished by professional florists, hobbyist gardens, and environmentalists alike. I knew the invitation carried great honor and magnitude, but more so that the mission behind the event and work being done with the CAGF team is equally as important and valuable. I gave a resounding yes to Kelly when she called with the invite and for the next almost year we planned a community-centered dinner party with all of my most favorite people. Truly. The 2024 season would not have been what it was without Field to Vase.
The photos throughout the post highlight some of my favorite moments from September 13th. They also showcase a few of my favorite people. It was an exceptionally hot September day (low 90’s) and bringing this event to life probably took a little more stamina than expected but you’d never know it from the smiles on everyone’s faces and the joy radiating from each image. Abby Fox, a treasured colleague, captured the essence of the event so beautifully and we’re all thankful she was there to document every detail.
I’ve also shared a little bit of commentary throughout the post below, in places where it really feels necessary. Not everyone in the event and wedding industry feels the same about sustainability, reducing waste, shopping local, and more specifically, supporting local flower farmers. But every single person we invited to be a part of this event excitedly came on board with an eagerness to join in the mission of CAGF, support the cause, and more importantly, give love to the Creekside Growers’ team, who have become undeniably a staple in the West Michigan wedding market. As I like to say, this event was the result of the absolute right people being in the absolute right seats.
Enjoy a little slice of what matters most to me.
This is Sue. As mentioned above, she’s the owner of Creekside Growers and leads a small but mighty team dedicated to providing locally grown flowers and foliage to the midwest market. Over the last few years I’ve cultivated a relationship with the Creekside team, working hard to understand the differences between domestically grown flowers versus imports, and why supporting local is so critical. Sue and her team work hard, always give more than 100%, and are really one of the most important ‘vendors’ in my role as a floral designers. My favorite part of the evening was listening to Sue’s toast at dinner where she spoke about family legacy, her husband’s support, the way her hands have worked the fields AND held grandbabies, those same grandbabies that now help on the farm. Sue, we’re so grateful for you and your crew.
We also had a really delightful group of sponsors and suppliers that not only made the event possible but delighted the guests who came out for an evening of community, beauty, and of course, fresh flowers! The swag bags were waiting for guests at their dining chair so that they could sit down to await dinner and dive into some of the goodies. All of the included businesses and people are listed below in the credits for your convenience.
Hello from yours truly!
And this is Christine from The Farmhouse Deli. Chris and I have a relationship that spans almost the entirety of my career in the wedding industry, and she is undeniably one of the women I most admire, look up to, and trust. Aside from being a remarkable person with the most generous heart, she is one of a kind in the way she views food and how it’s sourced and prepared. If you’re looking for delicious, sustainably sourced, thoughtfully prepared, and heart-fueled food, look no further than Chris and her team from The Farmhouse Deli. There’s likely not enough space in one blog post to list out the ways I adore Chris and her work but without her expertise, this event wouldn’t have been the same. Chris and her team came in and stole the show with the most impeccable cocktail hour display, passed appetizers, and family style meal comprised of sourced ingredients from all over West Michigan. Creating food that looks as exquisite as it tastes is a gift and Chris is the most gifted of all.
And the drinks! I don’t personally drink alcohol so I don’t always feel equipped to offer a solid opinion on choices, but to not respect how important wine and spirits are to both a social and culinary experience would be ignorant of me. Especially so in both the hospitality arena and in a geographical region where the option are rich and vast. So I share with gratitude more about the individuals and brands that helped ensure our guests had the most desirable drinks during their time at Creekside on September 13th. The representatives from Domaine Berrien Cellars, Mawby Sparkling Wine, and Modales Vineyard & Winery kept the drinks flowing all evening, while also doing such a beautiful job explaining how sustainability is critical in their unique roles, too. And without the Michigan Wine Collaborative these various inclusions wouldn’t be possible. If you’re ever in close proximity to any of the wineries in the Mitten State please do yourself a favor and stop in for a taste!
And here’s Cameron, our fearless and down to earth leader at Certified American Grown! Hi Cameron!
And here’s Kelly from the Creekside team. Kelly wears a lot of hats at Creekside but is one of the most generous and hardworking gals I know, never stopping until she gets her customers the right flower and foliage color, quantity, shape, and integrity. Everytime she pulls up to my studio in her little red SUV with buckets of delights spilling out the back I am literally bursting with joy. Kelly, your passion and quiet determination does not go noticed. I also cannot think of anyone better suited to man a flower wearables bar so guests could feel a little more fancy during their time at Field to Vase.
Kelly is also who recommended Josh Rose to the CAGF team when it came time to find local musical talent for the event. Finding music to fit in with the homegrown, autumnal, dinner-party feel we were after surprisingly turned out to be difficult in the beginning of the planning process but Kelly mentioned her musician friend, Josh and the rest is history. Not only did Josh sing so beautifully alongside the family-style table of dining guests but he’s a gifted guitarist, too, and I can’t think of a better way to have set the tone for the evening. And when two friends get to do what they love together? Priceless.
Now the tablescape! The flowers! The linens! This is where I’m most passionate and where I was given nearly complete control to suggest ideas and run with them. We all fell in love with a green and orange palette that included various softer tones of each color including sage, emerald, peach, and coral so you’ll see we infused those tones into every space possible. From the pattern play of the linens to the color blocked centerpieces and candles it was the perfect late-summer-early-autumn palette to bring this homegrown aesthetic to life. And one of the sweetest touches was the artisan soap bars that I was able to provide through my sister company RB Soap Co. as a sponsorship to the event. Half of the guests received a sage green hued mint and eucalyptus soap while the other half received a soft peach Marigold bar with notes of orange and litsea, in of course, a nod to the event color palette.
My beautiful freelancers and plus ones (plus twos?!) Sarah and Jordan!
One of the sweetest touches of the evening is what I’m told a Field to Vase tradition and that’s sending each guest home with a hand-tied bouquet of farm flowers. Kelly and the Creekside team worked hard to create close to 100 bouquets for our guests and then pulled them all out at the end of dinner as a surprise send off treat. The perfect way to end an evening at the farm!
To everyone who attended the event, asked engaging questions about flower farming, floral designing, and sustainability across the United States, and who shared gratitude for the experience that was provided, we’re all so thankful for your eagerness and support. Everyone will remember this evening and experience with such fondness, and it’s because of the collective whole of such incredible people. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Michigan 2024 Field to Vase Dinner Professionals & Partners
Organization: Certified American Grown Flowers / Host Farm & Floral: Creekside Growers / Floral, Design & Planning: Rhiannon Bosse Celebrations / Catering: The Farmhouse Deli / Drink Suppliers: Domaine Berrien Cellars, Mawby Winery, Modales Wines / Photography: Abby Fox Photography / Rentals: Alpine Rentals / Music: Josh Rose Songs / Stationery: Nellie Sparkman Stationery / Swag Sponsors: Floret, RB Soap Co., Ball Seed Company, Syndicate Sales / Linens: Nuage Designs