In the Spotlight: Featured uBloomer, Monique Wilber

Monique Wilber is married with a 13 year old daughter and is owner of A Special Day Designs, a floral design business specializing in weddings and events. She currently resides in Shingle Springs, California.How did you get your start in floral design?I was a "do it yourself" bride back in the late 80s and discovered that I enjoyed making the flower arrangements and had a knack for designing. I ended up taking 2 years of college courses in floral design along with my husband (who can make a mean bridesmaid bouquet).I continued my college education and it was during a speech class that I accidentally stumbled into the floral design business. My speech class professor gave us an assignment to demonstrate an item of our choosing (either how it worked, how it was made, how to use…etc) so I chose to demonstrate how to make a colonial style bridal bouquet. I ended up getting 3 bookings that day which led doing the flowers for all 3 weddings! It was then that I started my first floral design business, Weddings by Monique.After several years of wedding design, I stepped away from the business to pursue my Masters degree and help my husband start his business. Then, about a year ago, I was encouraged to get back in to designing flowers for weddings and my daughter came up with the name for my new business, "A Special Day Designs." So, here I am!What is your favorite flower?Queen Ann’s Lace. I grew up in Massachusetts and Queen Ann’s Lace grew profusely along the sides of the road. I love how feminine and frothy it looks. I like to use it in arrangements in place of gypsophilia.What floral arrangement do you like making the most?I like to make bridal bouquets in general but I’m really known for the romantic, cascading style bouquets I design. They are my favorite.If you could design flowers for someone famous, who would it be?I would design a dashing and manly boutonniere for Harrison Ford. I would use earthy elements, lots of foliage and decorative wire.If you could pick a wedding theme or design to do without thought of cost, what would it be?Oh, wow! I have to say I would choose the classical chinese theme that combines the elements of fire, water, stone, glass, earth, wood and metal giving a feeling of being connected to the earth. Using large branches with dangling flowers and crystals, orchids, moss and lots of candles I would want to create a clean and pure hydroponic style with ikebana influences.What is the one floral design product you cannot do without?I used to be a wire and tape girl but now I have discovered the marvel and convienence of Oasis Cold Glue. I’ll NEVER go back to wire and taping again!Tell me about the best floral design show that you have attended.I have been to 4 different shows recently, all good and unique in their own way. I saw J at the Sacramento show and Gerry Toh at a wedding design show back in March. Both were fabulous. I learned a lot at both shows. I also got to see German florist, Gregor Lersch at the California State Floral Convention. He demonstrated how to make huge wedding design pieces.Which floral designer do you look to for inspiration?J Schwanke! He’s got such a positive attitude about flowers being for everyone. I really like that. He’s so real and approachable. He also makes very unique and beautiful designs.Do you have a favorite JTV webisode?Yes, I have watched the "Hand Tied Bouquet" webisode over and over and over again. In fact, I just got through watching it for the umpteenth time this morning! It has helped my technique tremendously.If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you go? I’m so inspired by nature and have lots of "Kiwi" friends, so I’ll have to say, New Zealand. I would love to see the gorgeous mountains, rivers and plant life that New Zealand has.What hobbies do you enjoy?White water rafting, photography, canning jams and jellies, gardening and getting in the car and just wandering around to see what we can find.What was the last thing you bought on impulse?The John Henry Wedding Style Books. All my other wedding books were seriously outdated, so when I happened to see ads for the new wedding books by John Henry, I bought without thought. I also got in trouble with my husband! (They’re a bit pricey)What do you like best about uBloom?Everything! I go all over uBloom and I really like how open and friendly this site is. Everyone here is so helpful. I enjoy the forums a lot, I like to read the blogs, I use the floral fan deck and then there are the JTV webisodes… It’s all great!