Question and Answer with Michelle from Forever Brooch Bouquets
Photo Courtesy of Ruffles and Trains Photography
How did you get started ?
It all started back in 2011, for my own wedding...
I was working in the medical field for about 14 years; the last 8 being in oncology. I wanted to have something very special and meaningful to walk down the aisle with, so I decided to ask my friends, family members and oncology patients of whom I had worked with over the years if they would donate a piece of jewelry that meant something to them. I ended up having 50 pieces to include in my bouquet. It was then when I knew my bouquet would be extra special. I was literally going to be holding something filled with history and memories that I would be keeping for a lifetime.
I was working in the medical field for about 14 years; the last 8 being in oncology. I wanted to have something very special and meaningful to walk down the aisle with, so I decided to ask my friends, family members and oncology patients of whom I had worked with over the years if they would donate a piece of jewelry that meant something to them. I ended up having 50 pieces to include in my bouquet. It was then when I knew my bouquet would be extra special. I was literally going to be holding something filled with history and memories that I would be keeping for a lifetime.
In 2016, I decided to take a leave of absence from my work, and be a full time mother with my second daughter.
As I was playing with her, I looked at my bouquet that was on the shelf in my dining room and started to think about
all the people who so graciously gave me a piece of jewelry. I though to myself "why don't I do something like this
for other people" ? But, make flowers using upcycled clothing to make it more unique? It was at that moment when
Forever Brooch Bouquets was born.
As I was playing with her, I looked at my bouquet that was on the shelf in my dining room and started to think about
all the people who so graciously gave me a piece of jewelry. I though to myself "why don't I do something like this
for other people" ? But, make flowers using upcycled clothing to make it more unique? It was at that moment when
Forever Brooch Bouquets was born.
Photo courtesy of Wicked Petunia Photography
What can you create ?
Forever Brooch Bouquets not only creates custom floral arrangements and bouquets, but we also create boutonnieres,
corsages, metal cuffs, headpieces, crowns, home décor, memorial pieces, in addition to head bands and ankle wraps for babies.
corsages, metal cuffs, headpieces, crowns, home décor, memorial pieces, in addition to head bands and ankle wraps for babies.
How long before a wedding should a bride contact you ?
Being the fact that everything is custom done and unique, we recommend a bride contact us anywhere from
two months to a year, depending on how large the order may be.
two months to a year, depending on how large the order may be.
Photo courtesy of Rick Bard from Manhattan Bride Magazine
What materials do you use, etc ?
Each flower can be made from any type of fabric; your grandmothers wedding dress, your fathers ties, the lining of your grandfathers suit jacket, the onesie from your favorite niece, or even your sisters leather jacket. Even though we are called "Forever Brooch Bouquets", it does not limit you to just brooches and jewelry. We can include any type of memorabilia, such as your grandmothers ceramic tea cup, or the cork from the wine bottle that you both shared on your first date.
Essentially we use upcycled clothing and jewelry (or memorabilia) from friends and family members to create a unique piece that you can keep forever. We use wire, never any Styrofoam, to ensure durability and longevity. Our goal is to have your memories come alive again, and to last forever.
Anytime we are given a piece of clothing that we need to make into flowers, we respectfully cut the seams and do our magic. Nothing is ever ripped apart without a tender hand, as respect is given no matter what. Whatever we do not use, we fold it up and neatly package it up with the order to go back to the family.
Photo Courtesy of Ruffles and Trains Photography
What do you love most about making these items ?
I am lucky enough to work so closely with my brides. I learn so much about their family, and the history behind each piece that they want included. Being the fact everything is so custom done, no one order is the same. I cry with them, and I laugh with them. It is truly an honor to not only build these memories into something they can keep for a lifetime, but to be chosen to handle some of their most precious items.
Any stories about items you've made ?
One of my very first orders was for a bride who lost one of her closest friends to cancer. She wanted to include a cardigan of hers and had asked me to make it into roses. It was definitely an emotional piece. Because she contacted us, we were able to have her best friend be there with her on her special day.
She was a client who quickly turned into a friend.
She was a client who quickly turned into a friend.
I was also contacted by a bride who lost both of her parents years ago. She had been given me her late mothers wedding dress that was 50 years old, and her late fathers button down shirt. She didn't quite know what to do with these pieces of clothing, but she knew that she needed them to be a part of her bouquet in someway. We made roses and peonies out of fabric and sewed a small picture frame on the handle to hold a photo of her parents on their wedding day. This bride was married on what would have been her parents 50th anniversary and was able to have them walk down the aisle.
It was truly, truly an honor to do this piece for her. She wanted something for her daughter to wear in her hair, so we decided to make a comb holding a single peony made from her grandmothers wedding dress, and a pink rose made from her grandfathers shirt.
It was truly, truly an honor to do this piece for her. She wanted something for her daughter to wear in her hair, so we decided to make a comb holding a single peony made from her grandmothers wedding dress, and a pink rose made from her grandfathers shirt.
About a year ago, I had a man contact me to make a bouquet for his anniversary, he had asked me if I would be able to replicate that she had 5 years prior on their wedding day but add their children in some way. The result was breathtaking. I was able to replicate her flowers to the T, and wire a handful of frames holding photos of the family throughout. She was able to display her bridal bouquet in bright vivid colors in her home next to her wedding photo.
A bride contacted me to make a piece for her wedding using her grandmothers shirt, her (now) wife's fatigues that she had worn in Afghanistan, in addition to 27 pieces of jewelry that her friends and family gave to her. We were able to incorporate everything and build a piece that meant so much.
Photo courtesy of Chosen Photo Photography
Publications
Forever Brooch Bouquets has been published in a number of 6 page spreads in Manhattan Bride Magazine, in addition to winning Manhattan Brides "best of 2018" award. We have also been published in the Royal wedding issue of BRIDES UK Magazine, in addition to the issue following the Royal wedding. We have also recently been contacted by Vogue London.
Forever Brooch Bouquets
Website : Forever Brooch Bouquets
Email : info@ForeverBroochBouquets
Instagram : @foreverbroochbouqets
Website : Forever Brooch Bouquets
Email : info@ForeverBroochBouquets
Instagram : @foreverbroochbouqets
