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Floral Design in Northern Michigan
 
 

Welcome to Sweetwater

we design beautiful wedding flowers in northern Michigan.

 
 
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We are so glad you found our corner of the internet. Whether its flowering for your wedding day or hosting something special for you here at the farm, this brand is dedicated to making the special moments in life feel that way.


We are obsessed with Northern Michigan, flowers, lavender, jumping in the lake and bubbly beverages.


Sweetwater was born from our love of the fresh water that surrounds us. We cannot wait for you to experience a bit of what we do.

 
 
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Flowers

Wedding Floral Design
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Farm

Lavender Love
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The Blog

Stems & Sprigs
Why I wrote a branding course.
Why I wrote a branding course.
You have a choice.
You have a choice.
The Studio Move
The Studio Move
Okay yeah, its a bad one.
Okay yeah, its a bad one.
 
 
 
 
 

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Can we just --- 👊🏼for a minute for the seasonal warriors? ⠀ ⠀ Y'all in October I can carry hundreds of stems in one insane she-hulk grip. I can carry 3 full flower buckets at once. I can breakdown cardboard with the perfect heel punch. ⠀ ⠀ I can snip stems & strip roses faster than anything. ⠀ ⠀ So let me take you back to the last 48 hours when I spent a total of 7 hours designing flowers over 2 days. Thats child's play. My hands are sore. My forearms need a stretch. I spilled so much water on this big ass bump I'm rocking. 🤦🏼‍♀️⠀ ⠀ I fumbled around the studio like I was re-learning directions. ⠀ ⠀ But the best part? It's like riding a bike. Even though it took 3 stomps to breakdown a usual 1 stomp cardboard box and even though getting going was clumsy and I was cold- nothing beats designing flowers. Nothing. ⠀ ⠀ For me, its like no matter what is happening in my life, no matter how many emails await and how many decisions require my response - put the snips in my hand and let me be messy and throw stuff on the floor and its the best kind of flow. ⠀ ⠀ So hi to everyone in the north or somewhere seasonal who is knocking the rust off. Underneath those slow winter hand muscles- your August hands are waiting. ⠀ ⠀ Happy Saturday⠀ ⠀ clinks⠀ xo⠀ K⠀ ⠀ PS- still faster than 99.999% of the population at stripping roses. Challenge me. I promise you. ⠀ ⠀ PPS- this amazing custom @maierceramics vessel that @lelandgal and I collab-ed on is coming in HOT to Leland in June for our workshop attendees. Keep an eye for the details. ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ #Upnorth #northernmichigan #puremichigan #weddingflowers #weddingplanning #flowers #floraldesign #petoskey #harborsprings #traversecity #leelanau #engaged #theknot #mackinacisland #goodvibesonly #vsco #walloonlake #charlevoix #bayharbor #bride #bridalbouquet #sweetwaterfloral
A reminder that you can be something different than what everyone told you 'youre so good at!' you're entire life. ⠀ ⠀ A reminder that you can create something for yourself that is fulfilling and hard and beautiful and messy and makes you money. ⠀ ⠀ A reminder that you shouldn't feel guilty about wanting to make a living- also stop spending money on stupid shit- we are older now honey- lets save for retirement... #sexy. ⠀ ⠀ A reminder that no fad diet or book telling you what you can't eat is gonna make you feel better about yourself when you look in the mirror. It all comes down to food that is good for you and eating pizza when you want and moving around regularly.⠀ ⠀ A reminder that your friends will change. You'll keep some from a long time ago and meet new ones that first day at the big girl job.⠀ ⠀ A reminder that your worth is not defined by the carats on your ring finger or the make and model of your car. ⠀ ⠀ A reminder that you should really be close with your siblings. Even if they voted differently than you and if they drive you crazy - you're family.⠀ ⠀ A reminder that forgiveness is the answer- being angry at someone for something from so long ago isn't hurting them as much as its holding you hostage. ⠀ ⠀ A reminder that we should all be in therapy. It's a brave step to becoming an even more amazing you. ⠀ ⠀ A reminder to call your mom on Mother's Day & your Dad on Father's Day. And if they aren't here- call the people who made you better. ⠀ ⠀ A reminder to turn off the coffee pot when you leave for work. ⠀ ⠀ A reminder that no one is looking at you in yoga. ⠀ ⠀ A reminder that sleep is the only way to let your brain reset- and chances are if you're crying about burning your dinner you probably are tired. ⠀ ⠀ Hope one of these rang true for you today, because they are all reminders that have helped me before. ⠀ ⠀ Happy #fridayintroductions - I’m Kalin. ⠀ ⠀ xo⠀ K⠀ ⠀ image: @jessedavidgreen ⠀ #Upnorth #northernmichigan #puremichigan #weddingflowers #weddingplanning #flowers #floraldesign #petoskey #harborsprings #traversecity #leelanau #engaged #theknot #mackinacisland #goodvibesonly #vsco #walloonlake #charlevoix #bayharbor #bride
Your wedding is this summer, I know, that's like -soon. ⠀ ⠀ Remember my favorite tips: ⠀ ⠀ -For the love of god please don't be hungover the morning of your wedding. Rehearsal dinners are fun and all but save your stamina for the main event. There is no exhaustion like post-wedding exhaustion. Prepare to say hi and be gracious to your guests and tear it up on your dance floor. So keep it chill at rehearsal dinner and hydrate. ⠀ ⠀ -Aunt Barb is gonna do something you didn't want her to do. People do crazy things around the time of weddings. They suddenly, and sadly, want things to be about them. So Aunt Barb might start crying about how your grandma never loved her truly --she'll choose your wedding weekend. Because Aunt Barb is selfish. Just remember - release and don't emotionally labor over this stuff. Here’s hoping Aunt Barb sharts herself. ⠀ ⠀ -Plan for time after your wedding just you two. If you're coming up north its really easy to be like "yeah the day after lets brunch and then wine tour with our besties and rent a boat on Torch Lake!" that sounds fun... now. When you wake up married to your best friend you suddenly don't wanna hangout with anyone but that person. Recipe for success: 2 nights away somewhere + copious amounts of pizza + falling asleep at 7pm ⠀ ⠀ -You've got this. Because remember - you've got your person.⠀ ⠀ Happy Thursday ⠀ xo⠀ K⠀ ⠀ Image: @thecompasspointshere⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ #Upnorth #northernmichigan #puremichigan #weddingflowers #weddingplanning #flowers #floraldesign #petoskey #harborsprings #traversecity #leelanau #engaged #theknot #mackinacisland #goodvibesonly #vsco #walloonlake #charlevoix #bayharbor #bride #bridalbouquet #sweetwaterfloral ⠀
Holy whoa. Overwhelmed by all your love and messages yesterday. Thank you, truly. ⠀ ⠀ We now return to our regularly scheduled programming - still over here obsessed with my dogs, and dusting off this farm and designing your wedding flowers and jumping in Walloon Lake. ⠀ ⠀ The days seem to be flying by right now. Its a very fun and exciting time. ⠀ ⠀ Spent some time outside yesterday on what turned out to be a beautiful Spring evening. It was magic. Just a few weeks and it’ll be blooming branches and morels 🍄. ⠀ ⠀ Can’t. Wait. Also the tiny opens in 2 weeks! 🤪⠀ ⠀ Coffee clinks. ⠀ xo⠀ K⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ #upnorth #northernmichigan #puremichigan #weddingflowers #weddingplanning #flowers #floraldesign #petoskey #harborsprings #traversecity #leelanau #engaged #theknot #mackinacisland #goodvibesonly #vsco #walloonlake #charlevoix #bayharbor #bride #bridalbouquet #sweetwaterfloral
For someone who can always write a thousand words about anything - its funny how this one post has me struggling to put anything together that makes sense or does it justice in my mind. ⠀ ⠀ ✨We're having a baby this summer. ✨⠀ ⠀ That's the simple version of it. So many of you know the history, the heartbreak, the surgery, the never ending cycle of obsessive and unhealthy attempts to control every part of it all so that it could follow some weird ass timeline I had written in my head. ⠀ ⠀ And funny enough, weeks after I committed to returning to funny Kalin, after sobbing about 'who I used to be before all of this' -- it happened. ⠀ ⠀ We are wildly excited. There are days I still cannot believe it. Matt is also going to actually be World's #1 Dad. This is fact.⠀ ⠀ So there it is. You know! But a lot of you will have questions. So here is the short of it: ⠀ ⠀ -We are keeping the gender a surprise. Thanks for respecting this & not messaging me asking if I'm carrying low or a necklace did some weird thing when held above my belly. ⠀ ⠀ -Our clients know. They have been incredible & happy & we weren't surprised one bit because; Sweetwater couples are the best. 🌻⠀ ⠀ -Yes, we have a plan in place for me to have lots of help this summer. We've known about this since a random night in early December when I had 2 glasses of champagne and I was suddenly behaving like a 23-year-old Bachelorette on a Leelanau Peninsula Wine Tour 🤦🏼‍♀️. We've had plenty of time to put this plan into place and our team this summer is STOKED to rise to the occasion & kick some ass. ⠀ ⠀ -I feel really great. Beyonce great. My 2nd trimester has been wildly more enjoyable than the 1st. But even on the worst days of 🤢 and surviving winter solely on white bread 🍕🥯🥖- babe is worth it. ⠀ ⠀ What a ride y'all. And to think a new chapter is just beginning. Thanks for being here alongside me for the good bad ugly & beautiful. ⠀ ⠀ Clinks (yes it’s coffee.)⠀ ⠀ xo⠀ K⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ #Upnorth #northernmichigan #puremichigan #flowers #floraldesign #petoskey #harborsprings #traversecity #engaged #theknot #mackinacisland #goodvibesonly #vsco #walloonlake #charlevoix #bayharbor #bride #sweetwaterfloral
One of the most popular things we are hosting at the farm this summer is private floral workshops. It makes my heart happy. ⠀ ⠀ We have bachelorette groups and best friend groups and women who went to college 30 years ago groups. ⠀ ⠀ When we bought this place, its really this kind of stuff I imagined most here. ⠀ ⠀ Got a group that needs a sun drenched evening at the farm together designing beautiful blooms and having the place to yourself? Shoot me an email. Or tag the babes below who you wanna workshop with. I'm excited to host you. ⠀ ⠀ A few of the most popular questions: ⠀ -Private workshops are available Weds-Sat⠀ -We require a minimum of 5 people⠀ -We still have open dates for your group in June, July & October. ⠀ -We provide hands on instruction, mediocre jokes & all the materials and blooms you need. ⠀ ⠀ Monday clinks honey lambs⠀ xo⠀ K⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ #Upnorth #northernmichigan #puremichigan #weddingflowers #weddingplanning #flowers #floraldesign #petoskey #harborsprings #traversecity #leelanau #engaged #theknot #mackinacisland #goodvibesonly #vsco #walloonlake #charlevoix #bayharbor #bride #bridalbouquet #sweetwaterfloral ⠀
Weird how quickly it seems to 'start' - the meetings and days spent living out of my car, navigating around bays to site visit and client mockup and brainstorm with amazing creatives I'm fortunate to work with.⠀ ⠀ Our lazy weekends at home are numbered as the season looms in a really exciting and big way, just ahead in the distance. ⠀ ⠀ One thing I never get tired of - are the days I feel totally 'on' when I'm churning out copy, meeting with people, buzzing around from spot to spot and making plans to design some seriously wild florals. ⠀ ⠀ Life is good. It was hard work getting to this point and its hard work every single freaking day, but I wouldn't change it. ⠀ ⠀ Happy Saturday coffee and brunching and sleep in things.⠀ xo⠀ K⠀ ⠀ Image: @danandmelissa ⠀ ⠀ #upnorth #northernmichigan #puremichigan #weddingflowers #weddingplanning #flowers #floraldesign #petoskey #harborsprings #traversecity #leelanau #engaged #theknot #mackinacisland #goodvibesonly #vsco #walloonlake #charlevoix #bayharbor #bride #bridalbouquet #sweetwaterfloral ⠀
I still can’t really look at photos of Wally from July last year. ⠀ ⠀ He was sick and we didn’t know and some days when I’m tired and haven’t exercised and my anxiety is high I think to myself “I should have known something was wrong.” He nearly died 2 months later. But he didn’t. ⠀ ⠀ For some reason I wanna cry when I look at photos from that damn trench we dug last summer. It ran nearly 400 feet across the farm, now that the snow has melted I can see it again— its essentially a long mud pit. It needs grass seed and time before it'll be a distant memory. ⠀ ⠀ Our house looks like an actual tornado blew through it. One thing I tried like hell to prepare for with the renovation was making 'one room' our spot to store everything that was displaced, but it was silly to think that every room wouldn't be impacted by the blast. It's crazy how 'out of place' I feel in my own home right now. ⠀ ⠀ All of these things I "should have known" or "shouldn't make me upset" or "should be more calm about" still matter. My feelings are valid. Yours are too. About your house, your job, your partner, your anxiety. We Control how we let things impact us - theres a lot of power in that. ⠀ ⠀ There is absolutely no way in hell I could have known Wally was sick. I am not a veterinarian. He did not show symptoms. He is wildly loved and here today. ⠀ ⠀ The trench scar that runs across our property is no indication of how beautiful this farm is. I need to let that shit go. The grass will grow over it. Just like, funny enough, the hair grew back over the enormous scar that runs up Wallys stomach. Just like how our house will be organized and clean again. ⠀ ⠀ I'm Kalin. I'm loud and overly confident and I design beautiful flowers and I'm imperfect and worried about the dogs and the farm and the house and we're probably more alike than we are different.⠀ ⠀ Happy #fridayintroductions ⠀ ⠀ xo⠀ K⠀ ⠀ ⠀ image: @rusticrefresh ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ #Upnorth #northernmichigan #puremichigan #weddingflowers #weddingplanning #flowers #floraldesign #petoskey #harborsprings #traversecity #leelanau #engaged #theknot #mackinacisland #goodvibesonly #vsco #walloonlake #charlevoix #bayharbor #bride #bridalbouquet #swee