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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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Lavender Love
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The Blog

Stems & Sprigs
The Month of Light
The Month of Light
Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving.
Wedding Season 2k18
Wedding Season 2k18
The forgotten middle child gets its own blog post....
The forgotten middle child gets its own blog post....
 
 
 
 
 

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Winter here at the farm is something special. Its quiet. Like, really quiet. It's dark. It's long. ⠀ ⠀ The dogs are in heaven, I mean, they are bred for the snow so they really can't get enough. ⠀ ⠀ I'm happy to report, overjoyed in fact, that this year is the MOST prepared for winter around here we've ever been. The water lines are totally blown out (lets just say - for the last 2 springs we've turned at least one spiggot on with fingers crossed and been like 'holy hell I hope this works'), everything is stored away, the lavender lot is blocked off, we are sorta- I guess, ready. ⠀ ⠀ The tiny, sits out here alone and locked and waiting for visitors next year. ⠀ ⠀ And inside the house we begin on all the planning for spring. The big fence project, the bigger studio project, a full calendar of beautiful events and couples to serve. ⠀ ⠀ But here in the quiet, on a tiny 10 acre slice of paradise in the world's best little town by the bay, there's a girl who just cooks a lot of food and watches a lot of netflix and works really hard to get in shape and sleeps a lot. ⠀ ⠀ The ebbs and flows my dear, be sure that you honor them as well.⠀ ⠀ clinks⠀ xo⠀ K⠀ ⠀ PS- Just realized we never put the plow sticks in OR tucked away the fabric from the cutting garden - #cantwinthemall ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ #upnorth #northernmichigan #puremichigan #weddingflowers #weddingplanning #flowers #floraldesign #petoskey #harborsprings #traversecity #leelanau #engaged #theknot #mackinacisland #goodvibesonly #vsco #walloonlake #charlevoix #bayharbor #bride #bridalbouquet #sweetwaterfloral
Alright today we are talking ceremony flowers... And my fav few tips for stretching your wedding floral budget a bit further. Ready class? Here we go⠀ ⠀ -- Go easy. One focal piece typically does the trick. An arbor, statement urns, maybe it’s petals in the aisle, maybe an overgrown aisleway. A bit of flair here and there, but babes - everyone is looking at you two. I mean look at these two? Can you possibly look at anything else? ⠀ ⠀ -- I know that in 1981 it was really cute to do some aisle markers and decor, but please don't think that spending a tiny bit for a bunch of eucalyptus on the chair ends is going to make your day or have a major impact in your design. If you're doing aisle decor because its what you think you have to do - release that. But.....⠀ ⠀ --If you're gonna go big, lets. go. big. One of my favorite things I've ever designed was a Mandap - I also love Chuppahs - but if people are gonna stand around in a semi circle for 20 minutes and smile at you and Aunt Barb is annoyingly using her ipad as a camera- let's not go crazy. ⠀ ⠀ Ceremonies are beautiful and emotional and amazing. The flowers can be a huge part of it - or you can do none at all. Remember it’s your day. 😘 ⠀ ⠀ Clinks ⠀ Xo⠀ K ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ image: @halliekohler ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ #upnorth #northernmichigan #puremichigan #weddingflowers #weddingplanning #flowers #floraldesign #petoskey #harborsprings #traversecity #leelanau #engaged #theknot #mackinacisland #goodvibesonly #vsco #walloonlake #charlevoix #bayharbor #bride #bridalbouquet #sweetwaterfloral
This is my friendly, gentle, in your face reminder to you: ⠀ ⠀ Its ok to cancel on the work party because you hate social situations & it makes you uncomfortable. ⠀ Its ok to not put up a tree because it reminds you too much of your brother who died.⠀ Its ok to avoid a holiday tradition because everyone there has babies and your arms are empty.⠀ Its ok to lay a foot down finally and tell your spouses family that no, you do not need to find a new job. ⠀ Its ok to cry because your best friend got engaged and you're single and your heart hurts. ⠀ ⠀ The holidays make the good great and the hard ten times harder. It's a proven fact in the Science of Kalin's Brain. ⠀ ⠀ Remember that you come first. And that on January 1st, none of this really matters except that you were happy and treated yourself well.⠀ ⠀ So sign off from the stuff that will make you UNHAPPY and sign up for more of what makes you feel good during a time of the year we are all trying to enjoy. ⠀ ⠀ Clinks babe⠀ xo⠀ K⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ #upnorth #northernmichigan #puremichigan #weddingflowers #weddingplanning #flowers #floraldesign #petoskey #harborsprings #traversecity #leelanau #engaged #theknot #mackinacisland #goodvibesonly #vsco #walloonlake #charlevoix #bayharbor #bride #bridalbouquet #sweetwaterfloral
Wedding season. ⠀ Summer.⠀ Tiny season.⠀ Christmas at Sweetwater⠀ Workshops.⠀ Done. All of it. I'm officially 'finished' for the year.⠀ ⠀ No matter how many things i've designed- this 100% "Kalin's Half Assed Cutting Garden" grown bouquet w/ some special additions of "S*** I picked along the road" still reigns supreme in my book. 2 years later.⠀ ⠀ You see when We take breaks from the craziness to really sit and think - the best and craziest and biggest dreams are born. ⠀ ⠀ I remember making this, standing on my parent's driveway y'all. No joke. I was on a break from weddings for a few weeks and this happened. Because when you relax and let your brain just breathe and your heart sorta calm down and your cortisol return to normal (shoutout Ashwaganda) amazing things happen. ⠀ ⠀ So let the brainstorming season commence. The slow, intentional, slower, get in shape, book the clients, hire the squad, pitch the insane ideas to Matt season begin. ⠀ ⠀ Happy Saturday. We did it. You were here for so much of it. Holy shit. Remember when we built the cooler? Dug the trench? finished the tiny? Started wedding season? The lavender died? Survived wedding season? Had Camp Sweetwater? Hosted workshops where you came and had fun? Sold trees? Made more wreaths? ⠀ ⠀ thanks for being here.⠀ I'm gonna rest now. you should too. ⠀ ⠀ 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
Taller than most, louder than all, left handed, works best under a deadline, always needs something at home depot, drinks more water than you daily. ⠀ ⠀ Designs award winning wedding flowers for couples who love one another, lakes, trees, dogs, wine & being funny. ⠀ ⠀ Grows a bit of lavender, runs a tiny farm that hosts workshops, special events and owns a tiny house for guests. ⠀ ⠀ Watched a lot of tv as a kid and turned out fine, up earlier than you, in bed before you, annoying to my siblings, probably annoying to most people -totally okay with it. ⠀ ⠀ Wearing denim on denim most of the time, leading you in a workshop soon, designing your bouquet one day, cuddling the dogs during my free time. ⠀ ⠀ Married to my best friend, committed to writing our story forever, rolling with the punches, probably can't find my phone right now, eating more salsa than you since 1988. ⠀ ⠀ Still working on patience, stretching my calves, cutting back on caffeine & being a control freak. ⠀ ⠀ Recommends finding a properly fitting bra, a great therapist, women friends you can't live without & a life you really love living. ⠀ ⠀ Happy #fridayintoductions babes⠀ thanks for being here⠀ ⠀ xo⠀ K⠀ ⠀ ⠀ Image: @mikegilger ⠀ Styling: @freshexchange ⠀ Collab with: @fieldguidefarmhouse @cooptables @mynorthmedia ⠀ Flowery stuff: Taurus with a left knee that clicks going up stairs. ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ #upnorth #northernmichigan #puremichigan #weddingflowers #weddingplanning #flowers #floraldesign #petoskey #harborsprings #traversecity #leelanau #engaged #theknot #mackinacisland #goodvibesonly #vsco #walloonlake #charlevoix #bayharbor #bride #bridalbouquet #sweetwaterfloral
If someone told you at this point last year - how this year would unfold for you - would you still do it? I mean if you had the choice. ⠀ ⠀ If the crystal ball they looked into told you of the hurt, and sad, the challenges and hard stuff. If it had a timeline of the good months and bad months - if you told you about those who would let you down, pull you back up and everything in between - would you say: "alright - let's do this." ⠀ ⠀ I wouldn't have. I would have told the genie "I can't do it. I'm too scared. I'm not tough enough. I'm overwhelmed." I would have quit. Backed down. Slept for 365 days and woke up next year. ⠀ ⠀ Thank goodness we can't- because in between all that crummy stuff is where the real beauty is my sweet. And I know, it really sucks some days. Trust me. The brightest Christmas lights can feel like they are searing into my heart.⠀ ⠀ But the reason we don't have a genie and a crystal ball and a way to tell what we will forge through - is because you must. You must keep going. ⠀ ⠀ You must see that in the midst of rough months and years- there is so much growth. And that's a lot of beautiful. The holes in your heart are how the light gets in. ⠀ ⠀ The other day I realized that right now all I can say is that 2018 made me tougher than I ever possibly imagined I could be. But there will also be other words I use one day. To describe it. When its just a blip on the radar and things are different. But tough is what I'm leaning into now. ⠀ ⠀ Those new words and skills will have a name soon. And in the meantime, I'll still be here. And still be grateful. And sad. And happy. And joyful. And everything in between. ⠀ ⠀ Piss off genie. I'll take whatever is next. ⠀ ⠀ Clinks ⠀ xo⠀ K ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ #upnorth #northernmichigan #puremichigan #weddingflowers #weddingplanning #flowers #floraldesign #petoskey #harborsprings #traversecity #leelanau #engaged #theknot #northville #goodvibesonly #vsco #walloonlake #charlevoix #bayharbor #bride #bridalbouquet #sweetwaterfloral
3 years ago today a young married couple with absolutely zero clue what they were doing bought a farm.⠀ ⠀ And that first Christmas they put bistro lights on a houseplant and made pizza and the girl cried. ⠀ ⠀ The carpet was ripped up, the wallpaper half gone, the house a giant construction zone. ⠀ ⠀ That spring when the snow melted they got to work outside, spending most of the entire first year just getting rid of barn junk. ⠀ ⠀ And people questioned them. A neighbor down the road once stopped by, got out of their car, just to ask the girl if 'She had any idea what she was doing?' ⠀ ⠀ She responded 'absolutely not, but I'm glad you thought you were important enough to swing by and patronize me.' - hes never come back. asshole.⠀ ⠀ There have been countless successes, probably more failures. The highest of highs. The lowest of lows. ⠀ ⠀ 3 years in the house is finally starting to come together and 3 years in I still call this the silliest, hardest, most rewarding thing we've ever done. ⠀ ⠀ People ask us all the time 'why' - why pack up and move and take on such a big project and why put ourselves through this and why Petoskey and why lavender ....⠀ ⠀ My answer has always been 'because its crazy enough that it just might work.' ⠀ ⠀ Happy 3 years to our tiny little farm in our favorite city sandwiched between our favorite two lakes. ⠀ ⠀ Coffee clinks⠀ xo⠀ K⠀ ⠀ ⠀ Image: @mmivphoto ⠀ ⠀ #upnorth #northernmichigan #puremichigan #weddingflowers #weddingplanning #flowers #floraldesign #petoskey #harborsprings #traversecity #leelanau #engaged #theknot #mackinacisland #goodvibesonly #vsco #walloonlake #charlevoix #bayharbor #bride #bridalbouquet #farmlife #sweetwaterfloral
I love centerpieces, they are big part of the day because think of how much time people spend sitting at these tables, its where the party happens! The conversation! The candlelight and all the feelings! ⠀ ⠀ Here are my top 3 tips for centerpieces: ⠀ ⠀ —Purchase your vessel: I'm getting V into this trend and hoping it catches on. Purchase your vessels. Your designer can help lead you to a good source. Have them shipped to our studio. This way, at the end of the night, you can happily hand off your centers to people you love. Aunt Betty who made the donuts, your bestie who helped you go pee, your wife's stepmom who did a reading. People lose their minds for flowers. Trust me. ⠀ ⠀ —Let's vary it up. Garlands are fab, but lets do a couple spots with some height. Tall and low mixed together breaks up the room - adding visual interest. I LOVE doing 3 different table looks for clients, it keeps it so fun and makes the room feel way more designed. ⠀ ⠀ —Head table feelings. Alright, you know I love to stir the pot. So here's me telling you spending an arm and a leg on your head table is dumb. Basically no one at your entire wedding is looking at your cousin twice removed & her date hitting a vape pen at the table. We are looking across our OWN tables and talking to new friends. When we are looking up front - we are watching someone giving a speech. Keep your head table simple and lets spend money where it has the most impact. Like, up above the dance floor (more on that next week.)⠀ ⠀ My final tip that has nothing to do with centerpieces: for the love of buddha- please hire someone you enjoy being around. Someone who is kind and easy to talk to and 'gets you.' this goes for all vendors- there are SO many options - shop around. ⠀ ⠀ Clinks babe⠀ xo⠀ K⠀ ⠀ PS- feel inclined? Tag a 2019 bride or groom to help them with flowers. ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ #upnorth #northernmichigan #puremichigan #weddingflowers #weddingplanning #flowers #floraldesign #petoskey #harborsprings #traversecity #leelanau #engaged #theknot #mackinacisland #goodvibesonly #vsco #walloonlake #charlevoix #bayharbor #bride #bridalbouquet #sweetwaterfloral