In this episode of the Wedding Day Podcast, our hosts Sonja Babich and Brooke Beise—publisher of Minnesota Bride and Nebraska Wedding Day—sit down with the talented and experienced Christi Poppler, owner and founder of Studio C Floral. With over 30 years in the floral industry, Christi brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to the table, sharing her journey from a young girl potting plants at her grandparents' nursery to leading one of Minnesota's premier floral design studios.

Christi begins by taking us back to her roots, literally. Growing up surrounded by flowers and plants, she quickly developed a love for all things green and blooming. Her early years in the industry saw her working in various capacities, from greenhouses and flower shops to wholesale florals, where she honed her skills in design and production on a large scale. "My grandparents had a nursery in Blaine, Minnesota, for years. So I grew up potting plants," she recalls, emphasizing how these early experiences shaped her career.

The conversation then shifts to the pivotal moment that led Christi to start her own business, Studio C Floral. Burned out from her previous job, Christi received some blunt but life-changing advice from her husband. "Maybe you're just not really a good employee... Maybe you should be the boss," he said, a remark that pushed her to embrace entrepreneurship. Taking that leap, Christi founded her studio nine years ago, starting small but steadily growing into the successful business it is today.

As the discussion unfolds, Christi delves into her vast experience in the wholesale flower industry. This phase of her career provided her with a deep understanding of seasonality and sourcing, crucial elements in delivering top-notch floral designs. Whether it's knowing when peonies are in season or sourcing the perfect blooms from around the world, Christi's expertise ensures that every arrangement is as fresh and vibrant as possible. "People always ask, 'Can I have these? Are they in season?' And, [essentially], pretty much everything's in season all the time. It's just that you have to source it right."

One of the most exciting trends in recent years has been the rise of floral installations, and Christi is no stranger to these show-stopping pieces. She loves the engineering challenge they present, from figuring out how to hang them to ensuring the flowers remain fresh throughout the event. "It's not a wedding without an installation," Christi says. "Without that 'wow' factor."

Planning and collaboration are key to Christi's success, and she emphasizes the importance of starting the floral planning process early—ideally a year in advance. This allows her team to secure the best flowers and ensure every detail is perfect. The logistics of floral design, from ordering to setup, are complex, but with careful planning and a dedicated team, Christi makes it all look effortless. "We really specialize in full service... Our team is there all day to style everything, to light the candles, to make sure all the linens are right," she shares.

In this episode of the Wedding Day Podcast, our hosts Sonja Babich and Brooke Beise—publisher of Minnesota Bride and Nebraska Wedding Day—sit down with the talented and experienced Christi Poppler, owner and founder of Studio C Floral. With over 30 years in the floral industry, Christi brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to the table, sharing her journey from a young girl potting plants at her grandparents' nursery to leading one of Minnesota's premier floral design studios.

Christi begins by taking us back to her roots, literally. Growing up surrounded by flowers and plants, she quickly developed a love for all things green and blooming. Her early years in the industry saw her working in various capacities, from greenhouses and flower shops to wholesale florals, where she honed her skills in design and production on a large scale. "My grandparents had a nursery in Blaine, Minnesota, for years. So I grew up potting plants," she recalls, emphasizing how these early experiences shaped her career.

The conversation then shifts to the pivotal moment that led Christi to start her own business, Studio C Floral. Burned out from her previous job, Christi received some blunt but life-changing advice from her husband. "Maybe you're just not really a good employee... Maybe you should be the boss," he said, a remark that pushed her to embrace entrepreneurship. Taking that leap, Christi founded her studio nine years ago, starting small but steadily growing into the successful business it is today.

As the discussion unfolds, Christi delves into her vast experience in the wholesale flower industry. This phase of her career provided her with a deep understanding of seasonality and sourcing, crucial elements in delivering top-notch floral designs. Whether it's knowing when peonies are in season or sourcing the perfect blooms from around the world, Christi's expertise ensures that every arrangement is as fresh and vibrant as possible. "People always ask, 'Can I have these? Are they in season?' And, [essentially], pretty much everything's in season all the time. It's just that you have to source it right."

One of the most exciting trends in recent years has been the rise of floral installations, and Christi is no stranger to these show-stopping pieces. She loves the engineering challenge they present, from figuring out how to hang them to ensuring the flowers remain fresh throughout the event. "It's not a wedding without an installation," Christi says. "Without that 'wow' factor."

Planning and collaboration are key to Christi's success, and she emphasizes the importance of starting the floral planning process early—ideally a year in advance. This allows her team to secure the best flowers and ensure every detail is perfect. The logistics of floral design, from ordering to setup, are complex, but with careful planning and a dedicated team, Christi makes it all look effortless. "We really specialize in full service... Our team is there all day to style everything, to light the candles, to make sure all the linens are right," she shares.