When you work at weddings, you meet other people who work at weddings. That’s been a really fun part of this job. Way back in July, I met Annie after Stefanie and Marc’s wedding. We got together a couple of weeks ago to get some new photos for her, and they’re so fun!

Annie Chen is a floral designer and she owns her own company, called Floral Sunshine. She prides herself on being a versatile floral designer with really clean, modern designs. They’re unique, but they’re not too out there, she said, she loves working with challenging flowers like calla lilies as well as classic choices, like roses.

One of Annie’s favorite things is when brides let her decide about which flowers to use. “It’s less restrictive, and it gives me the opportunity to use fresher flowers.” However, she said she’s very good at tracking down specific flowers if a bride knows what she wants.

One of the benefits she sees to using an independent floral designer versus a retail floral shop is that brides know exactly who is making their bouquets and centerpieces. “When you use a floral designer, you pay for the benefit of a designer’s touch,” she said. “But with me, the difference is that they’re not paying as much.”

Annie is looking forward to another wedding season on the horizon, and said she can’t wait to hear from couples getting married in 2010. To contact Annie, visit her Web site or call her at 503.706.6286.