magine a quiet morning in Melbourne. While the city still sleeps, Emma Schreenan of Herbivore Florals is already at the bustling flower market, weaving through aisles of fresh blooms. The air is crisp but fragrant with the scent of roses, peonies, and eucalyptus—a mix of potential waiting to be transformed into beauty. Armed with a trolley, a keen eye, and a list that rivals a wedding guestbook, Emma carefully chooses each stem. Every flower must be perfect; after all, it’s for a day couples will remember forever.

Once the flowers are back at the studio, the real work begins. The team unloads the van, carefully lifting buckets of water-filled blooms—each bucket feels heavier in the rising summer heat. Sunlight streams through the workshop windows as the team preps the flowers: stripping leaves, trimming stems, and hydrating them in cool water. It's a dance of precision and timing; some flowers bloom quickly, while others need coaxing to look their best for the big day.

Emma and her partner, Emmett, tackle one of the most complex parts of wedding floristry: large-scale arrangements. Arches, cascading bouquets, and table runners demand creativity, skill, and strength. Arranging a towering floral arch isn’t just art—it’s also a physical feat. Ladders are climbed, heavy structures are carried, and stems are secured in the blistering sun. By midday, the studio feels alive with the hum of teamwork, scissors snipping, and designs coming to life.

But the real challenge is installation day. The team loads vans under Melbourne’s scorching summer skies, ensuring every arrangement is transported with care. At the venue, it’s a race against the clock. Time is tight, the stakes are high, and sweat beads on brows as the floral magic takes shape. Emma might be perched atop a ladder, securing the last tendrils of greenery to a dreamy arch, while Emmett works on transforming a bare reception room into a lush, floral wonderland.

Despite the exhaustion and the occasional thorn-pricked finger, there’s something magical about seeing the final result. As the sun sets and the couple walks into their fairy-tale setting, the florist’s hard work fades into the background. But Emma knows: behind every bouquet, there’s a story of early mornings, aching muscles, and an unwavering commitment to beauty and love.

This is the life of a wedding florist—not just an artist, but a dream weaver, logistics master, and unsung hero of the big day.