Vendor Spotlight: Rockstar turned florist Beth Richard talks about her journey

Few people have a knack for more than one talent. One of those special few is Beth Richard, founder of Austin-based Exquisite Petals, a floral company specializing in weddings and corporate events. Before she was  a small business owner, Beth was a waitress who sang, played music, and so much more. 
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Originally coming to Austin with her now ex-husband to pursue music full-time and be a rockstar (yes, a rockstar), Beth quickly pivoted to a new passion: Flowers.

We sat down with Beth to learn more about her journey. Check out our conversation. 

Events Unleashed: What was your first job like?

Beth: The funny thing is that I applied to a bunch of different florists and couldn’t get a job because I had no experience. I just started doing it on my own and that’s when I landed the Sullivan’s Steakhouse account and from there I also landed the Austonian and was able to do a party for the Circuit of Americas. From that I landed being the Circuit of Americas exclusive florist for 4 years of all their races. I moved into doing more weddings and corporate events. It was a very organic way of developing my business. If I didn't have vases or I didn’t have something, I’d buy it for that specific event.

Events Unleashed: How has your life changed since starting Exquisite Petals?

Beth: Thankfully, I was able to build up my arsenal, create jobs for people and be a stay at home mom. My studio is behind my house so I was able to raise my kids and that was basically the story and evolution. With COVID we haven’t been able to do our corporate events. However, we have gotten inundated with tons of weddings so that’s where we are with that. 

Events Unleashed: You mentioned that you wanted to do music when you came to Austin. Did you play in a band before transitioning to flowers full-time? What was that journey like?
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Beth: I still play music. I put out a record last year and did a new recording. (Check out a link to Beth’s HearNow page below!) I came here in a van with my now ex-husband and we played everywhere. Any bar you can name, we played at it. Our music was played on television and movies, and we were able to tour. We were living among the monks. So we wanted to be able to go on vacation, send kids to camp, all the things, put the money in the bank for college. 

Events Unleashed: When a client gets to your studio, what advice would you share with newlyweds who are coming into a consultation? 

Beth: It’s best if you come in with your color palettes. I like to do custom design for each wedding. People ask me “can you send pricing with your packages?” 
I’ve never had packages because never the same. One person may want it super clean and elegant and hanging crystals. Someone else might  want the Bohemian. My main thing is a romantic garden. I love lush blooms, asymmetric. I’ll do whatever people want because when you show up it should look like you. If people come in with a few pictures and a Pinterest link, it’s always helpful. What their favorite of everything is.

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Just asking a few questions to accommodate wedding guests is very helpful. That way I know what color. I want to get to know your vibe, budget and personal style. What you want people to feel when they enter your room and your ceremony. 

Events Unleashed: Wonderful. I know you have a passion for creating designs. Can you share a wedding or installation or anything that stands out to you?
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Beth: There’s this one with Melissa and Tanner. They were planning to get married in Hawaii. But let me backup a little: I had a bunch of extra flowers leftover at a wedding. I texted my neighbors: “Hey, I have some flowers from a wedding, pick them up from my front lawn if you’d like.” Later, I saw these people walking by and I gave them flowers too. 

A month later, Lahoma reached out to me about a wedding that’s coming up and she said they were getting married in Hawaii and it’s a last minute COVID wedding. They only have eight people but want it to be stunning. We set up a call and Tanner, the groom, goes: “Do you by any chance live on James Fifth Avenue? You gave us flowers a month ago.” They were an incredible couple and they wanted people to be able to see over the table.  

We did a tablescape that went all the way down the table with lush flowers. We tried to include orchids because of Hawaii. It was at the Woodbine Mansion. They had these white posts on the back porch and we made it look like vines growing out. Even though it was a small wedding, there were a ton of flowers. 

I saw them around the neighborhood and they sent me thank you notes. It was wonderful and a feel-good celebration. 

We love working with Beth and listening to her music, too. Check out her work on HearNow. 
For a stunning wedding like Tanner and Melissa’s, contact us today for your happily ever after.