Since 2007, Tedd Kapinos has been wowing brides with his exquisite florals and has earned himself the reputation as one of Vermont’s finest floral designers.

What words best describe your style?
Romantic, classic and textural

How best would you advise a couple to personalize their wedding day flowers?
When I meet with couples, I try to find some detail of their lives that can be incorporated into the visual.  It could be their hometowns, careers, interests or something as simple as their favorite colors.  A groom with whom I worked several years ago was born in New Zealand.   To make the floral elements more personal, I worked in kiwi fruit and orchids imported from New Zealand.  The bride felt this touch made her groom feel more personally involved in the wedding day and sent out a special “welcome” to her new family.

Is there an iconic bride whose wedding bouquet you would have loved to design?
What wedding professional would not have wanted to work on Kate Middleton’s wedding to Prince William?

What do you love about working within the wedding industry?
As wedding professionals… we get to work with couples as they plan for the most important day in their life together.  And, we get to do that week after week… celebration after celebration.

What has been your proudest moment of your career so far?
In August 2011, I worked with a wonderful Boston couple who was hosting their wedding in Woodstock.  Overnight, Leigh and Jeff no longer had venues for their rehearsal dinner and wedding celebration thanks to hurricane Irene.  The Woodstock Inn and Simon Pearce in Queechee, VT sustained considerable damage.   The options were to cancel the wedding altogether, rush to coordinate a much smaller event in the Boston area or roll up our sleeves and work together with the other vendors involved to make things happen.  In two week’s time, every detail of the event had to be recreated.  A few sleepless nights, many phone calls, text messages and cries for help later, the wedding went off without a hitch!  It was the classic “lemons into lemonade” opportunity and the camaraderie that made it happen was amazing.

Who do you admire and respect within the wedding industry?
Sylvia Weinstock (amazing cake/ sugar work), Oscar De La Renta (flawless bridal fashion), Robbie Honey (London-based wedding florist), Marc Hall (Boston-based event planner).

What does marriage mean to you in three words?
Love, commitment… forever

Ideal wedding location where you like working?
The Woodstock Inn and Resort offers a variety of venue styles within one property.  The wedding crew at the inn works hard to accommodate vendors and does a great job executing each event.  And, the décor at the Inn is simple and tasteful which makes it easy for a floral designer to bring a bride’s vision to life.

Which season do you think is best suited to weddings?
Although Spring may be considered the “classic” wedding season, here in Vermont I have to go with Autumn.  The vibrant colors, classic New England setting and the mellow warmth of the season embrace the celebration.

What do you think makes a wedding most memorable?
Guests remember the emotions of the day.  The venue, flowers, food, photography etc…  all play a role in setting the tone for the wedding.  But, the emotions the wedding couple shares with each other and the happiness they share with their guests are what family and friends take home with them.

Favorite flower?
Ranunculus.  The tissue-soft petals and multi layered flower head can take the designer in a number of directions; romantic, woodsy, ethereal… they all work.

Favorite boutonniere?
Many grooms want something non-floral these days and there are so many options.  I’ve been using a combination of twigs, small succulents and a few buds of a flower in the bride’s bouquet for continuity.  The look is masculine while still in the mood of the event.

Favorite color combination?
Soft grey and palest shell pink

Essential item for a bride on her wedding day?
A smile

What is your trend prediction for wedding bouquets in 2012?
Brides will continue to go with color for their bouquets.  The “all white” rule has faded and brides are looking for something unique and more expressive of their personalities for their bouquets.

Favorite cocktail?
I’ll go with the classic for a wedding… some incarnation of the champagne cocktail.

What can’t you live without?
My family