Tuesday with the Pros is an ongoing interview series featuring experts in the wedding and event industry. Today’s authority is Doyle, event designer and owner of My Flower Guy.
LI: How would you define or describe what you do?
Doyle: We at My Flower Guy are your personal event design consultants. Whether it’s an intimate dinner party at your home, or a lavish gala or wedding, My Flower Guy can make all the arrangements for you from a design aspect. Even though I don’t consider myself an event planner, I like to be able to create the design aesthetic for my clients in its entirety–ultimately, I would personally call myself a floral and event design stylist.
LI: What makes My Flower Guy unique from other similar companies in the marketplace?
Doyle: It starts with our name. My Flower Guy is passionate about personal service. You’re not a number with us, that’s why we’re called MY Flower Guy. Our designers are the people who have access to our clients, not any sales reps or account managers…because it’s the designers who ARE our company.
LI: How did you start a floral and event design business? What inspired you?
Doyle: It all started when I was a kid living out in the sticks of East Texas. I had a lot of elderly neighbors with gardens who would give me cuttings of flowers that I would take home and eventually plant, and they’d sprout into beautiful bushes in my backyard. I loved flowers, and right before I went to college I worked one summer as a delivery driver for a local flower shop, and in my down time I’d take scraps from their designs and create my own in buckets from the cooler…and my work began to sell faster than theirs did! That’s when I realized that design came naturally to me. I came out to California after a bit of college and got a job at L.A. Premiere in Los Angeles and worked there for six years…I learned a lot there before opening my own design business.
LI: What are some of your favorite things about your line of work?
Doyle: I come from a very, very modest childhood. My brother and I would have to create things to entertain ourselves because we really did not have any money for toys or games. We’d invent little pretend parties and make something out of nothing…and that’s one of the things I do love. I love people, and socializing, and the theme or aesthetic of an event when we put it together. I also just love seeing peoples’ first reaction to what we’ve made. My passion is making people happy. I’m a people-pleaser!
LI: Who are most of your clients?
Doyle: Most of my clients are from referrals from other event professionals. Word gets around in this industry! I don’t use online advertising because I’ve found it encourages price-shopping, which doesn’t really support personalized service. I can help my clientele create an event that fits within their budget and parameters, but people won’t realize that when they’re just browsing names online.
LI: Describe your dream event to design.
Doyle: An event that is themed after the movie Avatar. It’d be a very interactive event, and I was just thinking about it the other day–and I already have fantastic ideas for how I could do it, but ideally I’d need about half a million dollars to pull it off!
LI: Do you have any tips for couples and other clients out there looking to save a few bucks on their event or their flowers?
Doyle: I would suggest prioritizing what is most important to them. There are usually a couple things that they’ll need to keep in mind regarding their event—firstly, the photos capture everything, so invest in a great photographer. Second, consider what the photographers going to be taking pictures of! You and the flowers you got at Wal-Mart? Or are they going to take pictures of a gorgeously designed event, and you and your family looking happy because you are surrounded by the aesthetic and beauty of an amazing wedding? I jokingly tell people to spend more money on their wedding, but in truth if it’s a once-in-a-lifetime event, why wouldn’t you want to make it as incredible as possible, and ensure that you can remember it with great photographs later? The better the design, decor, food, etc…the happier everyone is, the more memorable the occasion, and the more that shows in photos. My best advice is that if you can’t afford the event you want now, then put it off until you can do it the way you want to do it. Save up for it and do it right the first time. That, or….cut the guest list.
LI: Do you have anything exciting lined up for this year?
Doyle: I’m very excited about the glamorous Platinum Wedding I am designing that will be airing on WE T.V. later on this spring. I’m actually doing a taped interview for them this week. I’ll keep ya’ll posted!
LI: Do you have a favorite flower?
Doyle: All of them are my favorite! I do like orchids for how many types of blooms there are in the breed. And they’re so exquisite.
LI: What are your suggestions for a fun, festive, “stress-free” event?
Doyle: Relax, and ENJOY your event. Plan ahead, let your pro’s absorb your stress and deal with the problems—that’s what they’re hired to do! Something will always come up unexpectedly, but if you’re relaxed and thinking clearly, then it’s no sweat.
My Flower Guy website
Facebook fanpage
E-mail Doyle
Lindsey sadly had a cold, but the good news is you TOTALLY can’t tell! She powered some Dayquil and was a real trooper!
Her man Harvey. Groomsmen photo by Matt, who has shown real talent in groomsmen posing. I think he’s even better than I am at it!
Lindsey & Harvey’s first glimpse of each other. I’m so glad they decided to see each other before the ceremony and do as many pictures as possible while there was still daylight!
I think this bridal party needs a theme song.
Wilson Creek’s signature almond champagne…highly recommend.
Image by Matt
The reception was in the barrel room
Lindsey & Harvey shared some petit fours with their guests instead of wedding cake…cuuuuuute!
Harvey really loves to party!
The tent setting. Tables and furniture courtesy of the fine folks at 
Fantastical tunnel constructed by Party Rental King, ending at the wondrous chocolate fountain from 
A pretty gnarly room designed and decorated by Patricia (right) of 
INSANE cakes by 
The ever-cheerful Wenda from 
Delectable candy table by Charm Events
I may or may not have pilfered a lolly…
An amazing, inspired design by 
Joan, the visionary behind J’Adore Florist
A crystal detail from 
Stunning makeup by 
Magical butterflies from Flowers on Mars and J’Adore Florist, as well as scrumptious cupcakes by 
With Mars & Nancy from Flowers on Mars. 
The Nixon Library’s beautiful banquet hall
