Wedding Flowers: A Seasonal and Sustainable Approach With This Expert Florist

Kimberly Delgado, owner and creative director of Mary Stuart Flowers, developed a deep connection to flowers on Cape Cod, where she watched her grandmother design floral arrangements for the Boston Flower Show. The business is named after her two daughters, Mary and Stuart, the oldest and youngest of her four children. Between them are her two sons. The name also holds deep family significance, rooted in their ancestral connection to Mary, Queen of Scots – an inspiration behind her daughters’ names. Sustainability is at the heart of her work, with Kimberly growing many of her own blooms, ensuring they are locally sourced and seasonal – a cornerstone of her design philosophy. She also works closely with local farmers to source flowers that are free from chemical treatments, using only what’s in season. She never uses floral foam, opting for a more natural approach to create designs that are both beautiful and eco-conscious.

Vibrant, evocative, and rich in texture, Kimberly’s aesthetic celebrates nature’s organic beauty through effortlessly styled, personal compositions. Lush dahlias and soft pastels are interspersed with long, elegant candlelight, creating an intimate, warm glow. Floral arches stretch across ceremony spaces, seamlessly blending with the landscape, while delicate table arrangements seem to emerge naturally from the surroundings. Each design speaks to the season and place, with flowers chosen not only for their beauty, but for their relevance to the moment.

With a background in logistics honed during her time on Wall Street, Kimberly ensures every aspect of her floral designs is flawlessly executed. Whether she’s creating florals for weddings at home in the States or abroad her work is celebrated for its artistry, elegance, and its profound connection to the environment. Through her collaborations with high-end fashion brands like Markarian, Kimberly continues to push the boundaries of floral design.

Never compromising on style, Kimberly shares her expert tips on how to seamlessly incorporate seasonal flowers into any high-end celebration.

How do you balance a couple’s desired aesthetic with the availability of seasonal flowers?

“Understanding the couple’s vision is key before we dive into specifics. If a couple has a flower in mind that’s not in season, I focus on explaining the qualities they’re drawn to — like the texture, shape, or color — and offer a seasonal alternative. For example, a couple wanted peonies for their early May wedding, but since they’re not available then, I suggested peony-style tulips, which gave a similar lush, ruffled effect. It’s all about finding the right match that brings their aesthetic to life.”

What are the main advantages of choosing locally grown flowers for weddings, both environmentally and aesthetically?

“Working with local growers, particularly in places like Holland, offers a chance to work with stunning, in-season flowers that truly reflect the region’s beauty. For a wedding in an orangerie, I sourced branches of spiraea called ‘Bridal Veil’ from local wholesalers. It was magical to create a ceremony arch that felt like it grew right there, naturally blending with the surroundings. Sourcing locally not only supports farmers but also helps create designs that feel deeply connected to the time and place.”

What steps should a couple take to ensure their wedding florals are sustainably sourced?

“From the start, I make it clear that I work exclusively with locally and sustainably grown, seasonal flowers. Transparency about my practices is important in building trust with my couples. Once they decide to work with me, I take full responsibility for the flowers and materials used, offering alternatives when necessary. When couples trust my process, they’re consistently happy with the final design.”

How do you navigate potential challenges, such as unexpected shortages or weather impacts, when relying solely on local and seasonal flowers?

“I rely heavily on the expertise of local growers, who understand how weather and soil health impact their harvests. I always consult with them about what’s available and how external factors might affect the crop. When an unexpected shortage arises, they always provide great alternatives that fit the design and maintain its aesthetic integrity. This collaboration ensures that we can still achieve the look the couple wants, even if things don’t go as planned.”

How can couples incorporate meaningful, locally sourced flowers into their wedding design in creative and unexpected ways?

“When couples choose a location for its emotional significance, it’s essential to bring that sense of place into the floral design. For a wedding in New England, the bride loved the wildness of the surrounding woods. I used local mushrooms, moss, and ferns to recreate the forest floor in their design. It felt authentic and true to the location, and incorporating these natural elements really brought the outdoors in, creating a unique and deeply personal floral arrangement.”

See more of Mary Stuart’s work through her website or on The Lane Directory.