Influencer: Meet Semia Dunne

SEMIA Floral Studio and The Floral Reserve founder on branching out and cultivating community, plus advice for wedding and Valentine’s flowers

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Event flowers have gone from centerpieces to spectacular structural installations. As founder of SEMIA Floral Studio in Providence, what changes has that brought?

Flowers are now a cornerstone element of any wedding, and booking the right florist has become as important as choosing your venue or your photographer. It was specifically after the pandemic that people realized just how transformative flowers truly are. Artistically, this is a dream come true for myself and my team. I have always maintained that our mission is to transform environments and the human experience through exceptional floral artistry. Now more than ever, people value flowers and what they are capable of, just as much as I do. We can creatively spread our wings more than ever now, as our clients not only want to feel what we feel every day at this studio, but also transform their guest experience.

 

For someone looking at the extraordinary florals of the Olivia Culpo and Christian McCaffrey wedding, are there takeaways or tips for the everyday couple on a budget?

When you are adhering to a floral budget, my advice is to choose designs that make an impact. Quality over quantity, always! Decide which areas of your ceremony and reception are the most important to flower and go big with one or two designs that will be unforgettable, rather than feeling like you have to flower every square inch of your space. I’d rather see artistic bar florals than petite arrangements on every cocktail table; one outstanding, focal floral design for your ceremony rather than a series of lackluster florals throughout the space; an incredible mantle design paired with smaller centerpieces rather than obligatory elevated centerpieces on half the tables. I’m in favor of creating true floral art, thinking beyond what is “expected” and making sure your guests leave remembering the flowers. A true artist will know how to deliver impact within budget.

 

What is your favorite bouquet for Valentine’s Day?

Incredible hellebores mixed with fragrant Japanese sweet peas and voluptuous garden roses. Extra points if blue flowers like muscari or dyed tulips are included.

 

What led to the creation of Providence’s wholesale flower market, The Floral Reserve?

For most of my career, any designer who wanted to use exceptional flowers in their work needed to travel to the Boston Flower Exchange. I started The Floral Reserve (TFR) because I knew designers in RI, and beyond, needed another option when the original Boston market moved to Chelsea. I had fallen in love with the uniqueness of local flowers and the talented farmers in our area and I dreamed of a place where florists could shop all the farms had to offer in one place. I also wanted a venue that would free farmers from having to drive their goods all over, allowing them to drop orders at our market and spend more time doing what they do best...growing! Today, on any given week during peak wedding season, we can have anywhere from five to 12 farms represented in our market. It’s an incredible place to find the best regionally and locally grown flowers....and the only wholesale location in RI to do so, I might add. I’m really proud of how we support and encourage the relationship between florists and flower farmers. I’m perhaps the most proud, however, of the community-over-competition ethos found at TFR. I can safely say there’s a culture at TFR amongst the florists that is encouraging, supportive, and celebratory of our colleagues’ accomplishments.

 

What are some of your favorite local places?

I love spending free time in Little Compton, walking Briggs Beach, and visiting my friends at Young Family Farm. When I’m in my hometown of Lincoln, I adore spending time at Sunset Stables where my son has been riding since he was six years old, and stopping by my friend Danny’s farmstand at Butterfly Farm. When I’m in Providence, I love working out with my strength coach, Jason, who owns Little Engine. And when I have the opportunity to entertain or treat myself, there’s nothing better than dinner at Gracie’s. Owner Ellen Gracyalny has really created something spectacular there. I always tell her that the way she has people experience food is the same way I want people to experience our flowers. Learn more at FlowersBySemia.com.

 

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