Jessica St. Thomas of St. Thomas Floral has been in the business since she was the sweet age of sixteen, having got her start working in a local flower shop in Draper, Utah.
While later pursuing her Bachelor’s degree she continued to work at other flower shops where her knowledge about basic floral design grew and from which her inherent love of art and design, her degree in interior design, and her years of experience working with and around flowers gradually became a full-on career.
Now, continuing work as a florist and mother of three, Jessica gives us a peek into her life and work.
“I look at all kinds of design for inspiration in my work. Art, interiors, architecture, [and] fashion all come into play when thinking up a wedding design or color palette. I also look at nature and the way that it naturally portrays beautiful color stories and blends texture so perfectly,” says Jessica, a dark-haired Utah native who remains one of the state’s most prominent wedding florists.
It doesn’t come as much of a surprise that someone who works with plants would be inspired by nature, and Utah has a lot to give in that area, making it an—maybe unexpectedly—ideal home for an artist like Jessica. Especially, as she tells us, given the seasonal changes and changes in climate throughout the year.
St. Thomas says, “Designing with different color palettes keeps me motivated and feeling fresh. The seasonal changes excite me and bring in so much inspiration for my arrangements. I like to draw people to my designs with the shape of the bouquets. I think shape is what initially gets someones attention, and then I hope to intrigue them with my color patterns and tiny texture details.”
It appears to be working. Jessica’s arrangements are beautiful and grand, elegant designs you might see in the Palace of Versailles—and that’s not to mention the pretty little headpieces, flower girl headbands, boutonnieres, wrist corsages and other wearable arrangements she expertly crafts.
As many working moms know, balancing a career with motherhood is not always easy, but is certainly something to be admired as well as to be proud of. St. Thomas seems to have things under control: “We’ve turned our unfinished basement into my shop, equipped with my very own walk-in cooler. It has made running my business from home so much more efficient … If things come up during the day, my girls just have to tag along … They have become pros at processing and prepping the flowers with me!”
As for her personal style, St. Thomas talks about the confidence that comes with a bit of life experience and how that, along with her floral work, influences what she wears. “Now that I am in my thirties I feel so comfortable in my own skin and have really come to find my own style.”
It is that simplicity in her wardrobe that reflects how colorful her designs tend to be, and the two things complement one another. “Although I love to use color in my designs, I tend to be pretty simple when it comes to fashion,” she says, “I love a good tunic and black pants and like to add interest with bold patterns or layering rather than color. I think flowers are my way of purging all the color out of my system!”
As told to Utah Bride and Groom
For more information on her work or to contact Jessica, visit her site at stthomasfloraldesign.com
Photos by Heather Nan and Travis J Photography
