More than just a party, a wedding is a celebration of love, joy, and the union of families and, as anyone that’s ever planned a wedding can tell you, it’s crucial that every detail of the day combines to produce a dream-come-true event. Sometimes to do that, you have to think outside the box and be willing to break tradition.

Luckily, Buds Etc. in Melbourne is not your traditional florist. This local floral and decoration studio specializes in creating dream come true weddings and events, with attention to decorative details that have won them high praise from clients and accolades from the industry.

You may have heard about them: The studio was voted Best of Brevard in 2019 and has been featured on The Knot, Martha Stewart’s website, Forever Magazine, Orange Blossom Bride, Wedding Chicks… and the list goes on.

A conversation with company owner Patti Leicht reveals that what has made Buds Etc. so successful is a commitment to clients and their event vision. “I work 24/7 to bring each wedding the attention to detail it needs,” she said. “I just love our couples!”

Leicht’s experience with all things floral started in her father’s garden shop, where she worked throughout her childhood. Her passion blossomed into her first floral shop in New York in the ‘90s. When she moved to Melbourne in 2004, Leicht brought her floral expertise with her and started Buds Etc.

With nearly 45 years in the floral industry, Leicht is an expert in making every event beautiful. “You must know what you’re doing from selection of product to conditioning flowers to having a plan in place for execution for every wedding or event,” she said.

When planning the details of your wedding, or any big event, feeling overwhelmed is quite normal. The good news is that planning florals and decorations doesn’t have to be complicated: the key factor in your decoration planning should be your own preferences. However, deciding on other factors can help alleviate some planning stressors.

When planning the details of your wedding, or any big event, feeling overwhelmed is quite normal. The good news is that planning florals and decorations doesn’t have to be complicated: the key factor in your decoration planning should be your own preferences. However, deciding on other factors can help alleviate some planning stressors.

Location: Florida offers many non-conventional wedding ceremony locations that Buds Etc. is happy to accommodate. Year-round warm weather makes for beautiful ceremonies in parks, barns, fields and backyards while beaches, parks and golf courses add a unique Floridian twist. According to Leicht, the theme of the wedding will usually play off the location, but it doesn’t have to. “We do tropical arrangements for churches as well as beaches,” says Leicht.

Seasons: Don’t let a season or holiday confine you to a certain theme or color scheme. For example, December weddings don’t necessarily need mistletoe and dark, wintry tones. “We have tons of Christmas weddings using sunflowers and purples,” Leicht shares.

Formality: Leicht suggests that flowers as well as other decorations help establish whether the wedding is casual or formal. Fresh flowers are, of course, an integral part of any wedding scene, but consider other decorations, too: methods of lighting like lanterns and candles, tableware like linens and table numbers and other props like backdrops, crates, signage and the quintessential ceremony archway. Buds Etc.’s immense rental inventory provides decorations to suit anything from a shorts-and-flip flops bash to a chic, white-tie affair. And, if Buds Etc. doesn’t have exactly what you’re looking for, Leicht’s bound to know a vendor from around the community that does.

Inspiration: “Before the internet, you would look through hundreds of books to find the right look for you,” Leicht said. Now you can find inspiration through online sources such as Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook. In fact, Buds Etc. has extensive Pinterest and Instagram pages found @pattibuds and a Facebook page @Buds.Etc to help generate ideas for your wedding celebration or event.

Personal touches: “I just love [that] I still get surprised at the creative ways our couples tie the knot!” Leicht said, mentioning favorite football teams and Disney movies as examples of her clients’ unique wedding themes. “I love them all, from the simple, small ones where the bride and groom have kissed for the first time, to the craziest themes with large bridal parties and hundreds of guests. I am happy to plan right along with them.”

Planning with Buds Etc. includes several meetings and extensive communication between Leicht and the couple to ensure every personal preference, be it inspiration and colors or floor plans and seating arrangements, is considered.

You’ve dreamed of your big day, and Buds Etc. is committed to decorating your dreams into reality.

“From simple greenery to elaborate tall centerpieces… we take care of it all for you,” Leicht said. “We are right there for our couples.”