Opening Up

Petal Pusher: Florist provides fresh take on bridal arrangements

Diana Peterson, photos by Andrea Paulseth |

A BLOOM WITH A VIEW.  Mikelle Larson of Fersk Floral Artistry considers color, shape, and texture as she pulls together her flowery creations. She says she’s inspired by both nature and modern design.
A BLOOM WITH A VIEW. Mikelle Larson of Fersk Floral Artistry considers color, shape, and texture as she pulls together her flowery creations. She says she’s inspired by both nature and modern design.

A bridal bouquet can truly capture the personality of a couple beginning their new life adventure. Mikelle Larson of Fersk Floral Artistry understands that and works hard to design stunning custom flower arrangements for each wedding. Mikelle chose the name as an homage to her Scandinavian ancestry. “Fersk” is Norwegian for “fresh,” and the name truly fits this company: fresh flowers, a fresh approach to design, and a fresh perspective on what a bridal bouquet should look like.

“Instead of thinking about how bouquets have traditionally been arranged, I experiment with new ideas to create pieces that are innovative and modern.” – Mikelle Larson, Fersk Floral Artistry

Inspired by nature and modern design, Mikelle considers color, shape, and texture as she pulls her creations together. With weddings becoming more relaxed and informal celebrations, bouquets can be more playful.

“Instead of thinking about how bouquets have traditionally been arranged, I experiment with new ideas to create pieces that are innovative and modern,” Mikelle said. “When working with brides, I first listen to what their vision is for their flowers and reference their inspiration photos, but then my goal is to offer suggestions that they have not yet considered, which is where I am able to bring my own creativity into the process.”

One thing Mikelle helps brides understand is that while Pinterest is a great research tool, sometimes what they see on the screen isn’t true to life. Flowers are often photographed using filters that make the colors appear a different shade than they are in real life. There are times flowers arrive at Mikelle’s home and they are not quite the shade she expected, or a specific flower becomes unavailable due to demand or being out of season. That’s when a floral designer becomes very important; brides can trust a competent florist to adjustment and create stunning, unique flower arrangements.

While she accommodates couples working within a variety of timeframes, Mikelle says sux ti eight months before the big day is the perfect time to begin looking at flowers. Once a couple know their color scheme, venue, date, and the number of people in the wedding party, the design plan can begin. While Larson is booked for most of the 2018 wedding season, she encourages couples tying the knot in 2019 to start the process by filling out the form on her website.

While Mikelle has decided to devote most of her design time to weddings and events, you may have seen her flowers for Mother’s Day at Red’s Mercantile – beautiful blended bouquets of roses, eucalyptus, and wild flowers. She also posts her designs on her social media pages along with workshop and pop-up show announcements.

“I think the reason people hesitate to pursue their creative passions is because they are overwhelmed or don’t know where to start,” Mikelle said. “My advice is to decide on a first step, and then keep taking little steps one day at a time. And don’t be afraid to ask for help along the way. If you have a dream, you will find ways to incorporate it into your life.”

Fersk Floral Artistry • (612) 296-1492 • look for FerskFloralAristry on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest • ferskfloralartisry@gmail.com • ferskfloralartistry.com