VENDOR SPOTLIGHT // KENDON DESIGN CO
Today we are spending some time getting to know Tasha of Kendon Design Co, one of your most recent additions to our Swish List floral designers! Welcome, Tasha!
A short description of what you do: Kendon Design Co. is a wedding floral designer and stylist, based in Hamilton and serving Burlington to Niagara Region.
How long have you been working in the wedding industry? 2 years
What makes your business unique? I think what sets us apart, besides our designs, is how we work with our couples. Having a background in sales and marketing in the hospitality industry has really helped me run my business well, but especially with providing a seamless, professional, and personalized client experience.
Favourite part of your business? Of course there's seeing the designs come to life come wedding day that is always a thrill, but I also really love how this business is always evolving and there's so much to learn.
What inspires you? Nature is of course a huge inspiration. More particularly, when I'm processing florals and getting them ready to start designing, I take a small moment with each stem to see how it moves, take a look at its quirks, if the petals are perfection, etc. This process gives me a sense of where a bloom would shine the best and it's definitely inspiring!
Who is your mentor/hero in the industry? I have quite a few in the floral industry! I would have to say Sweet Root Village first. Besides their obviously drop-dead-gorgeous designs, they really run their business well and their design space/warehouse is everything I hope Kendon Design Co. will be one day. Sinclair & Moore is also another inspiration. Steve's aesthetic and the way he even talks about flowers is something special. Locally, I would have to say Krista from KJ & Co. She's definitely someone that I look up to in the local wedding industry and she's been such a tremendous influence on how I run my business.
On your day off...where would we find you? You can typically find me at our family cottage in Crystal Beach on weekends that I have off. Any excuse we have to get out that way, I'll take it!
If you weren't a wedding vendor, what would be your dream job? It's so hard to say! I always dreamt of being a florist and thought I'd have to have a retail shop to be one. I also truly believe that my past corporate life and hobbies like photography and graphic design have lead me here - living my dream job!
What great wedding trends are you seeing this year? Well, thanks to Covid - I am actually loving these smaller, intimate, micro weddings! I'm always one to try and see the bright side in anything and I think this pandemic has pushed people to be honest and true to themselves when it comes to planning a wedding. I've been lucky enough to work with some wonderful couples this year that really wanted to get creative with florals, and that alone is a trend that I'm hoping will stay!
Do you have any practical advice for couples planning a wedding? Be true to yourselves. There's a lot of advice from family and friends plus a sea of inspiration online. It can be so easy to get lost in all of it and feel overwhelmed. Remember to openly communicate with your partner and do what feels right for the two of you. Also, be sure to hire an amazing team of vendors. Ask your vendors for referrals and lean on them for guidance!
Photography Credits:
Image 1: Kayla Potter Photography | Images 2+3: Eyekah Foto | Images 4+7: Kendon Design Co | Image 5: Neverland Photography | Image 6: Mango Studios | Images 8+9: Catch Light Photography
