The First Ladies Luncheon offers a refreshing pause in a city known for high-stakes politics and fast-paced policy debates—a moment of elegance, unity, and quiet influence. Held annually in Washington, D.C., this storied event transcends fashion and floral design to serve as a powerful window into American tradition, diplomacy, and service. Florals are a central part of this tradition, and this year, Certified American Grown flowers were proudly spotlighted throughout the event. Our CEO, Corrine, was honored to be among the select group of 27 florists from across the country chosen to help bring the floral vision to life.
A Legacy Over a Century in the Making
Amid a city often marked by partisanship, this luncheon remains a rare space of bipartisanship and grace—bringing together people from across the political spectrum to celebrate service, womanhood, and the enduring power of community.
The Congressional Club, the only club in the world to be chartered by an Act of Congress, lies at the heart of this tradition. Founded in the same year as the luncheon itself, the Club is composed primarily of spouses of current and former members of Congress, Cabinet officials, and Supreme Court Justices.
Driven by a mission of hospitality, tradition, and philanthropy, the Club serves as both a social hub and a charitable force. Its signature event—the First Ladies Luncheon—raises millions annually to support nonprofit organizations and bring national visibility to the First Lady’s chosen causes. This year, Chairwoman Jane Mrvan of Indiana selected The National Park Trust and The Fair Haven Rape Crisis Center as the luncheon’s beneficiaries.
Each year, the First Ladies Luncheon centers around a distinct theme that reflects either the First Lady’s platform or the prevailing spirit of the moment. This year’s theme, “From Sand to Steel,” embodies strength, transformation, and resilience—qualities that resonate throughout the event, from its programming to its floral design.
The inspiration behind the theme is deeply rooted in Indiana, the home state of Chairwoman Jane Mrvan. The "sand" symbolizes the region’s iconic sand dunes, while the "steel" represents the state’s proud legacy of steel production. Together, these elements tell a powerful story of natural beauty and industrial strength—perfectly capturing the essence of this year’s celebration.
Certified American Grown: Bringing the Vision to Life
This year’s floral installations are made possible in large part by Certified American Grown (CAG), a nonprofit national trade association representing U.S. flower and foliage farmers.
Since its launch in 2021, CAG has championed the importance of buying American-grown florals—educating consumers and policymakers about supporting a domestic industry that contributes nearly $42 million per day to the U.S. economy and sustains hundreds of farmers, thousands of small businesses, and tens of thousands of jobs nationwide.
At the First Ladies Luncheon, Certified American Grown played a pivotal role in floral design, organizing a crew of florists nationwide to bring this year’s theme to life through their artistry.
We’re especially proud to share that our CEO, Corrine, was selected to join this prestigious group—an incredible honor and testament to her talent, leadership, and dedication to the floral industry.
Earlier this week, The White House, shared a short video recap of the 112th Annual First Ladies Luncheon. Through the use of farm-fresh, American-grown product selections sourced from partner farms nationwide, CAG ensured the floral designs authentically reflected the event's theme and spirit. Their work underscores the importance of supporting local growers and recognizing the deep-rooted value of American agriculture.
The First Ladies Luncheon delivers a powerful impact. It’s a reminder of what can be accomplished when tradition, purpose, and collaboration come together. A special thank you to all the floral sponsors and florists involved in this year's event!
Sponsors: @mellanoandcompany @camflorinc @oceanbreezefarmsca @cfgreens @ferntrustinc @greenvalleyfloral_1973 @tatfarm @journey.farm @menagerieflower @suttonferneries @myriadflowers @alabamasmilax @thefloweringranch @thefloralsource @dvflora @oasisfloralproductsnamerica @accentdecorinc @americangrownflowers
Designers: @reneetucci @petalsbytheshore @jenniferdesignsevents @alaskaperfectpeony
@florasourcekansascity @andreakgristfloralart @andreakgristfloralart @Erikad.417 @MMSAEWERT @shoptheflowerplace @towneheather @marcelafloral @xomarigold
@theflorapist @shannontoaldesigns @travelingwithjoy @kennedyfloral @eventsbykellysflorist @dancingdaisiesfloral @Thefloweringranch @Angelgabrial @rootedgoodsnc @amorganfloral @Turnbullfarm @fieldtripflowers @melissascreationsllc @akflowertowne @ferntrustinc @angelabrown1972