This month, we had the pleasure of chatting with our floral friend Samantha Belonga of St. Ignace In Bloom during a special Details University Live session. The focus? Crafting unforgettable wedding florals—especially for destination celebrations on Michigan’s iconic Mackinac Island. Samantha shared how she blends greenhouse-grown blooms, expert event planning, and floral artistry to bring her clients' visions to life. She also gave us a peek behind the scenes at how her creative social media strategies help build lasting connections. Missed the live session? Here’s your full recap!
Samantha’s journey began in the flower shop she now owns. From a young age, she was hands-on, learning the names of blooms, mastering event execution, and gaining real-world experience long before officially stepping into ownership.
She went on to earn a B.A. in Hospitality and Tourism Management with a concentration in Event Planning from Grand Valley State University. Her career path took her from Event Coordinator at DeVos Place in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to Manager of Volunteer Resources at a nonprofit in Asheville, North Carolina. Today, she focuses primarily on floral design—particularly cut flowers and weddings—bringing a unique blend of logistical expertise and artistic vision to each event.
In 2018, after years of study and hands-on experience, Samantha became a Certified Florist. That same year, she was recognized as the Michigan Floral Association’s Young Person of the Year—a full-circle moment, as she had previously coordinated the association’s Great Lakes Floral and Event Expo while at DeVos Place.
When asked what advice she would give to florists just starting, Samantha didn’t hesitate: invest in education and grow your network. She emphasized the value of in-person events and workshops—not just for skill-building but also for forming meaningful, lasting friendships within the industry.
Her philosophy? Camaraderie over competition. Building relationships with fellow florists—even those in your market—can make all the difference. Whether it’s needing extra hands at an event or last-minute supplies, those flower friends might just save the day.
Mackinac Island, a historic and car-free destination in northern Michigan, is known for its summer beauty—and logistical challenges. Accessible only by ferry, every event requires detailed planning and creative problem-solving.
Samantha has produced weddings on the island for years and now holds a preferred florist contract with the historic Grand Hotel. With tight timelines and unique transportation hurdles, there’s no room for error. Some couples she works with can’t meet in person until the wedding day, so clear communication and efficient systems are essential.
That’s where Details Flowers Software plays a key role. Samantha uses it to send polished proposals and contracts, making clear expectations for her team and clients.
Alongside her floral design work, Samantha and her husband operate four greenhouses. They grow everything from fresh-cut flowers to custom hanging baskets for the local community. These greenhouses aren’t just for production—they’re a space for connection.
Samantha hosts interactive events like “Kinder-Gardening,” where kids can learn about plants and the growing process. It’s a smart way to engage the community, inspire future generations, and welcome paying customers into the space.
Her tip? Save video and audio ideas, then film everything at once. She and her team carve out time between ceremonies and teardown to shoot behind-the-scenes content while they’re still on-site. This allows them to stay consistent without sacrificing event prep.
Her most popular videos are educational content about budgeting for events. Samantha believes in empowering clients with realistic expectations, helping them understand pricing, and building trust through transparency. Do not be afraid to put yourself out there! Your audience and potential customers want to see that you are a real person they can feel comfortable working with.
A huge thank you to Samantha for joining us this month and sharing her insights! 🌸 Click the thumbnail below to watch the full replay of this inspiring Details University Live session.