ELIZABETH HARDING

The Wilmington Florist

Elizabeth, the wedding floral designer and founder of the Wilmington Florist.
Bride holding a bouquet put together by the Wilmington Florist in Delaware.

Photographer: Heartbeat Branding Co

Bride's veil centered between two floral focal points while walking down the aisle.

By fusing over a decade of experience in the floral industry with years of experience in horticulture, and garden design; I have a unique eye to work with elements in both interior and exterior settings to bring alive beautiful, cohesive works of art. The Wilmington Florist is my ode to a place I hold dear to my heart, and have found to be endlessly inspiring. It serves as my vessel to bring alive your vision and make the magic happen.

Bride and groom kissing beneath bright floral decor at wedding.
Beautiful peach, pink, and yellow luxury wedding florals across a terrace | The Wilmington Florist

Photographer: The Jenna Carroll Collective

MY APPROACH TO FLORALS

My natural designs are inspired by the inimitable ways that nature expresses itself and are a modern take on timeless garden-style arrangements.

HOW IT ALL BLOOMED

My business was born in the fall of 2022 after nearly a decade working in floral shops and event-focused studios. At the time, I was working full-time in a traditional flower shop but felt increasingly frustrated by the lack of creative control and the constant tug between daily walk-in orders and the weddings I really wanted to focus on. I also didn’t see many floral businesses in Wilmington, DE focused solely on weddings & event production, and I recognized a real need for someone like me to hone in on that expertise I’ve built over the years. Wilmington has so many stunning venues, and it’s even a destination wedding spot for some, so the demand was definitely there.

I realized I wanted to concentrate more intentionally on weddings and events while still offering designer’s choice local deliveries. I also knew I needed a quieter, more focused space to do that well. That’s when I decided to launch my own business out of a private studio, allowing me to create in a peaceful environment and prioritize what I do best.

I actually fell into the floral world back in high school when I got a job with a large wedding company. While I wasn’t designing as much as I wanted at first, I did get some chances to design occasionally. Most of my time was spent processing flowers, loading vans, cleaning inventory, and setting up events. That behind-the-scenes work gave me an essential foundation and a deep understanding of the logistics and discipline required to pull off wedding florals at a high level.

I’m still here because this is the work I love and I deeply value customer satisfaction. I’ve been lucky to grow quickly in the area as a trusted floral professional with several preferred vendor partnerships.

Lace wedding gown featured beside floral side pieces | The Wilmington Florist
Spring wedding floral tablescape with a light green tablecloth
Bride and groom walking up the stairs at their wedding holding a pink and white springtime bouquet.

Photographer: Madison Neumann Photography

Common Questions

Begin Your Floral Journey Here

What sets me apart is my experience. I’ve spent half my life in this industry, seen trends come and go, and bring a calm, confident approach to every event. My goal is to create designs that truly resonate with every client.