Selecting your wedding floral is so much more meaningful when you can support a family-run, local business. Out of Rochester, Minnesota, Renning’s Flowers has been in business since 1959 and is now being run by its THIRD generation! Get to know their current manager, Andrea Renning Junge, below and read on to see what her dream bouquet would look like.
Q: Let’s get to it, what’s your business’ specialty?
A: We are a family-owned retail florist. We specialize in weddings, corporate events, and daily occasions (birthdays, anniversaries, illness, sympathy, etc)
Q: Where can we find you?
A: Rochester, MN
Q: Tell us when and how your business began.
A: While my Grandfather, Bud Renning, was in high school he worked part-time at a local flower shop here in Rochester. After his service in WWII, he decided he wanted to open up a floral shop on his own. So in 1959, he created Renning’s Flowers.
Q: What makes Renning’s Flowers unique from others?
A: We take great pride in being the leader in long-lasting flowers. We ensure the flowers we buy are the best quality, and also have specific care processes to get the most life out of them.
Q: How long have you been in the industry? What do you think has changed the most since then?
A: 10 years as a full-time employee, although I grew up in the shop =). Social media and the use of technology has become more important year after year. Our customers want to be able to communicate with us via email as much as possible.
Q: Walk us through your average day.
A: After I get my 3 children out the door in the morning, I get to the shop by 8:00. I check any new orders that have been ordered through our website and start responding to our emails. We will receive many phone calls and walk-in customers throughout the day. It is not unusual to meet with a bride for a consultation, or a family coming in to order flowers for the loss of a loved one. We also have fresh flowers arriving daily that need to be cared for. Other tasks can include ordering new items, social media marketing, or accounting. As they say with small businesses, you get to wear many hats.
Q: What would you want couples searching for your business type to know?
A: We genuinely care about our customers, our products and providing the best customer service. We will go above and beyond to make sure your day is special.
Q: How far in advance should a couple book with you?
A: Generally Brides come in about 8 months-1 year out. We do help with those last-minute weddings as well =)
Q: What does YOUR dream bouquet look like?
A: So colorful! I love bright oranges, pinks, greens, absolutely no white. I like a variety of textures, without too much going on. Green hydrangea, bright orange roses, pink ranunculus, and purple dendrobium orchids are a few must-haves!
Q: What’s hot in floral trends right now?
A: Boho style! Lots of different greenery, Ruscus, varieties of eucalyptus, different textures.
Q: What’s next for wedding floral trends?
A: I think wearable flowers will become even more popular — things such as floral crowns, other hairpieces, rings, bracelets, etc.
Q: What are your other hobbies when you’re not creating beautiful floral arrangements?
A: I love to spend time with my husband and children. I enjoy all things basketball, and shopping of course =)
LIGHTNING ROUND!
Q: Do you have any favorite podcasts?
A: Murder Monday (KDWB)
Q: Who’s your most played artist on your streaming service?
A: One Republic
Q: Heels or flats?
A: Flats
Q: Mountains or Beach?
A: Beach
Q: Go-to cocktail (or mocktail)?
A: Strawberry daiquiri
Q: When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A: A chef
Q: You’re at brunch. Are you going for something sweet or savory?
A: Savory
Q: Go-to comfort food?
A: Tater tot hotdish with green beans
Q: Duck Duck Grey Duck or Duck Duck Goose?
A: Duck Duck Grey Duck
If you’re ready to begin the process of designing your wedding floral with Renning’s Flowers, check out their website here or meet them at UNVEILED Rochester!
