Meet Katherine Monte | Floral Designer / Wedding and Event Specialist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Katherine Monte and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Katherine, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I have worn many hats throughout my life in terms of career. Initially, I was a Mom. As my kids grew I tried many different job paths. Counselor and Realtor were just a few. I always ended that journey feeling empty and unfulfilled. Like some vital part of my life was missing. I found the Wedding and Event Industry by accident although I had always been a highly creative person. My Neice asked me to help plan her Wedding and do her Floral Design. It was my first venture into helping to tell a love story. I knew that this was my future after that event.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a Wedding Floral Designer and Event Planner. I think what I am most proud of to date in these past 13 years is that I survived and thrived during post-COVID-19 shutdowns. The Wedding and Event Industry and the rest of the world came to a halt. No events, gatherings, or floral designs were permitted. I had to help couples reschedule or cancel the day that they had worked on and dreamed of for so long. It was hard, gut-wrenching, and very sad work. During this time I had to figure out a way to survive and keep my business afloat. One evening after a very trying day of helping a couple find a new date for their Wedding I had an epiphany. If the world had gone crazy and everyone was stuck at home why couldn’t I help to spread some joy in some dark and uncertain days for so many? I did a social media post introducing myself explaining that I was a local floral designer whose business had been decimated because of Covid 19. I offered to design and deliver vases of joy for people. $20,$25, $30 arrangements delivered right to their doors. I offered it up to the universe and went to bed. The next morning I awoke to 182 messages from SO MANY amazing humans who had come out of the woodwork to help a small business. Over the next year as shutdowns continued to loom and the Wedding industry was struggling, I continued to grow this end of my business. To date some of those same people who came to my rescue still support me. The journey that I have been on as a small business owner has never been easy but it has been life-changing. I am so amazed that I get to be surrounded by the majesty of spectacular flowers. So incredibly grateful for the couples who trust me to help bring their love stories to life. So lucky that I get to wake up every day and do something that makes me feel alive. I do the whimsical, romantic floral design that is never, ever without depth and texture and too many blooms to count.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
In the Central PA area which is my home base, there are so many fun spots and things to do. Hershey, PA is very close and is always a fun day with many great Restaurants, Parks, and Attractions. A great local restaurant in Mechanicsburg, PA right on the Yellow Breeches Creek is Cold Springs Brewery. Always a great and relaxing meal as you watch the kayakers float by from the upper decks that surround the building.
The PA State capital is Harrisburg with so many historic buildings and the Capital complex itself is fascinating.
Within a short drive are Philadelphia, Maryland, and Washington DC all with so many interesting things to do and see.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Easiest answer ever. My Mom. She never got to see any of the things that I do now as sadly she passed away in 2009 but her incredible attitude, work ethic, and overall thirst for life have been a guiding force for me. She used to tell me that I was a late bloomer and that I would find what I was supposed to be doing when the time was right. When the student is ready the teacher will appear. And she always believed in me, even when I didn’t believe in myself.

Website: wilddahliadesigns.com

Instagram: @vowskathymonte

Facebook: Kathy Monte

Image Credits
Taylor Davis Photography April Raymond Editorial Wedding Photography