RICHFIELD - Kristin Hoffman likes to add a "personal touch" to wedding flowers. The married mom of two and teller at the local bank likes to meet with her clients and help them feel at ease about choosing their flowers for the special day.
Hoffman is the owner of the new business Kristin's Wedding Creations located in her home off Lauver Valley Road in Richfield. Hoffman, who is originally from the Lancaster area, has been working in the floral business since she was a teenager.
She began her work at age 16 delivering flowers for a floral shop. What started out as a need for a job turned into a passion for a career. "I just liked the look on people's faces when they got their flowers," she recalled.
By age 18 she was helping with the business management portion of Flowers of New Danville. The owner there noticed her intense desire and work ethic and sent her to a florist school at Longwood Gardens near Philadelphia. She learned the ins and outs of bedding plants, perennials and hanging plants.
Years passed and Hoffman met her future husband in 2004. The couple wed in 2005 and she made Richfield her home. Hoffman soon became known in the community working at the Juniata Valley Bank's Richfield branch and for the Christmas wreaths she designed and made in her home.
"I just started doing weddings as a favor," she noted, helping with co-workers' family members' weddings.
As word spread, Hoffman soon found herself getting a Federal Tax ID number and calling her hobby a business..
"I'm not doing full scale, full-time," she noted, but finds a real joy in working with couples who want that special look for their wedding.
"It's a free wedding consultation and I will work within a person's budget," adding she has done floral packages ranging for as low as $100 to $3,000.
Hoffman said she realizes every couple's needs are different and she wants to be sensitive to those needs but still make it as beautiful as they had dreamed.
Clients are welcome to bring a photo of what they have in mind and Hoffman says she will make it work.
"Maybe you want a dozen roses but have no budget for it. I can work around it. All flowers are interchangeable. Maybe we could do a half dozen roses with a half dozen carnations." The options, she said, are endless.
Those planning weddings in late 2010 or in 2011 can see Hoffman at the annual Guardian Angel Bookstore's bridal Show Oct. 9 on Main Street in Richfield.
Hoffman can be reached at 694-3588.
