How I Went From Award-Winning Wedding Planner to Full-Service Designer

Planning-led floral artistry for design-savvy couples in Australia, the UK & destinations worldwide.

Matt Willis Photography
Matt Willis Photography

If you’ve discovered me recently, you probably know me for flowers — wild, generous, textural compositions that feel at once garden-grown and editorial. Florals are a huge part of my business today, but they’re not where my story began.

Before moving to Australia, I spent years in the UK as a luxury wedding planner, partnering with beautiful couples across Britain, Europe and the US, to bring deeply personal celebrations to life. Historic castles in the Cotswolds, sailcloth marquees in the Welsh countryside, multi-cultural, multi-day wedding weekends in the heart of London — planning was (and is) my first love.

A Few Favourite UK Memories

Each of these weddings shaped the way I design and manage events today:

  • Katy & Henry – Garthmyl Hall, 2017. A joy-filled, detail-rich weekend where heritage architecture met relaxed country-house hospitality.
  • Clarissa & Sowande – Kew Gardens, 2019. Effortless elegance under glasshouse light; a masterclass in blending cultural influences with botanical beauty.
  • Claire & Paul – Rockley Manor. Timeless, romantic styling threaded through a historic estate setting.
  • Emma & Matt – Wilton’s Music Hall, London. A dramatic and character-filled city wedding set against the historic backdrop of one of London’s most atmospheric venues.
  • Emma & Nathan – Garthmyl Hall. A moody, rich, and luxurious palette defined this opulent countryside wedding.
  • Katy & Adam – Garthmyl Hall. Soft powder blues, delicate blooms, and refined details created a romantic, airy contrast to Emma & Nathan’s design at the same venue.

A Pandemic Pivot (That Changed Everything)

In early 2020 I relocated to Australia — weeks before the world shut down. I had an exciting calendar of weddings booked across both hemispheres.

Then COVID: postponements, cancellations, closed borders.

Overnight, my carefully built schedule disappeared.

With unexpected time on my hands (and a creative itch that refused to sit still), I chose to formally train as a florist. Years of collaboration with inspiring UK floral artists — Donna of Pheasant Botanica, India of Vervain, and Emma Soulsby (Florist of the Year the same night I was named Planner of the Year!) — had already planted the seed.

Learning the mechanics, seasonality, and sculptural possibilities of flowers felt less like starting over and more like expanding my design vocabulary.

Becoming a florist didn’t replace planning; it completed it.

Today: A Full-Service Event Design Studio in Sydney

Fast-forward to now: I run a full-service event design studio where wedding planning and floral design sit side by side.

Work with me in the way that serves you best:

1. Full Wedding Planning & Design

From first conversation to final farewell. Creative direction, venue & vendor sourcing, budgeting, guest logistics, timelines, production schedules, styling, and florals. Ideal for destination & multi-day celebrations or design-led events with layered detail.

2. Floral Design (Standalone or Integrated)

Large-scale ceremony installs, abundant reception tablescapes, bridal party florals, statement entries, floral statements, editorial shoots — all crafted with an elevated garden-meets-art-gallery sensibility. Available as a standalone floral brief or woven seamlessly into a planning engagement.

3. Final Months Coordination (“Planning Power Finish”)

Have most things booked but need an experienced hand to tie it all together? I step in 6-8 weeks out (earlier by request) to consolidate details, confirm vendors, build run sheets, manage rehearsals, and execute the day.

4. Marquee & Private Property Weddings

Blank spaces, paddocks, family estates and rural properties are my happy place. I coordinate infrastructure (power, flooring, lighting, catering logistics, water, waste) and curate a full vendor team while designing florals and décor that feel of-the-land.

5. Destination & Multi-Day Wedding Weekends

Yes, I travel. I’ve produced events across the UK, throughout Australia, and internationally — including back-to-back celebrations in Washington DC & Melbourne for the same couple over two long weekends 2 months apart. Cohesive design, consistent guest experience.

Recent Highlights

Every wedding I take on has its own story, and I love reflecting on a few recent ones that hold a special place in my heart.

Take Jemi & Ramon, for example. Their wedding journey spanned both Washington, D.C. and Melbourne in 2023 — two cities, two parties, one beautifully cohesive vision. It was such a joy for my team and me to plan, design, and flower both celebrations. See their wedding portfolio, here.

Then there’s Mia & Harry, whose iconic Sydney CBD wedding brought together modern elegance and whimsical florals. With an iconic cityscape backdrop, their day was all about refined design, graceful flow, and guest experience.

I can’t forget Krishna & Babita, who celebrated their love in the Southern Highlands surrounded by lush, seasonal textures and timeless yet contemporary styling. And William & Simmie, whose Sydney harbourside wedding was a vibrant fusion of cultural tradition and fresh, modern floral design.

(You’ll find more on these weddings soon in the Portfolio.)

Why Couples Choose Krysta Smith

When you work with me, you get a planner and floral designer who understands how to blend logistics with beauty. Here’s what couples tell me they love most:

  • Integrated Expertise: One point of contact for planning and florals keeps everything seamless and stress-free.
  • Design-Led, Not Template-Driven: Every wedding begins with your story, setting, and what matters most to you and your guests.
  • Calm Under Pressure: Weather changes, complex logistics, or last-minute hiccups? I’ve got it handled.
  • Detail Obsessed: From seating flows to stem counts; from power load to menu typography — no detail is too small.
  • Scale & Budget Fluency: I’m comfortable with $20K+ floral budgets and full wedding investments up to $500K+.
  • Global Perspective: UK heritage, Australian landscapes, and destination experience shape my fresh, layered aesthetic.

If we could give Krysta a million stars we would. Without a doubt she was the single best decision we made for our wedding. From the very first meeting, we knew we were in the hands of someone truly special. Krysta is pure magic. Her creativity, attention to detail, and calming presence brought our entire day to life in ways we couldn’t have even imagined.

Mia + Harrison, May 2025

Captured by Salt Atelier Weddings

Service Areas

I’m based in Sydney, NSW, but love to travel wherever your story takes me.

  • Primary: Sydney, Southern Highlands, Hunter Valley, Blue Mountains, South Coast.
  • Australia-Wide: Melbourne, Byron Bay, Gold Coast, Tasmania, Western Australia.
  • International / Destination: UK (Cotswolds, London, Scotland, Wales), Europe, USA, and beyond.

(Travel fees and minimums apply — just ask.)

How to Work With Me

  1. Initial Enquiry: Share your date(s), venue, guest count, and current plans.
  2. Discovery Call: Let’s chat about your vision and priorities.
  3. Custom Proposal: A tailored scope with budget ranges and creative direction.
  4. Booking: A contract and retainer secure your date.
  5. Design & Planning: Collaborative, transparent, and always guest-focused.

Start Your Enquiry

With love,

Krysta x

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