🌸 A Big Opportunity for Our Little Flower Shop
If you’ve ever seen us bustling around The Little Flower Shop on the Square, you know our motto: no event is too small for heart, and no event is too big for hustle.
Well, the 2025 Tennessee Governor’s Conference put that motto to the ultimate test — and we couldn’t be prouder of how our small but mighty Murfreesboro shop rose to the occasion.
It all started with a phone call — the kind that makes your morning coffee go cold because your heart’s already racing.
We’d been selected as the official floral provider for the Governor’s Conference — a two-day event at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Murfreesboro, hosting more than 800 attendees, including Governor Bill Lee, state leaders, business owners, and even a surprise guest appearance by Tennessee’s own Nate Bargatze.
The moment we hung up, we all looked at each other and said the same thing:
“Okay ladies, it’s go time.”
🌷 Planning the Perfect Bloom
When it comes to events of this scale, the magic is in the planning — and planning began immediately.
Our mission: to create 90 elegant, cohesive centerpieces that would reflect the sophistication, theme, and colors of the conference, highlight Tennessee’s natural beauty, and bring warmth and freshness to every table.
We started sketching and brainstorming design concepts that would blend southern charm with modern elegance. The palette leaned into creamy whites, soft greens, and cheerful yellows, perfectly complementing both the conference theme and the Embassy Suites’ ballroom décor.
We wanted each table to feel like a reflection of the state itself — vibrant, welcoming, and full of life.
That meant using a combination of white daisies, yellow cremones, blue and green hydrangeas, mini pittosporum, and yellow lilies, all accented with salal leaves for just the right amount of texture.
Each arrangement was designed in a 9-inch round glass cylinder, a timeless base that let the blooms take center stage while adding a clean, polished look to every table.
Then came the whirlwind: ordering, prepping, and processing hundreds upon hundreds of stems. Our walk-in cooler looked more like a mini botanical garden than a shop fridge. And through it all, we kept our humor close at hand.
“Who needs sleep when you’ve got flowers and caffeine?” quickly became our unofficial team slogan.
🌼 Design Days and Long Nights
As the shipments arrived, Veda’s Flowers transformed into a full-scale production studio. Every surface was covered in blooms, buckets, vases, ribbon, and a healthy dose of creative energy.
We divided and conquered: Rhonda handled logistics and scheduling, Kim managed orders and supplies, and Mindy — our master designer — orchestrated the artistic vision with her signature blend of precision and creativity.
Each arrangement had to be consistent but still feel alive. We didn’t want factory-perfect — we wanted florist-perfect. That meant balancing uniformity with natural movement, giving each piece personality while keeping the collection cohesive.
There’s a rhythm to large-scale event design — part choreography, part beautiful chaos. You work to music, laugh through exhaustion, dodge extension cords, and pray that your lilies open just enough by morning.
By the time the last centerpiece was finished, we felt like marathon runners crossing the floral finish line — tired but triumphant, surrounded by the sweet scent of success (and hydrangeas).
🚚 The U-Haul, the Early Morning, and the Big Delivery
Delivery day arrived before dawn — literally.
Our alarms went off at 3:30 a.m., and the first words anyone muttered were, “Where’s the coffee?”
With 90 centerpieces to deliver and perfection on the line, we rented a U-Haul for the big transport and recruited husband Brian as our official driver, lifter, and steady-handed hero.
Murfreesboro was still dark and quiet as we carefully loaded each arrangement, padding and securing them like precious cargo.
Every stoplight felt like a small adventure — a careful dance between art and gravity. These weren’t just flowers; they were a reflection of our little shop, our city, and the pride we pour into every petal.
When we arrived at Embassy Suites, the conference setup was already buzzing. Crews adjusted lights, tested microphones, and rolled out table linens. And in we came — a small team of flower fanatics with carts full of color.
One by one, we placed each centerpiece, adjusting angles, checking height balance, and ensuring every bloom was fluffed to perfection. The ballroom slowly came alive — elegant, bright, and ready for the spotlight.
When we finally stepped back, there was a hush — a quiet, satisfied moment of pride.
A small-town flower shop had just set the stage for one of Tennessee’s biggest conferences.
💧 The Secret Ingredient: Maintenance and Perfection
Most people think the job ends once the flowers are delivered — but not for Veda’s Flowers.
For a two-day event, floral maintenance is everything. We returned early the next morning (yes, coffee in hand again) to inspect every single arrangement.
Each vase received fresh water, a stem trim if needed, and a petal refresh to ensure they looked as full and vibrant as Day One. Mindy always says, “A good florist doesn’t just drop off flowers — she babysits them.” And that’s exactly what we did.
We quietly moved through the ballroom between sessions, adjusting placement, fluffing petals, and refreshing as needed so everything stayed camera-ready. When the lights came up for Governor Lee’s keynote and the media rolled in, every arrangement sparkled just as it had on delivery day.
🎉 Moments to Remember
The conference itself was truly inspiring — Governor Bill Lee’s keynote, the breakout sessions full of big ideas for Tennessee’s future, and laughter echoing through the room when Nate Bargatze made his surprise appearance.
But for us, the real joy came when attendees first entered the ballroom. Watching people pause, look around, and smile made all those sleepless nights worth it. Flowers have a way of setting a tone — creating connection and calm before the conversations even begin.
Our phones buzzed all weekend with emails, texts, and social media messages from people at the event, sharing how much they loved the arrangements.
It was heartwarming and humbling all at once. Because for us, it’s never just about flowers — it’s about how they make people feel.
🌺 Reflections from the Team
Rhonda:
“When we started this shop, I never imagined we’d be designing for a statewide conference with 800 people. But here we are! It’s proof that hard work, community love, and attention to detail can take you anywhere — even to the Governor’s table.”
Kim:
“I’ll never forget that moment when the ballroom lights came up and all 90 centerpieces glowed under the chandeliers. It was magical — the kind of moment that makes every late night and early morning completely worth it.”
Mindy:
“For me, it’s about the artistry. Flowers speak a universal language, and this event gave us the chance to show what Murfreesboro talent can do. I wanted every arrangement to feel alive — and it did. I couldn’t be prouder.”
🌹 Gratitude from the Square
We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to Lyndi Berrones, Assistant Commissioner of Strategic Initiatives, and the entire Governor’s Conference planning team for trusting us with this incredible opportunity.
To be chosen as the official florist provider for such a prestigious event was truly an honor — one we’ll never forget.
A special thank you goes out to our staff, helpers, and the Murfreesboro community who constantly cheer us on. Whether you stop by for a single rose or follow along on our social media adventures, you’re part of our story. Every success we celebrate belongs just as much to all of you.
Moments like this remind us why we do what we do — because flowers bring people together, spark connection, and spread joy. And when we get to share that joy on such a big stage, we feel like the luckiest little flower shop in Tennessee.
We are thinking that we need some more hot coffee
🌻 What’s Next for Veda’s
Now that the Governor’s Conference is officially “in the books,” we’re back at our cozy corner on the Murfreesboro Square, creating beautiful arrangements for birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, and the upcoming holiday season.
But don’t be surprised if you see us grinning a little wider this week. After all, once you’ve filled a ballroom for 800 guests, even the smallest bouquet feels like part of something bigger.
So here’s to our next big adventure, our next early morning, and every flower that reminds us dreams really do bloom in the most unexpected places.
Veda’s Flowers & Gifts
The Little Flower Shop on the Square
Murfreesboro, Tennessee
#flowershoplife #GovCon25 #Murfreesboro #VedasFlowers #TNECD #SmallBusinessPride #WomenInBusiness #FlowerPower
