Today we’d like to introduce you to Savannah Wichman.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Mountain Mama Florals really began long before it was a business. I grew up spending time on my grandmother’s farm in West Virginia, where she taught me to appreciate color, texture, and creativity through gardening, painting, baking, and even local flower shows. Those early experiences, wandering the property together, pulling blooms from the soil, and making something beautiful out of them, shaped the way I see flowers, even if I didn’t realize it at the time.
Professionally, I took a different path and spent years working in high-end country club management. I was immersed in the world of weddings and events, fine linens, thoughtful details, and guest experiences, and I learned how much intention goes into making people feel truly cared for. That background deeply influences how I run my business today.
During the COVID quarantine, everything shifted. In a quiet, unexpected moment, I realized floral design was what I wanted to pursue. I committed fully, studying, practicing, sourcing flowers, and taking on early projects wherever I could. Mountain Mama Florals grew organically from there, rooted in artistry, hard work, and a people-first mindset.
Today, serving the Baltimore and Washington D.C. region, Mountain Mama Florals specializes in romantic, garden-inspired wedding florals. Every arrangement is designed to feel personal and intentional, with the goal of making each couple feel seen, celebrated, and supported from start to finish.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road; like many wedding and event professionals, I’ve had to navigate both the visible and invisible challenges of this industry. Seasonality has been a big one. Weddings are wonderfully busy for part of the year, but the off-season can be slow and stressful, especially when you’re running a small business and momentum suddenly pauses.
At the same time, as Mountain Mama Florals grew, most of my work became very high-level and production-heavy. While I loved creating large-scale designs, I found myself missing the hands-on, creative moments that first drew me to flowers: the slower, more intimate process of actually arranging and connecting through the work.
That tension led me to create The Wild Petal Society, a pop-up floral design workshop concept centered around community, relaxation, creativity, and social connection. Hosted at local venues, these workshops invite people to gather, unplug, work with their hands, and create something beautiful in a welcoming, low-pressure environment. It’s less about perfection and more about presence; flowers as a way to slow down, meet new people, and enjoy the experience together.
At the same time, I was also grappling with broader changes in the wedding industry. Rising costs driven by inflation, supply chain disruptions, and tariffs made it harder for some couples to access florals at all. That pushed me to rethink my offerings and introduce micro wedding packages, allowing me to serve more couples without compromising thoughtful design. That shift, paired with the creation of The Wild Petal Society, helped me reconnect with the “why” behind my work.
Each challenge has required adaptation, but ultimately those moments of friction have shaped a business that’s more inclusive, more creative, and more aligned with my values than ever before.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
At its core, my work is about creating meaningful experiences through flowers, whether that’s on a wedding day or around a shared table with strangers who leave as friends.
Mountain Mama Florals is my wedding and event floral design studio, based in Edgewater, MD and serving the DC and Baltimore region. We specialize in romantic, garden-inspired florals that feel natural, artful, and deeply personal. I’m known for a flexible, collaborative approach and for designing florals that reflect each couple’s story rather than following trends or formulas. What sets Mountain Mama Florals apart is the balance of beauty and care,not just how the flowers look, but how the entire experience feels. I want couples to feel supported, seen, and genuinely taken care of from the first conversation to the final installation.
The Wild Petal Society is a different expression of that same philosophy. It’s a pop-up floral design workshop created to bring people together through creativity, relaxation, and community. Hosted at local venues like restaurants, bars, and breweries, these workshops invite participants to slow down, work with their hands, and enjoy a social, welcoming environment, no experience required. They’re intentionally approachable and joy-forward, blending floral design with connection, conversation, and a little bit of magic. It’s flowers as a shared experience, not just a finished product.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud of building two offerings that serve different needs while staying rooted in the same values: artistry, accessibility, and putting people first. Whether someone is planning a wedding, hosting a small celebration, or simply looking for a creative night out, my goal is the same: to make people feel celebrated and surrounded by something beautiful.
What I want readers to know is that flowers don’t have to feel intimidating or out of reach. There’s room for beauty at every scale, and I’m passionate about creating space for all kinds of love stories, gatherings, and creative moments, big and small.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
I hear all the time that networking and getting a mentor are so expensive, and this absolutely baffles me. Human connection is free, and most people want to help and connect. Search your local Facebook groups, attend your college alumni gatherings, or check out the Small Business Administration (SBA)’s SCORE program (free mentorship!). You can even simply send an email or DM to someone you admire and ask them to get coffee and discuss your topic. People love talking about themselves, and if you show interest and engage, they’re likely to do so with you in return. Next thing you know, you’ve added someone to your network! Want to take it a step further and ask them to be your mentor? Truly just do that. Let them know that you find them inspiring and ask if they would be comfortable giving you advice here and there. You will continue to grow within your field of interest, as a communicator, and as someone that others want to network with as well.
Pricing:
- The Wild Petal Society classes are $95-155
- Micro Wedding Packages start at $500
- Full Service Weddings start at $3000
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mountainmamaflorals.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mtnmamaflorals and https://www.instagram.com/wildpetalsociety
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mtnmamaflorals and https://www.facebook.com/wildpetalsociety
- Other: https://www.thewildpetalsociety.com
Image Credits
Samai Studios (headshot); Steady and Sway; JB Elliott Photography; David Rai Photography; Rise and Roam Photography; Kaytlyn Rei Photography; Nadine Parra
