Bringing your vision to life using seasonal, sustainable flowers

Who We Are

At Flowers by Stem, we see floral design as a physical expression of love, and it's our honor to express our clients' love through flowers. We believe flowers can inspire beautiful moments, and cherish the opportunity to work with people as they plan their special celebrations.

Flowers by Stem owner Stephanie Stopka founded Flowers by Stem in 2005 on the idea that the key to beautiful design is a personal, hand-crafted approach. To this day, Stephanie oversees every design detail, from initial design consultation to plans for final set-up.

Stephanie grew up camping and fishing with her family, instilling a deep love for nature. She brings this love of nature to all of her designs. She is committed to an eco-friendly approach to floral design and is the Vice President of the Green Wedding Alliance, a local organization of environmentally conscious wedding vendors.

Stephanie is continuously inspired by the diverse and beautiful city of Chicago and resides here with her husband and their three beautiful flower girls.

FAQs

We’re passionate about creating innovative, one-of-a-kind floral experiences that are as kind to the planet as they are beautiful. At Flowers by Stem, sustainability is at the heart of everything we do, from selecting local, seasonal blooms to reducing waste at every step. Owner Stephanie Stopka collaborates closely with clients to bring your vision to life using the highest quality, responsibly sourced flowers available. For us, the best part of this business is crafting meaningful moments for life’s biggest events in a way that respects the Earth—it’s an honor and a responsibility we cherish.
For 2025, we will only take two weddings per weekend. This allows us to ensure we are fully present for our clients on their very special day.
Yes! Our clients spend a minimum of $10,000 on florals for weekend full-service wedding and event days for 2026 and beyond. Mid-week events do not have budget minimums.
Yes! We are booking 2025 quickly but still have plenty of dates still available for 2025. We'd love to work with you on this very special day.
We have been in business since 2005! In 2025, we are celebrating our 20th anniversary!
Clients come to Flowers by Stem for bold yet romantic, effortlessly elegant, unique and unforgettable floral design, all achieved through sustainable mechanics and the highest quality, most responsibly sourced flowers. Additionally, we partner with trusted lighting and draping professionals to create a cohesive, all-in-one décor design plan.

At Flowers by Stem, we believe seamless event design starts with collaboration. That’s why we partner with trusted lighting and draping professionals to create a cohesive, all-in-one décor design plan tailored to your vision. By working hand-in-hand with other experts, we ensure every detail—florals, lighting, and draping—flows beautifully together for an unforgettable event.

“Stephanie has a real warm and genuine personality that transfers into her work…On the day of, I was blown away by how lush and gorgeous the bridal and bridesmaids’ bouquets were. The arrangements…were like visual candy for our guests’ eyes when the reception space was revealed…It's those caring little details that make her extraordinary at what she does.”

- Rena L

Our Process

What Happens Now?

We've got you! We will work in phases to help keep us on track and allow you to enjoy the process without getting overwhelmed!

Our process begins with a planning meeting, where we get to know you, your style, and your wedding aspirations. We'll discuss your preferences, color palette, and any specific floral elements you have in mind. This initial meeting helps us understand your vision and allows us to tailor our services to meet your expectations. We partner with trusted lighting and draping professionals to create a cohesive, all-in-one décor design plan.
Following the planning meeting, we will curate a personalized design plan recommendation based on our discussions. This plan will encompass a detailed overview of the floral arrangements, installations, and decor elements that align with your vision. We'll present this design plan to you, ensuring that it captures the essence of your dream wedding.
We believe in collaboration, which is why we work closely with you to refine the design plan and make any necessary adjustments. Once the design plan is finalized and meets your expectations, we proceed to secure our services through a contract and a deposit. Throughout the planning process, we encourage you to keep us updated on any changes or developments related to your wedding plans. This open line of communication helps us stay in sync with your evolving vision. Approximately 1.5 to 2 months before your event date, we will reconnect to finalize the remaining details.
As the big day approaches, our dedicated team will meticulously prepare for your wedding. Three to five days prior to the event, all the flowers will arrive, ensuring their freshness and quality. Our skilled design team will then spend the next one to three days crafting exquisite floral arrangements, paying careful attention to every detail.
Finally, the long-awaited day arrives! With our ample preparation and expertise, Flowers by Stem will flawlessly execute the set-up of the floral designs, creating an enchanting atmosphere for you and your guests to enjoy.