Life & Work with Allison Prather of Littleton

Today we’d like to introduce you to Allison Prather.

Hi Allison, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I always knew I’d want to end up in a creative field for my career – entertaining the avenues of interior design, wedding planning, becoming an art teacher, and more over the years! I began in the floral industry by immersing myself in a brief internship that sparked a love for weddings specifically. After a few years spent at a local retail flower shop and gaining experience in every area the flower field could take me, I kept finding myself drawn to special event work. I moved my way up from delivery driver, learned design basics and customer service, and gradually climbed – hitting the ceiling by being trusted with weddings and events from consult to completion.

After my first full-service wedding client (shoutout Abby – still such a supportive client to this day!) I was hooked. Many nights after work, I found myself investing hours into learning about more mechanics, new techniques for large-scale installs, more sustainable design approaches, and all of the niche terminology and language in the flower world. I couldn’t get enough of it!

I began this joyful journey in the summer of 2019 and launched my business in September of 2024. My husband, Jason, and I were fully prepared knowing it may be months before I’d book clients or bring in any income. That was SO far from the truth – and it blows me away! I quickly booked some last-minute 2024 brides, took on a few cheery holiday events, had a wildly successful 2025, and currently have 17 bookings for 2026 (as of October 2025!). Just this past week, I received my first 2027 inquiry and am currently conducting interviews to continue forming a stellar freelance team for the upcoming wedding season. I didn’t imagine myself to be at this point so quickly, yet my constant feeling is amazement and gratitude at the wonderful clients I’ve attracted and the immense support from family, friends old and new, + wedding industry connections!

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
One of the biggest factors that weighed into starting my own business was the ability to prioritize my physical health. I have a condition called POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome) that impacts just about every avenue of my life. After a while, I found it was unsustainable for my health to work a regular schedule in a high-traffic retail floral shop. Once I began taking on weddings, my health was only further in jeopardy adding more physical strain to my routines. I knew something needed to shift quick as I felt my body suffering the consequences.

POTS is a condition that essentially urges my heart to work 3x harder than average when standing. As you can imagine, that’s pretty non-negotiable as a florist. I also have to be mindful of how much physical exertion I allow myself to do, as POTS causes exercise intolerance… along with heat intolerance. It makes for some pretty unique challenges as I manage working conditions. You won’t find me doing ceiling installs as having my hands above my heart for prolonged periods only makes my heart work even harder. I live many days with chronic invisible pain that is unseen. Often, my symptoms are unpredictable – waking up with my body aching to the touch, I bruise easily, I suffer from brain fog, and my heart rate levels are all over the place.

I have such a passion for what I do, and now I can honor my health and my work simultaneously. It’s so funny to think I ended up in such a labor-intensive field. However, running my own business has now opened the door to care for my health in a transformational way. I can pace myself by creating structures and schedules I know honor my body’s needs and be selective in the capacity and quantity of events I take on. My body has been SO incredibly grateful for this positive shift and it shows!

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I have quickly settled into the niche of wedding and event design. I launched my business knowing it’s where I wanted to land, but not sure how long it may take to get to a point of relying on it as the pillar of my business. Here I am just a year into this with weddings taking up most of my commitments! I also offer everyday deliveries and private workshops, both avenues I love! I’ll always have a sweet spot for everyday work – designing for a birthday or even a surprise arrangement dropped at someone’s door will never get old to me. I also love teaching workshops and intimate classes, spreading my knowledge and love for all things flowers!

Ask anyone I know and they’d tell you I am detail-oriented like no other. My spreadsheets, systems, and processes are refined so that no detail goes unseen. Whether you’re filling out my event inquiry form, sitting down with me for a consult, or watching the Pictured Petals team seamlessly execute the florals for your special day – you’ll see my attention to detail throughout. Meaning all bud vases are spaced out perfectly, not a bloom looks bruised, every item is designed & transported with care, and you get to sit back and enjoy it all with no stress or worry even entering your mind. I’ve heard I’m bubbly, attentive, and detailed in my communication throughout the process – patting myself on the back a little as those descriptions are oh so kind!

Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I think the season of life I chose to take the jump and start my own business was a risk in itself! I crave security and a plan… starting a business fresh has no guarantee of success. My husband and I were recently married with a new mortgage and a young puppy to get adjusted to. Everything lined up and the time felt right! With my husband supporting my seemingly crazy idea, I took the leap and prayed for the best. We slowly stored away some money in preparation that things may be a slow burn. That was so far from reality, and what an absolute blessing it has been to see such flourishing.

Jesus is a cornerstone of my life, and in-turn my business. Starting my own business as a bit of a control freak was a huge exercise in trust that He would provide. And provide He did!

Pricing:

• I have no spending minimums! I love bringing an event to life, no matter the number I’m working with. If you’re a bride on a budget, I offer a transparent pricing guide before we meet to see if Pictured Petals aligns with your budget!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.picturedpetals.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/picturedpetals
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Hcf5yj1cz/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Image Credits
Photos: Meg Cook Film & Photo, Brody Lee Photo, Ele Hart, Gracie Wilson Photography, Jordan Gresham Photography