Coupeville Florist
A couple of months ago, as I was recovering from surgery, I received a bouquet from one of my out-of-state siblings who had ordered an FTD arrangement from a local florist. It was the most beautiful arrangement I had every received - I couldn't believe my eyes! The seasonal Autumn flowers were intermingled with roses in shades of oranges and yellows and they were arranged so that the entire bouquet seemed to be more like a tightly sculpted topiary. It was obvious that this FTD order was handcrafted with care and expertise.
I was so impressed that I asked my husband to stop by Coupeville Florist a few weeks later when we were in town. Marina was delightful! She has a passion about her work that overflows in abundance as she talks about her shop, her arrangements, and her clients. The shop can be a bit messy because "This is my workshop", even though her husband sometimes wishes she would confine her craft to the back room. However, as I look upon a couple of the arrangements in-work, I could easily tell that creativity and quality were her priorities.
Marina and her family have lived on Whidbey Island for 16 years and she has owned Coupeville Florist for 15 years. Prior to moving to the Island, Marina lived in Rochester, Michigan. She said that, "Getting a business started was easy for me with the help of my husband, when we fell in love with Whidbey Island".
Photo of arrangement after one week
Marina has been a florist for 25 years. As a Master Floral Designer, Marina taught floral design to Michigan State patients with disabilities, although she had been teaching floral design in California previously.
When I asked Marina about her passion and philosophy she replied "Every one of my floral arrangements is created and made with the recipient in mind. Flowers are for someone special, so that makes the recipient special to me."
"Every floral arrangement has been created by me. I don't shy away from any design and I'm always up for a challenge. I tell my brides or event coordinators that any design you see in a magazine, I can create as long as the flowers are available of course."
Marina's future plans for Coupeville Florist? "Keep creating day after day and never lose sight of my customers."
Marina and her family live in Coupeville. "Living in Coupeville has been a wonderful experience. Most of my customers are retired and they are very sweet and understanding. Like family, I know their likes and dislikes. It's been heart breaking to lose some of them through the years because they are like family. The new customers I meet keep coming back and after a while they will call and say, 'make me something beautiful' and they always love what I create for them."
"Weddings and other special events are so fun and special. I have a chance to create something spectacular for their special day, especially when the venue is in a gorgeous location on Whidbey Island!"
Marina feels that she should stop and take more photos of her work, but she gets so involved in creating the perfect piece that taking pictures is not on her mind. Some of her brides do send pictures of their wedding and Marina realizes that her creations were perfect when she sees them holding the arrangements she made for them and the smiles on their faces just makes it all complete.
"I would never leave Whidbey Island… with my husband of 30 years by my side, my four children and my five beautiful grandchildren, and of course, my flower shop."
Marina teaches floral design here as well. "I just love to tell everyone before I start a design class, 'Yes, I'm that good of a designer', which always breaks the ice and makes it more fun."
You can find some of Marina’s creations on her Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/coupevilleflorist1/photos
Marina Villarreal, Master Floral Designer
Coupeville Florist
7 South Main Street - Unit A
Coupeville WA
(360) 678-8010