Based in Brooklyn, NYC Litchfield County in Connecticut, Justin Reis Designs is an event and floral design studio that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Justin tries to inject a bit of humor into every event that he works on, blending his taste with his client’s inspiration for something that feels totally fresh every time. As a studio team, Justin Reis Designs like to spend time geeking out over the little details and figuring out how they can become a part of the bigger story.
What would you like couples to know about your business?
First and foremost, we like to have a lot of fun. I’m someone who gets bored easily so I’m a big believer in having a wide range of references and inspirations for every event. Diana Vreeland once said that too much good taste can be boring. That really rings true to me. As a studio, we love excellence, and we love beautiful things, but we love to mess it up a little bit and celebrate the idiosyncrasies that make something unique.
On the more technical front, the majority of my business is with fashion and lifestyle brand clients, so when I take on wedding clients I’m looking for couples who really have a unique perspective or vision that they are looking for help in bringing to life.
Where are your studios located?
We have a studio in Brooklyn and a studio in Litchfield County in Connecticut.
Do you travel for weddings?
Yes! We travel domestically and internationally for weddings and events.
What is your dream work destination?
Anywhere that I can forage and have enough material to design at least half the event with. Bonus points for chickens wandering around.
How would you describe your style?
Abundant, a little wild, joyful.
Tell us about your favourite design/installation!
Oh man this is a tough one! This year, Cartier celebrated the 100th anniversary of their Trinity collection. I worked with them to design an incredible dinner at Hotel Chelsea. The tablescape was anchored by overflowing bowls of poppies running down the center, inspired by Martha Stewart’s first book cover. We mixed in super slim pillar candles and table details in mixed metals to nod to the Trinity collection—it was a really special one!
What are your favourite flowers to work with?
This changes by the week. Right now, I’m really anxious to get my hands on some early spring stunners like Fritillaria.
Where do you source your flowers?
I source the majority of my flowers from the market in NYC. I’m excited to get back to growing some of my own. Once upon a time, I had a great cutting field at my home in Northeastern CT. I’ve just relocated to a new place in Litchfield County and I’m looking forward to getting the gardens up and running.
Tell us about a career highlight!
Hands down meeting Martha and getting to work with her to design a dinner for her at her home in New York. Getting to wander her property and cut from her peony garden for blooms to arrange with was an absolute dream come true.
What is a favourite product or service that you offer and why?
I really love when we can work with couples to explore more design details beyond just flowers. Sometimes that means produce and other organic materials, sometimes it means the entire tablescape, and sometimes it means the entire wedding design, including bride and groom air dancers like we did for Molly & Pat. Those larger creative partnerships always unlock some really fun details!
What inspires you?
It’s a wild assortment! Everything from surrealist paintings to Deeda Blair to the landscapes of Miranda Brooks to Italian Renaissance sculpture. I tend to find a person or a style or time period with a strong vision or perspective and fall down the rabbit hole and obsess over that thing for a period of time.
Who is your dream client?
Anyone who wants to do something a little different, and a little against the grain, whatever that might mean for them.
What is your advice to couples getting married?
Focus on what the two of you love, and what the two of you are drawn to. Be honest with your feedback to partners. We love clear and honest feedback—it brings out our best work.
Justin Reis Designs
Website: justinreisdesigns.com
Instagram: @justin_reis