Hi, I’m Stephanie.
I started growing zinnias and other cut flowers when I was 7 years old in my parents backyard. My love for plants spurred from there so I attended North Carolina State University where I studied Landscape Architecture, Botany, and received my bachelors degree in Horticultural Science. After receiving my degree, I worked in Chesapeake, Virginia at White’s Nursery and Greenhouse for a year and a half and then as a horticulturist at Old Town Club here in Winston Salem for 10 years.
In conjunction with working at Old Town Club and growing for the market I started designing weddings out of my home studio. After a few years of doing that I decided I wanted to open a retail shop where I could design for events and offer plants and plant related products to the community. That's when the business landed at 816 Burke Street. We were in our space for 7 years before moving down the street to our larger location at 1166 Burke Street. It has been so fun to see how the business has evolved since our beginning in 2009.
It’s always a thrill to discuss a client’s hopes and ideas for their special event and then translate that into something beyond what they expected on the day of their wedding! I enjoy using lots of interesting textures and lush florals in my designs. I have developed a distinct style for myself in the wedding industry.
Outside of work, I have a dog named Molly who you frequently see on our social media page and 3 cats (Harry, Olivia, and Fern) who I rescued several years ago. I love spending time with my niece Zoey - who loves telling people about all the awesome stuff they can find at my flower shop. My husband Garrett and I got married in 2022 and we love visiting coffee shops, checking out estate sales on Sundays when they are 50% off, going to the lake, and hanging out at home.
I would love to connect and learn more about your special event or wedding and how I might help. Please reach out here, and we can discuss your event!
~ Stephanie
A family affair.
My parents have been an integral part of my success in growing flowers for the last 16 years and my Mom - Debbie, is my right hand in the wedding flower business! You will often find her weeding in the garden, making deliveries, organizing, scrubbing buckets, packing the vehicles for wedding setup, cleaning candle holders, taping vases, and handling whatever else needs to be done. It is definitely noticed when she is missing on a production week.
{Pictured here is Stephanie with her mom at the art museum in Raleigh where they did an Art in Bloom installation many years ago when they first started doing these types of events. It was a very special experience.}
Our Winston-Salem history.
Sophisticated Florals began as ‘Karadzhova’s Specialty Cuts’ when Winston Salem’s Cobblestone Farmers Market was originally on the cobblestones by Krankies Coffee in 2009. The greenhouse I worked at straight out of college was chemical-dependent, so I was drawn to do something more sustainable in my own business.
This led me to grow organically in my own flower business, which I began selling during the growing season at the Cobblestone Farmers Market. Cobblestone Farmers Market has been ranked as one of the top farmers markets in the country, focusing on sustainable and organic produce and products. In late 2012, we became known as Sophisticated Florals when we expanded to include floral design for weddings and special events. In 2025 we stepped away from selling at The Cobblestone Farmers Market but we still grow flowers in the garden to use in our design work.
When you work with Sophisticated Florals, you’re working with a small team fueled by bringing natural beauty to your special event or wedding!
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