Hi, I’m Jen

I’m the sole owner (and often the sole operator) of The Local Petaler, which just celebrated it’s fifth birthday!

Floral design wasn’t always my intended career. Actually, I have a background in fine art, film/tv production, and comedy writing... so it totally makes sense that I started a floral design business, right?!

Turns out it's a perfect marriage (intentional pun) of my artistic skills and business sense! The jokes are just bonus.

Meet my two key team members below!

THE LOCAL PETALER STUDIO
*located in St. Charles, Illinois*

This is our 3rd season at 211 S 3rd St. in St. Charles; a little brick house from the 1850’s with a workshop attached that serves as both a live AND work space. It’s one of the oldest and most unique homes in the area, and even though it’s TINY, it’s been huge for The Local Petaler.

MEET MY MOM

PAM
If you follow us at all on social media, you already know that Pam is really the face of the business. She’s the first person I call when I need a hand, and at this point, she’s helped me set up nearly 100 weddings! “Mama T” is funny, kind, generous, and incredibly supportive. Considering she let me use her garage as a studio for the first 3 years, I definitely couldn’t do what I do without her. Sure she’s sometimes accident prone, breaks the rules at least once at every venue, ignores GPS routes 90% of the time “because there’s definitely a better way,” but she’s always there. And I can’t express how grateful I am, and how much I would love and appreciate her always.

MEET OUR SHOP DOG

OWEN
If you ever stop by the studio, you’ll get to meet our “shop dog,” Owen! He’s my little 5-pound protector, who might bark at you at first, but guaranteed his bark is worse than his bite… Because at nearly 14 years old, he’s a little lacking in the tooth department.

Petaler Pick Me Ups - Donating Wedding Flowers - The Local Petaler

PETALER PICK-ME-UPS

Not sure what to do with your flowers after your wedding? We’ve got you covered!

Of course, we want you to take as many flowers home as possible or send them home with your guests! But sometimes logistics get in the way, and you just can’t take them all. Not to worry! We take a lot of pride in our work and also understand what a big investment you made. Hopefully you can take comfort and feel good knowing that your flowers won’t go to waste with our donation program.

If any flowers come back to us at the end of the night and they’re still in good shape, we’ll put together little arrangements to give away to the community. It’s a great way to spark a little joy and brighten someone’s day, and we’re so grateful to our clients for making it possible.

Please let us know if you’re interested in donating your wedding or event florals!

PROUD TO SUPPORT THESE NON-PROFITS IN OUR COMMUNITY

We’re also so fortunate to be able to support several local charities throughout the year.
Giving back and marrying profit and purpose has always been one of our core values. Feel free to contact us to learn how you can get involved too!

Northern Illinois Food Bank - The Local Petaler.png

Living Well Cancer Center - The Local Petaler.png

It's All About The Paws - The Local Petaler.png

Fox Valley Food For Health - The Local Petaler.png

Anderson Animal Shelter - The Local Petaler.png

Random Acts Matter - The Local Petaler.png

Big Hearts Fox Valley - The Local Petaler.png

American Red Cross - The Local Petaler.png

Geneva Community Chest - The Local Petaler.png

CASA Kane County - The Local Petaler.png

THE LOCAL PETALER’S BEGINNING

The Story Goes...

My grandparents, Pat and Bill (or as they called each other, Patsy and Willie) were together for 70 years! And in my opinion, perfectly complimented one another.

Unfortunately, my grandma fought a long battle with congestive heart failure, which ultimately led to kidney failure... On her death bed, my dad, her former son-in-law, came over to say his goodbyes, and jokingly said, “Well I would have brought you flowers, but I know you hate them.” To which my dear, sweet grandmother said, “Oh, I don’t hate flowers! Just no one has ever brought me any.”

Long story short, The Local Petaler was born. And though it’s in large part to pay homage to my grandmother (and make up for all of the lost flowers), it wouldn’t be right without including my grandfather too. (I highly suspect he’s the one that spread the “Pat hates flowers rumor,” so that he didn’t have to bring her flowers all the time. Also I think my grandma was aware and went along with it... probably because he had allergies and she didn’t want him to be sick... ugh, love.) They weren’t complete without each other. So it wasn’t surprising that not long after my grandma passed, my grandfather did as well. Such is life.

I’d like to think I put a little bit of both of them into making my business whole. I even tried to represent them in my logo: a daisy for Grandma; sweet, simple and classically beautiful, full of joy and effort and energy. And a thistle for Grandpa; charming and unique, reliable, and a bit prickly... er, I mean... with a bit of an edge...