If you’re searching for a River Valley wedding florist who brings Arkansas weddings to life, 902 Blossom House in Fort Smith is a must-meet. First off, I want to say that Emily is "one of the hardest working people I’ve ever had the privilege of working with." The very first time we worked together was a wedding for over 200 guests at the Marshalls Museum in Fort Smith, Arkansas... on one of the hottest June days I can remember, with the AC barely keeping up. Justin from Amoureux Events + Florals had assigned Emily and me to work the event together, having never met before, as he was away at a family wedding that weekend. The day before, he and Emily had created all the bouquets for the wedding. On the wedding day, Emily and I set up every place setting and filled the room with her "gorgeous, airy bouquets on tall glass vases." When the family decided to move the entire wedding indoors last minute because of the heat, "Emily kept her cool. She was kind, considerate, and calm with every single person." That day, we struck a bond that’s kept us working together ever since, and I’m so excited to share her story and her business with you!Â
In this blog: Meet Emily Xiong, the creative force behind 902 Blossom House, one of the River Valley’s most sought-after wedding florists. With a reputation for “gorgeous, airy bouquets” and a collaborative, client-centered approach, Emily brings weddings to life with her signature organic style and genuine warmth. As a Fort Smith-based wedding planner, I’m thrilled to spotlight Emily’s floral artistry, share real stories from our events together, and deliver practical tips for couples searching for the perfect local florist in Arkansas.Â
Emily’s story is as organic as her floral designs. She says, "I worked in the wedding industry for a while, honestly because I was doing hair, makeup, really long time." Eventually, she found her true passion in floral artistry and started 902 Blossom House. Emily’s love for weddings shines in every bouquet and centerpiece she creates, and she especially enjoys connecting with couples: "I love seeing their vision, their pictures, and then being able to put it together and really just finding out about who they are."Â
What sets Emily apart? Her floral style is natural, airy, and joyful. It's perfect for couples who want their wedding flowers to feel fresh, organic, and full of movement. Emily describes her style as "organic," and says, "I think that's how I would describe my style…airy…it’s light, it’s joyful, it’s perfect for weddings." She draws inspiration from nature and loves incorporating local flowers and greenery, often sourced from farmers’ markets or local growers like Annie’s Garden Blooms. Her favorite projects have included whimsical bouquets, draping installations, and mossy, garden-inspired tablescapes: "We bought these bird cages, and we filled them with moss and very light flowers…we put moss all over the table, and it was just gorgeous."
Emily offers everything from bouquets and boutonnieres to arches, arbors, centerpieces, sweetheart tables, and custom installations. She’s known for her stunning bouquets such as weddings, Mother’s Day, or a special occasion. "Everyone likes to order, when they order, it's usually a bouquet," she notes. Emily also has a collection of high-quality artificial flowers for couples who want long-lasting keepsakes or have specific floral needs: "Usually, I just try to pick the most realistic looking ones, you know, and then I'll work with that."Â
Emily’s process is all about collaboration and personalization. "I talk to them as much as they want to talk to me," she says. "If they want to talk every week, we'll talk every week." She starts by getting to know you... your vision, your story, your favorite colors, and the little details that make your relationship unique. "I usually ask them, like, what flowers you like, or like, what pieces…just tell me everything you know." From there, she creates a custom quote and works closely with you to adjust designs and pricing as needed. Her communication is warm and flexible. She’s always open to texts, calls, or DMs: "Call or text? Okay, yes, call or text. I'm not really good with my email."
Emily partners with venues and coordinators to make setup and teardown seamless. She offers vase rentals and will coordinate pickup or returns with you or your venue, just let her know your plans. If the flowers you want aren’t in season, Emily will suggest beautiful alternatives (and even offer a discount if needed. She’s all about making sure you’re happy!): “If it does seem like it’s bothering them a lot, I can deduction if I have to…because I don’t want you to feel uncomfortable that we have to switch your flowers.”
As a planner, I’ve seen firsthand how Emily’s presence can completely transform a wedding day, not just with her beautiful flowers, but with her calm, can-do attitude and genuine care for everyone she meets. She’s the kind of vendor who shows up early, stays late, and never hesitates to pitch in wherever needed. I’ve watched her quietly help with setup, offer a reassuring word to a nervous bride, and even help solve last-minute logistical challenges with a smile.Â
What I love most about working with Emily is her ability to listen...to couples, to fellow vendors, and to the unique energy of each event. She truly wants every couple to feel seen and celebrated, and it shows in the way she personalizes every detail. Her designs are always fresh and inspired, but it’s her warmth and flexibility that make her a favorite on any vendor team. I trust her completely to deliver not just gorgeous florals, but a stress-free, joyful experience for my couples (and for me as a planner!).Â
If you’re wondering what to budget for floral design, Emily is refreshingly transparent about her pricing. She emphasizes, “These are starting prices, everything depends on what’s in season and what I can get locally.” She loves working with couples to find beautiful options that fit their vision and budget, and she’s always happy to suggest creative alternatives if a requested flower isn’t available.
Emily says, “I’ll ask about your vibe and your must-haves, then I can pull together options that work for you. If something’s out of season or hard to source, I’ll let you know right away and recommend something gorgeous that fits your style.”
I have included her price list for a detailed look at starting prices for bouquets, centerpieces, arbors, and more. Remember, these are just a starting point. Emily works with each couple to customize designs and pricing.
"Don't stress! If you don't know much about flowers, share a few words about your wedding vibe. Is it romantic, moody, gardeny?, "And I can pull up visions for you."
Book a few months in advance: Emily is flexible, especially for non-peak dates: "I'm kind of open, like, just a couple months is okay."Â
Be honest about your floral budget and priorities: Emily can recommend creative ways to maximize your impact, like repurposing ceremony pieces for your reception.Â
Consider local: In-season blooms are your best value and give the freshest look to your wedding flower: "I like using their Lisianthus flowers…there is a local girl here that grows flowers in her backyard…she started eucalyptus last year.".
“I would HIGHLY recommend 902 Blossom House for your next event. They did an amazing job at my wedding. From the altar, to the bouquets, to everything in between, my vision came to life because of them. Thank you again, so, SOOOO much!” — Rachel Lopez, 10/20/25
“I highly recommend 902 Blossom House to everyone for their floral needs. My first purchase was during the Mother’s Day bouquet sale. Emily crafted each of my bouquets beautifully and delivered them on time. Most recently, I ordered for a Summer SoirĂ©e that I was hosting and the theme was summer citrus. Emily exceeded my expectations on the floral design and presented them in the most beautiful vases. She helped bring my vision to life. She was thoughtful throughout the entire process and accommodated my special requests perfectly. She informed me of proper after care to ensure my florals lasted after my party. 100/10 recommend.”— Sorena Lo, 8/27/24Â
“The most whimsical and cute arrangements! I bought three for Mother’s Day and they were beautiful and so carefully packaged. Emily took great lengths to get them to me. Thanks again!” — Shoua Moua, 6/2/24Â
The best way to reach Emily is by call or text: 479-276-4287. You can also check out her latest work (and message her directly) on Facebook or Instagram—she’s happy to send photos and chat about your vision!
You can also follow her on social media for more gorgeous photos and inspiration:
Instagram: Â @902blossomhouseÂ
Facebook: Â @902blossomhouseÂ
Stay tuned for more vendor spotlights. Drop a comment if there’s a local pro you want to see featured next, or share your favorite wedding photo moment! You can also tag a photographer you love.Â
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