The Best Botanical Wedding Florists in Steilacoom, WA

Love Letter Floral by Carey Jean

5.0

Starts at $2,500
Serves Steilacoom, WA

Hi, I’m Carey Jean, founder of Love Letter Floral Design and Event Planning. After nearly 30 years designing weddings and a career in project management, I combined my passion and precision to create a family-owned business rooted in timeless romance. Inspired by my own recent wedding and supported by my husband and daughter, I craft florals that feel personal, poetic, and full of heart. From seamless planning to elevated design, I can’t wait to help express your love letter in blooms.

“Carey was wonderful to work with! I had hired her to create a beautiful bouquet and boutonniere for a session with minimal direction and inspiration, yet she NAILED IT. She is very kind, communicative, and flexible. I would absolutely love to work with her again and will be recommending her to my future couples as well.”

Leena M., a month ago

Flora Blume Design

5.0

Serves Steilacoom, WA

I'm Jordan. (Jo. Jojo. Hey you.) I started designing for weddings at 18 and have been in the floral business for 12 years. I enjoy working on flowers while listening to serial killer podcast, all things sugar, and wearing flowers in my hair. My past times include playing dress up with my little girl Scarlett, "running errands" at Home Goods and wandering Target a half hour before the store closes. My style is wild and natural. I love all types of flowers and can design in a variety of styles but loose and bohemian styled bouquets are my favorite.

“She’s an amazing woman and coordinator of many things. We loved her straightforwardness & how she gave us multiple options depending on what may or may not be around once our special day was finally here. She provided a wonderful experience for our family & friends. Thank you!”

Chris and M., 3 years ago

“I was absolutely thrilled with my wedding flowers. Even with a modest budget, the arrangements looked as though we had spent far more. She truly took the time to understand my vision and personal style, and it showed in every detail. Communication was seamless, the entire process was stress-free, and everything went perfectly on the wedding day with no surprises. I highly recommend Sparrow and would gladly work with them again for future events.”

Sparrow Ministry Floral

5.0

Starts at $2,000
Serves Steilacoom, WA

Sparrow Ministry started with my father-in-law. His vision of using his boat, Fellowship, for people to gather and worship God. After his passing I took the Sparrow Ministry name and added it to my floral business. I am not a captain, nor can I sail off into the sunset, but I can use my gift to bring your floral vision to life and incorporate details important to you both

Christine C., 3 months ago

Stump Root Farm

5.0

Serves Steilacoom, WA

Stump Root Farm is a small scale vegetable and flower farm specializing in locally grown produce and flowers. We grow all of our flowers from seed right here on our farm. We offer everything from DIY buckets to full service floral design.

“Stump Root Farm was an absolute pleasure to work with for our wedding. From the very first conversation, they were responsive and client-focused, taking the time to understand our vision and budget. The team created a personalized floral package that perfectly matched our style and needs, even adjusting the details to ensure it all came together seamlessly. On the day of the wedding, they executed our vision flawlessly, delivering high-quality arrangements that truly elevated the look and feel of the entire event. We were thrilled with the end result and would highly recommend Stump Root Farm to any couple planning their special day.”

Karlee L., 8 months ago

Something Borrowed Blooms

4.9

Starts at $250
Serves Steilacoom, WA

Thousands of brides across the United States and Canada have trusted Something Borrowed Blooms to provide the perfect flowers for their wedding day. We offer brides the expensive peonies, delicate ranunculus, out-of-season anemones, and the ever-impossible-to-find-magnolia — all at a fraction of the cost.

“The flowers from Something Borrowed Blooms were, above all, gorgeous. They also cost a fraction of getting real flowers from a florist. (As in, several thousands of dollars less for something equally beautiful.) The flowers got many compliments and everyone was shocked they weren't real! The centerpiece and bouquets in the attached photos are from the Wren collection. The customer service at Something Borrowed Blooms is also highly responsive and helpful. Getting your wedding flowers from Something Borrowed Blooms is one of the best planning decisions you'll make: the blooms are high quality and easy to use, plus MUCH friendlier for your wallet and the environment.”

Cristina M., 7 months ago

“I recently had the pleasure of working with The Faux Bouquets for my wedding and couldn't be happier with their service. Their communication through email was great - they were fast, reliable, and very helpful in answering all of my questions. The faux flowers they provided looked and photographed just as if they were real, and the final product was stunning. I would highly recommend The Faux Bouquets to any couple looking for beautiful, high-quality floral arrangements for their wedding.”

The Faux Bouquets

5.0

Starts at $175
Serves Steilacoom, WA

Believe it or not, we often have people ask if our pictures throughout our website are showing a mix of fresh and faux and…no they aren’t! Although fresh florals are pretty, we are totally in love with poser-blooms all the way here and that’s what we design 100% of our orders with.

LaShawn Garay R., a year ago

“Farmhouse Box and Bloom was a great choice for the florals at our wedding. Kim was always available via email, but needed to be reminded a few times of what was discussed. However, the arrangements they created were beautiful, locally sourced, and even better than I could have imagined. They really contributed to my overall wedding vision, and the use of locally sourced flowers aligned perfectly with the sustainability we were working towards. There were a few hiccups, like the flower girl petals being forgotten and differing expectations regarding set up, but Kim worked closely with our planner to ensure everything was resolved and in place for the ceremony and reception. Overall, I was very pleased with the quality and value of Farmhouse Box and Bloom's work, and would recommend them to any couple planning their wedding.”

Farmhouse Box and Bloom

5.0

Serves Steilacoom, WA
Offer

Hi I am Kim - owner and lead designer. Having launched the studio after numerous years in the corporate world - I couldn’t be happier to now be living my passion to impact the lives of others with flowers. I own a locally based floral studio in Snohomish County - servicing Washington state and beyond. We are excited to work with you to create high texture/unique custom flower arrangements. Our promise is to take the time to understand your preferred flower style and budget in order to create one of a kind floral design that will delight in every way.

Parker H., 5 months ago

Bloom Culture: Do-it-yourself Wedding Flowers

4.9

Serves Steilacoom, WA

Bloom Culture helps couples DIY their wedding flowers with confidence — even if you’ve never arranged flowers before. We ship wholesale flowers to your door and provide a full plan that shows you what to order, how much you need, and how to put everything together. You’ll know exactly how many stems go into each bouquet, centerpiece, boutonniere — and how to assemble them step-by-step. Choose one of our DIY flower kits or get a custom plan based on your colors, style, and budget.

“Bloom Culture: Do-it-Yourself Wedding Flowers was an absolute pleasure to work with for our wedding. From the very first inquiry, their communication was prompt, kind, and professional. They answered all of my specific questions with personal responses, making the DIY flower process so easy and stress-free. The quality of their work was consistent, thorough, and truly showed how much they cared about making our day special. We saved so much money going the DIY route with Bloom Culture, and it allowed us to create so many wonderful memories putting the arrangements together with our wedding party. I highly recommend Bloom Culture to any couples looking for a reliable, affordable, and caring florist for their wedding. I wanted to do my own flowers to honor my grandmother who was a florist. She passed a few months before the wedding and I just know she would have absolutely loved it and we got to honor her in this way.”

Madden H., a year ago

Bupp Woodworks & Designs - Flower Preservation

5.0

Serves Steilacoom, WA

We offer professional flower preservation services so you can cherish your wedding bouquet flowers forever! Accepting fresh, dried, and artificial bouquets from across the USA. Offering over 40 different keepsake options for every budget and style including: •ring holders •necklaces •bookmarks •ornaments •jewelry dishes •vanity trays •coasters •candle holders •wine stoppers •pyramids •cubes •gemstones •bookends •large floral blocks •hexagons •arches •wall hangings •wood shadowboxes •large wood serving trays •clear acrylic serving trays •river tables and custom heirloom furniture. Book your spot today!

“I trusted Bupp Woodworks with my wedding bouquet preservation and I’m so glad I did! They were very communicative on how to safely send my bouquet to them and kept me informed of where my flowers were in the process. I genuinely felt they were very respectful of the fact they were handling my irreplaceable keepsake. Everything I received back was so beautiful and will be cherished for a long time!”

Lex T., 9 months ago

“Melissa provided the most beautiful floral arrangements and bouquets for my wedding! I would highly recommend Campanula Design Studio to anybody looking for wedding florals! I had a specific vision for the flowers at my wedding, and Melissa provided exactly what I was picturing but with these little special touches that made it even more beautiful than I could have imagined. When I walked outside to the reception space and saw all of the florals set up, I was in awe at how beautiful it was and how perfectly Melissa had brought this idea to life. For my bouquet I had a much less specific vision; I mostly just wanted some bright flowers to carry down the aisle. Melissa took my incredibly vague requests, along with the info she gleaned about my dress, the location, the whole vibe of the wedding, and my favorite flowers, and with her expertise she created a stunning bouquet that was absolutely perfect for me. I looked at that bouquet all day long and kept noticing these tiny, incredibly thoughtful details that made it so special and perfect for the occasion. It’s so clear how much care and attention to detail was put into creating these arrangements. Melissa was thoughtful and easy to talk to, extremely communicative throughout the whole process, and helped me find the right words to describe what I wanted. I truly can’t express enough how grateful I am to her for creating such beautiful work for my wedding.”

Campanula Design Studio

5.0

Starts at $250
Serves Steilacoom, WA

Hi! I am Melissa, the Founder and Creative Director of Campanula Design Studio. Over the years, working with clients and helping them to express their emotions through flowers taught me to truly appreciate the importance of showing our love and gratitude for one another through the simplest of gestures. A single perfect bloom, small gift, or short note can transform a mood. Combining a love for event planning and hosting celebrations, an eye for design, and a desire to bring people together in meaningful ways, I founded Campanula in 2019.

Leah, a year ago

“We have worked with Meghan twice and having her beautiful florals and tablescapes to complete our photoshoot has been nothing but a dream. She is not only a talented florist but the ultimate hype girl you need at your elopements, weddings, and any event. Meghan really makes the impossible possible. We did a mermaid photoshoot with her and we have never seen anything more creative for a tablescape design. The photoshoot wouldn't be the same without it. She really is one of a kind and is someone you'll want to be best friends with at the end of your event or photoshoot!”

Twisted Bramble

5.0

Starts at $7,000
Serves Steilacoom, WA

Locally grown & seasonal blooms for environmentally conscious floral designs. Having trained in England, my style takes on a luxury, garden style, utilizing lush greenery and the season's best blooms. I love celebrating what nature is offering in the current season and using its natural shape, texture, and color to influence my designs.

Jo and N., a year ago

Anthology On Main | Book Page Flowers

5.0

Starts at $2,500
Serves Steilacoom, WA

Anthology On Main is an alternative paper florist, specializing in flowers handmade from book pages! I handcraft your wedding flowers from the pages of your favorite books, using your favorite flowers (no matter the season) and in your colors that coordinate with your wedding palette. Although my studio is based in Kansas, I ship flowers all over the US. Your flowers will stay beautiful long after your wedding day, with no preservation needed, for meaningful keepsakes that last for decades. Whether you’re planning a full wedding or an intimate elopement, I’ll work with you to bring your vision to life with artistry and meaningful details.

“Katie was amazing to work with! She helped tailor our flowers to keep within our budget, and they came out AMAZING. I'm so happy I get to keep them as an amazing keepsake. Everyone at the wedding was floored that they were paper and not real. And having quotes from our favorite books to look at all day was just a memorable experience.”

Joanna L., 3 months ago

“I was so sure I wanted fresh flowers...until I saw Yellow Firefly’s work in person. I had a hard time wrapping my head around faux florals at first because I assumed they’d look stiff or plasticky. But Jo completely changed my mind. These weren’t just florals, they were works of art. Luxe, full, intentional, and absolutely stunning. The florals were actually the first thing our guests asked about. Multiple people said, “Wait… these aren’t real?!” One friend guessed we spent 30,000 on flowers. My aunt and uncle—who recently helped plan a wedding for their daughter were convinced it was a 60,000 floral budget. We didn’t even come close to that, and we didn’t have to sacrifice anything. Our photos turned out incredible, and the arrangements looked just as perfect at night as they did during the ceremony. I never had to worry about weather, wilting, or the timing of deliveries. Jo had everything set up early, exactly as planned, and the whole process felt effortless on our end. If you're on the fence about faux florals, let me tell you this, they can be even more beautiful than fresh, and Jo at Firefly makes the experience truly magical. We’re so grateful! Thank you Jo!!!”

Yellow Firefly Studio

5.0

Starts at $6,000
Serves Steilacoom, WA

We create premium faux silk floral arrangements for weddings and events -offering the elegance of fresh blooms with lasting beauty. Our designs are handcrafted to elevate your celebration with timeless charm.

Ryan Q., 6 months ago

Blooms And Twine Floral Design

5.0

Starts at $5,000
Serves Steilacoom, WA

Blooms and Twine Floral Design is a luxury sustainable floral design company with a pop-up shop on Lake City Way in Seattle, WA. What we specialize in is creating stunning art in the greenest way possible. Here in the beautiful PNW we have so many options for local blooms and foliage- why not incorporate it into your big day? We use all re-usable and foam-free mechanics to bring your wedding vision to life which means less waste and more creative ways we can create structures and installations. We also value collaboration - one of my favorite things to do as a designer is chat with my couple to create something absolutely unique to them.

“Working with Katie on the floral arrangements for my wedding was such a joy and privilege! From the get-go Katie was prompt, reliable, and easy to work with. She was so patient with me and worked extremely hard to bring my dream floral arrangements to life, while also remaining in the budget that I specified. On the day of the wedding, I was completely blown away by the bridal bouquet, boutonnieres, and floral centerpieces that she created. Katie exceeded my expectations ten fold! Her creations brought tears to my eyes and truly elevated the entire wedding space. I cannot recommend Katie enough!! You will not be disappointed if you hire her!”

Bridget, 5 years ago

“Darling Dahlia Floral was an absolute pleasure to work with for our wedding. From our first call, Charlotte was friendly, easy going and incredibly knowledgeable about all things floral. She listened closely to our vision and provided perfect, elegant and thoughtful recommendations that truly brought our wedding day to life. Charlotte was a rockstar behind the scenes, making sure every floral arrangement, bouquet and boutonniere was exactly where it needed to be at all times. There was a lot of logistics involved, but she and her team managed it all seamlessly without me having to lift a finger. The end result was simply stunning. I would recommend them to any couple looking for an stress-free, high quality floral experience.”

Darling Dahlia Floral

5.0

Starts at $5,000
Serves Steilacoom, WA

Darling Dahlia specializes in weddings and events no matter the size. Offering full-scale event design, delivery, and installation. I collaborate with my clients to create beautiful arrangements that suit their specific atheistic preferences.

Sam R., 6 months ago

“We had such an amazing time working with Nadira Design! They are absolutely amazing, completely understood our vision, and made our floral process easy from start to finish. Every piece they made for us was stunning, and I couldn't recommend them more 3”

Nadira Design

5.0

Starts at $4,000
Serves Steilacoom, WA

Nadira Design is a Seattle-based floral design company owned and operated by Amanda Nadira Bissessar offering creative services for all occasions. From root to bloom, Amanda and her team will walk alongside you to bring your vision to life through innovative and thoughtful design inspired by the seasonal beauty of the verdant Northwest. Understanding what our clients’ find beautiful and interpreting that beauty into custom floral design is at the heart of our process.

Madeline and M., 2 years ago

House Flowers

5.0

Serves Steilacoom, WA

House Flowers is a flower lover's florist. We are passionate about gorgeous sustainably grown flowers that tell the story of a place and time. Our designs are thoughtful and romantic, and a little wild.

“From the moment we started working with House Flowers, we knew we were in excellent hands. Megan, the owner, was incredibly responsive and capable of providing thoughtful suggestions while also truly listening to what we wanted for our wedding. The flowers and plants she created were absolutely stunning - exceeding our expectations in every way. The bouquets, centerpieces, and accents perfectly captured the mood and vibe of our entire wedding, and made our pictures look absolutely gorgeous. What's more, Megan drove out of state to set everything up solo, and included beautiful candles and lush, sustainable plants that added so much life to the space. We were beyond happy with House Flowers' incredible service and the beauty they brought to our special day. Would hire them again... I need another wedding! lol”

Gracie, a month ago

“I worked with Pam for my wedding flowers this past summer. From our initial Facetime call, she was incredibly thoughtful and listened to my love story with my (now) husband and what vibe I was interested in for our wedding day. She was very intentional about weaving in flowers that had meaning to our love story - like adding lavender since we had a special date in a lavender field and adding orchids since we got engaged in Hawaii. I am also not familiar with a lot of different types of flowers and she helped provide suggestions for me to consider to tie everything together seamlessly. I absolutely LOVED my bouquet and all the floral arrangements. She captured everything we discussed so perfectly. She has an artistic eye and ability to make your vision become a reality. She is not only a talented florist, but also an incredibly kind and sweet human being. I can't recommend working with her enough.”

Belle Flower Farm

5.0

Starts at $4,000
Serves Steilacoom, WA

Whether a chapter from the classics created in formal black & white or English Garden Romance novel-let's write your Wedding Floral Story together. This day is yours as a couple and should reflect the chapters you have written leading up to it. Your wedding is a lifetime memory in the making. Your flowers & styling carry you & your guests through your celebration-from welcome table to vows, toasts to dancing into the evening. Creating a Wedding Floral Story, unique to each couple, is our Belle Flower Farm joy. Let's get started!

Melissa M., 4 months ago

“Rachel and Jane are experts at their craft. They are true artists in every sense of the word and turned our grandparents home into a magical wedding wonderland. During the planning process, Rachel and Jane did an amazing job listening to our ideas, taking a few Pinterest pictures, and capturing our “vibe” better than I could have ever described. Not only did Rachel and Jane help us plan florals for one wedding space, but they helped us reimagine a second wedding space when we switched venues and downsized due to COVID-19. All of this was done with the utmost respect for our agreed upon budget. Rachel and Jane went above and beyond to make us feel supported during COVID-19 wedding planning stress, even dropping off a plant and special note to our front doorstep. They also labored over beautiful handmade macrame chandeliers for our reception that we got to keep afterwards. Callarose&Co are more than just florists, they also supplied us with gorgeous peacock chairs for our reception, a beautiful hexagon arch for our ceremony, and other decor items that elevated our overall wedding design. As a former bride, I can understand that carefully selecting a team of vendors feels stressful and overwhelming. If you are looking for a highly skilled florist, I implore you to look no further. They are truly incredible and my husband and I cannot recommend their services enough! We will certainly be reaching out to them in the future for other floral and event needs! Thank you, Rachel and Jane!”

Callarose & Co

5.0

Starts at $6,000
Serves Steilacoom, WA

Callarose & Co. is a wedding and event floral and decor studio focused on romantic, organic and timeless designs. We believe in the beauty of restraint, which will make every detail of your day stand out.

Taylor and B., 5 years ago

Aria Style

5.0

Starts at $5,000
Serves Steilacoom, WA

Aria Style is one of Seattle's most trusted Wedding Florists. We specialize in transforming spaces with imaginative floral designs. Alicia is a fifth generation florist who grew up learning all things floral from her grandma in their family shop. Now the owner of Aria Style, she blends classic floristry with a modern flair. Do you have a wild idea and you don't know where to start? Start here! We can talk you through it.

“Love love working with Aria and all of the decor options. Floral is amazing and working with Alicia is a dream. My go to for everything pretty and huge offerings of cultural and East Indian decor and draping”

Nicole P., 8 months ago

“Always amazing floral arrangements and prompt delivery+setup! Maria is a joy to work with, sweet+friendly+professional!”

Maria Schendzelos Design

5.0

Starts at $3,500
Serves Steilacoom, WA for additional fees

We are a boutique floral design studio located in Northern California/Sacramento. We love to design locally and all across the country! We have a passionate commitment to creating your unforgettable event through floral design. We find the perfect floral selections and color palette and bring your dream to life through our creative expression. Our aesthetic is a classic, elegant and romantic yet modern.

Renee Kam, 5 years ago

“Mary was so wonderful to work with! She was very communicative and understood the vision that I wanted for my big day, which was rustic, romantic, and cozy. The flowers were very unique and high quality. 10/10 recommend!”

Kvetka Flower

5.0

Starts at $1,800
Serves Steilacoom, WA for additional fees
Offer

At Kvetka Flower, we believe wedding flowers should feel like a work of art — a living reflection of your love story. Founded by Mary and her husband after moving from Belarus to Portland in 2023, Kvetka blends European garden traditions, Slavic floral motifs, and nature's beauty into every design. We specialize in natural, garden-style arrangements with soft tones. Think loose bouquets with wildflowers and grasses, whimsical ceremony installations, and centerpieces that look gathered from a secret garden. We work with seasonal blooms, muted palettes, and romantic untamed beauty.

Chanley J., 10 months ago

“Working with Rebecca was the best decision we made for our wedding day. She handled both our florals and planning, and she was absolutely incredible! Her attention to detail was unmatched - she made sure that every element, big and small, was brought to life. The florals were beautiful and she even hand-painted each vase to ensure it was the exact color we were looking for. Beyond her wedding talent, Rebecca genuinely cares for her couples. She supported us every step of the way and made sure we could be fully present and enjoy the day stress-free. We feel so lucky to have worked with her, and we would highly recommend her to anyone looking for a florist or a planner, or both! She is the best!”

Blooms by Becks

5.0

Starts at $5,000
Serves Steilacoom, WA for additional fees
Offer

Blooms by Becks is a premier floral, design, and event planning studio based in Dallas, Texas, specializing in elevated experiences focusing on exquisite detail. Where are you sending us in 2026? AL, CO, NY, TX, and hopefully wherever you choose to say "I do" too!

Gretta W., 11 days ago

Patty O'Rose Designs - Full Service & DIY Floral Packages

5.0

Starts at $500
Serves Steilacoom, WA for additional fees
Offer

We are so excited to work with you in creating floral artwork for your next event. We are a mother-daughter duo based in Pittsburgh, PA with 40+ years combined experience in floral design and 5 years of event management. Whether you are looking for full service florals or planning to DIY your floral designs, we have packages to fit your needs!

“We could not have been more happy with Patty O'Rose Designs. They were super professional, had great ideas, reasonably priced, offered a great product, timely, kind and helpful. All of the bouquets looked amazing and our patrons are still talking about how beautiful the flowers were. Will def use again. Highly recommend!!”

1781 Club, 2 years ago

“For Keeps Floral was an absolute pleasure to work with for our wedding flowers. They were always responsive and communicated with us at each step of the process. Laci was so nice, friendly and helpful in bringing our "Rustic Patriotic" theme to life with their beautiful floral arrangements. The flowers were less expensive than real flowers but looked just as stunning, and they were photographed beautifully. The little care cards and stickers they included for our bridal party were such a thoughtful touch. We couldn't have been happier with the quality and value of For Keeps Floral's work - they truly nailed our theme. We highly recommend them to any couple planning their wedding!”

For Keeps Floral

4.5

Starts at $500
Serves Steilacoom, WA for additional fees

I’ve always had a love for flowers and a passion for creating beautiful things! My love for flowers and weddings started eary, long before I ever held a bouquet of my own. I grew up watching my grandmother work in the floral and wedding industry, and some of my earliest memories are of modeling flower girl dresses at bridal shows, wide-eyed at the beauty and joy all around me. Those experiences left a lasting impression, and it's no surprise that I eventually found my way back to this world, creating floral designs that bring happiness and meaning to others.

Rae B & J., a year ago

“Discothèque Floral provided excellent communication and were very open to our suggestions throughout the planning process. The quality of their work was truly high-end, with personally crafted and tailored floral arrangements that fit our aesthetic perfectly. We chose flowers that could be preserved, and my wife and I still have our beautiful floral arrangements four years later as a cherished memento of our special day.”

Discothèque Floral

5.0

Starts at $2,500
Serves Steilacoom, WA for additional fees

At Discothèque Floral we want to execute the event of your wildest dreams! Hand-picked blooms for unique arrangements tailored to you make for a memorable event. We adore garden-style, bohemian, whimsical, bold, elegant and lush arrangements as well as designing for themed events. Who doesn’t love a Victorian gothic-themed Halloween wedding? Check out our portfolio, we would love to bring your vision to life!

Loagan, 4 months ago

“Juliet Lou are an exceptional team that I've had the pleasure of working with numerous times over the last 8 years. Their communication style is thorough, receptive, and professional - they truly listen to their couples' ideas and wishes while also letting their own creative strengths shine through — they are also very communicative with vendors and I always felt like they were looking out for me and my needs as a photographer. The quality of their work is simply beautiful and unique, they always have a kind, hardworking attitude, which makes their couples happy and working alongside them as a teammate a true joy.”

juliet + lou

5.0

Starts at $55,000
Serves Steilacoom, WA for additional fees

juliet + lou is a full service event planning, design and floral design studio in the greater Seattle area. Named after co-owners and sisters, Elsa Juliet Walker and Hannah Louise Ham, j+l is rooted in celebrating relationships.

Carina Skrobecki, a year ago