Our story
Message from the Owner and Lead Designer, Marie Raley
What started as an adventure in DIY wedding floral design in 2008 has blossomed into a floral and garden design business that blends my life long connection with the aesthetics of our natural world and the joy of sharing my skills as a designer, educator, and gardener. I am grateful for the opportunity to share my knowledge and infuse my community with the same enthusiasm for bringing nature's beauty into all aspects of our lives and homes.
I am very mindful of the issues that the floral and greater agricultural industry faces in terms of safe practices, as well as concerns surrounding workers’ protections and rights, water quality, chemical use, waste, and the subsequent environmental impacts.
In 2017, I committed to taking action and reducing my ecological impact. I actively prioritize sourcing local, organic, sustainable, and environmentally safe products. I am a foam-free florist, seeking alternatives that align with my values by consciously selecting design mechanics and vessel that are either recyclable, reusable, or compostable. I take the initiative to compost my clippings, trimmings, and garden waste when it is available. By making these conscious choices, I aim to contribute to a more sustainable floral industry.
In 2021 I became a Certified Master Gardener through the University of Minnesota in 2021 as a way to learn more about our natural world and refine my knowledge.
In the fall of 2023 I decided to change my business name from Laine Moire Floral to Sammen Design. In Norwegian, the word “Sammen” means “Together.” It is fitting because everything I do in my business I do together with clients.
I look forward helping make your floral and garden visions become a reality…together.
Marie Raley
What Our Clients Are Saying
“Marie was the most amazing florist, she went above and beyond to bring our vision to life. I cannot say enough positive praise about her. We had a hanging installation over the head table and it was absolutely stunning, and a gorgeous alter with flowers wrapped all the way around, and hand made wooden center pieces. She was extremely personable, friendly, listened well and easy to communicate with the entire time. ”— Alexandra Z., Event Design Customer
“Marie was SO helpful and knowledgeable. We chose the DIY option and she came out to my house to help us make the bouquets and teach us about all the flowers- it made the process easy! She helped us get the most for our budget and put together absolutely beautiful bouquets. ”— Rachel B., Workshop Customer
“My experience was top notch. She was on time and more than prepared for our meetings. She brought great ideas to the table to maximize my “look” while staying under budget. The thing I liked the most was that she asked questions to get to know me and my style to execute the details better than I imagined! Also, I was impressed with her knowledge of a variety of flowers. I highly recommend.”— Kelly J., Garden Design Customer
“Marie is an absolute delight to work with. Creative, insightful, and a calming presence. For our Seattle, Washington wedding we had our hearts set on “simple” flowers from Pike Place Market. As often happens with DIY dreams, something seemingly simple often becomes quite complicated when actually mapped out. I could not have executed all of my DIY wedding dreams without Marie. ”— Meghann S.C., DIY Event Customer
