Get to Know Jori Foreman, Owner and Lead Designer of Romee Willow Florals
We’d like to formally (re)introduce Jori Foreman, the Owner and Lead Designer at Romee Willow Florals. Jori is a lifelong artist with a background in painting, stained glass and pottery, which all inform her current medium of floral artistry. Get to know more about her below!
A Little Background About Jori
She attended the University of Iowa and received her BFA in painting. After graduating, she went into real estate and realized that it was not the right career for her. She quickly understood that she needed to do something with her hands, and to be creative on a regular basis. This felt like her life purpose. One fateful day she took a floral design class and fell in love with it. After that, she got a job at a flower shop and then freelanced with some other designers. Slowly, she started her business and in 2011 launched Fab Flora. In 2020, she rebranded her business to be called Romee Willow Florals . She is now a full time floral designer and loves what she does. To date, she has designed over 500 weddings and events, and her work has been featured on sites and in publications like Brides, Love Inc., Zola Weddings, Chicago Style Weddings, and Chi Thee Wed.
Photos by Christy Tyler Photography
Jori has called Chicago home for over a decade. She is the mama to her sweet little girl, Romee, and to her dog babies, Fiona and Zeke. Connecting with nature on a regular basis is what her soul craves. So when the city life is a little too paved, surrounding herself with flowers is the perfect antidote. She’s sensitive at heart but not afraid to sweat, break a nail or shed a tear, just so that your flowers end up looking incredible.
Photo by Anna Guziak
A Short Interview with Jori
Q: What’s your favorite part working with wedding clients?
A: I love when a couple has some really unique ideas and trusts me with bringing it to life! It makes me feel like a true artist- like they really see my capabilities and artistry.
Photo by Anna Guziak
Q: What's something you haven't made for a client that you would like to?
A: I'd love to do a huge dance floor installation and a floral runner that drapes off the table onto the ground.
Photos by Ed and Aileen Photography
Q: What else are you passionate about (other than flowers)?
A: I'm passionate about dogs and always promote rescuing instead of buying pure breds. I'm also passionate about taking care of my mental health and seeing a therapist and always working on myself. I want to make sure I'm spreading love, compassion and joy in this world. I'm passionate about being a mom. It's an amazing thing to be someone's most important person and to be responsible for teaching someone how to be a good human. It's the most love I've ever felt and the most challenging endeavor!
Q: Tell us more about your dogs!
A: Fiona and Zeke are both chihuahua mixes and are both about 7 years old. They are not related but I chose the same color dog so their hair blends in with my couch hah. Fiona is a kisser and zeke is a biter. They love each other and wrestle and groom each other all the time.
Q: What other artistic endeavors have you been working on lately?
A: Taking a collage class at lill street art center, sewing girl scout patches onto Romee's vest lol. Coloring and painting with Romee.
Photo by Anna Guziak
Q: What's something you'd love to tell your future couples about yourself?
A: Even though we only work together for one event- I love when couples stay in touch. I've had several couples buy valentines flowers, attend wreath and floral design workshops and refer me to their family or friends and then I get to see them again!
Planning your wedding in Chicago? Jori would love to chat with you about your wedding flowers and bring your vision to life. Set up a free consultation with her here.