Expert Series / KissChasey Wedding Flowers
With over 30 years of experience in floristry, Letisha Rakich is the creative force behind Kiss Chasey Wedding Flowers, one of Western Australia’s most sought-after wedding florists. Known for her ability to combine elegance with individuality, Letisha transforms client visions into floral masterpieces that set the tone for unforgettable celebrations. The Wedding Series sat down with Letisha to uncover her insights, inspirations, and advice for couples planning their wedding flowers.
Can you tell us a little about yourself and how you began in floristry?
A little about me and how I found my way into floristry.
I was born in Bondi in the 60’s - long before it became the place to be seen - and later moved to Perth during high school, where I grew up by the beach. I’m the second child of a mother who was an artist and art teacher, and a father who was a jazz musician, science and maths teacher, and archaeologist. Safe to say, I was raised in a world that blended creativity with logic - something that still shapes how I design today.
After school, I studied interior design but never pursued it as a career. At the time - late 70s, early 80s - it was very much a male-dominated industry, and one particular lecturer completely knocked my confidence in anything creative. It took me quite a while to find my way back to that side of myself.
That path eventually led me to Manjimup, where I was raising my children and was given the opportunity to learn floristry in my best friend’s flower shop. My boss, Kelly, started teaching me the fundamentals, but very quickly realised I had a style of my own — quite different to hers. Instead of forcing me into a mould, she gave me the space to experiment, evolve, and develop my own way of designing (while still grounding me in the principles, of course).
I moved back to Perth at 40 and spent several years working as a political lobbyist before eventually returning to floristry and starting my own wedding floral business in 2010.
I absolutely love what I do - but I also keep a clear separation between myself and my business. I’m me first. Kisschasey Wedding Flowers is what I create, what I love, and what I’ve built - but it’s not all of who I am.
How would you describe your signature style when it comes to wedding flowers?
My signature style is relaxed, natural and a little bit undone - never overly structured or predictable.
I’m drawn to creating florals that feel like they’ve grown that way on their own. Think airy, freeform designs with movement, depth and variation - nothing too “perfect” or rigid. I love layering textures and letting each element have its moment, rather than forcing everything into a tight, uniform shape.
There’s always a balance in my work between softness and structure - delicate blooms paired with more sculptural elements, and a strong use of foliage to create flow and negative space. I tend to lean into a style that is grounded in a relaxed, garden-style aesthetic.
Ultimately, my work is about creating something that feels effortless, a little bit loose, and completely personal - not something that looks like it’s been copied from a catalogue.
What do you consider the most important factors couples should think about when planning their wedding flowers?
The most important thing is understanding how your flowers fit into the overall feel of your wedding - not just what looks pretty on its own.
Start with your venue and setting. The space really dictates what will work. A big open winery or estate needs scale and impact, whereas a smaller or more intimate space calls for something more refined and considered. Your flowers should feel like they belong in the space, not like they’ve just been dropped into it.
Seasonality is another big one. Choosing blooms that are naturally available at the time of your wedding not only looks better, but also gives you better value and a more cohesive result. It allows your florist to design with confidence rather than trying to force something that isn’t quite right.
Budget and priorities are key. You don’t need flowers everywhere - it’s about placing them where they matter most and where they’ll have the most impact. Ceremony pieces that can be moved to the reception, a strong bridal table feature, or key statement areas will always give you more value than spreading things too thin.
Trust your florist. Give them direction, a colour palette, and the overall vibe you’re drawn to - but allow some creative freedom. The best designs come from that space, not from trying to replicate something exactly from Pinterest.
And, in my humble opinion, try to stay focused on what you genuinely love and what feels right for you as a couple. There’s a lot of noise out there - trends, social media, what’s “in” at the moment - but the most beautiful weddings are always the ones that feel personal, not performative.
Finally, think about how the day flows. Flowers should transition with you - from ceremony to reception - and feel cohesive from start to finish. When it’s done well, it all feels effortless, even though a lot of thought has gone into it.
What types of floral services do you offer for weddings and events?
We offer full-service floral design for weddings and events, tailored to suit each couple and their individual style.
This includes everything from personal flowers - bridal bouquets, bridesmaids, buttonholes and wearable florals - through to ceremony installations such as arbours, plinth arrangements, aisle florals and statement features.
For the reception, we design and create all floral elements including bridal table installations, guest table arrangements, hanging features, bar and cake florals, and any larger-scale statement pieces required to bring the space together, along with a variety of candle styles.
We also handle delivery, on-site setup and pack down, as well as the relocation of ceremony flowers into the reception where possible, ensuring everything flows seamlessly throughout the day.
How do you bring a client’s personal vision to life while incorporating your own creative touch?
It always starts with listening.
I take the time to understand how my clients want their wedding to feel - not just what they’ve saved on Pinterest, but the mood, the setting, and what they’re naturally drawn to. I also make a conscious effort to ensure they’re not being influenced or pressured by outside opinions, trends or expectations - it’s important that the choices we make genuinely reflect them.
Once I have that foundation, I interpret it through my own design style. I don’t copy images - I use them as a guide and then refine, edit and elevate the concept so it feels cohesive and considered. That’s where my creative input comes in - balancing what the client loves with what will actually work best in the space.
It’s very much a collaboration. My role is to take their ideas and turn them into something that feels effortless, intentional and a little more elevated than they may have imagined - while still feeling completely like them.
What sets Kiss Chasey apart from other florists in Western Australia?
What sets Kisschasey apart is that it’s not a “one size fits all” floral service - it’s a very personal, design-led experience.
Every wedding I take on is treated as completely individual. I don’t work off templates or replicate other people’s work. Instead, I interpret each client’s vision and create something that feels considered, cohesive and true to them. That level of flexibility and creative freedom is something couples really respond to.
I also work quite differently in that I operate by appointment only, which means my clients get my full attention in a relaxed, one-on-one environment rather than feeling like just another booking. It allows for a much more collaborative and personal process.
With over 30 years of experience, I bring both a strong design foundation and a practical understanding of how weddings actually work on the day — not just how things look in photos. That balance of creativity and logic means my designs are not only beautiful, but also functional and well thought through.
My integrity and authenticity are first and foremost a priority in everything I do. I’m honest in my guidance, considered in my approach, and focused on creating something that genuinely reflects my clients - not what’s trending or expected.
I think what really sets Kisschasey apart, it’s the overall approach. It’s calm, honest and very grounded. I don’t push trends or what’s “in” - I guide my clients toward what suits them, their space and their overall vision. The result is something that feels effortless, personal and a little bit elevated - rather than something that looks like it’s been pulled from a catalogue.
At the end of the day, it’s about creating florals that feel like you, not like everyone else.
Do you have any tips for couples who are just starting to plan their wedding flowers?
Start simple - you don’t need to have everything figured out straight away.
Begin with the basics: your venue, your date and the overall feel you’re drawn to. Once those are locked in, your flowers will naturally start to take shape around them.
Focus on what actually matters to you. It’s very easy to get caught up in what you think you should have, but you don’t need flowers everywhere. Choose a few key areas where they’ll have the most impact and build from there.
Be open, but not overwhelmed. Inspiration is helpful, but too much of it can make things confusing. Pull together a small, clear direction rather than trying to include everything you’ve seen.
Trust the process and trust your florist. Give them a sense of your style, your colours and how you want the day to feel, then allow them to guide you. You’ll always get a better result than trying to control every detail.
Also, be mindful of the smoke and mirrors of social media. A beautiful Instagram feed doesn’t always reflect real experience or skill. It’s important to look beyond the highlights and make sure the florist you’re choosing can consistently deliver, not just curate a good online presence.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Ask to see full wedding galleries, not just styled shoots. Ask how they manage set up, pack down and relocation. Ask about seasonality, substitutions and how they work within your budget. These conversations will quickly give you a sense of whether you’re dealing with someone who truly understands their craft.
How important do you think seasons are when selecting florals and floral themes?
Seasonality is still important - but not in the way it once was.
With so many blooms now being imported, we’re no longer as restricted by the seasons as we used to be. You can source most flowers year-round, which gives a lot more flexibility when it comes to colour palettes and overall style.
That said, season still plays a role - particularly in quality, price and how naturally everything comes together. Flowers that are in season will always look better, last better and offer better value. They also tend to sit more comfortably within the overall feel of the time of year and the setting.
I tend to use seasonality as a guide rather than a rule. If there’s something a client really loves, we can usually source it - but I’ll often suggest working with what’s naturally at its best and building around that. It allows the designs to feel more effortless and considered, rather than forced.
It’s also important to be prepared for a Plan B when it comes to specific flower choices. Supply can be unpredictable, and there are many factors outside of our control. Having a level of flexibility ensures we can adapt if needed, without compromising the overall look and feel.
In terms of floral “themes,” I think they’re often overthought. Rather than locking into a strict theme, I prefer to focus on an overall feel or direction - something that flows naturally from the venue, the couple and the season. When you try to force a theme too heavily, it can start to feel contrived.
A well-considered palette, a consistent style and thoughtful placement will always create a more cohesive result than trying to follow a theme too literally.
At the end of the day, it’s about creating something that feels natural, balanced and true to the couple - not something that feels like it’s trying too hard to fit a label.
What trends are you seeing coming through with wedding florals leading into 2027
Leading into 2027, we’re seeing a continued move away from anything that feels forced or overly styled for the sake of social media, and more of a shift toward florals that feel intentional, personal and considered.
There’s a growing focus on shape and movement - more sculptural, editorial designs with negative space rather than dense, overly packed arrangements. Colour palettes are also becoming a little more grounded and layered, with warmer tones, deeper hues and more interesting combinations. Texture is playing a big role too, with a mix of soft and structural elements to create depth without excess.
That said, I don’t design around trends unless that’s specifically what a client is drawn to. Trends come and go, and I think it’s important to be mindful of that when making decisions for something as personal as your wedding.
I always prefer to have a conversation around what feels timeless for you - working with beautiful, classic blooms and a considered palette so that when you look back in years to come, it still feels right. The goal is never to create something that dates quickly or makes you wonder what you were thinking.
If a client loves a trend, of course we can incorporate it - but it will always be done in a way that still feels refined, balanced and true to them rather than just following what’s popular at the time.
At the end of the day, the most enduring work is never trend-driven - it’s personal, well thought out, and quietly confident.
How can couples get in touch with you to start a consultation?
The best way to get in touch is via the enquiry form on my website or by sending through an email with your wedding details.
From there, I’ll come back to you to arrange a one-on-one consultation, either in person or over the phone, depending on what suits. I work by appointment only, so it’s a relaxed, dedicated time to talk through your ideas, your venue, and the overall feel you’re wanting to create.
If you’re short on time, I’m also very happy to start with an initial proposal based on your details. That can give you a clear direction and a starting point before we meet and refine everything further.
You don’t need to have everything figured out - just a date, a location and a general direction is more than enough to get started.