We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Wendy Markum a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Wendy, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s start with a story that highlights an important way in which your brand diverges from the industry standard.
At The Prickly Thistle, I intentionally break from the industry norm by offering hands-on, thoughtful floral design services to couples working with modest budgets (under $5,000), without sacrificing artistry or attention to detail.
In many parts of the wedding industry, the level of care, customization, and creative guidance we provide is typically reserved for high-budget clients. But as a former educator, I genuinely love working with clients who may not have unlimited resources but still deeply value beauty, meaning, and collaboration. I treat every couple as a creative partner, not just a customer.
We work together to design florals that reflect their story and vision, within realistic means. I guide them through seasonal flower education, offer practical suggestions for repurposing arrangements throughout the day, and help make every bloom count, from ceremony to reception.
Recently, a bride came to me feeling unsure if they could afford anything “special.” But after collaborating on a cohesive design plan and incorporating seasonal and silk alternatives in innovative ways, she told me she had “Hope, that she could still have something beautiful and unique, despite not having a massive budget.” That moment reminded me why I do this: to empower people to feel confident and excited in creating a day that honors their lives rather than focusing on trends or what they can’t afford.
For us, it’s not about the size of the budget — it’s about the size of the heart behind it.
Wendy, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I’ve spent over twenty years working in large‑scale events and theater productions. For the past eleven years, I’ve focused exclusively on weddings—building two businesses that center on intentional design, emotional connection, and authentic storytelling. As the lead wedding planner at Revel & Wonder Weddings and the lead florist at The Prickly Thistle, I can connect and guide two distinct types of clients with different needs and budgets.
I started Revel & Wonder Weddings to give couples a safe, joy‑filled experience during one of life’s most stressful seasons. My planning philosophy is all about translating who you are—quirky, dramatic, joyful, whimsical—into a wedding that feels unmistakably them. In 2019, I began offering floral design that’s not just beautiful but story‑driven, and accessible even to couples on modest budgets.
Between both brands, I provide award‑winning service, all delivered with deep attention to detail, strategic design thinking, and hands‑on partnership with each client. I walk couples through design options, answer every question thoroughly, and help them build a wedding they’re truly proud of.
Between the two hats I wear, I address several concerns for my clients. I remove overwhelm: your vision doesn’t have to feel unachievable. I reduce stress by meticulously organizing every detail and anticipating hiccups. I elevate your experience by ensuring your wedding reflects you, not industry trends.
What I’m most proud of is when I hear from my past clients that their guests felt the experience was exuberant—that everything felt fun, meaningful, and genuine. At my core, I’m less about checking off boxes and more about crafting moments that speak to my clients. Whether through dramatic event design or deeply personal florals, my mission is to help couples fully revel in their wedding adventure, with planning and floral services that bring heart, humor, and wonder to the day.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
From day one, I’ve committed to showing up fully for both my couples and my fellow vendors. I consistently offer the kind of creative partnership and detailed communication that allows everyone involved in the wedding day to feel at ease and supported, and that has made a lasting impression in my market.
Word of mouth has been powerful. We book several clients per year based on members of the wedding party, or guests at weddings who were so impressed by how the day ran or how lovely the florals looked. We are on the preferred list for several vendors and we are so honored for the trust they put in us to treat their clients in a way that supports their brand as well.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
One big lesson I had to unlearn was that perfection equals success.
As a former educator and theater producer, I was trained to anticipate every need, fix things before they became problems, and ensure every cue landed flawlessly. That mindset served me well for a while, but in the wedding world, I had to learn that the most meaningful moments often come from flexibility.
I still work not to put on the “director hat” and nitpick every single moment or arrangement. Early on, and even now, occasionally, I would stress and fret about not hitting my “perfection goal” while all the time, no one else has a clue that it was less than everything they hoped for.
Now I remind my couples (and myself) that success is about creating space for beauty, connection, and spontaneity to unfold. I’ve become more agile, more trusting, and honestly, more creative because of it.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thepricklythistle.com & www.revelwonderwed.com
- Instagram: revel_wonder_wed & prickly_thistlestl
- Facebook: PricklyThistlestl & RevelWonderWed
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendy-markum-revelwonder
Image Credits
Photos 1&4: Lilly Caldwell
Photo 2: McCune & Co. Photographer
Photo 3: Aurora Photography and Design
Photo 6: Black Tie Weddings
Photos 7 & 8: Michelle Jahns Photography
Photo 9: Sarah Corbett Photography
Photo 10: Victoria E Photo
Photo 11: Brian Ricky Photography
Photo 12: Ashley Pfister Photography