Apryl Sahadi and Julie Crites joined creative forces several years ago to create Petalena, a boutique floral design studio located just north of Boston. Their unique style reflects an appreciation for the natural world with inspiration from European floral design and contemporary technique and artistry. Petalena’s custom floral creations capture the mood and spirit of their clients and each event.
Petalena has had the pleasure of working with some of Boston’s best and most sought-after vendors and venues. Their design work has been featured in many of New England’s renowned wedding publications including Boston Magazine’s – Boston Weddings, Bride’s Boston, and The Boston Globe Sunday Magazine Wedding Issue.
Most recently Petalena was voted “Best of the Knot” for 2010, receiving accolades from their clients for their distinctive floral designs. WeddingWire also honored Petalena in 2010 with the “Bride’s Choice Award,” a distinction that recognizes the top 5% of wedding from professionals for their excellence in quality, service, and professionalism.
Petalena’s florals and décor have graced New England’s most unique hotels and venues including The Liberty Hotel, Taj Boston, XV Beacon, Hotel Marlowe, The Algonquin Club, The Lyman Estate, and The Pierce House.
Photo by Channing Johnson.
Apryl has the greenest thumb of anyone you will ever meet and an artist when it comes to all things floral. Prior to Petalena, she danced ballet for several years at regional ballet companies and was a professional make-up artist for MAC as well as for numerous movies filmed in New England. In her free time, she works on restoring her lovely old house north of Boston.
Photo by Channing Johnson
Julie started out as a visual artist doing wacky mixed media paintings and has loved art and aesthetics for as long as she can remember. Orchids were the first of her flower passions and drew her into the floral design world several years ago. When she’s not creating Petalena designs or blogging about it, Julie hones her cooking skills, travels, reads too many books at the same time, and makes jewelry.
Dropping off flowers to one of our brides. Photo by studio atticus.
Petalena: Creative Designs for Weddings and Special Events 
June 5, 2008 at 3:38 am
Julie,
Thank you for your note. It was such a pleasure meeting you. Hope you come back out this way soon.
I looked up your website and love the arrangements—unique; really lovely. Keep up the good work you two.
Jane
August 12, 2008 at 11:49 am
What a lovely site! You both do such beautiful work…I look forward to keeping up with the new news!
Kate
September 4, 2008 at 10:48 am
Dear Julie,
What a terrific job you did on the wedding! Those colors were amazing! Didn’t know they could go so well with each other. Keep up the great work.
Your Mother and her Crazy Co-worker 🙂
October 24, 2008 at 2:16 pm
I love your work. It is very much like my own. I am a floral designer/gardener in central California. I grow much of my own greens, vines, and odd bits to add to my designs. Nice to see someone else doing this too! Keep up the beauty.
Laurie
January 20, 2009 at 8:54 pm
Hi Julie –
What a wonderful little business you have here! I am so excited for you. Your blog, website and floral designs are just beautiful.
Leah Williamson Straley
April 14, 2009 at 4:03 pm
You ladies have a truly lovely style that really speaks to the feeling of Spring. I was looking for vintage wedding photos and happened upon your blog and found myself lost in your great musings and examples of work. I’m a floral designer as well and love finding similarly-minded flower-infatuated designers, and I love Boston to boot! Best to you both, I look forward to following your blog~
Bridget Kelly
Ornamental Petal
April 14, 2009 at 4:58 pm
Hi Bridget,
Thanks for your kind note! We love flowers, so it is always great to find like-minded souls! ~Apryl & Julie
September 18, 2009 at 9:26 am
do you have any fall arrangements photos?
bill..
June 10, 2010 at 6:50 pm
I came to your website through my love of peonies. (And I must admit…a google image search for my most favorite and truly missed flower.) NEVER have I seen such a stunningly beautiful arrangement of nature’s beauty in a bridal bouquet. I have saved the photo and will look at it often because chances are…you DON’T ship to Florida. Keep up the great work.