Marie Bran and Kelsey Russell of The Tulip Girls have a meet-cute story that’s hard to top for a couple in their profession: they got to know each other while working at Sequoia Floral, the Santa Rosa wholesale floral supplier, and their first date was making flower crowns together.
The pair, who teach occasional pop-up classes at Sequoia Floral and enjoy working on events and weddings with other queer couples, say Sonoma’s tight-knit floral community has been a boon to their young business.
“We chose the name The Tulip Girls because we both love tulips — and because we really wanted to highlight that we are women-owned,” explains Bran.
Springtime has some of their favorite blooms in season, like hellebores and flowering branches, says Russell. March and April are also a bit of a pause, coming between the two busy floral holidays of Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day, which allows the couple time to get out and explore the county. thetulipgirls.com
On the second Saturday of each month, they head to The Flamingo Resort for Lush, a queer dance party with DJ Dyops. “It’s super-welcoming — like the most chaotic and fun and safe dance party ever,” says Russell. The Flamingo Resort & Spa, 2777 Fourth St., Santa Rosa. 707-545-8530, flamingoresort.com
One of the highlights of their season is the Petaluma Spring Antique Faire, this year on Sunday, April 27. Held across downtown, the event “is loaded with amazing booths,” says Russell, who grew up in Petaluma. Floral frogs and tools, old records, and botanical prints are some of her favorite finds. petalumadowntown.com/antique-show
The couple rarely misses Tuesday night trivia at Penngrove’s Twin Oaks Roadhouse. Tacos and veggie bowls are on order, plus delicious blackberry margaritas with housemade cocktail syrup. “You feel like you’re part of a really small town when you’re there — like Gilmore Girls,” says Bran. 5745 Old Redwood Hwy., Penngrove. 707-795-5118, hopmonk.com/twin-oaks
“Fern Bar in Sebastopol is so pretty, with the drinks and all the plants as decor,” says Bran. “And they have the best burgers. Like, if you’d never had a burger before in your life, this would be the burger you’d want to have.” At The Barlow, 6780 Depot St., Sebastopol. 707-861-9603, fernbar.com
Russell and Bran appreciate working with local blooms. “The more you can shorten the distance from field to vase, the better,” says Russell, who studied plant science and horticulture at Cal Poly. Favorite sources include Austin Ranch Flowers in Santa Rosa (austinranchflowers.com) and Gratitude Gardens in Sebastopol (gratitudegardensfarm.com).