Please come and visit our florist, boutique and gift shop that features Carlson Craft and Regency Invitations, guest books, cake toppers, knife sets, unity candles and that features the Beverly Clark Collection and much more - the wedding and floral consultants will assist you with all your party needs: rentals of centerpieces, wishing well, birdcage, mailbox, balloon designs and much, much more. The chapel florist will create memories that will last a lifetime in fresh or silk, traditional, contemporary or European designs. Please call for an appointment with our floral designer. Floral designs for every occasion, all credit cards accepted.

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When Marilynn Johnson had the chance to purchase her own business, it could be said she went marching in.

Johnson became the owner of both All Saints Chapel Florist and the 125-year-old All Saints Angelical Chapel in downtown Howell in September, after working as a bridal consultant for the chapel since 2004. "The opportunity came up to purchase the business, and I took it," Johnson said. "I enjoyed the chapel business so much. Everybody's always happy in weddings.

Built in 1880, the All Saints Angelical Chapel on Walnut Street is a historic landmark in Howell. All Saints Chapel Florist, which sits next door to the chapel, is an accompaniment to the chapel as well as an independent business.

With everything from flowers and cake-toppers to wedding gifts and unity candles, the florist serves as a one-stop wedding shop for ceremonies that take place at the chapel. However, Johnson said, customers don't have to use the chapel for a ceremony in order to take advantage of what the floral business offers. "I want people to know that whether or not they use the chapel, this is the place to come," she said. The boutique also isn't just for weddings. As a full-service florist, All Saints Chapel Florist creates flower arrangements for any occasion and offers delivery.

Johnson, a member of the Association of Bridal Consultants for the past four years, got her start in the wedding business somewhat accidentally, having the mantle of bridal consultant thrust upon her. "It was my daughter's wedding. That day, everyone was coming to me for answers," she said. "Had I hired someone to help me, I would have had a much more stress-free day and would have been able to enjoy myself more."

That, Johnson continued, is essentially what the bridal consultant does.

"It's the person the bride and the bride's mother go to in order to make sure everything the bride wants for her wedding comes true," Johnson said. "The bridal consultant is the person who relieves all the stress and handles all the problems that might arise during the day. We're not there to take over everything, but to help make what they want to happen, happen."

Through that first experience at her daughter's wedding, Johnson said she found she had a natural ability for consulting work. She began working as a bridal consultant out of her Northville home before taking on the role for All Saints Angelical Chapel last year.

While the chapel end of the business is familiar to Johnson, the floral shop is new territory. "It's been interesting," she said. "I'm learning a lot about it."

Johnson said she will expand the gifts available in the floral shop and add a gift registry. She also plans on organizing several workshops in the chapel, covering such topics as wedding flowers, invitations and scrapbooking.

"This has been great for me," she said. "I like working with the flowers and working with the brides. It's always just such a happy experience. I have yet to run into any 'Bridezillas.' " Originally published December 28, 2005