D<'soto Muguzi11e featured one' of sophomore Courtney Uoyc/'s f[ol'Q/ u1Tc1119eme11ls in ils June :201s issl/e. I Photo hy Becca Riley Courtney Lloyd, a sophomore communication science and disorders major, worked during the summers and holidays as a bridal florist alongside her aunt, Shana Crittenden, in Memphis, Tennessee. Lloyd started working for her aunt during her senior year of high school. Lloyd compared the job to creating fairy tales but said there was always a bit of chaos before the magic began to show. "The day before could be the craziest day because you have to pick the flowers up and sort of put everything together and you be up (until) 3 in the morning trying to put boutonnieres and corsages and the bases of everything together," Lloyd said. "And the next morning we will wake up and be at the location at 7 in the morning because we do everything else like the tables and the candles and the aisles and everything." Lloyd said one of the most hectic events she had worked was a small barn wedding. They decorated the space for the ceremony and then transformed it into a reception area while the wedding party and guests went outside for drinks. Lloyd said they replaced the altar with "flowers out of a closet." Pam Mcclanahan, co-owner of the florist company, said she immediately noticed Lloyd's great work ethic even in stressful moments. "Even with the (temperature) being in the 90s, drooping flowers and a very nervous bride, Courtney was hands-on and helped in making the day perfect," Mcclanahan said. "She is dedicated, committed, talented and a pleasure to work with." Crittenden also recognized Lloyd as a key player in their success, recalling an event for which her niece drove a utility vehicle for the first time to transport arrangements to and from a ceremony. "(Courtney) never complained," Crittenden said. "Fourteen hours total in one day's work. Your feet are swollen as you had to be on them all day, but in the end, we made the fairy tale come true, and the bride was very happy." l,'5i PEOPLE
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