Rooted in community, blooming with purpose.
Mertle & Dot is a queer-owned, Chicago-based floristry that offers designs as unique and special as the people receiving them. Whether you’re planning a wedding, hosting a baby shower, organizing a corporate event, or celebrating a loved one’s life, Mertle & Dot’s vision is to create connection and strengthen community through flowers.
Here, we believe...
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People come first, flowers come second.
That means we pay our employees an ethical wage. That means we treat our vendor partners with respect. And most importantly, that means we get to know you—our customers—turning your stories into custom floral designs that have never been seen before, and will never be seen again.
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Flowers should be accessible to all.
Everyone deserves beautiful flowers. That’s why we offer pricing flexibility through a range of full-scale and self-service wedding packages, and are well-versed in a variety of floral traditions—from LGBTQIA+ celebrations to ceremonies of all religious and ethnic backgrounds.
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It's our responsibility to care for the planet.
Our business wouldn't be here without Mother Nature, so it's our job to take care of her! From foam-free designs to repurposed wedding supplies to bouquet preservation that extends the life of your flowers, we're constantly looking for ways to make our design practices more sustainable.
Hi! I'm Alex.
I've been a Chicago florist since 2018, and am a proud Andersonville resident (but I love exploring the entire city and beyond). I come from three generations of strong, lipstick-wearing, party-throwing women, and I can’t wait to meet you!
Let's chat weddings!
Not to toot our own horns, but we’ve been called one of the best wedding florists in Chicago. Our sweet spot is colorful nuptials with a flair for the unconventional—and we’re proud to design for parties of all shapes and sizes. Whether you’re planning an elopement or a 500-guest bash, we can't wait to hear all about it!
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Allie & Brian's Tiki-Themed Celebration
We love a couple that's not afraid to have a little (or a lot) of fun! Allie & Brian tied the knot at the beautiful Friendship Gardens, followed by a...
Allie & Brian's Tiki-Themed Celebration
We love a couple that's not afraid to have a little (or a lot) of fun! Allie & Brian tied the knot at the beautiful Friendship Gardens, followed by a...
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Mario & Abbey's rooftop party in the spring
Mario & Abbey's wedding day featured everything you'd want from a mid-spring wedding: a beautiful, sunny day, plenty of natural light, and fresh, airy florals in cream & chartreuse. With...
Mario & Abbey's rooftop party in the spring
Mario & Abbey's wedding day featured everything you'd want from a mid-spring wedding: a beautiful, sunny day, plenty of natural light, and fresh, airy florals in cream & chartreuse. With...
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Lindsay & Jon's rock n' roll rager
The bride wore black, the groom wore burgundy...and we couldn't be more obsessed. Lindsay & Jon's rock n' roll wedding was far from your average nuptials—featuring some of our favorite...
Lindsay & Jon's rock n' roll rager
The bride wore black, the groom wore burgundy...and we couldn't be more obsessed. Lindsay & Jon's rock n' roll wedding was far from your average nuptials—featuring some of our favorite...
Workshops & pop-ups
We teach public and private flower arranging classes in the Chicagoland area, and offer build-your-own bouquet bars. We'd love to partner with your business or plan a workshop or pop-up for your next event. Get in touch to learn more!
"We reached out to Mertle & Dot for our microwedding, and Alex made THE most phenomenal bouquet and centerpiece that perfectly matched the season and the occasion." — Erin Nicolle
"I cannot say enough great things about Mertle & Dot! She truly goes above and beyond. She has been doing work for me for over a year, and looking forward to many more projects together." — Chelsea Bellantuono
"WOW. Alex is so lovely to work with and her pieces are stunning. I 1,000% recommend her services and am beyond thrilled she was able to turn my my wedding bouquet into art." — Moira Nguyen