Elena Marquez started Festoria in 2014 with a hatchback, a hand pump and a list of friends with birthdays coming up. Before that she spent eight years as a florist for hotel ballrooms, which is where she learned how much a room can change in an afternoon.

She leads the design of every wedding and large event, and still builds a garland herself when the team is busy.

Outside the studio Elena grows dahlias, collects vintage glassware and plans her own birthday party months ahead.