Meet Christine
Owner of Barefoot Floral
Christine Cater grew up on the Monterey Peninsula, the daughter of a Catholic Italian fisherman—raised between discipline and freedom. Much of her childhood was spent in ballet studios, immersed in years of classical training that instilled a deep understanding of movement, composition, and restraint. In the quieter moments, she could be found floating down the river barefoot, drawn to a kind of beauty that felt simple and uncontrived.
That duality became the foundation of her work—refined yet natural, intentional yet effortless.
She founded Barefoot Floral in 1990, beginning with intimate gatherings and weddings where her instinct for beauty quickly set her apart. What followed was a decade designing large-scale events across Pebble Beach and the Monterey Peninsula, developing an expert understanding of both setting and execution.
In 2014, her work expanded onto a larger stage, contributing to a landmark celebration in Big Sur that required an exceptional level of scale, trust, and precision. It marked a turning point—one that carried her work beyond California and into a more global arena.
Today, Barefoot Floral designs weddings and events both domestically and internationally, with work featured in Vogue, Martha Stewart Weddings, Style Me Pretty, and The Knot. She is trusted for private celebrations and destination events in places such as Lake Como and Portugal.
At the heart of it all, Christine remains drawn to beauty that feels honest, unforced, and quietly extraordinary.
Barefoot, in the end, was never about being informal—it was about being grounded.
And that is exactly how she designs.
rooted in A Career Built on Intention and Three Decades of Getting It Right
Before it was a career, it was a feeling—the particular kind of quiet that only happens when you're surrounded by something living and beautiful. For Christine, it started in the details: the way a single stem changes a room, the way color tells a story without saying a word.
More than three decades later, that feeling is still the compass. And it still works every time.
Flowers Were Always the Answer.
Years of training as a ballerina taught me that what looks effortless is anything but. Behind every performance are hours of discipline, practice, and care. Floral design works much the same way—and it’s a process I genuinely love.
I’m drawn to the balance between creating something that quietly commands attention and something that feels entirely like you. With your venue as the stage, I shape an atmosphere that brings the space to life without overwhelming it. And when it comes to sourcing flowers? Simply put, I go wherever they’re at their best.
After more than three decades in this industry, I’ve learned to focus on the work—and the people—that truly value thoughtful, well-crafted design. Your event should feel intentional, expressive, and beautifully in rhythm. If it earns a standing ovation, then I’ve done my job.
Dedicated to Refined Design
THE BAREFOOT PHILOSOPHY
She's a trained ballerina. Every arrangement she designs has the same thing a great performance does: line, balance, and movement. You'll feel it even if you can't name it.
She shops the flower market herself. Every single time. Because the best designs start with the best product — and she'd rather see it with her own eyes than leave it to chance.
She has a thing for beautiful vessels, cashmere, and hotel lobbies. Especially the ones that make you stop walking the second you step inside. That's the same feeling she's going for when your guests walk into your reception.
follow along
@barefootfloral
