It's all in a weeks work!

Since we have a lite wedding schedule on this 1st week of September before Labor Day 2015, with only one wedding at Crystal Springs Resort- Ballyoween Golf Resort in Vernon NJ. I thought I would use the opportunity to showcase the individual flowers that go into doing a mid-size wedding.  In this era of online shopping, I think that some people find it hard to grasp the amount of leg work and effort we florists exude to collect the correct blooms in the correct color on the correct date. It all starts 2 weeks prior to the wedding date when we place our orders to our growers around the world and ultimately secure a confirmation of each product. The week of the affair the flowers begin to arrive, some Monday, other later in the week. It gets a little nerve racking when the delivery is Thursday and the wedding is on a Friday or Saturday. We have been dealing with the same growers for over 30 years and are secure in their ability to come thru for us (and you) -but still hold our breath until all the product is in house. This week it's Wednesday and about 95% of our order is in house, re-hydrated, cut, cleaned and refrigerated at 40 degrees, just waiting for the design process to begin tomorrow AM. 

I thought it might be interesting, and fun, to post the individual flowers as they came in and were processed then post the finish product -  bouquets, ceremony and reception etc. next week...

 So here goes.

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Incredible Purple Victoria

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“Eustoma aka Lizzanthus”

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White Lizzy

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Samba Coral Full Sized Roses

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A beautiful Combo od Victoria & Lizzy

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Rust Mini Cala Lillie & Heather

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Rust Mini Cala Lilies & Freedom Rose

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Mambo mini branch garden rose, Mini Green Hydrangea and light blue Hybrid Delphinium

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Cream mini branch Roses for corsages

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“Italian Ruscus”

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"Tee Pee Palm"

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Inca Lilies

Cone Hydrangea's

Stay tuned for the fruits of our labor coming soon !!

Just Peachy ... make that Coral !

I am so happy to see the return of Peaches and Coral shades to current bridal favor. Missing for a few seasons they are now back to show off their stuff !  Especially fantastic for a summer time wedding. These Beauties' were designed to compliment Mint Green dress and I can just imagine the fabulous contrast in color, what a splash. Hopefully our Bride will send us some photo's in a few weeks. 

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“All the Personal Flowers, Brides, Attendants, Flower Girls Bouquets, Mom’s Duchess Rose and Dad’s Boutonniere. All Packed and ready for Delivery ”

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“Attendants Bouquet of Pale Peach Versillius Roses and a complex Coral Rose known as Kiwi. The mini, Rusty Orange Wax Flowers and Berries from the Flat Seeded Eucalyptus provide the perfect accent to the Mint Green Dress. The White Hydrangea, buried deep adds to the abundant fullness of this tightly designed bouquet.”

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“A masterpiece in color is achieved with the selection of the European Garden Rose. The color pallet of these varieties are indescribable. The color shading is awesome. You can see for yourself. Many people mistake them for small Peonies. They are more costly for sure but I think they work great and earn their worth. ”

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“Duchess Rose with a shorter stem for the Flower Girl”

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“Mom get a Duchess Rose with an extended stem and a bit larger”

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“Mom’s Cuchess Rose made to match the attendants bouquets”

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Kiwi Duchess Rose constructed as a Hand Held for Mom.

If I every forget the why, how, when and where of being a floral designer, the fruits of my weekly labor reminds me. After all these years I am still passionate and love what I do. I could never make it as a painter( my first love )  so I paint with natures floral bounty...it satisfies my urge and get my creative juices flowing !!

September Flower Inspiration

September flower inspiration.

During a consultation with our bridal client, we strive to pull together as many ideas as possible for the bride to choose from. Here is an example of assortment of flowers laid out on our consultation desk during a initial meeting. She loved it and it will be her girls bouquet flowers for her upcoming wedding at Biagio's Terrace Room in Paramus.

Now we can't always guarantee we will always have the exact flowers in the exact color you may prefer but between our vast, authentic silk flower inventory and the always changing fresh flowers we have on hand, we always seem to be able to put something together to help you to visualize your likes and dislikes.

Green, Green, Green

The simple elegance of using one, bold color. Make a statement !

Our newest project of the year. Tall glass Cylinders of all green, Bells of Ireland, Hydrangea, Amaranthus, Orchids and fillers. Surrounded by 3 assorted sized shorter cylinders cradling a single floating candle.

Apple & Plum Blossom, Faux Arrangement at The View On The Hudson, Piermont, NY

Everyone is getting ready for Springtime... including the crew at The View On The Hudson in Piermont NY. What I have created for them here is a rather large display of very realist, faux, flowering branches. The opposite side of this room is all glass and faces the Hudson River. In the foreground the river and the soon to be replaced Tappan Zee Bridge in the distance. Gazing out of those windows, the view is sky, earth and water. Nature is the operative word here, with the huge rolling hills spilling into the River along the Hudson.  Capitalizing on these surroundings, the decision as to what "theme" the arrangement should take was effortless for me. I simple brought the outside, inside, making the transition from outside to inside seamless. In a few weeks the tree's will be heavy with new foliage and blooms. The only difference that my creating will last through out the year. Thank You to the View for giving me the opportunity to create for you this afternoon. 

at The View On The Hudson in Piermont NY.

at The View On The Hudson in Piermont NY.

March 2015 Ceremony at Our Lady of Mercy RC Church in Park Ridge, NJ with Reception following at the Wood-Cliff Manor in Wood-Cliff Lake, NJ

With the approach of Springtime and all the many things that we associate with this season of renewal comes, for us in the wedding industry, the kick off of the Spring Wedding Season. Easter Sunday and the ending of Lent and Passover are the semi- official markers of each year's Celebration of Life. With LIFE comes LOVE. As I learned in Floral Design School the Florists business is the business of LOVE. It's been said we are involved  "from the cradle to the grave" and although that's true, I am happy to dedicate my talents somewhere within the middle. years. I have consulted with literally thousands of couples in the past 30 years and had the pleasure of working personally with a little shy of two thousand by my estimation. We sit, we talk, we make decisions regarding color, fabric and with regard to the huge assortment of flowers now available through the World Wide Floral Industry of today. Much has changed since I began this journey in my early twenty's. One thing however has NOT changed, the engaged couple. Yes they may be a bit older than they were twenty years ago and yes they are definitely more informed about their flower likes and dislikes. What has NOT changed is the transformation the occurs to each and every one of them on the day of their wedding.  I see such a visible amazement in each Bride' s face (and her Mom's)  when I present her with her personal choice of flowers packaged within her Bridal Bouquet the morning of her wedding. Usually accompanied by a tear of happiness or two, sometimes with a hug for getting her vision "just right".

It's a rough job but someone has to do it ! 

Today was not our first wedding of 2015 but it was the first wedding of SPRINGTIME. Although there was still snow on the ground, the sun was high and the crocus were out in force.

Our day began with the timely delivery of all the personal flowers where a version of what I described above played out. Then a short drive to Our Lady Of Mercy RC Church in Park Ridge, NJ to set the "stage" for the Ceremony

The Aisle at Our Lady of Mercy in Park Ridge, NJ

The Aisle at Our Lady of Mercy in Park Ridge, NJ

Skipping every other pew, fine, white tulle clusters marked the aisle. The Altar Flowers mimicked the table centerpieces used at the Reception, a mix of huge White Hydrangea's, Ivory "Vandella" Roses, pure white Carnations and Mini Carnations, Mini Babies Breath and Lemon Leaf. They stand prominently on our rentable 42" white columns. One of our many elevations used for this purpose.

Altar Arrangement against the beautiful Stained Glass Murals at Our Lady Of Mercy RC Church in Park Ridge, NJ

Altar Arrangement against the beautiful Stained Glass Murals at Our Lady Of Mercy RC Church in Park Ridge, NJ

Leaving the Church was a very pleasant drive on Centennial Drive which crosses over the beautiful Reservoir Lake on both sides, up to 25 Prospect Ave, Woodcliff Lake, NJ 07677  http://woodcliffmanor.com/ The Woodcliff Manor is a stately country manor house built before the Civil War which became a well-known restaurant in the 1920's.

Centennial Road

The Wood-Cliff Manor

The Gardens & Ceremony Site at The Wood-Cliff Manor

Since we are the recommended Florist at this venue, we have been invited to decorate it's Garden Gazebo and Ballroom many times.  We have become very familiar with the space which gives us, I believe, a special insight on what size, type arrangement's and flowers showcase it best. Although I know this to be true, I was even struck with how perfectly this weeks Table Centers looked and I was not the only one. The owners both commented as well as some of the staff and even a perspective client viewing the venue remarked on how well the flowers suited the room !

Table Centerpieces at the Wood Cliff Manor, Wood Cliff Lake, NJ

Table Centerpieces at the Wood Cliff Manor, Wood Cliff Lake, NJ

I am really looking forward to the 2015 Wedding Season.  With a noted upswing in the economy we are noticing a return to more elaborate and lavish Floral Décor. That makes my life more interesting by getting my creative juices flowing and gives me the continued honor to interact with my clients.

Dutchess Roses

A composite flower made from several roses is a popular choice for the mother of the bride.  With the color choices endless it is also a great option for a simple bouquet!

Personal Flowers

Today’s dresses are simple and elegant with straight lines and the trend in bouquets has followed along those same lines.  For a while now the look has been small, upright, hand held, hand tied bouquets of either all roses or seasonal mixed flowers with much attention to detail.  Bouquet handles should accent the already beautiful flowers.  Stems can be accented by braiding the finest ribbon, in the color of the dress, and trimmed with pearls or satin rosebuds adding that extra touch. 

Simple hand tied bouquets compliment the dress, not overpower it.  They are light and easy to carry leaving the bride and attendants smiling.  There is nothing worse than the pained look of a whole bridal party including the bride wishing they can put that heavy or cumbersome flower bouquet down.

            Guests are anxious to see the bridal party, especially the bride, proceed down the aisle. It is somewhat of a show, like it or not.  Unless it is a very small group, I think it’s nice for the Maid of Honor to have a slightly different bouquet than the Brides Maid, either in shape or color.  Perhaps something designed in between the girl’s bouquet and the bride’s bouquet.  It increases the anticipation.  I definitely like the bride’s bouquet to stand out from the girls. A white bouquet with some green or picking up a little color from the girls bouquet’s, can coordinate everything and make for great photos.

            Most importantly, a bride should carry any flower or flowers that have a special meaning to her, those that have significance to her relationship or her life. She is the star and can have a bouquet totally unrelated to the rest of the wedding, if she chooses- no rules should apply!  Maybe a bride might want to add a small flower sprig her mother or grandmother carried or a small object of significance buried within the bouquet.  It is a great way to pay tribute to an ideal or loved one. As far as I’m concerned the brides in charge and although I offer many suggestions, I encourage her to go with her feelings.