Sending Smiles ~

Floral Designers have one thing in common and it's universally known: You know your shop is busy if you grow a few inches by the end of the day!! Designers arrange quickly and do not always hit the garbage can until sometime during the day when I make them clean up at their feet! Stems, leaves and other discards go right onto the floor and the bigger the pile the more productive you've been. This photo was taken at Designer Rocio's feet after she made 18 floral centerpieces this past weekend for bride and groom Alison and Drew. Roses, statice, gerbers and hydrangea stems all mingle into one big pile. Ah, perhaps composting is next? Have you seen those movies about Flower Shop workers that have hit the movie theaters lately? The ones that show Jennifer Aniston with clean hands and little sandals on her feet? Well, in  case you were wondering if that is what it is like to design in a flower shop - the answer is no and here's your  proof!!

Ok, it's a "had to share" moment. I love, love, love this bouquet that we have created for our bride Katie who is getting tomorrow! All white mini callas accented between with simple, cool white feathers. How sophisticated and striking with a slightly "Art Deco" feel. I'm truly loving it! I can imagine the guests faces when they see her enter the gardens at Prospect House on the campus of Princeton University. As she passes, they will be dazzled with a view her feathered headpiece. To be clear this is not for the our bride Katie getting married on Sunday! I'm giggling as I write this because I can picture Katie number 2's face drop if she reads this and thinks "where is my bouquet of creams and pinks of roses and orchids"! Ah, I love the summer wedding season.....

Whenever I'm helping someone decide on what flowers to send for a birthday or what their wedding flowers should look like, I always start with color. Sending flowers for a birthday? Bold, dramatic colors really speak to the occasion and make it fun. Hoping to send a sunny smile to someone who is sick? Studies show that the color yellow speeds healing and makes people feel more healthy. I guess that's why many hospital rooms are painted yellow, huh? What I loved about this bouquet we created for our bride Kathryn was that she was not afraid to pop in there with some dramatic color and shake it up with some different textures. The mini callas and orchids mixed among the roses keeps the viewer guessing. I can't wait to see a picture of her walking down the aisle with this stunningly colorful bouquet!!

Ah, you have to love Halloween and what is more fun than a wedding?  Rachel and Brian were a fun couple and it was great getting to know them (even if I did call the groom Ben once - dah!) and their families. Their wedding at the Nassau Inn went off without a hitch. Lots of "orange unique" roses accented with brown berries and yellow solidago really looked gorgeous against the brides maids brown dresses. It was especially fun creating a floral display in Brian's family princess basket for the flower girl to carry! Traditions are so important it was an honor to creating another rememberance in the 45 year old heirloom!Rachels bouquet included mango mini callas along with roses and was the perfect compliment to her romantic lace gown. The groomsmen looked handsome with their orange rose boutonnieres and Brian with his single "Mango" mini calla. The mothers carried small hand tied bouquets of ivory roses which complimented their dresses. The centerpieces were a