Who's supposed to pay for that?

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Have you ever wondered who was supposed to pay for wedding flowers?  Well, in today's wedding, it is common for the bride and groom to bear most, if not all of the financial responsibilities.  Traditionally, however, the bride's family is responsible for most of the wedding flowers, with a few items that are specifically the responsibility of the groom's family.

Bride / Bride's Family Responsibilities:
~ Flowers for all female attendants (including Flower Girls)
~ All corsages EXCEPT those for Mothers and Grandmothers
~ All ceremony decor
~ All reception decor

Groom / Groom's Family
~ Bride's bouquet
~ Corsages for Mothers and Grandmothers
~ All boutonnieres
~ Flowers for family member unable to attend the wedding
~ All decor for the Rehearsal Dinner

Made in the USA. . .Or Not?

As I'm spending a month in Lithuania something crossed my mind.  Are the flowers we receive "made in the USA?"  Well, not really.  Unless we get the flowers from a farmer's market (which we have done before), the flowers we receive have as much international flavor as Northwest Arkansas itself.

Last summer I traveled to Guatemala and I was stunned by the beauty of the flowers there!  They had Bird of Paradise. . that grew wild!  We pay a lot of money for those flowers here in the United States.  Most of the flowers that we receive come from South American from countries such as Ecuador, Colombia, and Chile   However, we also receive flowers from Italy, Holland, and Australia.

In the United States, Florida and California are at the top of the floral growing chain but they struggle to compete with foreign countries.  The number one importer of flowers in the United States is Colombia. "Bogotá", in particular, one of our floral suppliers told me.  Colombia's premier climate makes it possible for us to have flowers such as roses, alstroemeria, baby's breath, and delphinium.

According to aboutflowers.com, 66% of flowers are produced in Colombia, 15% are from Ecuador, and 6% are from the Netherlands.  Mexico, Costa Rica, and Canada all round of the top six list of flower importers at 3% of flowers coming from those countries.

So why don't we use flowers from the United States?  Now, I'm not saying that we never use flowers from the US.  In fact, many tropical come from Hawaii.  One reason that florists search for flowers from outside the US is because of the limited growing season here.  South American countries have warmer weather all year round which makes them perfect for growing some of our favorite flowers.  European countries have a more wet, spring like climate, that make them great for growing Tulips and other US favorites.

So the next time you hold a fresh flower in your hand think to yourself "this flower traveled perhaps thousands of miles to be placed in an arrangement especially for me."

Its Like Building a House

Making a bouquet is similar to building a house.  You must have the right foundation and support or else your arrangement can snap or fall apart all together.  So much more goes into making a strong, long lasting, beautiful bouquet than meets the eye.

This arrangement containing stephanotis and carnations is actually a time consuming arrangement that requires lots of preparation before the bouquet can be assembled.  





The first thing to remember is to keep your fingers wet.  The oils from your hands can damage the petals and make them turn brown.  The flowers come with a green stalk on the end of them.  To begin, I removed the green stem from the flower.





The fuzzy looking sticks that are laying in the water are called stephanotis stems.  On one end they have cotton attached to them, similar to a q-tip, that soaks up water. These are inserted into the flower so that the flower can be used for arrangements and bouquets.






Next, I inserted the stephanotis stem backwards into the flower to remove the rest of the stalk that is left inside the flower.





I then turned the stem around and inserted it into the flower so that the cotton part rest gently into the middle of the flower.  This allows the flower to stay moist as well as provides a place for the pin to be placed in the middle of the flower.

When I was done, I had several nice flowers to be placed in bouquets.  All that is left is placing a pin in the middle of the flower and arranging them into a bouquet like the one above!

Another bouquet that I made on the same day also required much preparation to the flowers before it could be assembled.  This bouquet contains football mums and carnations (see, I told you I like carnations!).

Carnations can have weak stems when they are arranged into a bouquet.  For this reason, it is important to place a wire around the stem in order to add support.




When building a house, you don't want to build your house upon the sand but instead upon a rock, a strong foundation.  When creating a flower arrangement, we don't want to create something that is going to fall apart before it reaches the hands of a bride.  We want an arrangement that will stand strong through the ups. . and stresses. . .of a wedding day!

~Hannah
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River Valley Bridal Extravaganza 2011

For the first time, we will be exhibiting at the River Valley Bridal Extravaganza.  The Extravaganza will be held this Sunday, January 23 from 1pm to 4pm at the Kay Rogers Park Expo Center in Fort Smith.  (MAP)

Bridal Fairs can be overwhelming.  As a bride, you'll be on the receiving end of tons of wedding information.  You'll be asked over and over, 'When's your wedding?'  And you'll be asked to sign up for prizes, drawings, and mailing lists. 

So, to help you enjoy the day a bit more, here are a few tips...

"...you'll be on the receiving end of tons of wedding information...":  Think about who you want to visit with.  If you already have a florist, let us know when you arrive in our booth. We still want you to look around (Hopefully, you'll change your mind and choose us instead!), but if you're sure about your current florist (or other vendor), don't feel like you HAVE to take our information.  It will also save you time, if you know ahead of time which vendors you want to visit.    

If you want more information about a vendor than is provided at the show, ask to schedule a consultation.  We're inundated with brides during this limited amount of time.  It's hard to remember that you wanted pink roses to go with your honeysuckle (the 2011 color, by the way) dresses, while another bride wanted white hydrangeas and absolutely no pink roses!  In a consultation, you'll have our undivided attention! 

Realize it will be crowded.  If you don't like crowds, avoid arriving when the show starts (1pm).  But don't wait too long.  Most vendors start leaving when the fashion show starts.  

"...You'll be asked over and over, 'When's your wedding?' And you'll be asked to sign up for prizes, drawings, and mailing lists...":  Bring address labels with your name, wedding date and contact information.  You can order pre-printed labels, make your own, or get a self-inking stamp.  Just bring something so you don't have to fill out the same information at each booth.  (We ask for this information because we want to know who visited us during the show.  We also want to stay in contact with you after the show.  So, if you prefer NOT to get further info from a vendor, be sure to make that known.)  

Bring your camera. There's no better way to remember an idea you liked or a vendor you want to work with.   

"... to help you enjoy the day a bit more..."  Visit our booth! During all the craziness, take a few minutes to relax and 'smell the roses.'  We hope to see you on Sunday!

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In Gratitude...Nurturing a New Florist

I started working in a florist shop (I can't say 'working as a florist' because I really didn't have any skills yet) in 1994. Manny, the original owner of the shop and a florist with 36 years of experience, was kind enough to take me in under his wing. He taught me everything from how to wire a rose, to how to make a funeral spray, and how to wire and tape a bridal bouquet. Manny gave me a strong foundation while he nurtured a long-lasting love for the art of floral design. Without Manny's instruction and guidance there is a very good chance that I would not have become a florist and would not have a career that I love.

Now I have the opportunity to share this gift. Hannah has been working for me for almost three months. In this short time, it's obvious that she has a natural talent and gift for floral design. With some guidance and background in the fundamentals, Hannah will blossom into an extraordinary florist herself.

So, we’re starting an apprenticeship where Hannah will be learning the basic techniques and the fundamentals of floral design. As she learns new techniques, she will be making arrangements for practice. The arrangements she makes will be posted for sale on Facebook at a discounted price. Feel free to leave comments, critiques, and buy these arrangements to support and encourage Hannah's progress.

Today's Lesson: The Bud Vase (You can't get any more basic than that!)

Short Daisy Bud Vase

Tall Daisy Bud Vase

Alstroemeria Bud Vase

In a side note, I was reading Preston Bailey's blog today. Yesterday's post was titled: To Do: The Gift of Mentoring. "...For me, mentoring is about helping someone discover his or her gift. ..."
Read Preston's full post here: To Do: The Gift of Mentoring.


Hope to hear from you soon!

Reasons to keep flowers in your life...

Pretty, Scented Flowers Improve a Bad Mood and Promote Wellness

May 26, 2010 Arlene Lengyel

A Rose Can Reduce Stress -Arlene Lengel

People are attracted to pretty and fragrant flowers. Flowers can perk up awful moods, neutralize anxiety, and enhance sociability; all promote wellness.

People use flowers for all kinds of things, from birthdays to weddings to funerals. Flowers signify important events and offer a calming effect, as well as help individuals achieve better moods. Humans and flowers are the most evolved members of their kingdoms, Animalia and Plantae, respectively. Now research studies note that flowers support happiness and increase social togetherness.

How Flowers Evolved with Humans

The earliest evidence of a flowering plant is a fossil from China; it is about 125 million years old and scientists believe it was a water plant. Experts say flowers developed to attract animals that would aid in plants’ reproduction. One theory is that flowers developed on an island, forging a special relationship with an animal, like a wasp, which spread pollen, used to make seeds, when going from flower to flower.

Flowers are adaptations of plants’ leaves. Many flowers grown today started out as weeds and the assumption is that early humans did not disturb the prettiest flowers in their gardens; flowers were reseeded and humans became attached to them. Today’s important pollinators, bees, are descended from wasps and interestingly, have color vision.

Receiving Flowers Brings Pleasure and Increases Sociability

In a small study appearing in Evolutionary Psychology in 2005, Rutgers University researchers found that 100 percent of women smiled with a Duchenne smile after receiving a mixed bouquet of flowers. A Duchenne smile, first named by a French physician, involves use of muscles at the corner of the mouth and by the eyes; it signifies genuine, positive emotions.

Control groups received either a fruit basket or a large candle. Ninety percent of the fruit-receivers used a real smile and only 77 percent of candle-receivers smiled with a Duchenne smile. In addition, only those who received flowers reported a lasting, positive mood days later.

In an elevator study carried out by the same researchers, men or women alone in an elevator with two experimenters were presented with a large Gerber daisy, a pen or nothing. The researchers derived a total social score (TSS) by recording the type of smile, initiated talk (other than a thanks), and standing distance from the experimenters (usually strangers in an elevator retreat to opposite corners). The results showed that both men and women had higher TSS scores when receiving the Gerber daisy as compared to the pen-receivers and those who got nothing.

Living with Flowers Improves Attitudes at Home and Work

A Harvard University study, reported in 2006, found that living with flowers in the home – displaying bouquets in the most-used rooms – perked up moods in less than a week. The study, in cooperation with the Society of American Florists and the Flower Promotion Organization, discovered that people had their good moods transferred to work, and they had more compassion for their fellow beings.

Just as insects are attracted to a flower’s scent, humans have positive emotional ties with fragrant flowers. It is no accident that sensational-smelling red roses are the symbol of love. In addition, the phrase “stop and smell the roses” signifies a traditional way of reducing stress. Researchers in Japan, in an animal study, found that flower scents suppressed about 100 genes usually turned on in stressful situations.

Flower Scents Reduce Stress

Seven to ten different oils in petunia and snapdragon petals make the flowers’ scents. Other flowers may have hundreds of different oils. These oils are referred to as volatile oils as they do not last long in hot weather. Curiously, flower breeders in their quest for beautiful colors and longevity in the cut-flower market, let flower fragrance fall by the wayside for a time.

Flowers Contribute to Happiness and Wellness

Increasing positive emotions can cut stress that leads to physical illnesses. Receiving flowers, placing flowers in the home, and smelling flower scents are all simple, yet powerful, ways to boost upbeat emotions. Stopping worry, improving mood, feeling pleasure, and adding socialization are all components of not only wellness, but of happiness.

Read the original post by suite101.com here: Pretty, Scented Flowers Improve a Bad Mood and Promote Wellness

Locally Grown Flowers

It's been a crazy-busy couple of weeks.  I was supposed to post this last week because it tied in with a wedding we were working on for Saturday.  The bride came to us wanting her bouquet and a few other items and was planning on using flowers from the farmer's market and friends and family for reception decor.  This is a request we get fairly often.  Truthfully, I don't mind this.  Sometimes this request is made because the client's goal is to save money (more on the true cost of DIY in other posts),  sometimes it's to get a certain look (usually a more 'natural' or less structured look), and sometimes the goal is to be Eco-friendly.  With all these goals, the Farmer's Market is a natural place to turn.  And there are some truly beautiful flowers at our local market.  

Knowing this, and having some similar goals we've been working with some of the vendors from the Fayetteville Farmer's Market to provide a list of locally grown flowers and the time's that they are generally available.  As the list changes, we'll post updates.

We'll also add photos as we can  (you can also google these for images).  

Oh, and the bride that started this post, well after discussing the time her friends and family would have to spend away from festivities, she decided to hire us for the reception flowers as well.  And, yes, we still used the flowers she'd originally picked from the Market.  

Peonies and Seeded Eucalyptus.  We ordered these items because we are currently past the Peony season locally.

    

These 3 were a mix of local and non-local flowers, including herbs.

These flowers came exclusively from the Fayetteville Farmer's Market.  Using vases provided by the venue and local flowers, we worked with the bride to create the wedding she wanted. (ASIATIC LILIES, DIANTHUS, BACHELOR'S BUTTONS, and a few others.)


And I have to say, this was one of my favorite weddings this year.  A beautiful and fun bride, her wonderful mother, flowers I don't usually get to work with, and some great local vendors (The Garden Room and Dripping Springs Gardens)! 

Going Green With Local Flowers 

Below is a list of  the flowers available specific to the Northwest Arkansas growing seasons.  While this list comes from our local growers, it does not guarantee availability of the specific flowers or specific colors.  Due to the many factors (such as weather) affecting the growing season, a specific flower may be available earlier or later than indicated, in limited quantities, or only in specific colors.   It must be noted, however, that while choosing local is the greenest option, it does limit the availability of your choices.  But if having an earth-friendly event is important to you, we will work closely with you to ensure that your locally grown event flowers reflect the vision you have for your big day!

APRIL

TULIP

MAY

ASIATIC LILY

BACHELOR'S BUTTONS

BEE BALM

DIANTHUS

IRIS

LARKSPUR

PEONY 

SNAPDRAGON

JUNE

AGERATUM

ASIATIC LILY

DAHLIA

GLADIOLUS

MARIGOLD

SUNFLOWER

YARROW

ZINNIAS

JULY

AMARANTHUS

BUTTERFLY WEED

CELOSIA

EUPHORBIA

GOMPHRENA

LISIANTHUS

RUDBECKIA

STATICE

AUGUST

ORNAMENTAL MILLET
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Feel free to ask us about specific flowers you love...we'll research the availability and get back to you.  Or just leave a comment.   

Why Are Corsages So Dang Expensive, Anyway?!?

Well, when you think about it, there's quite a bit involved in a corsage. (And in boutonniere or any other floral design for that matter.  But for this post, we're just going to concentrate on corsages.)

First we have to coordinate the design to you (or your date's) dress style, dress color, and personality.  It really wouldn't do for the outgoing girl wearing the latest designer dress to have a traditional corsage with miniature roses and baby's breath, or for the vintage-wearing artistic girl to have a contemporary arm cuff with minimal florals.  So part of our job is to delve into the mind of the person ordering and to determine which floral art piece best goes with which girl.  Dress / personality style is just the beginning.  We also look at dress color, jewelery color (our silver arm cuff may not match your bronze choker and coordinating stilettos), type of flowers, and of course, budget.

Second, we don't make your grandmother's corsage!  We're creating floral jewelry, complete with a keepsake bracelet (no more elastic wristlets).  We also don't make cookie-cutter corsages.  Each piece created is unique, just as each flower is unique.

And then there's the technical aspects: materials, time, and skill. Yes, each of these comes with a price tag. We won't lie about that.  Each corsage physically contains some or all of the following materials: ribbons of various sizes and materials (sheer, single face satin, double face satin, picot, etc.), wire, tape, glue, crystal accents, pearl accents, decorative wire(s), elastic band or keepsake bracelet,  permanent foliage, fresh foliage, and of course FLOWERS.

Then, to make a well constructed corsage takes time--both when making the specific corsage and training time and practice time to master the techniques. Which translates to skill.  Making a well constructed corsage is not something you get right the first time!   It takes practice (i.e.time).  So part of your cost is for the time it takes to make your corsage.

Finally, the creative aspect.  The non-physical part where I know this piece fits here and not there.  Part of this comes from training, part from practice, and part from having the artistic 'eye' for flowers.  I can make a pretty good chicken pot pie but I'm not a chef.   I can take an OK photo, but I'm not a photographer.  I just don't have the eye (or taste bud) that turns my cooking or my photography into ART.  Yes, a portion of your cost is for my artistic ability.

Can corsages be expensive?  Sure they can--if you're only looking at the price tag.  But what you end up with is well worth it: a personalized floral creation unique to you.  Styling, individual design, materials, time, skill, and art--whether a gift from your date or the final accessory you've picked to compliment your ensemble, what better way to complete your (often) first formal event?

Enjoy!