Yes…we all love flowers but they cannot last forever. Sad as that is I decided to help you in showing you the longest lasting flowers throughout my years of experience. Now understand that proper storage, conditioning and weather all play a role in preservation. I hope this helps you in deciding what flowers to use on your wedding day

Protea

Enchanting, tropical blooms perched on tall, sturdy stems. Many varieties of protea are quite large and look gorgeous en masse in a ceramic vase. They have a prolonged life in a vase due to their woodsy nature and don’t require a lot of water to live. Even as they dry out, they continue looking beautiful and lively.

Calla Lilies 

Traditionally long-lasting—and their sculptural, architectural design look best when displayed singularly or as a cluster. Check the water every other day to keep it clear. Remove individual calla lilies as they begin to fade or droop, and the rest should remain fresh.

Foliages

 Tropical plants such as palms or monstera, traditionally last longer than flowers, especially if the water is kept clear. They add to a beautiful tablescape when displayed in assorted vases. For larger leaves, display as one per vase; and for smaller leaves, display in a collection or group of mixed leaves.

Berries

(such as hypericum berries) can be displayed in a collection of interesting vases or mixed with other woodland textures for a fuller bouquet. Be sure to check the water every other day to make sure it doesn’t get cloudy.

Amaryllis

Large trumpet-shaped flowers that are beloved throughout the holiday and winter months. The stems have multiple blossoms that bloom in succession, which adds to its longevity of its display. Amaryllis have beautiful, thick stems that should be shown off in a clear, tall glass vase.

Cymbidium Orchids

 Known for their longevity, these large, exotic flowers are best displayed as a single stem in a vase. The key is to keep the display pure and simple, allowing the flower to radiate its natural beauty.

Thistle 

A unique, spiny bloom with a cone center. It comes in a variety of bold colors—like the in striking blue ‘Super Nova’ variety, as well as green and purple. Its sculptural form adds distinctive texture to bouquets, and also looks sophisticated and beautiful when singularly displayed in a vase.

Ornithogalum

Also known as Star-of-Bethlehem based on its star-shaped flowers, ornithogalum are beautiful when clustered together. The stems are skinny, so they fit perfectly in a vase with a smaller neck. With its multiple blooms along the stem, simply remove the blossoms that have wilted and the others will continue to bloom—giving it a longer life.

Chrysanthemums

 A longer-lasting flower. Larger varieties, like DecoNova and Fuji, are best displayed on their own to appreciate the enormous blossom. Smaller varieties look lovely when displayed en masse.

Ivy

Represents eternity—and is known to last quite a long time. It adds romance and movement when crowning a single variety floral design, and also looks lovely as an accompaniment to a single stem in a bud vase.

Hybrid Tea Roses

A cross between hybrid perpetuals and old fashioned tea roses. These hybrid roses were created with all the virtues you look for in a flower: beauty, fragrance, easy care and a tendency to last longer than traditional garden roses. Roses are best displayed as a compact bouquet and will live longer when the stems are cut shorter.

Casablanca Lilies 

Notoriously long lasting, as they take about a week to even begin opening. The dramatic white blossoms give off an irresistible scent. To keep fresh, change the water ever few days and recut ½ inch off the stem. Keep away from direct sunlight.

How to choose a color palette is best for your wedding? If you’re struggling to narrow it down, think about your wedding photos. Consider which colors make you and your wedding venue pop. Order samples or print out your favorite palettes, grab the camera, and head to your venue and check it out.

TIP: If you already picked your palette but need help narrowing down venues, take your palette to each venue to compare.

What colors make you and your venue look amazing in photos? That’s it…your wedding color palette! You now are on your way to making amazing photos of your wedding day!

“A florist has the best job playing with flowers all day”.  It must mean it’s the most relaxing and fun job out there.  Yes, playing with flowers all day can be so much fun, but being a florist isn’t always pretty fragrances  and flowers. 

A florist’s day  involves getting your hands dirty, cleaning buckets, processing flowers, crunching numbers for orders, logistics of everything coming together, contacting your growers to order all the flowers, triple checking that the pink is the right shade of pink , setting up of the products, ect. There is so much more to being a florist than just playing with pretty flowers. 

• I am absolutely a fan of Pinterest but it my job to bring you back from the world of luxury to match your budget.  I would love to be able to create beautiful, cascading arrangements.  We all know we cannot.  I know how to help get the biggest bang your budget will allow.

• Flowers are not clean.  Your hands WILL be dirty when you’re done.  There will be dirt under your fingernails and your palm lines will be stained green.  It is not glamorous.  I can’t tell you the last time I got a manicure because I know the nail polish will just chip within hours of working.

• Where will you be getting your flowers and greens?  Sure, there is Sam’s Club, Costco and places on-line. But then…

 What happens when half a bunch of your flowers come in bruised,      molded or frozen?  What happens when the flowers you ordered don’t show up and you get stuck in the customer service loop with no answers or solutions?

Trust me when I tell you that every bunch of flowers does NOT arrive in pristine condition, with no broken heads, no bruising, or no mold.  This is when having a great relationship with your wholesaler comes in handy!

• How do you know you’ll have enough roses, hydrangeas, greens to fill all 20 centerpieces?  How do you cost out each centerpiece so you know you’re staying within your budget?

       We all have that moment of oopps totally counted that wrong.  There have been times that I have needed to call my wholesaler at the last minute 

• Who will be the one tasked with spending their morning packing, delivering, setting up and tearing down all the centerpieces?

Depending on how many details you have on your tables this can be a timely task when your mothers, aunts, or girlfriends should be relaxing and getting ready to celebrate you and your love. 

A  florist isn’t just playing with pretty flowers all day.  There are so many different stressors that come with designing centerpieces and bouquets for a wedding. This is a very important day and we all want it to be beautiful.

Being your florist means I take all of those floral worries off your shoulders.  I hold all the stress that your flowers look perfect, colors flow together, nothing wilts, and your day comes together just as we discussed.

It is my greatest reward when I see your face light up when you first see your bouquet.

Brides, take that week leading up to your wedding to relax, enjoy your wedding bliss, spend the time you have with family and friends who have traveled near and far to celebrate you.  TAKE the time to get a massage, be pampered with a mani and pedi.  Do not get your hands dirty so that stunner of a rock on your finger sparkles just as bright as the love you two share.

Take that week to love your best friend and celebrate that love.  You deserve it.  Leave the stress of flowers to your florist. I have been creating for over 25 years.  I love it.  Would not change my love for being a florist with any other job.  
Stay safe and healthy ♥️

Sometimes you wonder if you are working hard enough, if there is something more I could do, or am I in the right business. Then you get a honor given to you that reminds you why you do what you do. We all like to be recognized for our work, but seldom do you hear the good but boy you can bet you will hear from the bad. I don’t think people care that you put your heart and soul in your work, they just want an instant “does not cost anything or much” feeling.

I was awarded in the top 1% of the entire United States by Two Bright Lights. They are a publication means for vendors throughout the wedding world. What a surprise and such an honor.
thank you to all that made this possible, my clients, my vendor friends, and Two Bright Lights. I am humbled and thrilled.

May 2020 be as exciting and beautiful

I am thrilled to have my work featured on Wedding Chicks Website. With over 1.8 million followers. What a blessing. Check it out www.weddingchicks.com .

Picture #1

Model Hannah Easton. Photography Wild Heart Films. Makeup Richmond Makeup Artist. Posh PR and Venue Dover Hall

Picture #2

Model Valeska Liner. Photography Theresa Elizabeth Photography. Venue Reverly NOVA

Yesterday I had the most amazing experience with some ladies in business. Posh PR in Richmond allowed me the floor to talk about my business. I spoke about how I named my business, how I started my business, how I manage my business, and how I treat my clients.

Yes it was all about me but I wanted all to know that they are absolutely amazing and they all have amazing gifts. I truly did not value myself like I should, but Posh has helped me reach my full potential. They taught me that it’s ok to say “ I am good at what I do”. And mean it.

That was the one thing I wanted all these ladies to learn, we are good at what we do. Thank you Posh PR.

It is so much fun to include everyone in the day filled with memories. A picture of your fur baby all dolled up. Your little people adding to the smiles of the day. The entire family sharing the special moment together.

So many ways to add to your wedding day. Remember that you can do whatever your style, your way without ever you like. There are no set rules, it’s your day.

So remember when planning your wedding day, there are no rules- just your memories.

Many people ask me why do I travel for weddings. My answer is the same, I love weddings, I love to travel, and I love flowers.
Without question, there are many great florists throughout Virginia. By traveling to different parts of the state, I also have opportunities to create in different styles and themes. Northern Virginia has a tendency to be more contemporary or elegant themes. Virginia Beach area have tendency to be more of a beach feel. Williamsburg area has a more casual family and romantic feel. Charlottsville have a rustic and vineyard feel.

To me, nothing is more exciting than to be creative. A blank canvas for each wedding is like an artist with a paintbrush. That is also why I work without a storefront. The 1-800 type companies serve their purpose. I find it like being a robot. Doing the exact arrangement over and over. I never do the same arrangement for two couples. Every couple is different and so should their wedding flowers.

So why I travel….because I love it!

Roses are an amazing flower to use for your special wedding day. But did you know there are “meanings” behind the colors.

• Redd roses: “I love you”

• White roses: “I am the one for you”

• Pink roses: “Thank you”

• Yellow roses: “We’re such good friends”

• Yellow roses with red tip: “I’m falling in love with you”

• Red and white roses together: “We are a great match”

I believe any color speaks of your personality more than “meanings”. I believe it’s your day. Celebrating it with flowers only adds beauty to your story day. Let’s create some beautiful memories with flowers

Quicksand roses

I saw an article today that really hit home to me. I absolutely love this.
The reason I love this is because so many people think there is a certain way you are to do your wedding. Let me tell you. There is no “way” you have to do your wedding. All you have to do is enjoy your day, your way, your love, your friends and family, your memories. Add your personal touch to your day. Remember it’s the only time you get to do this day.

I hope this makes you smile like I did. Grandma sure loved it .