Daily Gazette Bridal Show 2016

We just wanted to say thank you to all the brides who stopped to see us yesterday at the Saratoga Hall of Springs. We enjoyed talking and visiting with all of you, and hope to see you at the shop for your free wedding consult!

Valentine's Day Made Easy!

The new year has begun! For us, that means preparing for Valentines Day. It's always our goal to make ordering the perfect flowers an easy process. This being said, here's a few tips that will make ordering a lot easier.

Consider the recipient's personality and taste
By default, most people automatically assume that you'll send roses. While many love and appreciate this classic tradition, there are other options. If the person you're sending to is more of a free spirit, with a laid back vibe, consider a non traditional arrangement. Below are a few options from our Teleflora collection:

Teleflora's Sweet Thoughts Bouquet











 Teleflora's Enchanted Cottage Bouquet









Consider The Logistics Of Delivery
As you may have guessed, Valentine's Day is one of the busiest delivery days of the year. If your special someone is at work, plan to know when they leave for the day. We can't guarantee any specific delivery time, as there are many stops. However, know that we will deliver the flowers before they leave for the day. This year the 14th falls on a Sunday. Consider sending flowers to their workplace on Friday, as it will be an early surprise that will be sure to make them smile!


Have Realistic Expectations
If you're unsure of what to order, you can always order over the phone or in person with one of our design staff. We are seasoned pros, so we can easily tell you what arrangement will meet your needs, and still be within your budget. Keep an open mind. Sometimes we have ideas that will surprise you! For instance, you can do a gorgeous mixed vase that the designer will make especially for you, or even wrapped flowers if that special someone has a favorite vase at home that you know they would love to fill with fresh flowers.
Each arrangement is made to order. While we make every effort to come as close as we can to the photo displayed, each designer will design a bit differently. Also, sometimes flowers come in damaged, or are unavailable, and a substitutions will be made. However, rest assured that the arrangement will always be filled to equal or greater value.

We've been in the floral business for over 100 years, and are family owned. We pride ourselves on excellence in design and customer service. We are excited for a new year of serving our customers. Here's to a Happy Valentine's Day (and 2016!).

Festive Fall Floral Decor

Fall is here! For many, this is the time of year that conveys joy and anticipation of the winter holidays. Trips to the country to see the fall foliage, lazy days spent walking around a small town in Vermont or the Adirondacks, and memories of cider doughnuts and apple picking. With all the wonderful things to see outside, it's easy to forget the many ways to make home just as warm, welcoming and colorful.

The easiest way to add color to your home for the fall is hardy mums. They are easy to display, and will stand up to the cool fall temperatures here in the northeast. The most popular was to decorate a home with them is to either plant them directly into existing plant beds, say around your walkway, porch or light post, or, alternatively, to display them in nice planters that hold enough soil to keep the mums moist. A word of caution on planters: Be sure to choose a heavier design, as when planters become too dry, they tend to be tipped over by wind. However, a simple fix for this is often crushed stone at the base of the planter beneath the soil to weigh them down. Also, be sure to make sure they have proper drainage.

Wreaths are also a great way to make your home warm and inviting. They are also the perfect gift for your hostess when you are over for a special dinner or visiting! Silks are best, as they withstand every condition. Our designers can customize a wreath to make sure it fits your taste, and compliments the decor of your home. Door wreaths, indoor wreaths, wall swags. You name it, we can do it.

Last but not least, fresh fall arrangements are a wonderful addition to any home, and they also make great gifts for any occasion. In an era where social media reigns, people often appreciate the gift of flowers so much more than a get well, congratulations or thank you message on you page or wall. We are a member of Teleflora, so we can send arrangements both locally and across the country as well.                                                                                                       

Also, we carry a wide variety of gift items including fabulous fall candles, candies, vases and more!

Stop in today and visit any of our 3 locations. 

Ordering Sympathy Pieces

Sympathy pieces are an important part of the work we do. The death of a loved one or friend is never easy. Flowers allow you to send a very personal message, especially in cases where you are unable to attend a wake or other service.

Casket Mounds/ Casket Sprays
The casket mound is generally ordered by the closest family member. Usually, Spouse, children, siblings, or a significant other. This piece sets directly on top of the casket. It usually will have a custom ribbon, which says something to the effect of Husband, Wife, Mother, Father, Son, etc. Each one is unique and reflects the taste of the family or individual that it is for.

Casket Inset Pieces

The pieces are most commonly sent by the grandchildren or children of the deceased. The inside of the casket is generally reserved for family members, however there are exceptions. Common pieces for the inside of the lid are satin hearts or crosses, corner pieces, or rose presentations. 

Easel Spray
These are large pieces that are put on stands. They are usually oval or diamond shaped, but can also be stylized to a person's unique tastes. They are one of the most popular pieces that people send.

Assorted Set Pieces

There are a number of large pieces that are meant to be put on easels. These include crosses, wreaths, heart wreaths, to name a few. If a person was religious, a cross would be a good fit. Or, if someone was an avid gardener, a wreath of garden flowers would be appropriate.

Traditional Funeral Baskets and Pedestals

These are two pieces that are designed in containers, generally in a triangular shape. The traditional funeral basket is a piece that is designed to sit on the floor, and works well when brought to the cemetery, as the base is meant to be placed on the ground. The pedestal is a piece that is designed to be placed on a pedestal in the funeral home, and can be made large and showy.

Dish Gardens

These are very popular and are often sent by neighbors and employers. They are easy to care for, and a designer can add fresh flowers in water tubes to bring color into the garden.

There are many other options that are available for sympathy flowers. If you call or stop in, we can help you make the best choice and make the process as easy as possible.

Saying Thank You With Flowers

Have you ever had someone do you a favor, and couldn't think of a way to thank them? Often times a simple way to say thank you is with flowers or plants. The type of arrangement or plant will be dependent up what the "thank you" is for.

For example, you recently stayed at a friends home for a few days to visit. For this, a vase floral arrangement would be appropriate. What you choose will depend upon a few things:

- How long you have known the friend

- How large their home is

- Their personal taste

If the friend has a small apartment, a cube arrangement or small vase will most likely be the best choice, as that will easily fit anywhere. You can always add flowers such as roses, orchids, hydrangea or other premium flowers to make it a more upscale piece. However, if the friend has a large house with a grand foyer entrance, then a large airy vase may be better suited to their taste. You could go with say, a wildflower feel featuring larkspur, roses, lilies, fancy greens and other delicate flowers.  It all depends on a variety of factors. If it's spring or summer, you could even sent a patio pot or hanging basket.

Another is example is sending a thank you a business that has helped you. Say, a doctor, lawyer, accountant, the bank. For this, something such as a dish garden or a low maintenance plant would be more appropriate. Most office professionals appreciate plants because they help to accent the office, as well as when properly matched, are low maintenance. 

If you're unsure, we are always happy to help guide you to the right choice to fit your budget and taste. Saying thank you can be done tastefully and with style when done with flowers and plants. 

Bridal Wars 2015!

Today's post is all about Bridal Wars! We were there yesterday to have fun and give brides a chance to earn a free wedding bouquet. For those of you don't know, Bridal Wars is a unique event where brides compete to earn awesome prizes from all different wedding vendors. Events With Style presents the event, and It's hosted by Randy Fenoli, star of Say Yes To The Dress! The day was filled with fun. Randy made sure to spend time with every bride, and even brought along Chewy!

Our challenge was called "Get It Girl". It was a bouquet toss relay. Each ring had a point value, and the bride had 60 seconds to toss and retrieve the bouquet as many times as possible to earn points. The other members of her team had the job of cheering her on. Our grand prize was a free brides bouquet!

Before the brides set out to compete, Randy got them pumped up to win!

Brides came in all sorts of team costumes, each unique, and all awesome! Check out this team, complete with curlers and kerchiefs!

It was a great day for both brides and vendors. We can't wait for next year's Bridal Wars!

Outdoor wedding at the Mohawk River Country Club in Rexford

Dexter Davis Photography - Outdoor Wedding At Mohawk River Country Club

I think Dexter captured the sheer fun and joy that Joylyne and Yury were having on their wedding day.  I know I sure can't operate my fancy camera half as well.  It takes a pro to capture and frame the day as it goes so quickly by.  We were all blessed with great weather at the MRCC that day which was especially important for the outdoor ceremony.  We are always ready though with a back up plan and an arch to set up inside. Check out our website for all the rental items that we offer.