Stylish Blooms

We love Pro Pics

2012-01-16T16:28:00.000-06:00

I love this time of year when Photographers start sending me images of our work. Here is a few that we have gotten so far. Visit our website www.stylishblooms.com to see our complete portfolio.

www.snapshotsunlimited.com

www.travelintimephotography.info

www.heatherchickphotography.com

www.Heatherchickphotography.com

Crystal Candelabra - New Rental Item.

2011-11-19T12:23:00.000-06:00

I am exited to premier our amazing new rental item. It is a 5 arm crystal candelabra complete with hanging crystals... It is a stunning piece that is sure to make a big statement. Contact us today for rental information In CT and surrounding areas. You do not have to be a floral client to rent any of our rental Items.

Feather Centerpiece

2011-10-15T18:33:00.001-05:00

It has been a crazy 7 month. The wedding season is slowing down and I hope I can catch up on blogging soon

I created 2 of these purple ostrich and peacock feather arrangements for a candy bar. The couples theme was 1920's glam and these fit exactly.

The silver stands is our candelabra with the arms removed. Perfect for a centerpiece stand

These are just to pretty not to Share!

Enjoy,

Not All floral designers are created equal.

2011-09-08T08:05:00.002-05:00

This question was asked to me last night by a photographer friend -

Whats your opinion"Have I asked you this before... Do you use those horrible White plastic flower holders?? ...... if you do are they particularly for cascade style bouquets?? I LOVE hand tied ones SO much better and they LAST thru out a wedding where as more and more the bride who get ones with the plastic holders their hands HURT and they are SO heavey and the flowers are falling out by the reception :( on these"

Answer:

Sometimes a design warrants the use of these bouquet holders.. Especially for designs that include water loving flowers such as hydrangeas or for an intricate design that you need placement control over such as a cascade style bouquet. The big difference is how you use the holders.

A cascade style bouquet is heavy and can start to hurt after holding it for awhile. Plastic holders are not long enough or sturdy enough to distribute the weight of the bouquet evenly when being held for a long period.

Below is a bouquet that I designed for a wedding on Sunday. Its in a holder but you can't tell. Just above our logo you can see the stems wrapped in ribbon. The holder is covered in greenery and you can't even tell it is there. This is a design technique that creates a hand tied look, while giving the bride the comfort needed to hold such a bouquet on her wedding day and the flowers a constant water source .

Not all floral designers are created equal. Be sure the florist you select for your wedding is properly trained and knows the techniques needed to design you a beautiful bouquet that is crafted well.

Cascade bouquet

Bride holding bouquet

Birch Chuppah

2011-05-10T17:40:00.000-05:00

Last wedding season I was asked to provide a chuppah for 3 different wedding ceremonies. I took these request as an opportunity to add a Chuppah to our rental Inventory. The results where better than I could have ever expected and a huge hit. For the current wedding season I was asked for a organic version. I again decided to expand my rental inventory. After many hours, I can say its done! I am beyond thrilled with the out come and can't wait to use it in June. The last piece of the chuppah is the custom cover that is going to be made to fit. I am also going to modify it so that it can be made smaller to be used as an arbor. All though it has been made to be used as a chuppah it can also be used for a wedding canopy for an outdoor wedding. Contact us at weddings@stylishblooms.com for pricing and availability.

Original Chuppah

Base of birch chuppah

Details

Structure

All thats left is the covering

April Special - Custom hair piece

2011-03-22T09:09:00.000-05:00

Book any wedding date for 2012 and receive a complimentary fresh flower hair piece. The hair piece will be customized to match your bridal bouquet and accent your hair style using fresh flowers. Contact us today at weddings@stylishblooms.com to set up your complimentary consultation. If you are already a client you may also take advantage of this offer. Deposit and contract must be received by April 30th for offer to be valid.

Below is Samanthas custom hair piece. Red rose petals and the eyes of anemones are used to create her custom hair piece. It is accented with crystals and black feathers to mach her bouquet

photo provided by | www.redshoephoto.com

~ The show must go on ~

2011-03-20T20:35:00.000-05:00

On February 16th I fell and broke my ankle. I wish I had a great story as to how but I really don't, I tripped and landed just right on my ankle. Since then I have successfully executed 4 weddings, a Funeral and a very successful bridal show. I broke it on a wednesday with a double wedding weekend just days away. I am very grateful to the wonderful support I have had to help me during this time. My clients count on me and I need to be 100% for them.

I have been in a walking boot for 4 weeks and I have another 10 days to go. The hardest part of all of this is not being able to drive. The boot is on my right foot and driving with it is impossible... I have my family driving me around from appointment to appointment. I am even more grateful that I work for myself and can schedule around those helping me.

My clients have hired me to do a specific job and that job will always be done no matter what happens. As much as I try to protect my self things do happen. The broken ankle is just a little bump in the road..... As always the show must go on and I am thankful that my 2 brides the days following my injury were very understanding of the situation and trusted me to do a great job broken ankle or not. If it had to happen I am glad it happened now and not in May.... I say its my bodies way of making me slow down before the busiest months begin. I have yet to slow down....

Thank you to all those who have been so understanding. It means the world to me...

~ Melissa ~

Happy Valentines Day

2011-02-14T10:55:00.001-06:00

Whether you are single or in a relationship remember some bunny loves you!

♥♥♥♥♥♥ Dunkin ♥♥♥♥♥

New Rental Silver Candelabra

2011-02-11T18:06:00.000-06:00

I am excited to announce that we have a silver candelabra for rent. It is 30" high and has 4 arms with votive holder adapters. I have 10 to rent. If you have more tables than 10 a mix of high and low centerpieces is always beautiful option. As with most our rentals there is no fee to use them but there is a minimum of $125 per arrangement in order for them to be used. Email for more information.

melissa@stylishblooms.com

Beautiful ornate base

Stem of candelabra

Arm with candle adapter

has a center bowl so arrangements can be easily removed
to enjoy after event

Close up of center. Arms can be removed and used just as an arrangement stand

A wedding planned in under 2 weeks

2011-02-01T21:19:00.002-06:00

I meet Jennifer and Bill 2 weeks ago. They were planning there wedding for January 30th and had only been engaged for 2 weeks at that point and had less than 2 weeks to find vendors. 2 weeks was plenty of time to source flowers and supplies needed to achieve their vision The only issue was a snow storm the week of the wedding delayed the flowers by a day.

I couldn't have been happier with the outcome. Jennifer and Bill are such a great couple with such fun personalities and so ment for each other. They used old school game boards under the centerpieces and scrabble tiles on the place card settings anding the perfect touch. The chuppah was adorned with garlands of greenery and coordinating flower and accented with orchid garlands. It was simply beautiful! The color palette was deep purples and blues perfect for a winter wedding.

Jennifers Review: ✭✭✭✭✭

If I could give Stylish Blooms more than 5 stars, I would in a second!! We decided to get married very quickly, and she put me at ease right away.

Stylish Blooms just did our flowers for our reception. Melissa was a pleasure to work with, relaxed, professional and very talented. The price was right, and we were thrilled with the results. Everyone thought the flowers were gorgeous and unique... just what we wanted!!

Feels Like Spring

2011-01-27T14:58:00.000-06:00

Have a case of the winter blues? For $10 you can enjoy a little bit of spring in your home. With this quick and easy project anyone can afford to enjoy the beauty of fresh flowers in their home/office.

Materials needed:

- Bud vases in any shape or color (these ones were from my great aunt)

- A bunch of fresh flowers from your local florist. $10 or so will be enough to do a grouping of 3 seasonal flowers

- Sharp knife or scissors

Instructions:

- Fill each vase with warm water and floral food packet provided by florist.

- Cut the bottom of each flower and place in to vases. There is really no wrong way.
Above I did a little grouping of heather, iris and daffodil - I could have put one flower in each vase and used the heather as fill in all the vases. The sky is the limit and

- Place in grouping and enjoy or use individually throughout your home/office

Winter wedding

2011-01-25T17:07:00.004-06:00

Winter Wedding

I love winter weddings. We started the 2011 wedding season with 2 winter weddings. Both very different and both very beautiful. The second wedding was of Stephanie and Tom and was held at the beautiful ST. Clements Castle. The night before Connecticut received 10" of snow making the setting for their winter wedding perfect. Below is her bouquet and her sweet review. I truly love what I do and I just love every thing about her bouquet!

Stephanies Bouquet of white mini calla lilies,

crystal accented Stephanotis, Silver berries, and white feathers

Wrapped in white fur.

Stephaine's Review -

"The flowers provided for our winter wedding were exactly what I asked for & she was able to stay within the budget I requested. Melissa was working till the last minute to find an accent flower I really wanted & picked it up that morning. Meeting her was easy (we chose a starbucks), pymnts were also easy (paypal on her site), and she carries a ton of decor with her to help design your wedding theme. Would def recommend her." Stephanie and Tom 1.08.11

Visit our weddingwire account to read all our reviews

~ February / March Special ~

2011-01-23T16:31:00.001-06:00

Book your wedding/event* (over $1000) between now and March 31st and we will

decorate, up to 6 of our candy buffet containers, to match your event colors and theme.

This Special includes, Rental of containers, design, Colored table overlay, set up/break down & candy scoops (if needed). Simply provide the candy and packaging and we will do the rest.

* Limited to available dates and venues in Connecticut,

Flower total must be over $1000 before tax | Has no cash value

www.stylishblooms.com

860.392.8045

Stock Photos

2011-01-18T17:20:00.003-06:00

Time and time again I see the use of stock photos being used to promote flowers. This makes my skin crawl. In a profession that is driven by creativity why would anyone want to use an image that isn't their work to promote themselves? I often wonder if prospective clients realize these images are stock photos and are not the work of the business.

You would never want your caterer have you do a taste testing with food they didn't prepare or a photographer to show you a portfolio of images they didn't capture. So why has it become acceptable among florist to show images of bouquets they didn't make?

I always try and show a prospective client my work and if I can't, I tell them this is an idea that I found that I think you might like. I would never try to pass it off as my own designs. Photos are a great way to convey to your florist your likes and dislikes, but always remember to ask to see pictures of the designers most current work to make sure you like what you see. Every designer is different and so should the images they use to promote their work.

First wedding of 2011

2011-01-09T19:53:00.001-06:00

2011 wedding season is here! Our first wedding of the New Year took us to The Society Room in Hartford, CT. It turned out to be a beautiful snowy day! I received a call from the brides mother today thanking me for the flowers! I truly love what I do. Our second wedding of the season took us to ST. Clements castle, Stay tuned for that blog!

Happy New Year!!

2010-12-30T19:42:00.001-06:00

I can't believe tomorrow is the end of 2010. This year has been such a whirlwind filled with so many amazing couples, vendors and beautiful flowers!

So many things changed for me this past year that I am still trying to take most of it in.

I was able to quit my part time job and just focus only on Stylish Blooms. I bought a floral cooler, adopted a mascot, and lastly the biggest change of 2010 is I traded my 2000 Grand am in for a van. I had the pleasure of being a part over 45 weddings and events in CT & NY. Many of these couples have become my friends and I consider all of them my family. I truly feel blessed on how amazing 2010 turned out. I already have more weddings booked for next year than I did this year and that is the best feeling in the world. I have to say thank you to all of my past clients who entrusted me with there wedding flowers, for all those who left reviews, sent cards and referred Stylish Blooms to friends and family and lastly I need to thank my family and friends for all the support, help and love they gave to help me get this far!!!!!

Happy New Year!!

~ Melissa ~

photo by:www.jasonhenriques.com

What if?

2010-11-18T19:55:00.000-06:00

What if you get sick? What if you have an emergency? These are 2 of the most frequently asked questions I hear from prospective clients.

It is no secret that at times I am a one women show, but when it comes to designing and setting up for weddings I would be insane to attempt it alone. I am lucky enough to have wonderful crew to help me with flower processing, prep work, as well as delivery and set up. If I need design help for an event I have a wonderful set of trained designers who can copy samples and follow my direction. Nothing leaves the studio without my approval. I am a control freak when it comes to my work and I am the only one who makes bouquets (those are mine). I have hand picked and trained an amazing crew to help with set up and deliver. They can deliver bouquets, set up centerpieces and decorate cakes just as well as I can, after all they learned from the very best.

One of the best part about my job (besides the best clients) is most of the planning and designing is done behind the scenes giving me a very flexible schedule. Photographers, Planners, MUA, and DJ's work the day of a wedding and some work the whole day giving them a strict schedule to follow. I do have a delivery schedule and set up schedule to follow, however, its what leads up to that delivery that makes it different for me. The flowers and designs are planned out Months in advance and the flowers and supplies needed for each wedding are ordered weeks in advance. I can design any time of day or night and because I work from home I can take my time . If it takes me 10 hours longer to design a wedding because I am sick, the bride will never know and it will not effect the final product or cost them any more. If in the rare instance I have an emergency or end up in the hospital I have complete faith in my crew that they will step up to the plate and be able to follow my directions and design the flowers needed for each event as well as execute the set up and delivery with the same care as I would. I am amazed at how much Stylish Blooms as grown over the past year. I can't wait to see what is in store in our future!

bouquets

2010-10-31T20:14:00.001-05:00

Click here to view this photo book larger

Custom Chuppah

2010-10-25T19:45:00.001-05:00

After receiving many request from brides to rent a chuppah and not finding any quality ones to purchase, I decided to craft one on my own. I drafted the design and constructed the structure. The covering has been hand sewn by an italian tailor. The base is set in cement and can be set up indoors or out. Unfortunately this is one of the few rentals that is not complementary to use due to the set up and break down and the dry cleaning of the covering. It can be dressed up with just greenery or with flowers (as shown in pictures). It was rented 3 times this year and is already rented for several events next year. It also can be used for outdoor ceremonies to protect from the afternoon sun.

Other color fabric is available for an additional $50.

David And Lidia

2010-10-23T17:50:00.000-05:00

Last year I gave away a free wedding package as a promotion and also as a away for me to add some innovate designs to my portfolio. The catch was that the couple would have to give me complete control of the flowers and designs. I would take into consideration the couples wedding colors and theme. After many application I choose Lidia and David. I had met Lidia prior at a bridal show and loved her wedding theme and just knew I wanted to create something different for her. She also purchased centerpieces and extra decor and bouquets (her party was bigger than the package). The end result was beautiful and captured them perfect as a couple . They both loved to garden and the outdoors and wanted to keep the flowers and designs What she told me was the theme was butterflies and the wedding colors were orange and purple and the rest was left up to me.

Below is the creations I made for their October wedding at Wickham Park.

Enjoy!

Lidias bouquet consisted of Ivory roses, cinnamon cymbidium orchids, Orange mokara orchids, purple monte casino and bupleurum. The bouquet was swirled with lily grass blades and I then attached the orchids and butterflies to the blades of grass to give it the illusion they where fluttering around the bouquet. Because Lidia loves to garden I also included hens and chicks in to her bouquet so that she could remove them from her bouquet and plant them in her new yard.

Another view of Lidias bouquet, a butterfly also accents the stem wrap

Davids Boutonniere consisted of cinnamon cymbidium orchids

as well as hens and chicks

Groomsmen's boutonniere of orange mokara orchids

The bridesmaids bouquets consisted of green hydrangea, orange mokara orchids, purple stock, orange freesia, hanging amaranthus, and scabiosa pods.

Orange butterflies accented both the bouquet and the stem wrap

I also hung paper lanterns in the tent at Wickham park

And decorated the arch at Wickham park with matching florals and butterflies

So Many Choices

2010-10-21T11:03:00.001-05:00

When planning a wedding you will find there is no shortage of vendors to select from. Choosing the perfect one for your event can be a daunting task. From photographers, to bakers, to florist and even Hair and Makeup, you might find it hard to narrow it down to the "one". When starting to look for vendors start a list of what you are looking for in your vendors. Are you more interested in price? Quality? An artistic eye? What every it may be doing a little research about each vendor to help you narrow your list down to just a few. Read reviews, ask other newly married couples for references, and check out each ones website and social media pages. Wedding wire is a great place to find reviews and to compare vendors. A good website will have all information you need to help you narrow down your vendor list to the ones that you like and want to meet. Look at current pictures of their work and read the about pages on each website. Taking the time to study each website can help you weed out the vendors you do not want to meet. Once you have your list narrowed down make appointments to meet the ones you like to go over the details of your wedding.

To Be Continued

Specials Valid With Deposit Till November 30th

2010-10-20T19:48:00.004-05:00

Paper Lanterns

I am bringing back the paper lantern special. Book your wedding flowers (valued over $1000) between now and November 30th and we will decorate your venue for free with paper lanters (subject to availability) Up to 24 lanterns in your choice of 9 colors and patterns. Please note lanterns are unlit.

* Subject to venue and has no cash value if offer can not be used at venue*

Free Flowers

as always throw bouquets are included with each wedding we design and for a limited time will also include flowers for the top of your cake as well as
flowers to accent the layers.

* has no cash value if offer is not used*

My Quest for Heathers Dahlia's Part I

2010-08-23T20:10:00.000-05:00

I had met Heather and her best friend Lilit about 45 days ago to discuss flowers for Heathers wedding. Heather LOVED dahlias and was getting married at the right season for them. The wedding was to take place in her Uncles gorgeous back yard with a amazing pool and yard. We had decided on dahlias for her bouquet and the bridesmaids bouquets. The idea of floating dinner plate dahlias in the pool along with candles was the perfect finishing touch to this beautiful wedding. The plan was in motion.........

I placed my order for the dahlias 2 weeks before her event just to make sure the availability. Growers said no problem and the plan was set... Fast forward to the week of the wedding.... The dahlias had come in and were not the quality they needed to be and the dinner plate dahlias didn't even come in. I called all over and had made at least 20 phone calls, to Boston, NYC and all the growers in between with no luck. The back up plan, after a state wide search for dahlias, was going to be yellow zinnias for the bouquets and clusters of large marigolds for the pool. Heather was Ok with this plan but I could tell she was bummed about the dahlias...

After I picked the backup flowers from a few local farms and was heading home to start the designing of her flowers, I received a phone call from a sweet lady who is a dahlia grower and has such a passion for this amazing flower.............................

To be continued ...............

August special ~ Paper lanterns~

2010-08-05T17:42:00.000-05:00

August Special:

Book a wedding or event for 2011 and we will decorate your venue with paper lanters for free (if allowed*) Includes up to 24 lanterns and includes instillation, and break down. Valid In CT.

Solid Colors:

White, Light Pink, Magenta, Dark Blue, Light Blue, Apple Green,

Dark Purple, Red, Yellow & Orange

Patterns:

Lt pink, magenta and apple green polka dots on white

Dk Blue/Lt Blue/Green Polka dots on white

Mix and match colors

Email or call us to set up your complementary consultation

weddings@stylishblooms.com 860.392.8045

Shown Below The Barns At Weslyan

with white paper lanterns and indoor lights with green strings

add the indoor lights for $200 Extra up to 400'

*Has no cash value if can't be used at venue*

Here we GROW again..

2010-07-18T20:22:00.000-05:00

I started Stylish Blooms not just because I love flowers and designing, But also because I believe that every one should have access to flowers that are beautiful, personalized and affordable. My commitment and involvement to my clients is my number one priority and will always be no matter how much we grow. After much deliberating and consulting I have decided to make a few changes to some of my original policies. These changes are necessary to help continue to grow and maintain the core values Stylish Blooms was born on. These changes will also allow me to be better accommodating to my clients new and old and properly handle any new request. My involvement will never change and neither will my values, and I will not be raising prices anytime soon. The changes are to delivery policies and service fees. I will also be adding a few good people to the Stylish Blooms crew who are hand picked based on their talent and their abilities to represent Stylish Blooms accurately and professionally. This only applies to new contracts signed with Stylish Blooms. Every client who has already signed a contract will not be subject to any additional fees.

Here is the new policy changes and they also can be found on our website at http://stylishblooms.com/Pricing.html

Event Delivery

Basic delivery is included with our services over $500. This includes 2 delivery locations within Connecticut. A $35 fee will be added for each delivery location requested beyond the included 2. A $35 fee will also be charged for any deliver request made 2 hours before start of the event. (unless deemed necessary or at the venues request) Events under a $1000 may be delivered by one of our trained employees.

Events under $500 may either be picked up at our studio or can be delivered for a small fee of $35 to one location within Connecticut and may be delivered by one of our trained employees.

A $1000 Minimum is required for events located in NY, MA, RI, NH, VT and will incur a travel fee of $.50 per mile each way from zip code 06010 and will be serviced by myself

For all other locations outside of new england please refer to our

Destination weddings page

Basic delivery includes:

Placing of centerpieces cake flowers and other arrangements ordered for the reception, setting up of church/ceremony decor, delivery of corsages, boutonnieres, and bouquets. All corsages and boutonnieres will be labeled for easy distribution.

Please note that events that include the use of our Chuppah or Arch already included the set up in the price and will be delivered and set up personally by myself.

Rentals and decor instillations will be invoiced and billed separate from floral details and will require a rental agreement to be signed regardless of the rentals are free of use or not.

Are those expensive?

2010-07-10T20:26:00.000-05:00

Today was a busy day and not because of weddings. This was the only free Saturday that I had open and decided to take advantage of it by meeting with a few new brides. I meet with a lovely couple for their October wedding to start out my day. As I was giving my expert opinion and suggestion for fall flowers that would work for their style they asked "Are those expensive"? I hear this a lot and yes some flowers can be very pricey when not in season and for others its all about how you utilize them. This question was asked in regards to a Asiatic lily in comparison to a rose. All though the difference in cost is a few dollars its the perceived value of the lily that makes it less expensive choice than the rose. For instance if a rose cost $5 and if a stem of lilies cost $7 you might say well the rose is the less expensive choice. Before you can make that conclusion you first should think about how the flowers are going to be used. A lily will have 2-3 nice sized open blooms and a few buds per stem making each bloom about $2.50 each. 3 lilies in a vase with greenery will give you a full look for about $35 with the cost of the flowers and vase. Take the same vase and substitute it with roses for $35 and you will get about 5 roses. 5 rose will not have the same impact as the 3 stems of lilies because the lilies have more blooms per stem and are a bigger, fuller flower. You would need to use about 10 roses to achieve the same fullness as the arrangement with all lilies costing you more money closer to $60. Don't hesitate to ask for the flowers you love because when flowers are used correctly they can be affordable no matter the price per stem.

July Special

2010-07-02T20:39:00.001-05:00

July Special, $200 deposit must be paid by July 31st to guarantee price. valid for 2010/2011 weddings and events in Connecticut... For other areas please contact us for pricing
Contact us for more information. Weddings@stylishblooms.com or 860.392.8045

24dz roses, for $1200... The roses can be designed into bouquets, boutonnieres, centerpieces and more... you will also have the choice of 2 types of greenery and 2 different types of filler and your choice of up to 4 different color roses ( not valid with certain varieties or garden roses)

This special will also includes:
(all subject to availability)
Use of rental vases for your centerpieces (up to 12)
Use of our custom chuppah or garden arch
12 pew bows in your choice of colors

all the above can be decorated with roses and greenery

The only extras you would pay for are extra greenery or filler (if requested), extra supplies (if needed for more complex designs)

Upgrades
$1500 - 24dz roses and 4 dozen Hydrangea (blue, white or green)

$2000 24dz roses and 6dz large calla lilies or mini cala lilies

Price shopping

2010-06-20T15:00:00.001-05:00

I was asked a few weeks ago by a new client if I could look at a quote already given to her and if I thought I could beat the price she was given. All though I am as budget friendly as they come, this is something I simply can’t do. However I explained to her that I could give her a price based on my take of her vision and the look she wanted to achieve for her event, and from that I would develop a proposal that worked with in her budget. I advised her it would be best for us to meet so I could learn about her event, get to know her and also to show her what my company could offer her wedding. She understood the reasons and was happy to meet to discuss all the many options I had for her. So I thought I would share with you why this is something I can’t do blindly.

I cant beat someone else’s price quote because:

A: I do not know the quality or grade of flowers being used. I.e, 40cm roses versus 70cm roses or in this case the church pieces described “a mix of seasonal” flowers does this “mix” include carnations and daisies, or the real seasonal fall “mix” such as zinnias and sunflowers?

B: I do not know the sizes the quote is based on or the number of flowers the designer had intended to use for each piece. The

C: each designer uses different suppliers, different growers,  offers a different service and prices designs differently and thus makes it impossible to know what their final price is based on

In cases like this I suggest a consultation so that I can show them what I have to offer and suggest ideas that work for their event and budget. I will then give a fair price based on my quality and my personalized service. I met this client last week and not only was I able to give her a better price but was able to give her more than the original one she had presented, I even showed her options she never considered but loved. Its ok to shop around, In fact I encourage it, in the end choose the designer who you feel is best for your event and your vision and wallet.

My new camera

2010-06-08T15:35:00.004-05:00

A few months ago I had to purchase a new camera and it was one of the longest and hardest purchases I had made in a while. My last camera was on its last leg and with the wedding season fast approaching I had to make a decision fast. Along with my new camera I vowed to my business that I would take better pictures and lots more of them. I played with the camera settings indoors and out played with natural light and different backgrounds. I still couldn't capture the beauty of my designs. It wasn't until I found this amazing rock out side the studio that I took my portfolio to another level. I started by making a logo to add to the new images and then updated the online galleries www.stylishblooms.com/bouquets . It was hard to delete older pictures but I knew it was for the best. I have some amazing photographer friends who capture my designs so perfectly. Special thanks to Aurora from www.aurora-photography.net for doing it so well. But Lets face it I can't always have a profesional photographer around to take pictures of every event and I can't always rely on my clients hired photographer to give me images. So its up to me to document my designs. I some times take over 50 images of one design to make sure I get at least 1 perfect picture. My portfolio has never looked so good and I feel that the pictures finally represent who I am as a designer.

Flowers and Pictures

2010-05-30T16:43:00.014-05:00

Did you Know.........

2010-05-20T20:41:00.002-05:00

Flowers have faces just like we do. A good designer will know how to find the best side of the flower and make sure it is the first side you see when you look at the design. When working with blooms that have a distinct “face” the blooms should all face each other. Just like when you have your picture taken the photographer creates poses that highlights your best features. The same applies when designing with flowers. For example these cymbidium orchid corsages seem the same, they have the same bow and the same number of flowers. The only difference is how they are designed. In picture #1 the flowers all face each other creating a fuller look and highlights all the blooms. In picture #2 the flowers are randomly placed and you can’t see all the blooms at first, making your eye wonder around looking for a focal point. So next time you see a flower see if you can find its "face".

4 weddings 2 weekends... Let the designing begin

2010-05-17T18:38:00.000-05:00

This week starts the beginning of 2 double wedding weekends in a row for us . I can’t wait to start designing each of them. All 4 are different in style, color and theme and I am just as excited to see each one come together. I prepped this weeks weddings today to make life easier. Saturdays wedding has a organic feel that will combine green moss, grapevine, burlap, green, peas and raffia with Blue, green and cream flowers. With all the textures and earthy elements its sure to be eye catching. Sundays wedding is simple and classic and will incorporate full size calla lilies. Each one is truly unique and represent each couples style perfectly. Next weekends weddings are just as different Friday nights incorporates corals, greens and creams with navy blue and pearl accents and Saturday we will bring in bright pops of color and stunning centerpieces of oranges, purples, hot pinks, greens and blues........ Stay tuned for more details and pictures from these 4 amazing events.

And His Name Is....

2010-04-27T20:34:00.000-05:00

Last week in the midst of 3 events I decided I needed to adopt a studio mascot. Being pet less for over 18 months it was about time to add a new member to my family... so here he is the newest member of Stylish Blooms .....

And his name is...

DUNKIN!

Now most of you who know me will get this! Those of you who dont, lets just say I love my coffee!

Rethinking DIY

2010-04-25T18:07:00.002-05:00

Planning a wedding is not only time consuming but can also be expensive. More and more brides are choosing to make their own bouquets and centerpieces in hopes to cutting expenses. But what happens when your perfect plan to DIY is disrupted by mother nature? What would you do? Who would you call? I hope this blog will help make you second guess before you decide not to hire a professional florist.

Imagine you have decided to DIY and make your own centerpieces and bouquets. You have made a plan and decided that because tulips are your favorite flower that you will use them for your spring wedding. You have recruited friends and family to help you make them the day before and arranged to have someone deliver them to your venue. You know that you can get the tulips at your local market and made arrangements with them to order you the 300 stems you need to fill your vases and make your own bouquets. Any bride would be happy with this plan, after all you are using your favorite flowers and still saving money. Now Imagine that a volcano has irrupted in Iceland and has shut down all flights to and from the US from northern European countries, thus preventing your tulips from arriving. Although tulips are grown in many parts of the world a majority of them are grown in Holland and last week yours never made it for your wedding as planned. Would you know what to do or who to call? This is what happend last week and it effected all holland grown flowers. Its a scary reminder that you just never know when mother nature will strick. So before you decide a professional isn't worth the expense remember they will be the ones you are calling when a DIY disaster hits again.

Not just any old Boutonniere

2010-04-18T17:06:00.001-05:00

I recently received a complement from a new client that actually made me stop and think. Really? She told me that she thought my boutonnieres were unique and nothing like she had seen before. Till then I always wondered if any brides really looked at them because they are not the biggest expense when it comes to wedding flowers. This bride had and it made her confident to know that I took great care in creating something so small.
What a sweet bride.

So I decided to select a few of my "unique" boutonnieres to share. Enjoy

Flower Misconceptions Part I

2010-04-13T19:05:00.000-05:00

The biggest misconception when it comes to flowers is how much they cost; Yes its true Stephanoits, peonies, mini calla lilies and even hydrangeas can get expensive, But when used in moderation they can easily be incorporated in to almost any wedding budget. Dont be afraid to ask your florist for flowers that you think you can't afford. You would be surprised on what you can afford when you are working with a creative designer who understands your style and budget. By using other flowers that complement the more expensive blooms you can keep the flowers that you love without having to sacrifice your budget. There is always a creative solution to expensive flowers, be honest and open and let the experience of your florist guide you in the right direction.

Hand picking our flowers

2010-02-27T20:20:00.002-06:00

The flowers used for designing our weddings and events are ordered specifically for each event. To insure the quantity of flowers, colors and flower types, flower orders are placed weeks prior to the event. Even though orders are placed well in advance of each event I still hand pick each flower used. I personally go and pick up the flowers that I have ordered for the weeks event. This allows me to inspect the flowers for quality, color, and also to make sure the quantities match what is needed to design the order. I love to walk around the coolers of the wholesaler and look for any other flowers or greens that go perfect with the other flowers ordered. You never know what flowers you might find stocked that week in the coolers of the wholesaler. Even though most wholesalers offer a delivery service I choose not to utilize the service, this way I know that the flowers I have ordered are perfect and handled with care. Once the flowers are in the studio they are processed by removing any foliage that may rot, given a fresh cut and hydrated in a floral solution. I monitor the flowers and make sure they are opening up properly and hydrating until they are used in our designs. These extra steps help in maintaining the quality and freshness of all the flowers we use.

Peony or rose?

2010-02-18T14:44:00.000-06:00

Peonies are one of the most classic and popular wedding flowers to date. There fullness and simplicity make them perfect for bouquets and centerpieces. Any one who loves peonies knows that they also come at a hefty price, even when in season. The price can detour brides from using them, even when they love them. The above bouquet was made using garden roses. Garden roses are the perfect substitute for peonies, The size and shape mimic the peony and to the naked eye it might be hard to detect the differences. Choosing an experienced and knowledgeable designer to design your wedding flowers not only will save you money, but will insure your flowers are perfect.

Say what you want!

2010-02-12T19:44:00.005-06:00

I wanted to write but I am not sure what to "blog" about.. January was such a good month and so much happened that its hard to write about just one. From bridal shows to photo shoots to new bookings it was filled with growth. Thank you to A urora Photography for being such a great supporter of Stylish Blooms. Its nice to know that my work is going noticed and that I have a great support system with other vendors. Together I know we will give Connecticut brides the best service around sharing our passion for what we do!

Being a young company isn't easy. Getting established, promoting and meeting clients is 24/7 job. Its a lot of work but it has been so rewarding. I wrote my business plan over 11 years ago as an assignment for a college business class and wouldn't change a thing. I look at it every now and then as a reminder of how far I have come and to keep me on track when things seem crazy. The critics can say what they want, they can throw stones and try to discredit the foundation of my business but none of that matters. I believe in what I do, and all that I have to offer and it seems my clients do too. And in the end its my clients that matter, not the critics.

The beginning

2010-01-01T19:16:00.005-06:00

About 18 months ago I started Stylish Blooms and from that point on I have not looked back. I have invested my own money and countless hours into setting the foundation and couldn't be happier with the results. From High school on I have worked in flowers shops. I trained for 2 years before obtaining a A.A.S in horticulture and I just love flowers. I formed Stylish Blooms because I felt i did not have creative control working at mom and pop flower shops. They called the shots. From the quality of the flowers to the pricing, I had no control or say because my name wasn't on the door. I knew that my passion deserved better and brides deserved their wedding flowers to be crafted carefully and with love. Since forming Stylish Blooms it has been a delight to see all my hard work shine. Brides are excited to see how much money they save while still getting the same quality of a flower shop. I love the fact that no one tells me to do the wedding later because there is funeral work or deliveries that are "more important" to me weddings are more important. I can take my time doing what I love and not be inhibited by a work schedule or time clock. I couldn't be more happier with the results. I hope 2010 is just as good to me as 2009! Thank you so much for your support! ~

Melissa

Bridal show Thoughts

2009-11-09T20:31:00.004-06:00

This last weekend I participated in my second bridal show since starting Stylish Blooms. I can't express how happy I am. I took a chance and put my creativity to work. For months I collected paper towel rolls and over time made couture bouquet wraps and then made couture bouquet collars. At first I wasn't sure what I wanted to do with them... All I know is I wanted to show all the future brides my creative side and my attention to the finer details. Over time I came up with a board to display them and then "Accent a bouquet" was born.. Brides had a blast accenting the 3 "naked" bouquets I a had designed and seeing the different looks each one created. I had so much fun planning my table and seeing it all put together... My organic wheat grass (that I grew) was beautifully presented.... I wouldn't change a thing... Thank you for all that participated and to Kia for letting me part of her fabulous show.

Our new book

2009-09-30T19:34:00.001-05:00

| View Sample Photo Books | Create your own Photo Book

2 leaf rating from The Green Bride Guide

2009-07-28T16:06:00.009-05:00

After receiving a 2 leaf green bride rating for the eco-friendly practices I uphold in my home studio, I started to think if I would be able to meet the floral needs of a completely eco-friendly Wedding. At first I couldn't see how it would be possible, but I knew somehow I could. So I started thinking of all the older florist I have worked for and about how they use to design. Maybe resorting back to the 40's might be the answer. What I learned is that it wasn't until the early 50's that floral foam was introduced. Bouquet holders didn't hit the scene until the early 80's. Before floral foam and bouquet holders the basic mechanics of designs consisted of Pin frogs, styrofoam, chicken wire, and wooden picks for stability. For weddings every flower was wired then taped and shaped to form bouquets, corsages and boutonnieres. By todays standards even those practices are not very eco-friendly. So going back in time didn't really hold the answers I was looking for. So I continued looking until it occurred to me that the hardest part isn't finding eco-friendly or locally grown flowers but how to use them in todays designs without modern floral mechanics. I thought about what I know about mechanics and how its easy to swap a wire for this or a piece tape for that. Vola! That was the key and the answer. The answer I knew all along. The simpler the design the easier it would be to change the modern mechanics holding it together for an eco-friendly alternative. It would be completely impossible for me to stop using tape, wire and glue, after all thats how some of the trendiest looks and styles are achieved. But it is possible to offer alternatives for those who are looking for them. I started to think of some alternatives I have used in place of traditional mechanics before and realized I have created eco-friendly designs without even knowing it. Some alternatives we have used have been binding hand tied bouquets with natural fibers such as hemp or raffia. Boutonnieres fashioned with the stems exposed and secured with blades of grass. Swapping standard corsages, that may require glue, tape and wire for hand held garden posies or a hand tied corsage requiring little tape and wire. We have also designed arrangements for ceremonies and receptions using rental items filled with reusable non-organic items, such as pin frogs, aqua gems and river rocks to help stabilize the design. We have created natural armatures and grids by filling vases and containers with natural materials such as mosses, fruits and branches and other organic components. I knew this is something we could offer our brides. The answer I needed was there all along. Using my creativity and using natures resources goes along way! It is completely possible for me to meet the needs of green brides and I cant wait to show off my eco-friendly designing skills!

How and why to choose a professional designer

2009-07-26T17:38:00.006-05:00

never thought I would blog. With every thing already on my plate taking on even more seemed impossible, but here I am Blogging.. I wrote this article on professional floral designers. Understandably every one is on a budget and cutting cost is inevitable. I just wish flowers wasn't the one to always take the heat. Enjoy

... Even with the economy on tilt life still has to go on. There is no pause button we can press or a play button when we are ready resume, we have to continue living no matter what happens around us. Weddings and life's celebrations still play out just as planned no matter the state of our economy, some on a smaller scale and some with a smaller budget. I find that flowers are last on the list of importance and have the smallest set budget. As sad as it is to say, its the truth. Flowers set the mood, capture your style and enhance your pictures. As the trend grows for the local grocery stores to sell flowers for less, so does the consideration of buying from them over a true floral professional. As much as you can save by DIY, you can also lose so much without the help of a professional designer. The events that take place during our life time are ones that we want remembered for years to come. Twenty years from now you might not remember the food, or what was said, but you will always remember the flowers. When you look back at your pictures more than half will contain pictures of the flowers from that day. Wether your flowers were perfect or not just how beautiful they were will always be remembered in those pictures. There is no true test for a designer. Product knowledge, experience and trust is key to finding the perfect designer for your event. A designers portfolio is just as important. If you don't like what you see its okay to ask questions and ask to see a sample before you commit. A generic book will not give you a sense of the designers style or talent its merely for show. Floral design is a unique art form, one that is based on a medium that is not only subjective but perishable. When you receive a quote for your flowers so much more goes into it than just the flowers. You are not only paying for the highest quality flowers you are paying for the designers talent, time, experience and knowledge that they have worked hard to hone. An average wedding from consultation to delivery can take up to 20 hours or more to complete. There is so much more behind the scenes that is never seen, such as, ordering, flower processing, design, mechanics, packing, loading and unloading, set up and break down. Spend time looking for the right floral designer for your event. Every designer is talented in their own way and finding the one that will understand and capture your vision and style will take time but in the end they will be worth every penny. If flowers truly are not in your budget and you are considering DIY, order the bridal party and personal flowers form a professional, your pictures will thank you.