Beyond Arrangements

What part of your Bridal budget are you prioritizing where you want the bulk of your money spent after securing your venue and I might add catering, because those take a big chunk?
Luxury weddings or not, those two things are costly.
Recently I looked over photography of my own wedding and two of my children’s that I paid for.
Both spent a considerable amount of amount without videographers. One did bridals and engagements and one didn’t and paid close to the same amt.
One got lots of images afterwards printed for additional costs.
Now for flowers, as a florist Mom of the Brides, they saved thousands, many more than they actually really knew and I spent more than they also knew not to mention the candles, votives, specialty vases, stands, supplies, details, and logistics from start to finish.
What overall experience do you want yourself and your guest to remember as they walk into your special day?
I know that as the florist and Mom at my own daughter’s wedding, what people I didn’t even know well said and know what those that did said.
And when I look back over my wedding pics there are really only a few I truly love and some I cringe seeing. And of course the ones of my daughters were my favs.
For flowering think about focal for ceremony, and venue entrances, brides bouquet and bride and groom seating tables and backdrops.
For both my daughter’s weddings a portion of the florals for ceremony was reset for reception.

A few facts about our business and what set us apart.

***We always have gone above and beyond on design .

***We maintained only a 5 star review for 12 years running prior to moving and pausing the business with our move.

***While our business has never been a non profit since inception in 2011, we created before and after with missions and ministry in mind.
Our prices then started then at $55 for a 6x6 cylinder vase filled,
Today the same vase starts @ $95 to 150. Lushly filled and with specialty blooms as always!

We are preparing to reset the Business in August of 2025 after a respite since moving to new area from North of Austin.
We will be doing design availability in Greater Collin County and beyond. Including Local School, Corporate and Wedding; as well as workshops for Ladies Groups, Church Groups and Corporate Parties.

More facts:

***We have never used standard vases in our design.

*** We always hand deliver always with vase not in box.

***Our Prom designs also include presentation boxes with florals on the box and often metal leaves and studded eyes of every bloom.

*** We have often used Brooches and specialty embellishments like live orchids on the vase for special detailing and wow factor.

***We have never used standard fillers like daisies,carnations, or mums in our designs. Although there are specialty carnations and uses for installs depending on design and client.

***Flower stem predominantly hand selected, purchased farm direct and local farms while supporting also local wholesalel

***We have never purchased a blanket mixed flower box from any farm or wholesaler.

***We never use wire service like FTD, or Telefora , or 1-800 since inception but did give a florist to florist discounts for orders of a mid range value.
We try to educate our clients about ORDER GATHERS that never touch a flower and only take orders and Pass to some other florist taking a large cut and never what the city’s ordered. ( Know as Ava’s , Just flowers, and more although they say their in the city of order they arent.)

***While we have done lots of pro bono work for schools and churches over the years.
We created a policy for donation requests and limited to a set number a year and we adhered strictly to the policy. Tha amount of request for free flowers is insane, including churches, schools, and all the ants that come out of the woodwork.

***We gave discounts for floral delivery to teachers at schools and also to those ordered for nursing home facilities .

***We built the business with many repeat clients that knew the quality and quantity of our designs were unmatched elsewhere for the price and specialty blooms within.

***We found that Valentine customers were most often last minute orders and fewer repeat customers.
**We rarely did a dozen red standard rose order. And our dozen roses where never considered standarx.

***Mother’s Day was always the better holiday where we did a large variety of custom designer choice each unique and lush.

***Wedding clients have always gotten more specialized florals, detailing and time than they actually paid for.

*** We have always finished the Bridal bouquets with detailing in front and back with their bouquet wraps.

***We no longer do DIY mix weddings to keep with the esthics and integrity of design. ( Meaning we will not designs with flowers not purchased by us, and processed by us as we can’t guarantee them. Also we won’t design the bouquets and not the rest.)

Just a few things To EXPECT FOR WEDDING PRICES ?
***We have Wedding Minimum budgets which is for floral pickup or drop off only… of $ 2000 before tax and delivery. This minimum has not changed for several years.
Sample packets include both rose and garden style always classic and elegantn
Included Bridal Bouquets, plus 3 bridesmaids, 5 boutonnières , 5 corsages, and 10 low table top centerpieces. All other weddings are highly customized.
*These packages usually do not include Orchids or peonies Unless perhaps in peak season and may include focal only peony.

***Anything with install on sight comes at a Higher budget as does placement of designs on tables, set ups or breakdowns.
***Minimum budgets with any indoor or outdoor flower installs or set ups start a a bare minimum $5000-$7000.
*** Split floral arches atart at minimum $ 1800 to $3000 .

*** Tall Centerpieces start at $350-500 minimum upward dependingding on floral selections, garden roses, peonies and orchids are $750 upward

*** Luxury weddings are a specialty starting conservatively @ 10k&25k upward.

***All Weddings must have a contract signed and date held with non-refundable down payment. We will however carryoverer to a new date If changing with a new contract.

Freshened up these Texas Grown Peonies now on day 7!
Doesn’t get much better than that and these were not cut at bud stage either as they are for harvesting and shipping on farms.

Bearded Irises with varying colors of lavender and purple. Mark your varieties using a loose zip tie at the base of the stem as many stakes and tags can come out of the ground with rain and weather. Just be sure not to pull it real tight though. You may color code them also using different colors of zip ties. Be sure to take a picture and save in your phone notes or photos which you are marking which what zip tie color or variety.
Here are a few irises in my beds in purple and lavender hues and also reds and smaller whites.