Poinsettias and Christmas

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So… how exactly did the Poinsettia become associated with the Christmas holiday?  I wondered, so I did a little research! Here’s what I found…

Poinsettia plants are native to Central America… mostly in the area of southern Mexico known as ‘Taxco del Alarcon’ is where they grow and flower in winter. The ancient Aztecs called them ‘cuetlaxochitl’ and they had many uses for them. Two important ones were the use of the flowers (actually it is not so much as a flower as the special types of leaves known as bracts). One was to make purple dye for clothes and cosmetics and the other is the milky white sap was made into a medicine to treat fevers. (Today the sap is called latex!)

Poinsettias didn’t arrive in the United States until 1828 when the plants namesake, the first U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, Dr. Joel Roberts Poinsett brought them here. After discovering it in the wilderness in southern Mexico, Dr. Poinsett, who dabbled in botony, sent cuttings of the plant back to his home in South Carolina.  While it didn’t gain much attention at first, its popularity caught on over the years, and by the 20th century it became a holiday mainstay. So much so, that there is now a National Poinsettia Day which is celebrated on Dec. 12, to honor both the plant and the man who brought it to America.

Okay…  But what does any of this have to do with Poinsettia being associated with Christmas? Well… I’ll tell you!

According to one interpretation, the plant is as a symbol of the Star of Bethlehem, the heavenly body that led the three magi, (wise men), to the place where Christ was born. There is also a Mexican legend which tells of a small girl named Pepita, who could only afford to offer weeds as a gift to Jesus on Christmas Eve. When she brought the weeds into a church, they blossomed into the beautiful red plants we know as poinsettias, ( also known as Flores de Noche Buena in Mexico, which is Spanish for “flowers of the holy night”).

Whether the Poinsettia has a special connection for you with the season or if you believe the story or not,  it makes no matter. I say, lets just choose to admire the vibrant colors this plant shows off at this special time of the year and enjoy!

Red, White & Pink Poinsettias

Brides N Blooms Wholesale & Design is offering some of these beautiful poinsettias at a great price. If you are local to the Tampa Bay Area, call today and find out how to get yours! 813.852.2052

Now go and have yourself a wholesale holiday poinsettia and fresh flower filled day!

Thanks & Giving

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Since next week is Thankgiving, instead of blogging we’ll be stuffing ourselves silly with all the lovely treats we’re all so fond of for this holiday’s dinner. I would like to give a shout out and some thanks to all of our friends, colleagues, clients and family who honor us with their love and support.

So… to “give” first! Dorelle & I give our highest praise to all the wonderful people that have helped us get to where we are today. Our families (who have sacrificed much for our crazy business), our collegues who continue to refer and support us. Our friends… because where would we be without them!!

Now… the ‘thanks!” In particular Corey Miller of Corey’s Bakery, Melissa Marolla Brown with Calligraphia, Lindy Long (Lindt Chocolates), Jennifer Fuller Cummins with Melt Away Message,  Beth with Honeymoons & Beyond Travel, Eric Abril & Jill Manthey from Yacht Starship, Jennifer Sanschagrin at 1930 Grande Room, Deb Kelley with The write one Creative Services, Jacob Smeaton with Music on the Move DJs, Yvette Rouse from Sarjade Jewelry, Barb Nelson-Fuqua from Barb Nelson stationary,  and too many others, to list here, that we consider friends through networking groups, professional organizations and everyday business dealings. We cannot thank you enough for being there when we need support or help, for a generous heart and listening ear and most of all for being the kind of people we know we can count on.

We are truly blessed with all that we have, the friends we share and the family we hold dear and most of all for each other!

Now go and have yourself a wholesale flower filled, fabulous Thanksgiving Day!

A Great Team

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What does it take to make a great team? Who do you look for when putting together a great team? When you were in school, teams were usually chosen by who was the most popular, the strongest, the biggest, the scariest kids. Unless you were creating a Math team, then, those qualities didn’t matter quite so much.

Fast forward, you’re no longer in school. You are choosing a team. A team to work with, and a team to grow your success. Now who do you choose? The requirements have now changed, but, who changed the rules? We are still going to look for strong people (strong personalities, strong interpersonal skills, strong convictions) We are still looking for Big people, (big names, big followings) We are still looking for Popular people (those who have lots of friends, lots of connections, lots of personality) I do think that we have put aside the scary people, for the most part, but, we will always need an “enforcer”, someone who gets the “dirty stuff” done. When you are planning an event, you want a strong team working together to help you make your event the very best it can be, with the least amount of stress.

Below are some of our team mates, these are the folks that we know can do a great job, and play nice with others. (After all, isn’t that what life is all about anyway?)

Event planner: Brenna Taylor… www.an-elegant-affair.net
Photographer: Roger Slater… www.ccsphotography.net
Venue: 1930 Grande Room…http://www.granderoom.com  & The Yacht Starship (Channelside) www.yachtstarship.com
Caterer: Stone Chef Catering…www.stonechef.com
Bartending Services: Spunky Spirits…www.spunkyspirits.com‎
DJ…(We have a few that we love)… today we will only list one,  Jacob Smeaton… www.musiconthemovedj.com
Baker: Corey Miller… www. coreycooks.com
Linens: Custom Linens… www.customlinenrentals.com
Stationary: Barbara Nelson-Fuqua… www.nelsonfuquadesigns.com
And of course, Flowers…Brides N Blooms Wholesale & Designs, www.bridesnbloomsdesigns.com

Now, go, form your team, play the best game you can play, and have yourself a wholesale flower filled day!

keep calm and carry your team

PARTY IT FORWARD© A New Concept In Planning Your Event

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Co-hosted by Brides N Blooms, Wholesale & Designs and 1930 Grande Room

Co-hosted by Brides N Blooms, Wholesale & Designs and 1930 Grande Room

If you have not heard about Brides N Blooms, Wholesale & Designs Party It Forward@ A New Concept In Planning Your Event show then here’s your chance to read all about it! If you have… well then we do hope you will come out and join us for a great day!

Our company co-hosts this event with a different event location each time preferably with either lesser known hidden gems or up and coming venues. This time we are co-hosting with the very contemporary 1930 Grande Room.   http://granderoom.com

We are so excited about this location and this show. 1930 Grande Room is located in historic Ybor City, Tampa. Their address is easy to remember… 1930 east 7th Avenue, Tampa, FL 33605. It is a very cool event venue with an industrial chic style and a great bar spanning the length of the room. Their secondary smaller area for cocktail hours and smaller events is located in the adjacent business next door. They are StoneChef Caterers, lead by the very talented Anthony Sanschagrin.   http://www.stonechef.com/

The show’s concept came about when Dorelle and I were discussing how after a big event is over there’s usually so many items that are left over like new and how daunting it can be for up and coming event hosts & brides to gather everything needed to make their event happen.  This includes the vendors, as well as the party items. Then after the big day is over everything you’ve had to purchase such as table decor, dresses, favors, etc.,  generally get shoved into a closet to gather dust.  Sometimes if a bride or past host is more industrious, they can get everything listed on craigslist and hope someone purchases it. We thought why couldn’t we combine those two ideas into one show. Hence our Party It Forward event show was born! A great way to meet the vendors you will need and have the chance to purchase items at discounted pricing that are like new.  All while giving  past hosts a chance to sell their beautiful party items and put some jingle back in their pocket! Reuse, Recycle… a big win in our book.

We hope you will ‘join’ and attend! Here is a link to the event on facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/events/532565216798856/?ref=ts&fref=ts

And while you’re visiting facebook, please ‘like’ our page: https://www.facebook.com/BridesnBloomsDesigns

In anticipation of this upcoming Party It Forward,  here’s a look at one of our previous shows: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dot_ps2mWk&hd=1

Hope you will come out and join us for a flower filled, Party It Forward Event day!

 

 

Random Thoughts…

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Every so often I have these thoughts…. You know the kind that makes you sit back and wonder if its you or if it’s the proverbial ‘them’. (I am still waiting to find out who exactly ‘them’ is…but that would be for another blog) Here are a few random thoughts and items that have occurred over the last few weeks:

1. If I really wish and try can I make my dog stop shedding?

2. Did someone actually ask me if I could make sure that if I order a particular flower it will be in the exact color that matches her dress and would I promise that it would not vary?

3. If I use the power of positive thinking hard enough can I make my hair stop turning grey?

4. Why is there a ‘national moldy cheese day’? Who thought that was something we needed to celebrate?

5. How is it that it takes 2 months to lose 5 lbs and 5 days to gain it back?

6. I am disappointed that I completely missed  ‘Talk Like A Pirate Day’…  I so would have answered my phone with a hearty ‘Arrggg’ that whole day!

Now, I’m well aware that we all have random thoughts that cross our minds… not sure about anyone else, but mine seem to do it at the most inopportune times. Like when I’m trying to concentrate on my work. Or when I’d really like to be falling asleep rather than having these ridiculous thoughts. I think its important to note that both Dorelle and I realize that we think a little outside the box much of the time, which comes in handy for design and flower choices… we do like to look at that as generally a positive attribute about us. I do occasionally wonder how much of that is a combination of a little bit of skill and our somewhat offbeat view of  the things. In any case… I’m okay with it and I believe our clients are too!

I recently saw this pic and I’m pretty sure that it is so for me… Dorelle’s pretty sure of it as well…

images

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now go out there, enjoy the humor in life’s random moments, and have a flower-filled day!

 

(photo courtesy of teleicious.tumblr.com)

A Bride Finds Money… Fairy Tales Can Come True

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What a great headline, right? It grabs you and you want to know more, don’t you? Who was she, where was she, how did she find it, where did she find it and what did she do with it.

As all good stories do, this one starts with… Once upon a time… there was a little bride. It seems that this particular bride had gone to multiple traditional florists, one by one, with all her photos and all her ideas, but the poor little bride kept getting sadder and sadder. Not one of them could make just what she wanted, for just the right price.

sad brideFinally, a friend of the little bride asked her if she had called Brides N Blooms, Wholesale and Designs, in Tampa.  She shook her head sadly and said that she had never heard of them.  Can she book an appointment? Can she show them all her photos and all her ideas? Would they be able make her dreams come true? Where were they located so she could go and find them!

No, her friend said, you can’t find their “shop”, because they don’t have one! But, they will meet you somewhere that is convenient for you. So, the sad little bride called Bride N Blooms, Wholesale & Designs at 813-852-2052 and booked an appointment.

Ellen & Dorelle met the hopeful little bride, smiled at her sweetly, and listened to her as she sadly recounted all the huge numbers that she had been quoted. They asked her quite simply, what was the most important aspect of her floral dream? And what price would make her the most happy?

Then the girls from Brides N Blooms, Wholesale and Designs got to work on the little bride’s quote. They cut a little here, added a little there and they worked and reworked, until it was just right!

When the little bride got her quote she was amazed… how could it be? It was less than the lowest quote she had gotten from all the others.  Ellen & Dorelle had said, “Brides N Blooms, Wholesale and Designs has the word Wholesale as our middle name, so, you get to save money on your flowers!  Plus, we don’t have a “shop” so you don’t have to help us pay for our overhead and best of all, we promise your flowers will be fresh from the farms and designed to shine in your arms.”

happy brideThe little bride was no longer sad, she was very happy. She found extra money to spend on her honeymoon, got her flowers just right and had everything she wanted for her big day!

Then she lived happily ever after.

The End!

*now* go have a happy, fairy tale flower filled day!

Navigating a Bridal Show… Tips From The Blog

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Navigating a Bridal Show…Tips from the Blog

Attending bridal shows are exciting, fun and exhausting all at the same time.  There are basically 3 different types of bridal shows, so, plan accordingly before attending.

The Big Ones!

These bridal shows are great for the newly engaged and very excited brides-to-be because there is LOTS of excitement, lots of energy, and lots of free stuff. At these bridal shows you will meet multiple vendors who offer the same type of service. The benefits are:

  •  You can sign up to win stuff
  •  You can see a fashion show of what is in style this season and next
  •  You can taste LOTS of different types of foods and treats
  •  You will take home a lot of freebie type of marketing paraphernalia

The following tips will help you with “the big ones”

1. Create a separate e-mail address for just your wedding and the vendors. This way, once you are married, it can be erased, saving you valuable e-mail space.
2. Create labels that include: bride’s name, groom’s name, address, phone number, e-mail address and wedding date. Print out a few sheets of these and take them with you.
3. Wear comfortable walking shoes and bring a bottle of water. These shows are BIG, so you will have to buy drinks if you don’t bring them with you.
4. Bring your calendar to know what days you are available. Many vendors offer discounts if you book a consultation appointment with them on the spot.
5. Be patient. These shows are busy.  You will have to wait on line to get in, to register, and to see the vendors you are interested in.
6. Bring a camera. With all the displays there will be certain design aspects that will catch your eye and help the vendor you choose make your dream wedding a reality. (Be sure to ask 1st if it’s OK to take photos)

Example: http://tampabaybridalexpos.com

Big Event Shows

The Boutique Events

These events are great for those who like more one on one time with vendors. These events are usually held in more intimate locations, off beat places, or spaces that you might not know you could consider holding an event.

These events generally have only 1 or 2 vendors per service type. They may have a small fashion show or even an area where you could try on gowns.

These events are intimate, and give you time to really speak with and hear the vendors; You might even be able to have a little one on one Q & A right in the vendor booth.

There won’t be the same type of crowds and there will be way less giveaways and freebies.

These events are great to attend after you have had your fill of THE BIG ONES, or if you just like smaller, quieter types of events.

Example: https://www.facebook.com/events/532565216798856/

small show

The Trunk shows or Open Houses

These shows are small, usually held within the venue that is marketing the event.  At these events you will find the following…Vendor specific push. What does this mean?:

  •  If the location is a caterer, they will be showcasing food, with a few “preferred” vendors
  •  If the host is a bridal gown house, they will have gowns on display for you to try on, and will have some of their favorite support vendors there for you to speak with.
  •  Because these shows are small, there isn’t usually a fee for entrance or an RSVP needed. You may only need 30 minutes to navigate the entire event.

These shows are great for making final decisions on specific vendor types.

Example: http://whitemagnoliabridal.com/our_events.html

trunk show

Each kind of show has it’s own value. You need to decide which one is most valuable to you!

Now…go and have yourself a wholesale fresh flower day!

Link: check out one of Brides N Blooms Wholesale & Designs “Party It Forward©” boutique shows: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dot_ps2mWk&hd=1

Secret Ingredient…

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Sometimes I think I am so lucky…. I have a job where I get to work with my great friend Dorelle! I get to work with pretty flowers! I get to create artistic things and usually we are working on something happy and full of joy. Best of all though, we get to meet lots of people!

I have always been an artist and I’ve worked in many mediums. (Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise, flowers are a medium). When left to my own devices I like to try something new or put colors and flowers together in fun patterns!  As consultants though, it is our job to listen to what our client wants and make that vision a reality. Give us a picture and we can make that happen. Explain your vision and we will work hard to bring that picture in your head to life.

Occasionally, there is the  client who really doesn’t know what they want and has absolutely no vision for their big day.  Sometimes we have the DIY client, who calls our Wholesale division and needs some guidance.  That is where Dorelle excels. She is the idea girl. If someone who calls needs some help, she will spend the time helping them bring their vision together. In our Design division I am sure that is why we work together so well. Whatever she dreams up, I will try!

Our families and friends have said we should be in a TV reality show because we play off each other so well. I’m not sure how entertaining for the masses that would be, but for us when working on a project it certainly makes the day more enjoyable. I know it is clear to our clients that we love what we do and we like working together.  Flowers, Friends & Fun. I think those are our secret ingredients and is there a better way to work than that?

Some fun floral designs:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Q9ffmkYdwE&hd=1

Ellen & Dorelle

Friends & Business Partners!

Friends & Business Partners!

It’s going to take some time to plan…

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So, you’re finally ready to plan the big event! It could be a wedding, a bar/bat mitzvah, quinceanera, birthday or anniversary celebration.  One thing is for certain, it’s going to cost money and it’s going to take some time to plan.

My advice is simple, and straight forward:

1.   Start early:

checklist girl

Whenever possible, give yourself enough time to find the right venue & vendors. Interview vendors and make smart decisions based on solid information and choice rather than being forced to take whatever is available.

Make a list of what you need to do in order of importance and as you gain each piece, check it off on your list as done.

2.      Make a budget:

piggies

If you are like most everyone, money is going to be a big factor in planning your event. It will more than likely dictate each facet, so decide what is most important to you down to what is the least important to you. Be realistic about what each vendor will need to get what you want. It’s okay to be frugal, but don’t expect a $50,000 wedding on a $10,000 budget.

Brides N Blooms Wholesale and Design always asks our clients for their floral budget in our initial consultation. It helps the client think about what they will be comfortable spending and keeps us both on target with their budget range. It also helps us decide what flowers & design work we can offer without breaking the bank. We always tell our clients it is not our intention to reach into your pocket and take what you do not have to spend. There is nothing worse than having a client’s hopes for something be completely dashed because what we discussed ended up being totally out of their budget comfort zone. Remember, “budget” is not a dirty word, it’s a necessary word. No one will fault you for having a budget; we all just need to know what your comfort range is!

3.      Get Referrals:

coffee

If this is the first time you are planning a big event, talk to friends and family who have been there before. They will have insight into details that you might not have thought of.  Ask for and about the vendors they used and what they thought. If there is a vendor you seek that offers something new or is something that your friends/family didn’t have at their event, ask other vendors that you’ve contracted with if they can help. Many times when sitting down with a client we will share the names of different vendors we trust and have worked with. So don’t be afraid to ask. If you have the resources to use an event planner, that is a great option as well.

The time to plan goes by so fast, though sometimes it feels like you will never be done! If you are organized and keep to your budget and goals when the big day arrives you will be able to sit back and enjoy the day with all the happiness it deserves!

Now go plan to have a wonderful wholesale flower filled day!

Some wedding floral ideas by Brides N Blooms Designs:  http://pinterest.com/bridesnblmsdsn/roses-bouquets/    http://pinterest.com/bridesnblmsdsn/wedding-decor-miscellaneous-items/

 

We’re Back!

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We’re Back! It’s been a little while since we were here, but now we’re ready to share everything that we’ve been doing while we were gone!

After a busy wedding season with lots of wonderful Brides & parties we needed to spend a little time with our families and get a little R & R in. So, we took a little time off!  Everyone needs a break once in awhile! Even your friends at Brides N Blooms, Wholesale & Design!

Relaxing is fun!

Relaxing is fun!

After we returned to our work space we took a good look around and decided things needed to be organized. We had fun going through our inventory, deciding what we still wanted and what we no longer needed. We loved finding some little forgotten treasures and going through the boxes of items we hadn’t seen in awhile. We are so much happier with our space now. It is neat and organized and ready for work!

We're working hard!

Organizing things is a big job!

So now its back to work! We have been attending seminars and networking meetings, keeping up with what other event professionals are doing and researching new ideas and trends in our industry. We are working on a new look for our Brides N Blooms Design page. Keep an eye out for our new logo design!  July will bring a new sales special and plans for our next Party It Forward© are in the works! All of it is very exciting and we’re so grateful that our family and friends are supporting us through this whirlwind of change.

Hard at work!!

Hard at work!

This past spring seemed to bring out the “nautical” in our Brides. We provided flowers and designs for some beautiful Nautical/Beach themed weddings throughout the Tampa Bay area. We loved being a part of each and every one of them! We were lucky enough to do events on yachts on both sides of the Bay as well as A lovely beach/nautical themed wedding at the Carlouel Yacht Club in Clearwater Beach.

We were very excited to have been a part of two beautiful weddings at the Indian Cultural Center in Tampa as well as a  fairytale themed wedding at the Event Factory.

Our wholesale division shipped lots of flowers to Brides and event hosts all over the US. We always enjoy hearing how happy our customers are with their flowers and what they did with them! Brides N Blooms as a company is all about giving back and doing good for the community. So, following in the footsteps of  “Random Acts of Flowers” we donate all leftover flowers and floral designs to a local nursing home.  Thankfully it has been a wonderful year so far, and we look forward to working with all our new clients in this upcoming season.

fireworks

On a final note, we wish everyone a great Independence Day! Get your red, white and blue on and remember our troops who make it possible for us to celebrate our freedom!

Wedding photos:        https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.474423635978509.1073741840.235756349845240&type=3                                                                                                                                                                  https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.472385626182310.1073741839.235756349845240&type=3