Archive for category: Events

We two girls at Brides N Blooms like reading blogs. We like to find out how other vendors handle issues, and hear about some of the weddings they’ve done.  We also like to read blogs from ‘real’ people who are honest about  how their weddings or events turned out . We like reading how to do what we do better or see how others how averted a disaster.  As any florist, or vendor for that matter, will tell you….we all have our fair share of those situations.

I recently read a blog on the The Stir, where they were discussing the unexpected problems that crop up last minute at weddings or events and I got to thinking about that. This particular writer was talking about issues from the client’s perspective…but what about the vendors point of view? What did the vendor have to deal with in those situations? One unexpected issue mentioned went like this; “The florist’s (or another vendor’s) bill suddenly doubling overnight. Unexpected changes have caused brides to contend with last minute charges that came out of the blue. Talk about an instant headache!”

We would agree that is a headache…but having been on the other side of this coin, changes and extra charges do not “come out of the blue”.  They happen because there was a lack of communication and rechecking of one’s contract to make sure what you ordered is, in fact, what you actually expect to get and, then notifying whatever vendor this will affect. What I see happen often is our services are ordered months in advance of the event date. As time goes on, and different items are planned with other vendors, or the venue, counts change, items should be added. Without being vigilant about previously ordered items, and having a checklist, small details like counts and amounts get forgotten. Case in point, we recently had 2 different weddings that added last minute tables to their counts, after they’d contracted and paid for our services. Neither bride or their families relayed those changes to us at all.

For wedding #1 we ordered the contracted amount of items needed and prepared her designs.  When we showed up and counted the tables we noticed there was an extra one. Luckily for the bride it was only a small centerpiece that was unaccounted for.  After a quick discussion on whether to leave the table empty or not, we decided not to. So we ended up scrambling at the venue to find an extra vase and then creating a design for it on the fly. It didn’t really resemble the other centerpieces at all, but it was pretty and the table wasn’t bare. However, we were in touch with the bride 2 weeks prior and she never mentioned the extra table.

Suffice it to say, our motto is to never say no, so if it’s at all humanly possible we will make things as perfect as we can. We could have charged for that extra time and piece, but we didn’t.

Wedding #2, was a different case. We had a 2 day notice on that one. However, it was not because we were notified of any change.  The bride was supplying us the containers to use. Later, while unpacking all her items, we noticed a lot more containers than what we were contracted to make. We called and the bride told us the amount of tables she wanted us to do was 5 more than she had contracted for and they added those 2 weeks ago. The bill was paid in full, and it was too late to order more of the specialty items she wanted to fill those extra containers with in the way she had envisioned. We explained that we would use what we had,  just a little more sparingly but we would have to charge her for the extra work.  Again, we had been in contact with this bride within 2 weeks prior to her event. I can only assume it just didn’t cross her mind to check her contract to make sure she’d paid for the design work needed  for the tables she had and notify us of the additions. Also, when we met with her to pick up the items she had a small mishap and dropped one of her ceremony pots. She was in a panic, so calmly we suggested we go together to a local store where she could replace them with something else. That was time we were not paid for.  This bride also on the day of her wedding, out of the blue, asked for the petals for her flower girl, of  which there was no note for in her contract. Petals aren’t such a big deal really and we don’t charge for them when roses are already part of an order, but when there are little or no roses, then we have to go and get some! Which is time, last minute stress and expense we didn’t plan or charge for. In the end, her family let us know that her wedding was wonderful and thanked us for making everything so beautiful. Which is our ultimate goal!

We believe customer service is paramount and we want our clients to be happy and satisfied with our service. We always want them to know that we’ll go the extra mile for them. So when this blogger mentions the headache for the client, we’re thinking, it is just as much headache for the vendor.

I came across another blogger from the Bridal Guide who mentioned it being the bride’s responsibility to avert last minute problems by checking everything they’ve ordered against what they actually will need. This blogger suggested that the bride or event planner should follow this checklist concerning flowers:

“Timing. What time will your photographer arrive to take photos?  You’ll want to make sure your florist is aware of this timeline if you want photos with your flowers prior to your ceremony.

Location. Where do you want your bouquets & boutonnieres delivered?  Should they be brought to you at the chapel or spa?  Will all the men be getting ready at the same location or should the father of the bride’s boutonniere be delivered with bouquets?

Numbers. Are there any changes to the number of bouquets or centerpieces you’ll need?  If you don’t have an exact table count, then err on the side of too many pieces rather than too few.  They can always be repurposed elsewhere.

Extras. Does your caterer want flowers for garnishes or food stations?  These need to be ordered if you expect to have extra flowers!

Preceding. Do you need flowers for your rehearsal dinner?  If you haven’t arranged this yet your wedding florist may be the best person to assist with this since she/he already has a sense of your style.

If you have questions about how the flow of the day should go ask your florist to clarify delivery or design details.”

So, if something like a last minute charge happens, know it was not something a vendor will do out of the blue. It is something a vendor will do because they have to cover the cost of any unforeseen extras the client forgot to communicate about. As much as it is our responsibility as vendors to make sure we cover all the bases, communication and checking your contracts will prevent last minute headaches.

 Now go out and have yourself a wholesale, flower filled day!

 

 

So! It’s that time of year here in Florida. It’s time for weddings… lot’s of them. All over the Tampa Bay Area.

We’ve had our fair share too and I thought it might be fun to share some of the funny and touching things that happened behind the scenes during a few of the events we’ve done design work for recently.

We had a delivery to a hotel down in St. Pete recently. I was a nervous wreck about this one because I had heard from the bride that the pillars we were putting some tall pieces on have a small rise in the center that comes to a point. All I could imagine was these pieces tumbling backwards off the pillars if a sudden wind came up. (It can be the constant nightmare of  an event florist that something unlikely could happen after you set up). The whole day before was spent making these pieces look so pretty and just right. When we got there to deliver, the first thing we did is run up to a pillar and look. After which we both started laughing and saying to each other.. YAY! this is no problem whatsoever! There was a rise of maybe one inch in the center, not enough to create an imbalance with the flat bottomed pieces we had made. And it looked beautiful!

We work with the Yacht Starship in Tampa on a regular basis. We really love this venue. They have two ships, one that holds approximately 100 people and one that holds approximately 600 people.  We’ve done many events at this venue over the last few years.  This particular wedding, was for a young lady who’s mother had recently and suddenly become very ill. Bedridden and in a full time care facility, she could not be there to watch her daughter walk down the aisle. The family did an amazing job of making sure there would be a video feed so her Mom could see the wedding, and bought a lovely dress for her to wear.  They wanted her to wear a corsage as well. It was the corsage delivery that was so bitter sweet. Now I have a daughter who was married some years back. I know what it feels like to be a ‘Mother of the Bride’. I cannot fathom how this would be if I had to trade places even for one moment with this young lady’s mother…but there I was in her room, talking with the nurses and figuring out how to make sure all went well. After we got everything organized I took a picture to send to the bride so she could see her mom with the corsage before the ceremony. It seemed so surreal to me to discussing things with everyone in the room, but not having direct conversation with the most important person in that room! I leaned in to say to her mom how beautiful everything was and congratulations. All she could do was mouth thank you. I left that room with tears in my eyes.

The other wedding on the boat… now that was a challenge! The bride wanted a garland hung from the mast of the ship. I am all of 5 ft. tall. The mast is about 8 ft. high. So there I am, up on a step ladder, working like the dickens to get this garland of flowers up and fastened.  I have flowers in my hands, waterpicks in my pocket, zipties in my mouth and Brides N Blooms other half  looking up from below, helplessly hoping she can assist me at the very least, from not falling backwards off the step ladder! Looking back now, it was pretty amusing, but at the time, We were praying to every deity in the universe to make this garland hold and look pretty!! (We think it turned out very well, don’t you?)

The last one is the one that became an odyssey. We had a dinner we had to create 50 identical centerpieces for. Doesn’t sound like it should be hard, and really it’s not, but after about 20 were done…. well, we started wondering if we’d ever be done. By the time 40 of them were finished it was slap happy, giggly time,and thinking this was the never ending design challenge. By 50, our cold storage room was a sea of hydrangea, but…. we were finished!! And they looked awesome!  We love it when a plan comes together, even if it takes longer than expected.

Sometimes when we are working silly things happen. Sometimes when we are working difficulties arise. Always though, when we’re working, we two girls are very happy we do what we do.

Now go out and have yourself a silly and sweet, wholesale, flower-filled day.

….and you know what that means?

CLEANING!

Yup… bet you thought I was going to say flowers.

Well.. they are definitely a part of spring… and they are definitely what we do…. but today, I’m talking about cleaning. Spring Cleaning! We’ve all heard the term, and I’m sure we’ve all been swept up in it (pun!) at some point in our lives. I know every year I am!

But do you know where the term actually comes from?

The reasons behind why we spring clean are rooted in two competing cultures, Jewish and Iranian with a third close behind with the Chinese, who also have a similar custom. All of these traditions extend far­ back into the distant past.

In Iran, the new year arrives on March 21 the spring equinox and the celebration of the new year lasts two weeks.  The customs, rituals and symbolism are rooted in the culture’s ancient pre-Islamic past. The new year is a time of regeneration for Iranians; they use symbols like burning and planting to signify renewal and optimism for a new season. It’s also a time for refreshing and reinvigorating life, and that includes Iranians’ houses.The ritual is called Khaneh Takani (“shaking the house”) and the custom lives up to its name. Iranians traditionally buy new clothes to wear, every bit of a home is scoured and cleaned…. nothing is spared. Rugs, drapes bedding, knick-knacks, floors, ceilings — everything gets a good cleaning. Fresh scented flowers are brought in to renew the house’s vibrancy. Once the house is shaken, the new year  and spring, can arrive.

The Jewish holiday of Passover (Pesach) is a time of house cleaning as well. The very solemn holiday marks the exodus of the Jews from Egypt. After the 10 plagues were brought upon the Egyptian king by Moses the Jews were finally released from slavery and ordered to leave the land. There was very little time to get ready so the breads they were baking to bring on their journey only were able to be cooked for 18 minutes. That became what is known as Matzah and during Passover, keeping leavened bread (chametz) which is any item made with yeast or a grain that can rise, is forbidden.

Since making sure that no leavened bread remains in the home during Passover is so important, even overlooked crumbs count. To this end, Jews scour their homes from top to bottom before Passover to ensure they don’t miss a crum. No corner is to be left untouched and all chametz is either given away or sold so as not to ‘own’ it during Passover. For those 8 days different dishes, silverware, cookware are used and only foods without any leavening are eaten.  Since Passover comes around April, many people consider this custom as the origin of spring cleaning.

The Chinese, also have of a spring cleaning ritual.  They clean their homes in anticipation of the new year by sweeping their floors and cleaning their homes to be rid of bad luck and misfortune that may have accumulated during the previous year. Once the house is clean, the Chinese then welcome good fortune in by observing a prohibition against sweeping for the few days following the new year in order to prevent sweeping away any good fortune that came with the turn of the year.

After all that cleaning I think we should head for the garden to do some spring planting.  Wanna join me?

Now go out and have yourself a wholesale, flower-filled, spring day!

 

 

Big Events are a lot of work. It doesn’t matter if you are the host or the vendor. Each one plays a part to create it! Big or small, outdoor or indoor, intimate settings or big halls. Everybody needs to be on board with the vision and realities of the event. Both vendor and client have expectations which sometimes simple and effective communication can make easier on everyone.

1. Getting the question “How much does it cost? This is a difficult question for most vendors to give you during an initial consultation. There are so many factors that go into pricing an event. Aside from the actual price of the items, there is experience, time and artistry, and most importantly service. Trying to be competitive is always a tightrope walked. A client has no clue how much time is spent in the inital phases of the job. Consultations, working out a quote, emails, ordering  processing and bookkeeping. That doesn’t include the actual preparing,  set up & day of event.

How Brides N Blooms, Wholesale & Designs likes to handle this situation is by flipping it around to the client and asking “What is your budget?” Or, “If I tell you your flowers will cost ‘this much’, how would you feel about that?” That helps a client figure out their comfort level and helps you, the vendor, figure out what you are able to do to match the client’s wants and what you are able to provide.

2. Constant Emails and changes…
It is the nature of this business to do a lot of cross communicating with email. However, if a client is continually changing their mind, or over obsessing with details, it becomes difficult for a vendor to be effective at their job. Too many changes, too many requests about minute details and freak outs can sometimes create problems in the final product. The client will not necessarily remember everything that was said or changed and if what is remembered is different than what the client thought, there will be disappointment all around. A vendor wants as much as the client does for everything to be right!

A good idea is to be clear in your consultations that ALL emails will be answered within a certain time frame. As the vendor, you can make sure your reply is clear and itemized with a subject line that is labeled for that particular issue/question. For the client, ask lots of questions, be very detailed in what you want and trust that the vendor you are choosing is a qualified, capable professional.

3. Don’t Assume Anything
This works both ways… Vendors and Clients. Communication just as in any relationship, is ultimately the key to making sure you get what you pay for and the vendor knows exactly what you want. As a vendor we hear many times a client say “Whatever you think is best! You are the professional”. Those are dangerous words for a vendor to take literally. What visions a client may have in their head many times will not be quite the same as what the vendor is envisioning.

As a vendor, have pictures or literature explaining your work. As a client, have pictures and a prepared list of what you want. Everyone may not be literal…but we all are visual in this industry. A picture is worth a thousand words… and a list is both a vendor and client’s best friend.

Make sure no matter which end of the spectrum you sit, vendor or host, you are honest, communicative and realistic. That way we all can work together to make your event a great one!

Now go out and have yourself a wholesale, fresh flower, communicative day!