Celebration Advisor – Wedding and Party Network Blog » Which Tampa Florist Has YOU Covered?

Celebration Advisor – Wedding and Party Network Blog » Which Tampa Florist Has YOU Covered?

Silk Bridal Bouquets

Just because you are planning on using silk flowers for your wedding doesn't mean they have to look fake. Today with a wide range of materials being used in creating permanent botanicals you will find an array of qualities and textures that will even fool the most decimating of flower snob. From plastic Calla Lilies to the real touch Star Gazer Lilies. You can hardly tell the difference and even when you touch the flowers you will be fooled. Knowing the botanical correctness of a flower is very important in selecting the correct flower. The range of price per stem can be more than the real to a lot less when it comes to specialty flowers such as Stephanontis and Lily of the Valley which are many times a fraction of the price of the fresh variety. With many years of working with both fresh and silk flowers I take special care in finding flowers that are as close to natural as possible when I create a silk bridal bouquet. Being botanically correct is very much a passion for me when it comes to bridal bouquets. We have found a niche in our area for silk bridal bouquets. We are located in one of Florida's port cities where there are many brides planning a wedding on a cruise ship or Caribbean Island. In all cases they are unable to take their fresh bridal bouquets off the ship for photographs due to agricultural regulations. When using silk or permanent botanical bouquets this allows them to not only be able to use them for the ceremony, but take them on to an island for photographs and they are a great keepsake to remind them of their special wedding day.

We use some artificial flowers for centerpieces that we submerge flowers such as Cymbidium Orchids and Calla Lilies that for the most part it's very hard to detect whether they are real or not. The only thing you have to be careful with is some silk flowers will bleed or disolve when submerged, so testing is very important to assure the flowers will hold up to being submerged for several hours.

For more information about our silk bouquets contact us at www.appleblossomstampa.com or contact us directly at 813-985-6409.

Scott Darhower
Apple Blossoms Floral Designs
Tampa, FL

Lighting a Christmas Tree

Whether it be a decorator Christmas Tree or your family Christmas Tree it's all the same. In my more than 30 plus years of decorating the family Christmas Tree to today I have learned many tricks to make the best of your tree. It's all about interest in ornaments and the textures, but foremost the lights. Lighting a tree is very important to have plenty of lights. I figure 100 lights per foot and add 300 to 500 additional lights. I like to light my own trees. Lighting a real or permanent tree the method is pretty much the same.
Always work from the center of the tree. I always run 100-200 lights through the center of 8-9' tree. This illuminates the center of the tree not to mention the ornaments we are going to add to the Christmas Tree.

I then begin at the bottom of the tree wrapping the branches closely. I do mean every branch. Since I added the lights in the center first I don't have to go as deep into the tree with the wrapping of the lights branch by branch. I repeat this process until I reach the top of the tree. Now it's time to decorate.

Weatherproof Bows

Weatherproof red velvet bows for Christmas decorating. Large wired red velvet bow with gold edge $7.50 each. Order 10 and get 2 free for a total of 12 bows for the price of 10. These bows are Weatherproof and great for Christmas Wreaths and Garlands. When you store these bows properly you will get several years of use. Contact us at 813-985-6409 to place your order.

Smaller Bows available for $5.50 each.

Classic Bridal Bouquet. A collection of Calla Lilies, Lisianthus, and White Roses.

Tampa Florist Transforms University

For the past 4 years Tampa Florist, Apple Blossoms Floral Designs & Gifts has transformed Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida into a Christmas Wonderland. From the more than 40 thousand twinkling lights to the miles of garland surrounding the beautiful gardens transforms this beautiful campus into a place that takes you back to your childhood. Scott Darhower the owner of Apple Blossoms Floral Designs & Gifts located in Tampa Florida begins collecting his crew in September to create this wonderland. It takes more than 450 man hours to complete the transformation. Each garland, wreath, tree, and ornament is lovingly placed. We start the first week of November wrapping more than 30, 10-30 foot palm trees and 14 Legustrum trees with clear LED lights. Scott's mother even comes from Pennsylvania to help. Scott has been transforming homes and businesses for more than 20 years with his own unique style and traditions. If you are in the Lakeland area from November 20th to January 5th you need to visit Southeastern University 1000 Longfellow Blvd. to truly experience the Splendor of the Seasons.

Visit us at http://www.appleblossomstampa.com for more on our Christmas Decorating.

Garden Roses

Taking a step back in time where roses were from the garden. Garden Roses are fast becoming a staple in the wedding world. Yves Piaget is in my opinion the most opulent of roses. It's fragrance will will take you back to days gone by. As an avid gardener is sure is nice to find a rose that reminds me of my childhood. I believe if you have the chance to purchase these roses you will agree.

Pretty in Pink Wedding

Visit us to see more pictures of this Wedding fit for a Princess. http://www.appleblossomstampa.com

Tampa Florist, Tampa Wedding Flowers

Flemish Style Wedding

A sneak peak of a Flemish Style Wedding. This wedding is all about Style. Creating a feeling of old romance. For more visit us at www.appleblossomstampa.com

Why do Wedding Flowers Cost so Much?

Let's take a look at a breakdown of what actually happens through the process of creating wedding flowers.

1. Initial meeting with a bride.

The initial meeting normally takes about 1-2 hours depending on how extensive the wedding is.

2. Providing the bride with an initial quote.

Proposals and quotes take anywhere from 1-3hours. I make recipes for every item in the wedding from the bridal bouquet to the centerpieces. This allows me to know where we can cut costs and still keep the overall look of the wedding without sacrificing the final product.

3. Re-working the quote to make adjustment.

Many brides will want me to make adjustments to fit their budgets better. This takes an additional 1-2 hours including re-typing the quote and making adjustments.

We are now up to a maximum of 7 hours just to get the quote to the price in which the bride wants and actually signs the contract and makes the deposit.

4. Making a sample.

We will make a sample of the brides centerpieces once she has signed the contract and made her deposit. This normally is a meeting of about 1-2 hours for any adjustments and changes.

5. Changes and adjustments to the proposal are made up until 2 weeks prior the wedding.

I may make several updates to the proposal for the bride over a period of time. This can be anywhere from 1 hour to many hours depending on the bride.

6. 2 weeks prior the wedding the bride is ready for her day.

I order the flowers and supplies to create her wedding flowers. This normally takes 1 hour.

7. Receiving the flowers & preparing the supplies for the wedding.

We receive the flowers dry packed. These flowers have to be conditioned with special chemicals to prepare the flowers for optimum freshness and beauty for the brides special day. We also have to prepare all the items you don't even see. This can take up to 6 or more hours with 2-3 people getting everything ready for the actual designing. Believe it or not many times we receive the wrong flowers and have to make changes or find other wholesalers that can provide us with the flowers the bride wants.

I've already lost track of the hours involved.

8. Designing the wedding.

Depending on the wedding an average of 2-3 designers needed for 8-10 hours and even more for each wedding.

9. It's Wedding day.

Deliver the bouquets to the hotel for the photos before the wedding.

10. Delivering the Ceremony arrangements and decorations.

Set up the church and in many cases wait until the ceremony is over to transport arrangements to the reception.

11. Delivering to the Reception.

I wish it were that easy. We arrive and many times the room isn't ready for us to place the arrangements. We will do anything to help move the process along. From helping to place tables to dropping linens just so we can start to place the arrangements.

12. Now everything is ready and the wedding is on.

13. The reception is over.

It's now midnight and we're back to pick up all the rental items as well as many times retrieving items the bride has asked us to collect for her.

Now you get an idea of what it takes as a florist to create a wedding. It's much more than throwing a few bouquets together and delivering them to you. I would love to have a bride follow us through the process just once to see what exactly we do to provide her with here perfect wedding. So when you ask why do the flowers cost so much you have an idea of why.

Funeral Flowers and Funeral Tributes

Common Questions & Advice

As florists, we work closely with families making funeral plans, friends and associates sending sympathy expressions, and funeral homes holding services. Flowers are an integral part of the funeral process. In fact, sympathy flowers have been part of funeral and memorial traditions in nearly every culture throughout history. Fo those less familiar with the funeral flowers and sympathy etiquette, questions often arise. Here are some of the most common, along with sound advice from the Society of American Florists and expert designers.

Is there a 'right' or 'wrong' type of arrangement to send as a sympathy gift? There are a variety of appropriate options in sympathy flowers. Traditional sympathy arrangements, including triangular or fan-shaped designs, easel sprays, and baskets, are still among the most popular in many areas. These often include carnations, chrysanthemums, glads, and lilies or roses, but may also include any other favorite flowers. Most florists are also happy to create floral tributes with more stylish designs and themes. Mixed flower arrangements which look "just-picked-from-the-garden," elegant vased bouquets of European flowers, and dramatic groupings of a single flower type are just some of the ore contemporary choices. Baskets of green and flowering plants are also popular as a gift that's convenient for the family to take home or give to a local hospital or charity. There is no right or wrong approach. The choice is you. The best advice is to select something you think the family will appreciate.

Do some flower arrangements look to 'cheery' for a funeral? Absolutely not. A funeral service is a way to honor someones life, and bright, colorful flowers are a meaningful part of that tribute. In addition to adding beauty to an otherwise somber occasion, flowers provide comforting diversion -- something to talk about or look at -- during the visitation. Of course, other color schemes are popular, too. Soft pinks, purples, and other pastels are appropriate for a feminine touch, while autumn tones have a more masculine theme. White, for peace, and red, for undying love, are also very popular at funerals and contrast well when combined.

Sometimes I see a charity mentioned 'in lieu of flowers' in the death notice. Is it still appropriate to send flowers? Because flowers help you say what is often difficult to express, they are always appropriate and in good taste. many people want to express sympathy ans show respect for the deceased in a variety of ways, including charitable contributions, food donations, a helping hand, or cards and flowers. Flowers also play a functional role, adding warmth to the service and providing the visible, emotional support that the bereaved need during a difficult time. Funeral directors agree that most people do not want a service completely devoid of flowers.

What can I do to make my arrangement special from the rest? To make your floral tribute particularly special, ask your florist to create an arrangement that fits the deceased's personality, for example, a rustic basket of wildflowers to honor someone who loved the outdoors. You could also include his or her favorite flowers of colors, or a flower that had a significance in your relationship with that person. Whatever you do, the family is sure to notice and appreciate it.

I am part of a group. What are some suggestions? When groups, including grandchildren, nieces and nephews, neighbors, business associates, and clubs go in together on flowers, the arrangements can be very special and make a larger showing. Such pieces can include standing sprays and wreaths. When sending flowers as a group, include a contact name and address on the card so the family knows whom to thank.

What is appropriate to send for a cremation? A tastefully done floral tribute adds beauty to any type of service, whether it's a traditional burial or a cremation. Because cremation is increasingly common in some areas, many florists will have specific suggestions. Families may choose a piece designed for display with the urn, or and arrangement that can be enjoyed in the home after the service.

I found out about a death after the funeral was over. What can I do? A floral arrangement received at the home after the activity surrounding the funeral can be a comforting, welcome reminder that friends haven't forgotten. In fact, research shows that bereaved family and friends appreciate being thought of in the weeks or months after the funeral. A personal not or 'we are thinking of you' message with the flowers would be especially nice. Any support you can offer will let the family know you care.


How do I know what to ask for with my florist? Your florist is the expert, so you don't have to be. He or she will be happy to guide you. Still, here are some terms commonly used by florists, which may be helpful in your discussion.

Wreath - A floral presentation often used because the circle symbolizes eternal life.

Spray - Flowers designed for viewing from one side only. Sprays are often placed on an easel stand.

Floral Arrangement - An assortment of fresh flowers in a vase, basket or other container.

Casket Spray - Flowers designed for the top of the casket, usually ordered by the family.

Inside Piece - A general term to describe small floral designs placed inside the casket such as satin hearts, nosegays, or small sprays.

Sympathy & Floral Tributes

History and Importance of Sympathy Flowers

The arrangement and placement of flowers around the dead is humankind's oldest tribute, the oldest for of moralization, the oldest act of mourning. This ancient activity was well documented by Dr. Ralph Solecki in his famous excavation of the Shandiar Cave in Northern Iraq.

Solecki discovered, in 1951, several burial sites in the Shandiar Cave. Eventually his discovery would place the subject of human burial into the Guinness Book of World Records as the world's oldest form of religious activity.

During his dig, Solecki submitted soil samples from the graves for pollen analysis to Ariette Lerio-Gourhan, a paleobotanist from Paris. Leori-Gourhan found pollen and flower fragments from at least eight different species of wild flowers. She declared the burials had occurred around 62,000 B.C. and that neither birds nor animals could have been responsible for the placement of the flowers. Therefor, she concluded that someone 62,000 years ago, had roamed the mountainside in the mournful task of collecting flowers for the funeral tribute.

Floral Symbols

Throughout history, flowers have been used to symbolize every aspect of the life cycle, from birth through death. For example, the fragility of life is symbolized by the flowers. To grow and expand, flowers require the proper conditions. The same is true for human beings. In death, flowers are used to symbolize how beauty of creation is temporary; as surely as the flower must be cut from the stem, so it is with human life.

Flowers also have a particular aesthetic value in the face of death, for the beauty of the flower helps balance our emotional responses to the perceived ugliness of death. Flowers help soften the raw imagery death leaves with survivors.

Finally, the colors of the flowers have a specific symbolism, particularly in the religious thought. For example, purple is the symbol of patience and royalty, whit is the symbol of joyous celebration and shining light, and green symbolizes nature and the freshness of growth.

Contemporary Role of Flowers

Today, flowers are sent to funerals for a number of reasons. First, they are a means of expression. It is often difficult for those mourning the death to put feelings into words. Flowers area a visual expression of love, sympathy and respect. They are a means of sharing the burden of grief, and they represent the community supported for the bereaved.

Flowers create a background of warmth and beauty, which adds to the dignity and consolation of the funeral service. Following the service, the bereaved are left with an indelible impression, or "memory picture" of the funeral. The more comforting the memory picture, the more easily it is recalled by the bereaved and the more vivid is the reinforcement of the reality of loss. Flowers do not wither and die in the mind of the bereaved; they are recalled time and again as indelible memories. Conversely, those who have attended services where there were no flowers, have expressed the feeling that something was missing, that the funeral was depressing.

Flowers also have a spiritual significance. They are symbolic not only of love and sympathy, but also eternity and immortality. The fleeting life of flowers attests to the transitory life of man. There is profound symbolism in the very fact that flowers do not last forever.

Finally, flowers are not only for the living. They are also for the dead. Americans traditionally have expressed their respect for the deceased by sending flowers, which honors the dead and console the living.

Voted Best Florist Tampa

We are very honored to announce that we were just given the word today that we were voted Best Florist 2009 South/Central Tampa. I want to say I am very flattered and honored to have been voted Best Florist this year. It's been quite a year and a half since we opened our store at 3627 W. Kennedy Blvd. I just want to thank everyone who voted for us. It's quite an honor and I look forward to continuing to be your favorite florist in Tampa.

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!!!!

Scott Darhower

www.appleblossomstampa.com
Apple Blossoms Floral Designs & Gifts
3627 W. Kennedy Blvd.
Tampa, FL 33609
813-985-6409

Finding a Tampa Wedding Florist

>>To pinpoint a potential florist, gathering referrals from trusted sources, like wedding vendors and recently married friends.

>>Make initial appointments with the florists six to nine months in advance, depending on the size of your wedding and the complexity of your desired decor. ( Plan on interviewing your top three referrals. )

>>Before your meeting, know your budget and the ceremony and the reception locations, and have a basic idea of what you want ( colors, types of flowers, number of arrangements ). If possible, bring photos of flowers you like - and be able to talk about flowers you don't.

>>Once you pick a florist, ask for a proposal that describes each arrangement's cost, size, and container.

>>Consider the deal sealed when you pput daow a deposit and you both sign a contract that covers everything from the delivery details to the cancellation and refund policies.

Wedding flowers

The 4th 2009

Merissa Moss Wedding, Crosley Powell Estate, Sarasota, FL

Tampa Florist, Beach Wedding and a Wedding at the Sandpearl, Clearwater

Real Weddings - Marissa & Michael: An Outdoor Wedding in Manatee County, FL

Real Weddings - Marissa & Michael: An Outdoor Wedding in Manatee County, FL

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Visit us at http://www.appleblossomstampa.com

Real Weddings - Marissa & Michael: An Outdoor Wedding in Manatee County, FL - The Bridal Bouquet

Real Weddings - Marissa & Michael: An Outdoor Wedding in Manatee County, FL - The Bridal Bouquet

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Going Home

April & Nathan, Davis Island Garden Club, Tampa, FL

Bridal Bouqets

These are some of the bouquets from over the past few months.

Creating a Floral Pineapple for a Buffet Table

Wedding on Honeymoon Island, FL

Cone Wedding June 6, 2009, Tampa, FL

Bradenton Beach, FL Wedding Stephanie & David