On-line reviews and your wedding

When I meet with my brides I always ask how they found my company. The answers vary some what but "referral" is the number one answer.

Referrals by another wedding professional or a past bride are an indication that I am doing my job well. These brides are coming to me because someone they trust says Flourish does great work. I have also found most brides have done some checking on Flourish before they meet with me. Including reading reviews from the many on line websites focused on businesses and the wedding industry.

Most businesses out there will tell you that on-line reviews are a great way to cement trust in your company but that they can also be a repeated and persistent thorn in the side. There are many problems with on-line reviews.

* A review, whether positive or negative, can be left by anyone. That includes a company's competitor, a friend of the business owner or even the business owner themselves.
* There is no moratorium on how long reviews can be displayed. So unlike your last traffic ticket, reviews will not fall off the company's record after a certain number of years. They can still appear on line years after they were first posted.

*Reading a review posted two years ago may not be a good indication of how the company runs today. Businesses change hands, the quality of customer service goes up and down.

I thought it would be worthwhile to mention how reviews, while a useful tool, should be taken with a grain of salt. If you were to search Flourish today and read all the reviews posted by clients you would see they are wonderful and glowing. And I am happy to be able to read the kind words left by our past clients.

Colin and Kari are married!

Who: Colin and Kari

What: Amazingly beautiful wedding filled with traditional florals in warm whites

When: October 24, 2009

Where: V. Sattui, Napa, Ca

What I loved: The colors! I loved the soft and romantic palette of ivory, sage, cream and champagne. Classically beautiful. Plus the dessert bar- yummo!

I was touched and honored by the amount of trust Kari and Colin gave me. Because the planning was done long distance (bride and groom live in Reno, NV) there was a lot of phone calls and e-mails. But when it came right down to it they were so willing to rely on advice. I have a great job! ;)

Keeping it funky fresh

Way back in the day floral design was my hobby. I am a big believer in having a hobby that keeps you creative and gives you a fresh outlook on life. When floral design became my career I quickly realized that I needed a hobby outside of my job.

What do I love? I love papers and fabrics (even though I do not sew), I love color, I love home decorating (seasonal and everyday) and I love my family and friends. All of my hobbies reflect these loves. Card making, collecting Dept. 56 Halloween villages, and most recently photography.

I have been dabbling in photographing families and children. It is so fun to step outside what I do everyday and try on a different chapeau. I have been photographing friends and family and friends of friends and family.

Is this a new career in the budding stages? Probably not. I love flowers way too much to ever give them up. But I have found photography gives me a new way to view composition and color. And that new view has made me a better floral designer. Plus I love having a new way to express my artistic side.

Introducing- you choose freebies!

I am in a giving mood! But you need to strike quick before I come to my senses. :)

Book your wedding flowers with Flourish before 12-19-09 and you get to choose a freebie!!

Choose one free bridesmaid bouquet or free cake flowers or one free centerpiece or a free guest book table arrangement or a free place card table arrangement. *

What are you waiting for???

*must mention this blog post to receive the freebie. Free item cannot exceed 100.00 value and cannot be traded for cash or used towards previously booked events. Offer good for new bookings only.

Jill and Jacob are married!

Who: Jill and Jacob

What: Light heart wedding with a fun and different color palette

When: October 10, 2009

Where: Vizcaya in Sacramento, Ca

What I loved: Jill and Jacob included many personalized touches to their wedding. The couple's dog acted as ring bearer, cowboy hats and boots were part of the wedding attire and other cute additions.

For your viewing pleasure, hop on over to the fabulous Sarah Maren Photography's website and watch the beautiful slide show Sarah put together of this wonderful wedding.

How to make a Harrison cake...

My son Harrison put together the following recipe as part of a class project:

Harrison cake

7 cups video games

9 cups skateboarding

4 cups black hair

4 cups knowledge

6 cups awesome

10 cups athleticism

Start the blender and warm the oven to 400 degrees. While the oven is warming you can start blending the ingredients. Combine video games, skateboarding, black hair, knowledge, awesome and athleticism. Blend for 5 minutes, place in a pan and put it all in the oven for 15 minutes. There you go! You have made a Harrison cake.

Jodi and Mike are Married!

Who: Jodi and Mike

What: Fun and funky, modern and interesting wedding.

When: October 2, 2009

Where: Lake Natoma Inn, Folsom, Ca

What I loved: Fabulous shoes and peacock feathers. Photo booth and lots of laughter. Need I say more?

Hello? Is there anyone across the table?

I am meeting with a bride, Michelle and groom, Joseph (names have been changed to protect the innocent).

"I want to make sure my guests can see over the centerpieces. I do not want the centerpieces to be in the way." Joseph says, practically.

"But- I want there to be a "WOW!" when the guests enter the room. The flowers should stand out and make an impression." Michelle asserts.

"The last wedding we attended people were moving the centerpieces off the table and on to the floor. What a waste!" Joseph says remembering the ill-fated flowers.

Is there a way to bring these two warring factions together? A Camp David for wedding flowers? Yes! It all comes down to the height of the centerpiece.

First the math- Centerpieces should be no taller than 13 inches. Elevated centerpieces should be raised above 24 inches. These formulas will allow for comfortable viewing and conversing across the table.

The picture on the left is an example of a terrible centerpiece. Imagine sitting

at this table. All you can see is a wall o' decor. Claustrophobic, uncomfortable and certainly not conducive to a friendly, partying atmosphere. If I were a guest at this wedding I would want to leave this table asap! Just FYI- I did not design this centerpiece.

The centerpiece on the right is from a wedding I designed last year. I love this centerpiece because it is an example of a classic low arrangement in a clear glass vase. This arrangement was about 13 inches tall at its highest point. There are a lot of creative options for low centerpiece designs. What a great idea for another blog post. *noted*

"What about my "WOW!" factor?" Michelle asks, butting in.

Elevated centerpieces are the way to go for visual excitement at the reception. Tall vases, metal stands, candelabras are just some of the ways you can elevate an arrangement and still allow for easy conversing

across the table. When choosing an accessory to raise your centerpiece use an item that is at least 24 inches tall and no larger than 7 inches in diameter. Also test your stand for stability. You do not want your centerpieces to come crashing down. Probably not quite the "impact" you were going for.

The exception to the rule: You know there is always a way to break the rules. Branches or other thin elements can add height to a low centerpiece with out getting in the way of conversation.

"You are the best!" Michelle and Joseph exclaim in unison. "How can we ever thank you enough?"

Bringing peace and to the warring decor factions is all the thanks I need. :)

Kim and Tim are married!

Who: Tim and Kim

What: Early summer wedding designed in rich and romantic tones of deep red, pink and bright green

When: June 6, 2009

Where: Davis Community Church and The Old Sugar Mill

What I loved: The ceremony took place in the church the family had attended for years. It gave Tim and Kim's wedding such a warm, family atmosphere.

Photos by Sophie Maher

Hi- Long time no talk!

I know, I know, I have been a bad blogger. Can you ever forgive me? It has been a crazy time in Flourish land. Weddings, weddings and more weddings! What does this mean for you? How does this impact your life? Well... it means lots of eye candy for your perusal. I will leave this post with this picture from a recent photo shoot:

Just in case you are wondering- yes that is how I have been feeling. Lost in a forest of weddings. But what is that I see? The light ahead is a lot of new blog posts comin' your way.

Photo by True Love Photo