The Flower Blog

With Wedding Season of 2014 well underway, I have seen a gradual shift of trends from Wedding Season 2013 at Gillespie Florists. Color schemes that feature tints, tones and shades of the primary wedding color, limited use of foliage and a return of a popular accent flower have all made Wedding Season 2014 something to “blog” about!

I had mentioned in a blog post last year that I was noticing a trend towards “nude” colors. I meet with many brides well in advance of their wedding which prompted me to take notice of this up and coming color trend. So far, the nude color trend is the most prominent color scheme of this year’s wedding season. So what are nude tones? Nude tones are very subtle colors and when combined, they seamlessly blend together. Examples of nude colors are pale peach, pale pink, cream, tan and taupe. Next weekend, every single wedding I have (which is more than I can count on one hand) features this color scheme. In recent memory, I cannot recall a single weekend where every color scheme was the same.

Fashion is not my forte, but while interacting with brides, I have picked up on a few trends that are quite “fashionable” this year! Many brides are choosing “mismatched” dresses (both in style and color) for their bridal parties. For example, a bride may choose a smoky lavender color as the primary color theme for their wedding party. The bridesmaids can then choose a style and color of dress in a complimentary hue of the primary color, such as eggplant, iris, lavender or even a patterned fabric which incorporates several of the colors.

Groomsmen are expressing their diversity with various colors of ties, vests and even dumping the traditional black tux for a stunning charcoal or silver tux or suit. Flowers can be designed to unify the bridal party by designing similar personal flowers (i.e. small clusters of babies breath for all the groomsmen boutonnieres and clutch bouquets of babies breath for the bridesmaids). Or, to reflect the diversified theme, each attendant receives their own style and color combination of flowers.

Shabby Chic and Vintage style décor for weddings is still a popular theme carried over from last season. However, I have noticed a slight change in the flower varieties that are featured in this season’s weddings. Babies breath has made a huge comeback in the last year; to the point that babies breath, which is generally readily available, has been in short supply in the last couple of months! A couple of weeks ago, I contacted my local vendors to beef up my babies breath inventory because we were running low. Every single vendor was sold out of all varieties of babies breath. I’ve been the primary flower buyer for almost 10 years and this has not happened before!

In wedding designs, I have featured babies breath in bouquets for brides and bridesmaids, boutonnieres, corsages, ceremony arrangements, centerpieces and even a wreath designed of babies breath! 

Finally, I am seeing the growth of a trend against including foliage in wedding flowers, especially personal flowers. From my interaction with brides, the perception is that the foliage adds another (unwanted) color to the arrangements. I can understand this point of view and have successfully designed dozens of weddings without any foliage. However, with traditional design, I feel that foliage adds subtle depth and texture to an arrangement, as well as hide the mechanics of the design. A small amount of foliage nestled within an arrangement or collared on the outside of a clutch bouquet hides unsightly wires, floral tape, stems, glue and oasis that should remain unseen. No matter what style the bride prefers, a trained and talented floral designer can adapt to the specific needs of each wedding.

As Wedding Season 2014 continues, I am sure that I will be introduced to up and coming trends that will shape the next wedding season. For now, I am enjoying the current trends, learning and growing with each wedding that I am so honored to be a part of!

Ready to start planning your wedding? Click below to  contact our Wedding Specialist! 

Over the past year and a half I have seen some of the most amazing wedding flowers created here in the shop!  I had a very small and non formal wedding so flowers were not a major concern for me, but looking back on things I wish I would have done more with flowers.  

I think that yellow is an amazing accent color to any summer wedding.  Our designers can do some amazing arrangements with beautiful yellow flowers!

Our bridal bouquet called Bailey would be perfect for any bride to be that wants that splash of yellow as she walks down the aisle.  This amazing bouquet is made from beautiful yellow roses, stunning white lilies and white freesia that will provide a wonderful aroma as you walk down the aisle.  

Bailey - GFW127

Maybe you are not a fan of lilies or freesia but you love daisies, we can do that too!  The bridal bouquet called Sunbeam is beautiful.  This bouquet is a simple yet beautiful mix of yellow and white daisies and yellow roses.  Sunbeam is an elegant and cost effective way to make a full bridal bouquet for your special day!  

Sunbeam - GFW44

Have a more wildflower style bridal bouquet in mind for your special day?  Check out this one called Lemon Ice, featuring white roses, yellow freesia, white calcynia heather, pale yellow stock, purple limonium, tree fern and variegated pittosporum.  This bouquet is a hand-tied arm style design.

 

Lemon Ice - GFW45

 

Of course you cannot forget the centerpiece for the main table!  Brooke is a beautifully designed centerpiece featuring yellow calla lilies and yellow Asiatic lilies, as well as snapdragons, delphinium and belles of Ireland.  

 

Brooke - GFW96  

 

Maybe you want a centerpiece but not as large, we still have the perfect one for your special day.  Aubree is a wonderful centerpiece designed with yellow snapdragons, yellow daisies, a large yellow lily and blue delphinium.  

Aubree - GFW94

 

Tossing around the idea of adding fresh flowers to your wedding cake?  We can do that too! Breanna is a mix of yellow daisies, yellow alstromeria lilies and blue delphinium.  If you are not wanting to have the added pop of color from the blue delphinium, do not hesitate to ask if there is something else that could be used in its place!

 

Breanna - GFW93

 

 

Alexa is a  simple yet stunning way to add just a little something to remember to your seating arrangement for your indoor or outdoor wedding. Already have a sash on the rows of chairs in that beautiful sunny yellow?  Let us add exotic stems of white orchids to the end of the rows closest to your aisle.

 

Alexa - GFW95

 

So you have finally made the big decisions on the perfect bouquet, matching bridesmaid’s bouquets, centerpiece for your main table and decorations for the ends of your seating rows. Suddenly you realize you have not selected anything to recognize the other special men and women in the lives of you and your future husband.  The parents and grandparents!  Check out the beautiful Claire and strapping Elias. These matching corsages and boutonnieres are the perfect way to recognize those special people in your lives!

 

Claire - GFW89

 

 

Elias - GFW90

 

 

As you can see we have many options for you to check out that will help you get that splash of sunshine in your flowers for that special day!  With all of this talk about yellow, maybe yellow is not for you! But if you like some of these bouquets or arrangements, make sure you ask our wedding consultant what your options might be to change up the yellow to your own special splash of color!

Click below to contact our Wedding Specialist!

Click below to shop our entire wedding selection!

 

This week marks the two year anniversary of my continuing education adventure with my youngest sister, Della. Two years ago, on June 18, 2012, Della and I nervously entered the South Florida School of Design to take an intensive, 3 week advanced design course. It’s funny, but no matter what age I am (I’m nearly 40 years old), I still feel jittery on my first day of school!!

The adage “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks” played through my mind as I walked through the door that morning. I grew up in the floral business, I had learned the art of floral design from some of the best instructors in the Midwest, I have traveled the country to attend Master Classes with world renowned instructors—so why travel all the way to South Florida for an intensive, three week course? For the sunny beaches, of course!!Just kidding—although, that was a nice perk of attending design school in a coastal town in South Florida! Actually, continuing education is an important aspect of any industry. If you remain stationary, you will never go anywhere.

It was amazing to me what I was able to learn and re-learn during my time as a student there. Walter, the instructor, has had an amazing journey in the floral business. I not only learned design techniques from him but I also gleaned information about the industry and daily operations that I was able to take home and put to work.

Perhaps most important, I reconnected with my youngest sister during our adventure. We have worked together in our family business all of our lives, but sometimes we take the little things (like each other) for granted. We laughed so hard we cried, we took hikes in state parks on the weekends, we studied together for our exams… It was truly a precious time for me.

As blog posts go, this one doesn’t have a lot to offer as far as insight or revelation in the floral industry. However, I hope that you remember to “grow yourself” a little bit every day and take time to appreciate the relationships you have with your friends and family!

Father’s Day is quickly approaching!  Third Sunday in June is the big day for dad. Want to send something to that special dad, grandfather or positive male role model in your life? Believe it or not there are some guys out there that do like flowers.  If not, don’t worry we have other options for you to check out!  

Catcher 
[09F06]

Avid coffee drinker? Baseball fan? Needing alittle color on his desk?
Catcher is a perfect combination Dad will love! Bright red carnations mixed with white daisies artfully designed in a keepsake baseball mug. 

Birdie
13F03

Ok, so dad is not a baseball fan but enjoys a wonderful trip to the golf course once a week to play a round of golf with his buddies.  If you send dad the “Birdie” (Item #13F03), a brightly colored mix of yellow daisies and blue delphinium, he will have a cool golf key chain to show off to all of the guys at the golf course.  

Classic Blue Truck
09F11

Dad or Grandpa is a huge fan of the old style cars?  We carry keepsake containers of classic vehicles such for Jeep, Mustang and this ceramic 1948 Ford pick-up truck. Filled with yellow daisies, red carnations and purple statice; a perfect gift for that car lover in your life.  

Emerald Garden
GF3022

We cannot forget the man out there that would be perfectly content with a small terrarium containing a mixture of several small green plants (Item #GF3022).  These terrariums would be just the perfect size to sit on dad’s desk at work.  

Tailgate Party
10C08

Maybe dad does not have a green thumb for plants or flowers, we still have the perfect gift for dad!  “Tailgate Party” (Item #10C08) is a wicker basket filled with a variety of tasty snacks for dad to munch on over the course of his special day.  

As you can see we have a large variety of wonderful arrangements that you can send to Dad on his special day!  We also have keepsake containers from football and basketball, to fishing, horses and motorcycles.  It’s not to late to get your order in for delivery or pick up on dad’s special day this Father's Day!

Check out our entire selection by clicking below!

The season of hats has arrived and we have been busy at Gillespie Florists designing some of the best!  Whether you're off to the Kentucky Derby, Indy 500, or a backyard garden party, hats are always a welcome change from the ordinary.  It's lovely to see the old fashioned traditions mixed with contemporary flair while designing the flowers that will adorn the many different styles of the season.

It doesn’t have to be expensive either. Make your hat DIY style! Go and purchase a simple hat that suits your individual taste at your local Marshall’s, TJ Maxx, ect.  Next at Hobby Lobby or Michaels; pick custom colors of silk blooms to compliment the colors of your outfit. The number of blooms is up to you. Do like lots of flowers and colors or something more simple? You may already have both of these items in your home tucked away in a closet or storage bin! Last use hot glue or fabric glue to glue on the blooms of your flowers. You don’t have to stop there! Think about adding feathers, ribbons, charms or anything you like!

Don’t have time for DIY? Bring your hat into one of our talented designers and tell them about the outfit you are wanting to match your hat to or better yet bring your outfit in for them to see! After asking you a few questions, our designers will be able to select silks and create the perfect Derby hat by matching your personalized color palette perfectly.

A few years ago, we at Gillespie Florists thought it would be fun to have a Prom King & Queen Contest and have been having it every year since! Prom customers only needed to post their picture on our Facebook Fan Page or use #GFPROM2014 on Instagram or twitter wearing our flowers! We then asked our Facebook fans to "Like" their favorite picture or make a positive comment about it to determine the winner. We had several people enter but there can be only one winner!

And the winner is...

As we come to a close on the 2014 prom season here at Gillespie Florists, my second prom season with the shop, I have lost track of how many times I have been asked what my favorite corsages are. The shop has several very creative floral designers that create our amazing corsages so it makes it very hard to pick just one favorite. I have spent a lot of time dealing with our prom items this year and I finally have it narrowed down to my top five favorite corsages for this season.

Pink Curls

This corsage is great for someone looking for something different. Black glitter leaves, pink beads, pink wired swirl sprays, black and silver wire, topped with aspidistra leaf ribbon and hot pink sweetheart roses make this a very uniquely designed corsage. To make it even better we could put this on any one of our keepsake bracelets!

 

 

 

Dreaming Blue

This mixture of creams and blues makes for a very elegant but fun corsage. The beautiful cream and blue lace ribbon on top of black leaves and beads, topped with cream colored sweetheart roses and then accented with blue delphinium and blue faux rhinestone daisies is perfect for a classy but fun look.

 

 

 

 

 

Fire Island 

Decided to go with a brighter colored dress and now you are worried about matching orange flowers to the color of your dress? Don’t you worry, we have you covered. This corsage is unique with the use of the orange flex wrap covered wires which gives a new texture and look on top of black leaves. Add a few stunning orange sweetheart roses and there you have it, a perfect match for your bright orange dress!

 

 

Purple Pixie

Another new style for the 2014 Prom season! These lavender sweetheart roses are so pretty nestled in the purple flash ribbon with a splash of white wax flower filler. Add some purple faux rhinestone daisies and the versatile aspidistra leaf ribbon and you have the perfect mixture to accent that beautiful purple dress for your prom night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Glimmer

Want your corsage to be noticed by all on the dance floor as you dance the night away? Glimmer would be the way to go! This knock out corsage comes on a custom designed Glassia florescence wristlet that is battery powered and ready to go with its very own ultraviolet lights. White sweetheart roses, bright pink and brilliant white sheer ribbons, silver beads and silver dot tulle sprayed with the Glassia florescence formula are designed onto the custom wristlet. Flip the switch, hit the dance floor and amaze everyone with your out of this world corsage! Afraid that the glow won’t last all night, don’t you worry because we send you home with your very own, compact spray bottle of the Glassia florescence formula that will fit perfectly into your purse or date’s pocket! Give your corsage a quick spray and glow your night away!

If you like the style of one of our corsages but the colors won’t match your dress, don’t you worry we have you covered, all you have to do is ask about our color options!

Want to fancy up any corsage you see on our website??? Check out of huge selection of keepsake bracelets that will leave you with something special to remember your night!

 

With prom season in full swing at Gillespie Florists, we are enjoying the challenge of making captivating corsages to match individual taste and style.   This year has seen a dramatic shift to wonderful frothy colors of champagne and shrimp with overlays of lace.  This particular design appeals to the hopeless romantic wanting to capture the updated vintage look featuring a myriad of pastel and the ever popular nude palette.

On trend right now also is the large chunky style bracelets.  We have an exciting selection of styles and colors featuring silver metallic, crystals, pearls, and even full rhinestone cuffs.  Each a wonderful keepsake to wear again and again.

Another exciting trend this year is the addition of sheer illusion.  Normally used in costuming, this wonderful beige stretchy fabric allows you to have cut out detailing without showing actual skin.  If you are the dramatic Fashionista, you can make a statement and still be demure.  If you are more the Goddess type, then consider something very unique as this "Goddess Tiara".

This beautiful head piece features a rhinestone tiara as the base with dainty wax flowers woven in. It's natural soft greenery gives an ethereal effect and is finished with iridescent green leaves.

Not quite like you? Then how about Legendary "Elfin".  You can define your look by wearing your flowers in unexpected places such as a necklace or flower ring.  Here we have the newest trend for prom in a hand tooled wire necklace called "Frozen".  It features unexpected blooms of Larkspur woven into 6 and 24 gage silver tone wire with iridescent strands and faux crystal stones. Each necklace is a one of a kind work of art!

Nothing quite like having magic at your fingertips with this beautiful flower ring called "Sugar Sugar".  Here we have a delicate pink spray rose with an adjustable ring band and adorned with wax flowers and a rhinestone spray.

Everyone loves the natural Bohemian-Island girl look so why not wear a stunning headband that balances perfectly with a strapless gown.  This beautiful piece is called "Bohemian Head Band” features a stunning green Dendrobium Orchid with a purple crystal dragonfly pin atop a silver braided headband.  It is finished with blue accents and iridescent hanging bead strands.
Ok, still not you?  Then how about all the Prom Rebels out there!  Push the fluff and bling aside and lets get creative.  
Here we have designed something perfectly different for you called "Grim".  It features chains, raw zipper edges, skulls, feathers and black ribbons. Blood red roses sets it aflame with individuality.  We have many different types of fabric ribbons, lace, plaid, cording, buttons and charms to create that personalized, exclusively unique design.  Steampunk?  Rebel?  Alternative?  We’ve got you covered!  

 
We have expert designers and staff on hand to help you create whatever you're dreaming of and possibly something you haven’t thought of yet!  So whatever style you are, whatever color of the rainbow you need, whatever design of wristlets, body or accessory flowers you have in mind, come on in and let us show you how it's done!

Gillespie Florists Prom King & Queen Contest 2014!

Post a snapshot of you and another person wearing flowers from Gillespie Florists on our Facebook Page, Twitter or Instagram and get the chance to be crowned the Gillespie Florists Prom King & Queen!

Here's how it Works:

·   Take a snapshot of you and your date wearing Gillespie's Flowers.

·   Post it on our Wall or use #GFPROM2014 - make sure it’s a public post!

·   Tag your self in the photo as well as anyone else in the picture.

·   We'll put it in our "Prom King & Queen Contest Album 2014".

·   Ask your friends/family to "Like" your photo or post positive comments on your photo once it has been added to the Prom King & Queen album.

·   One week after the end of Prom Season, we will tally up the "Likes" and Comments and whoever has the most wins!

What do you get if you win?

The Queen will be crowned with a tiara and flowers and

both King and Queen will be awarded a $25.00 Gift Card to Gillespie Florists!

And don't forget, Bragging Rights!

Contest ends May 27th, 2014. Winners will be announced on Facebook May 30th!

Here's the Link to our Facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Gillespie-Florists/196410082316

Twitter:    @gillespiefloris

Instagram:    gillespieflorists

The past couple of years I have been blogging about ‘Glee’ Prom and have received positive feedback. So here’s the scoop on what flowers our favorite characters wore to ‘Glee’ Prom 2013! First and foremost, I noticed there were way more characters on ‘Glee’ wearing prom flowers this season compared to past seasons; which as a florist, makes me very happy!

BrundleProm?

The theme for the 2013 ‘Glee’ Prom was BrundleProm? It was either BrundleProm or simply Junior/Senior Prom, which is a disappointment when looking back at past Prom themes. Unlike previous years, there was not a great variety in the types of flowers worn to the prom. The characters wore mostly carnations and roses on the inexpensive throw away elastic wristlets.  I did notice however, one or two of the main characters did wear keepsake bracelets!

Most Memorable Corsage

The most memorable corsage was Tina's; mostly because it was one of the few corsages in the entire show that looked like any care was put into putting it together.  This corsage outshone all the others with red sweetheart roses, black ribbon, white pearl beads, green leaves and a keepsake charcoal gray wristlet!

Since Tina was crowned queen of the BrundleProm, it’s not a surprise they put extra effort into having her wear a pretty corsage. Of coirse, it is unfortunate red slushy got dumped all over Tina while being crowned but her true friends took care of her, got her cleaned up so she could enjoy the rest of her prom as queen!

Favorite Corsage… or Not!

I  didn’t have a favorite corsage this year. There was much left to be desired when it came to the corsages worn by the lead characters. In previous seasons, they always had nice corsages which were different from everyone elses and even had some creativity put into them! This year, however, everyone was wearing one of two flower types: Carnations or Roses. Many corsages had inexpensive satin ribbon, elastic wristlets, and green leaves; making the final effect oversized and sloppy.

With that said, I LOVED the fact that almost every single person in the cast was wearing prom flowers! Even all the extras were wearing prom flowers! They had a scene where some of the Glee Club members were performing on stage and the crowd of high schoolers were jumping and dancing and you could see the corsages bouncing around on their wrists!  For that reason, Glee producers; you are forgiven for not putting more thought into your leads’ prom flowers!

Boutonnieres

Have you noticed they use the same boutonniere holder every year? (I’m probably the only person who notices but I’m just glad they are showing a holder at all.)  I believe Blaine was wearing it this year, a metal boutonniere holder with a carnation.  I’m kind of tired of seeing the same boutonniere holder every year, but admit they serve a great purpose.

Boutonniere holders are a lot easier to use than the traditional “pin-on” because you don’t get poked with a straight pin!

Past that, there’s not a lot to say about the boutonnieres of the BrundleProm. It was nice to see more guys wearing flowers this year!

Once Last Thing...

I don’t know if you noticed but they were using a hardy mum as part of the decor for the photo area. Did you know Hardy mums are only available in the Fall?  Now, it could be said that they were using a “Florist Mum” (a non-hardy mum grown in greenhouses year round), but the mum shown is way too big to be one of those. Which leads me to something that's been bugging me and if you follow Glee closely, it should bug you too! If you don’t, let me explain....

Last season ended mid-school year and this season picked back up after school winter break. For the show Glee, prom is taking place in early to mid spring, NOT the fall.  The reason why this bugs me is because at the end of last season and the beginning of this season, the show didn’t explain that they were splitting the school year up and making two seasons out of one school year. So, as I’m trying to piece this together, they show contradicting things like the hardy mum at prom!

All in all, I really enjoyed seeing all those Prom Flowers on one of my favorite shows.

In Indianapolis, our Prom season is a long way off but it’s never too early to think about what flowers will make your perfect prom! If you are a GleeK like me and want ‘Glee’ Prom flowers to accent your style, click below!