The Flower Blog

Prom! It's back and ready to vie for title THE "Hot Topic" and flood the internet with bff/dress selfies, fancy feast photos, and more.

And you know what? We're ready. Bring it on, prom fiends! We've been doing our homework and stocking up on corsage accessories, flowers, and more and kick up to wow factor to your dress, evening, AND all the Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr and Instagram pics your trigger happy fingers are itching to take.

I could bore you with details on the hottest prom dress trends but we know you don't got time for that and chances are, your prom dress has been waiting patiently in your closet for months! So let's get straight to the point. 

BOOM! There it is. Such a small, minute sampling of what we have in store and on our website. Featuring elements of the latest trends for Prom in colors and accessories such as: lace detailing, posh pastels. red carpet bold colors, sophisticated bling, sheer fabrics, shimmering metallics, hot coral, and classic neutrals. And I also threw in a few of our favorite outstanding corsages because, 1. They're outstanding and 2. The possibilities for your dream corsage and boutonniere are endless. 

Sounds like alot doesn't it? It is. Just google "best prom dresses". "Ha! I've done that about a billion times already" you say. Then you know what I'm talking about. All the dresses are amazing, it's just a matter of finding the "One" for you. And while the prom specialists at Gillespie Florists have a pulse on all the most popular accessories for this year they also have grabbed some alternate fabulous pieces for making the perfect corsage. Our accessory selection is vast with rhinestones, pearls, metallic gold, silver, beads taking shape of necklaces, bracelets, arm bands, head pieces, rings, wands, and can even be used on your shoes! And ribbons? More styles than you can throw color swatches at. So many cool accessories, so few proms to strut your stylish ensemble. Which is even more reason not leave home without the perfect complement to your prom dress...besides your date or your bestie.

Nutshell version: Bring in corsage/boutinniere ideas, colors, etc. (or give them to your date or parental unit along with our phone number, ever so subtly) and we will make something perfect and amazing to make your Prom Night a dream come true.

"Sweet spring is your
time is my time is our
time for springtime is lovetime
and viva sweet love...” 
― E.E. Cummings

Oh yes, surely we can discern the topic of discussion today. Springtime isn't just lovetime, it's the beginning of peak wedding season! Which beautiful blooms are the most popular for matrimony and celebration of unending love? I'm so glad you asked; it will be of no surprise you'll spy some of these blooms in a few popular wedding floral trends: Modern Garden, Lapis Luxury, Kaleidoscope, and Majestic.

1. Peony

One of the most popular, they are also a bit difficult to coordinate due to the limited availability in the spring.
Why do we love them? Romanticism is oozing out of these beauties. Elegant, soft, prime choice for palettes; like moths to a flame, we cannot deny the siren call of the peony. 

2. Rose

3. Hydrangea

A full blooming floral in soft and delicate pastels make this another springtime favorite. Standalone stems in a vase; tied together with simple ribbons for bridesmaids and accentuating the bridal bouquet with their overflowing butterfly petals.

4. Ranunculus

Bold and bright or subtle and pale, Ranunculus has been trending high in many wedding themes recently. Soft and delicate, the paper-thin petals have a definitive edge which help them pop in bouquets when paired with peonies and garden roses. Fabulous form and the wide variety of colors available make them ideal for almost any theme.

5. Sweet Pea

This sweet smelling floral lives up to its name for many reasons. Ruffly, fragrant, romantic, and ranging from white to coral pink to purple, and many shades in between. Like many of the flowers on this list, these blooms are simply lovely by themselves  but also look fabulous mixed with other springtime flowers.

6. Gerbera Daisy

Personally I think these are the happiest flowers in the world but don't take my word for it, what do you think? Available in a wide assortment of colors ranging from the palest peach you can imagine to the most vibrant orange and hot pink; so vibrant they'll knock your garters off. Gerberas are making feature appearances in the Kaleidoscope floral wedding trend this year with their bolder, standout colors.

7. Lilac

This delightful, aromatic, delicated-petaled harbinger of spring will have you reminiscing sunny days, fresh breezes and country charm. The lilac is the perfect choice for a Modern Garden occasion or dress them up with violets, lavender roses, and Picasso Callas for a sophisticated Majestic wedding floral trend.  

8. Tulip

Springtime isn't complete without these beauties; brides adore the versatility of these blooms as they are available in hundreds of colors and varieties. From classic and simple clean lines to the varigated, fringed, and feathery; the possibility of themes incorporating tulips are endless! Add extra whimsy and romanticism with petals displayed wide open instead of traditional closed bloom. 

10. Orchid

Orchids are another option for springtime weddings; yet which one do you choose? There dozens of types of orchids with prices ranging from below $10 a stem to over $20! The variety of size and shape can have orchids such as Cymbidium featured as the main attraction of the bridal bouquet to including Dendrobiums, which mix well with garden roses, sweet peas, peonies, and parrot tulips for a beautiful springtime floral blend.

Oh the beauty of spring and it's abundance of flowers for weddings. Pale pastels, brilliant bold hues, sensational saturations; the possibilities are endless in color and theme for the beginning of peak wedding season. In the process of planning your nuptials? We are here for all the seasons! For more inspiration, check out our wedding collection online and give us a call to set up a complimentary consultation with our Wedding Specialist!

With great pleasure and utmost esteem do we present to you a most royal, regal, and romantic wedding flower trends: Majestic. 

Why so royally inclined? Only the richest of colors are utilized in this trend comprised of luxurious gold, deep purple, sophisticated lavender, and luscious dark pink. The main attraction of color is purple; which is often associated with nobility, royalty, power, and luxury. It also represents meanings of wealth, extravagance, creativity, grandeur, devotion, mystery, and magic. All of these descriptions and more can attest to the color, design, and mood of the Majestic Wedding Floral trend.

Flowers which are commonly highlighted in this richly saturated color trend are Dendrobium orchids, cymbidium orchids, vanda orchids, purple mini carnations, lisianthus, and orange spray roses. However such as all trends, there are many other flowers available to emulate the look and mood such as garden roses, callas, statice, ranunculus, and ever noble garden roses. While various shades of purple and pink are prime hues in Majestic; accent with gold butter tones and a glimmer of coral strategically placed to add extra grandeur to this royal theme. 

Speaking of gold, let us not forget the application of lustrous metallic gold to add to the extravagance. Imagine a gilded tower overflowing with hydangeas, peonies, and phaleonopsis. Petite found objects brushed to romantic golden shimmer; some of them containing a single calla lily or small composition of spray roses and carnations. Such lavish table pieces call for a sit-down meal with multiple courses; more time for your guests to sit, relax, enjoy fine foods, company, and of course, the elegant decor for their visual appreciation. Unsure the budget will allow for a multiple course thorough-fare? Opt for a cocktail reception with fancy finger foods instead! The best advantage to your wedding plans is the ability to take inspiration from favorite themes and transform them into a unique one of your own design!

These four wedding trends serve as inspiration to make your wedding a dream come true: Romantically rustic Modern Garden, exquisite Lapis Luxury, boldly brilliant Kaleidoscope, and extravagant Majestic. Which one speaks the most to you; or is there a combination of characteristics from each which make your heart skip a beat? Perhaps all the options are beginning to boggle your mind? The fine and friendly staff of Gillespie Florists is here to help you create the perfect floral theme for your wedding. Contact us for a complimentary consultation with our Wedding Specialist and browse our extensive wedding collection online to get started today!

And the award for the most vibrantly colored wedding trend of them all this year goes to: Kaliedoscope!

The name does a good job at tipping you off to what the trend is all about: delicious eye-candy you can almost taste presented in bold and sophisticated modern fashion. Certainly we do adore smooth and rich luxury; there's a place for earthy, rustic texture; however we cannot deny the extreme excitement which ignites with a pop of radical color! 

 Enjoy a taste of Mother Nature's rainbow with the wedding color trend: Kaleidoscope. Contemporary design is created through the use of simple shapes and dynamic colors such as coral red, bright orange, neon yellow/green, bright turquoise, hot pinks, black, white and emerald green! So many gorgeous colors; how is it possible we have these natural hues available? We do in flowers such as billy ball, fuji mums, joyful gerberas, playful green trick and those ever popular ranunculus which keep appearing in our trends this year. Adding more color and stepping outside the comfort zone of florals we add fruits such as illuminating limes, scintillating oranges, lemons, and other vibrant produce to continue the modern trend. The use of sleek wires, neon sand, and other simple lined items round out the look and tie all our colorful elements with topiaries and geometric shapes of clear glass cubes, cylinders, and bold contrast graphic print containers. 

What time is the right time for this outstanding color statement? The deep chill of winter will gain heat and summer thirst will be quenched with the hot juicy pop of these spectacular colors. Whether your wedding occurs during day or night, this brilliant color delight will set the mood for a festive celebration of your love. 

Modern Garden, Lapis Luxury, Kaleidoscope, Majestic; what 2015 wedding trend speaks to you? We have lovely examples of each and more on our website! Check out our extensive collection online and find even more at our shop when you contact our wedding specialist for a free consultation!

Paradise is always where love dwells.
~Jean Paul Richter

Whenever I think of the word "paradise" the tropics come to mind. Vibrant, exotic colored flowers, pineapples, palm trees, deliciously warm days, sunshine ever present. Thoughts of this lovely paradise make me feel peaceful, relaxed, and content. It's a wonderful feeling, kind of like when you press the pause button on every day life and reflect on the love you share with your partner. I'm not saying it's always paradise. It's hard work and can be tough at times, but it is also beautiful.  Flowers are a marvelous way to reflect the beauty and to add a tropical flair to this year's Valentine's Day collection; it came as no surprise to me.

The tropical theme this year features exotic flowers such as: Bird of Paradise, Ginger, Heliconia, and Dendrobium Orchids. Where do all these striking flowers hail from in the tropics? Let's find out!

Bird of Paradise, otherwise known as the "crane flower", is native to South Africa and resembles brightly colored birds while in flight. It's petals are vibrant orange which contrast the blue tongue. In greenhouse-like conditions, these plants have the capability of blooming year round. 

Seemingly akin to the crane flower is Heliconia, also known as "lobster claws" or "false bird-of-paradise". With similar orange coloring and thicker petals this species can be found across the tropical Americas. Heliconias need plenty of sunshine and moisture; they cannot tolerate drought weather. They bloom in vibrant hues of reds, oranges, yellows, and greens.

Do you see the intense dark pink blooms in the bouquet to the right? The Dendrobium comes from a very large genus of orchids with over 1,200 species. Their habitats are diverse therefore the species can be found around much of Asia, the Philippines, Austrailia, Vietnam, New Guinea and many islands of the Pacific. These orchids carry leaves for the first one or two years and then flower on leafless canes.

Let's not forget about the Ginger! This herbaceous perennial is not only gorgeous to behold but also serves as a popular spice and medicine. Ginger is native to southern China and has become more prominent in the Spice Islands, Asia, the Caribbean, and West Africa. Ginger is often used in floral arrangments while the buds are hues of pink and white, before they bloom into yellow flowers. Their shape and texture is stunning, adding another layer of exotic quality when used.

The combination of Birds of Paradise, Dendrobium Orchids, Ginger, along with tropical greenery thrown in creates an enticing bouquet. Much like love; these flowers are cultivated over time, attention, care, and diverse habitats. The result is magnificent, a work of art.

This Valentine's Day we invite you to send a taste of the tropics to your partner-in-crime, the love of your life, the one who completes you. Love is beautiful, what better way to show it than with flowers which reflect the beauty of life.

Click below to view our entire Valentine's Day collection!

Elegant, classy, sophisticated, urbane: these adjectives and many more found under the thesaurus when your fingers dance delicately over the keys to spell out the word "refined" and hit "enter". What else do these elite words of finery describe in terms of 2015's trends for wedding colors and themes? Rich and Luxurious. However, it doesn't have to be rich in expenditure: keep it simple with crisp clean lines, bold contrast in colors, and simplified table settings and centerpieces. Pure and pristine white with bold statement accent of blues inspired by waters of the world will reflect the classy and formal elements.

The flowers used for this sophisticated theme are nothing more than supreme in their stature and refinement as white calla lilies, roses, tulips, and peonies combined with the blue flowers of either hydrangea or delphinium are utilized. Centerpiece container colors range from white and blue to a mixture of both. Another option which will retain a classic look is to apply the elegance found in the lines and simplicity of calla lilies and tulips. Combine a few stems of either with a tall clear glass vase and you will have a bold statement softened with simple lines and color. 

The Lapis Luxury theme is the black-tie affair modernized with an evening ceremony and receptions featuring either sit-down table service dining; however, a more budget friendly approach of cocktails and appetizers would also fit the fancy bill.

Regardless of the time of day, budget, venue, etc. the refined wedding trend featuring classic colors of white and blue, using the graceful and sophisticated blooms of callas, roses, hydrangea, and more, will make a luxurious and memorable statement on for your grand wedding affair.

Need bridal bouquet ideas and inspiration? Visit our online collection here!

Click below to schedule a complimentary wedding consultation with us!

First off, let's start with our courageous drivers. Outfitted with a company phone with gps and mapping capabilities, the drivers wear touch touch gloves, for texting and/or calling during the route; special winter cleats for ice, snow, and other slippery situations; and are encouraged to dress in layers. Why layers? It may be cold outside but the vehicles are kept at a safe temp for the precious cargo in back. Some routes take longer than others therefore jackets, gloves, hats, are bound to be shed during the journey only to be thrown back on at moment's notice when it's time to hop back out into the winter elements once the driver arrives at the next stop.

As soon as drivers reach their destination they are on the lookout for hazards such as iced-over sidewalks and snow obstructed paths to the delivery entrance. After a full day of jumping in and out of their trusty vans, traversing rain, snow, sleet, and/or whatever the mother nature has thrown at them for the day; drivers are expected back at the shop by dark. We want to secure the safety of both the floral arrangements and our delivery staff.

Speaking of safety, the delivery vehicles also receive special attention! Each one is outfitted with ice scrapers, a set of 2x6 boards, salt, and kitty litter in case there is a sticky situation with snow. These vans also get VIP treatment with bi-weekly checks for wiper fluid and unlimited washes at Crew Car Wash. 

The final piece to our precaution protocol is preparing our arrangements for delivery! Before the driver leaves the shop all the arrangements and bouquets must be suited up for their journey. We generally wrap flowers in cellophane before delivery however when temperatures drop, we start adding layers to protect our beautfiully designed pieces. If the temps are 20 and below, flowers will be double wrapped: a layer of tissue, then covered with cellophane. If temperatures are below zero, these double wrapped pieces will be covered with a blanket when they are being delivered to their final destination.

Gadgets, gizmos for shoes, vehicles chock full of supplies, layers upon layers of clothing, wrapping...sounds like a lot of extra work, doesn't it? It's worth it! Come snow, sleet, hail, or more, rest assured we'll be taking extra care to ensure the safety of these gorgeous pieces when they arrive at your door!

Too cold to stop by the shop? No worries!
Hop online and check out our best sellers to warm up a loved one's day!