The Flower Blog

According to the Bridal Association of America, the average cost of a wedding in the United States in 2006 was $30,000, not including the engagement ring and honeymoon.  The average wedding flower cost was $1,970.  55% of the weddings for the same year were traditional weddings and 20% were casual weddings and 25% were unique or extravagant weddings.  With these statistics, it can be determined that the average wedding flower cost of $1,970 was for traditional wedding flowers using roses, lilies, and other traditional types of flowers.  It can also be determined that if you are planning something more unique or extravagant, the average wedding flower cost will be quite a bit higher.

Determining Your Wedding Flower Cost

The cost of wedding flowers is determined by many factors.  These will include the time of year you are getting married.  Valentine’s Day wedding flower costs are much higher than any other time of the year.  The flowers that are in season will also determine your wedding flower cost, particularly if you have your heart set on a flower that is not in season.  Whether the types of flowers you want are grown locally or will need to be imported is a large determining factor in your wedding flower cost.  And, of course, how many flowers you intend to use will be the biggest determinant of how much your wedding flowers will cost.

The Florist You Choose Can Save Money or Cost You More

The florist you decide on will be a large part of the final cost of your wedding flowers.  Let’s face it, some florists will do a wedding for next to nothing while others will cost so much that you’ll expect to find diamond chips lining the lace hanging from your bouquet.  Finding the right florist who can give you the best flowers and stay within your budget is very important.

Once you think you’ve found the perfect florist, confirm your choice by asking several questions of the florist and of yourself.  How do you feel when you walk into the florist’s shop?  Do you like what you see or are there mostly designs that you just don’t get.  If you don’t see floral designs in the shop that are pleasing to you, then the florist’s style may not be a good match with your wedding flower ideas.

How many weddings has the florist done?  This is an important question to ask of your floral design candidate.  Yes, every florist will do their first wedding at some point, but you have to ask yourself if you are willing to let the first wedding be yours.  Ask to see a portfolio of past weddings that the florist has designed.  How many weddings does the florist have booked or plan to book for the week of your wedding? 

Making sure that you and your florist are on the same page can really help to determine your wedding flower cost.  Find a florist who will work within your average wedding flower budget and book them early.  A great wedding florist on a budget is hard to find at the last minute.

Contact us today for a complimentary consultation.

What Flowers would a Vampire wear to Prom?

Prom season is upon us and we have been making new designs for prom this year. With recent books and movies focusing on Vampires, I couldn't help but wonder: What flowers would a Vampire wear to Prom?                    

The Countess might wear a corsage like this, elegant with a twist of mystery. Blood red roses, Contrasting ethereal black and red ribbons entwined with glitter hanging off the side, ruby red rhinestones and a timeless silver and rhinestone wristlet is sure to draw out her fangs!

Of course let's not forget about the man of the night, his sophisticated boutinniere complements the vampress's look without overshadowing it. This boutonniere has passionate blood red roses, black leaves a few red rhinestones and a jet black magnetic boutonniere holder ensures the wearer will not have to worry about pin pricks or being attacked by their date before their prom night even begins.

Vampire or not, Gillespie Florists is here to help your special evening look not be eclipsed by anyone else!

Allow me to introduce you to one of the hottest, trendiest wedding flowers for 2011 – the Anemone.  Specifically, the white anemones with rich black centers have been tagged as a bridal favorite. 

The story behind the anemone flower’s name is a sad one.  Anemone comes from anemos, the greek word for wind, thus giving Anemone the name “wind flower.”  It is said in Greek Mythology that the anemone flower sprang up from the blood of Aphrodite’s slain lover, Adonis. The name “windflower” signifies that the wind that blows the petal open will also, eventually, blow the dead petals away.

Anemones grow wild throughout Japan, North America and Europe, and vary in their growth patterns. They come in colors of red, blue, white, purple and, infrequently, yellow.

The anemone flower is unquestionably one of the more delicate and beautiful blossoms grown today; however, they are also deeply steeped in myth and touted for their uses. The anemone flower is regarded as a medicinal plant. Although these flowers can be poisonous to both animals and humans, they are thought – in small doses – to aid in a variety of ailments.

Anemones have a wide assortment of symbolism tied to them. They are thought to represent anticipation and unfading love, good luck and protection against evil.

Whether or not the anemone flower really did spring up from the blood of a goddess’ slain lover is highly debatable, but the fact that anemones are beautiful leaves little to debate. Add this lovely flower to your wedding and you will be rewarded with its winsome beauty.

Contact our wedding specialist for more information today!

  What is an Order Gatherer?

Order Gatherer.  What is an Order Gatherer?  In the Flower Business, it is a company that is largely in the business of advertising a Product and Service that it does not actually produce.  This company is nothing more then a “middle man” that increases the cost to the consumer and reduces the level of efficiency, quality of service and therefore consumer satisfaction.  It also reduces the customer base and profit of the Local Florist.

This company could likely have no Design or Delivery Staff, no Inventory of Fresh Flowers or Live Plants, no Vases, Baskets or Pottery, no Delivery Vans, just office space.

How Does this Effect Me?

This company might charge you, the consumer a fee of $10.95 or more, just to accept your order.  That company then might use a Wire Service to forward the order to a real florist, with Design,  Delivery, Sales and Processing Staff, with Inventory,  Delivery Vans and Refrigeration and the Thousands of Dollars of investment and expenses that go with operating a flower shop, who will fill your order discounted by 27% or MORE, loosing money on each order that the florist is foolish enough to accept.

The Order gatherer on the other hand most likely collects a large Sending Rebate from the Wire Service plus a Large Percentage of the Price of the Product you purchased.

What can I do?

So take a minute next time you want to send flowers, if the flowers aren’t to be delivered in Marion or the 6 surrounding counties that we service, simply type: “florist, city, state or zip code”  and you should see Real Florists with local addresses and unfortunately most likely, the order gatherers you want to avoid.

Want to learn more about order gatherers? Check out this article from our old blog! Click Here!

If you consider yourself a unique, amusing bride who wants to plan a more cheerful, vivacious wedding perhaps you would like to incorporate Craspedia or "billy balls".  They are available year round with limited availability in March and August.   

These unusual blooms add wonderful texture and visual interest to floral designs.  They are very eye catching and truly original for a wedding.   More and more brides of today are choosing it as an inspiring and funny alternative to roses or other classic flowers.  

 Every guy ends up in the Doghouse at one point or another in their lives and the big question is always: How do I get out of the Dog House?

Where does the phrase "in the Doghouse" come from? 

Its origin is from the old custom of banishing a bad dog outside to its doghouse. Though many believe that the phrase was coined after the story of Peter Pan. In the story, Mr. Darling treats their family dog badly by chaining her to the doghouse outside while the children fly off with Peter Pan.  Mr. Darling then feels so guilty that he lives in the doghouse until his children return home.

This phrase was also used as a railroad term in the late 1800's. The railroads had built a small windowed shelter on top of the engine tender because of union mandates. It was called a doghouse since it was so small and uncomfortable.

How do I get out of the Doghouse?

Let us help you get out of the doghouse with our easy 6-step guide! These are tried and true actions that work quickly and effectively! 

Click below to sign up for the Guide!

Prom Design Class

 Van's Wholesale holds design classes and seminars through out the year to help keep designers up on the latest trends! We at Gillespie's especially like the Prom Design Class they have every year because styles and trends can change a great deal in a year's time!

  Tear it up!

 Our first design was two cymbidium orchids with lily grass, hypericum berries, short pins and ribbon! When we were told to tear up the orchids, there was a dead silence in the class! But once we got this funky corsage put together, we all agreed it was a great idea!

Pictured above it the torn up orchid corsage in yellow and to the right it is pictured in pink! You can tell that two different designers worked on these because they have a slightly different flair to them!

  Cascade Corsage

 New for 2011 is the Cascade Wristlet! Rhinestones cascade down your hand and attaches to a rhinestone ring! Then we take flowers and attach them at the top!

Pictured above is a cascade wristlet with dendrobium orchids, hyacinth blooms, purple ribbon and galax leaves! We are so excited about this one and cannot wait to see it on the girls this prom season!

These are just a few of the new designs that we learned this year. Be sure to watch our blog and website over the coming weeks for more updates on our new designs!

Check out our Prom flowers and accessories now by clicking below!

  St. Patrick's Day Flowers!

St. Patrick's Day is here again! This Thursday, March 17th to be exact. I love St. Patrick's Day because of all the green flowers we get to use! Did you know we have green carnations, roses, berries, Bells of Ireland, fuji mums, button pomps, cushion mums and more? Who new you could get so much in green?

Wear Green

This Thursday don't forget to wear green or you may be pinched! Of course we can help you with that! Why not wear a St. Patrick's Day corsage or boutonnière, like the one pictured to the left?

Click Here to shop wearable flowers Now!

This is a great way to wear your St. Patrick's Day Green and be sure to be noticed!

Embrace Your Inner Irish

Did you know that the potato is the symbolic food of Ireland? To celebrate that, we created a bouquet filled with daisies, green carnations and potatoes!

This would make a great centerpiece at  your St. Patrick's Day party or for someone you know loves the holiday!

Embrace your inner Irish and get a St. Patrick's Day bouquet today!

Click Here to Shop Now!

  What is your Favorite Flower?

We want to know what your favorite flower is! There are 1000's of species of flowers! With so many it is hard to tell what you will have to say!

My favorite flower is carnation because they smell wonderful and last a long time! I can get my carnations to last me up to three weeks! 

The name of the carnation is derived from the word “incarnacyon” (incarnation). This is referring to the original color of the carnation that had a pinkish hue. 

Other popular favorites are Lilies, Roses, Tulips and Gerber Daisies! So, What is your favorite flower? Use our voter to vote for your favorite flower or leave a comment.

If you don't see your favorite flower, let us know! Leave a comment here on the blog or fill out our form on the voter page!

Click below to use vote for your favorite flower!