What an Honor!

WeddingWire, the nation’s leading wedding technology company, just announced that Petals by Design has won the 2009 Bride’s Choice Awards™!

In its inaugural year, the Bride’s Choice Awards recognizes and honors vendors from the WeddingWire Network that demonstrate excellent quality of service, responsiveness, professionalism, value of cost and flexibility. This year’s recipients represent the top three percent of WeddingWire’s vendor community, which includes over 100,000 wedding vendors from across the US. That means Petals by Design is one of the very best Wedding Florists.

Unlike other awards in which winners are selected by the company, the Bride’s Choice Awards are determined exclusively by recent newlyweds through surveys and reviews.

“We are excited to launch this annual award program to honor high-performing vendors based solely on the experiences of our WeddingWire community,” according to Timothy Chi, WeddingWire’s Chief Executive Officer. “This year’s recipients have set the bar high, exhibiting excellent service and expertise in the wedding industry.”

Petals by Design would like to thank our past clients for speaking on our behalf and helping us win the 2009 Bride’s Choice Award!

A quick look at 2008

This is just a quick look at some things we did last year. The holidays were definitely enjoyable, but it feels good to get back to a more normal routine again!

A big thanks to all of my fantastic customers - it's been a pleasure! And a shout out is definitely also in order to all the photographers who captured these shots and shared them with me.

Enjoy, and here's to a terrific 2009 for everyone!

Be flexible!

Greetings all,

I hope you had your fill of wonderful food and time with family! I know I did, and we're still enjoying the leftovers. That's the best part, right?

Well, I recently received some photos of a wedding I did in October, courtesy of Ann Rabbit with Illuminare Photography. I was very pleased!

Some of you are probably familiar with the havoc created by the abrupt closure of both Bella Terazza and Tuscany at Garden Villa right after Hurricane Ike. Well, one of my brides, Tanya, was on schedule to marry there mid-October. When we both found out, it was a mad scramble to change everything.

She was blessed to find another location, and a beautiful one at that - Ashton Gardens. We adjusted all of the decorating from a rustic Italian style to now fit a formal chapel and ballroom with crystal chandelieres. In a blitz of phone calls and text messages, we did it, and got everything finalized just in time. We were so pleased with the results - very beautiful!

Being flexible and staying true to your commitments is critical to a successful business. Sometimes, as in the case I just described, life deals the cards for us and we don't have much choice about which card we're dealt. Naturally, managing those situations can become stressful for all parties involved. However - it is important that no matter what, clients are taken care of, and the service you provide to them is nothing less than the best! The results will still be something you can be proud of.

Tanya, the beautiful blushing bride


The happy couple


Bridesmaid bouquet


At the reception


Reception Table close-up

December Weddings

Can you believe it?? It's almost December, and Thanksgiving is upon us. I'm so looking forward to this week's festivities - time spent with loved ones, great food, and being so very thankful for all the good things in my life.

I'm also gearing up for December weddings, and the onslaught of Christmas decorations. While I love both, sometimes the two mix well together and other times...well, not so much! When thinking about your colors and theme for your wedding celebration, don't forget that the venue(s) you have selected may already have their own plans for Christmas decorations. To avoid any unexpected surprises, be sure to ask about this while visiting, and before booking with them.

Ask to see photos of the place all decked out in last year's Christmas glory, and whether or not the same look or actual decorations will be used again during your wedding month. The venue may allow movement or temporary removal of certain decorations, but be sure you know the specifics. If your colors are winter blue and silver, you may not be very happy with the venue's choice of artificial pine garland covered with bright red and gold ornaments. But, if they have chosen silver as the primary color, this may work nicely with your vision.

Being sure to consider this in advance can save you a great deal of heartache and last minute adjustments. Life is already pretty busy for most of us, and with the additional craziness of the holidays, make sure your event is well thought out.

Happy Thanksgiving!