Many Brides ask what a Full Service Florist does - here is a detailed account of a recent wedding, read it and you will see what we do - make sure you ask your florist if they do ALL this BEFORE you book them, you will then see who is really full service and who is a drop and run florist (they are the ones you don't want to use).
Our wedding at the
Sirata was at a new location - Mid Beach (normally the two beach locations are South Beach by Rum Runners and North Beach). This location is more private than South Beach and in the warmer weather you can have an outside reception on the Breezeway Deck. Unfortunately the weather for Jennifer and Ryan was a little too cold so the reception was moved to the 8th floor - Royal Palm Ballroom with its specatular views. Sunny and cold, a neary full moon and a wonderful sunset made for a great setting if a little cool.
As a full service wedding florist we arrived early so we could deliver flowers for Jennifer's hair, then we were off to the Beach to add flowers to the Sirata's arch - first thing we did was to remove the table cloth from the base and cover it and the sand bags with fresh brushed sand - it looks so much better. We added flowers and star fish to the aisle chairs (there were more rows than expected so we added 4 extra star fish so every row had decoration). We had enough time to brush the sand in front of the arch and draw a large heart and then brushed the sand level down the aisle to the sand dune, so Jennifer and Ryan's guests would have a nice clean smooth surface to walk on.
Now we were off to pin on all the guys boutonnieres in Ryan's room - We have already seen today's photographer, Todd Gilman of
Event Photography - we have known Todd for several years and he is a great photographer. We needed an extra boutonniere for the second ring bearer (2 years old), so we made a small boutonniere for him - free and there and then.
Now back to Jennifers room to check on the Bride and her Bridemaids and put the petals in the flower girls basket. We also found Jennifer's Mom and Dad here so we put their flowers on them.
We had flower centerpieces for Jennifers reception so we went to put them on the tables and while doing so saw Desiree from
Chantilly Cakes setting up the wedding cake - we see her all over. A voice from the floor asked who had that strange accent and we found our DJ for the Day, Doug Decker from
Grant Hemmond, another vendor we see regularly. We are now getting close to cermony time so its down for a last minute check to make sure the arch flowers are still in good shape as it was very windy - here we see today's officiant the Reverend Tom Greene - who we see everywhere on the Beach. Eveything is fine so back to the Brides room to bring down the flowers and give the Bride and her Bridesmaids advice as how to hold the their bouquets - one Bridesmaid is still to dress, she had made up all the others and now was getting ready herself. Down with the flowers and talk to Lisa, one of the Sirata's wedding coordinators ( Stacy is the other and both are excellent) and let her know the girls are runninga little late. The girls arrive and the ceremony starts - stay with the Bride and show her how to hold her bouquet. A beautiful ceremony and now its a dash to get the formal wedding photos taken before the light goes. Ask Todd if he would like me to turn the arch flowers around so he wouldnt have to shoot into the setting sun ( all the venues have the Bride and Groom with their backs to the water for the ceremony - so the guests have a great view of them and the Ocean), he can't believe a Florist would do this and is very happy, estactic really as this makes his job so much easier. Todd takes some great photos, its chilly so he moves quickly and the sun is setting fast, all the Bridal party except for the Bride and Groom leave and they go to the Watersedge for some great sunset photos. We take all the ceremony flowers up to the Ballroom and use them to decorate the sign in table, bridal table and the buffet.
Down to take our palms and star fish off the beach - Todd is still photographing Jennifer and Ryan, now of the Dunes for some great night shots - said Congratulations and Good Night to them and remind Jennifer that all the flowers are hers to take home (vases too) and to make sure someone does.
We wish Jennifer and Ryan every happiness for the future and a long and happy life together and thank them for allowing us to be part of their wedding celebration.
Here are our photos of the wedding - the setting sun affected some of these, but they give you a great idea of the setting and our flowers.
This is the view from the Grotto
Courtyard towards the Beach and the Breezeway Deck
This is the view back from the Mid beach
ceremony location, note it is a straight walk
from the breezeway.
We had turned the arch by now
so to have the sun behind.
Here you can see the Bridesmaids
and Groomsmen starting their
walk to the ceremony site note
they start from the Breezeway Deck
and then over the Dunes.
Here is Rev, Tom Greene and the Ceremony
Our Arch decorations withstood the wind
Bride and Groom
Bridemaids and Groomsman after the ceremony
Our Beautiful Bride - gorgeous dress and flowers
The Guys with our Bride
Just Married
Below we have one of the arch florals on the Bride and Grooms Sweetheart Table
on the right our gerbera daisy centerpiece and a nice view from the 8th floor.
Two views of our centerpieces
A beautiful Sunset on St. Pete Beach
Congratulations Jennifer and Ryan.
