Bergerons Flowers & Events

Got the Winter Blues?

2011-01-17T11:46:00.001-05:00

Sick of snow, snow and more snow? Feeling irritable and out of it, ready to hit the couch or slump at your computer by mid-afternoon? Sounds like a classic case of the winter blues!

Surround yourself with beauty... a trip to the sun-soaked Caribbean or Hawaii likely will boost your happiness quotient. That not an option?

Treat yourself to a bouquet of flowers and display them prominently on your work desk or in your living room. It's amazing how the sight and scents of a bright bouquet can lift your spirits and take you away!

And, it's all about you! Check out Bergeron's Customer's Choice. You pick the colors, container, and best of all, the price! We will make it with our freshest, most gorgeous flowers and send it when you want it.

Holiday Florals: Beyond the Poinsettia

2010-12-02T13:51:00.001-05:00

Poinsettias are the traditional holiday favorite and usually the first to come to mind. But if you're looking for something different this holiday season, try one of these alternatives!

There are many beautiful varieties of blooms available during the winter. Often flower arrangements are filled with holiday colors like reds and whites. Wintery touches like holly, evergreen and pinecones are also a nice touch.

You don't have to confine yourself to the traditional red though. How about a glacial white design featuring sparkling pure gerbera daisies, roses, mums, and evergreens for a beautiful winter floral arrangement?

Greenery has been associated with holiday decorating with trees, boughs of holly and fir garlands. A fragrant evergreen wreath always adds a festive touch to the front door. Add colorful blooming bulbs and any greenery can be dressed up!

Don't forget that festive holiday aroma associated with the scent of evergreen. A miniature Christmas tree adorned with pine cones, ribbons and ornaments is perfect for the home or office.

Or how about a bountiful basket of fresh evergreens and faux fruit as a reminder of the blessings of the season!

As you can see, there are many....

NEW BLOG LOCATION

2010-11-15T16:55:00.000-05:00

Hello All!
If you are coming to this blog, it's the old location. How about joining me on my new blog hosted directly on the Bergeron's Flowers website? It just makes sense. New website-new blog too!

Come and experience life with me here.

Jessica Rada and Alan Ness-A Summer Dream Wedding

2010-09-27T23:14:00.001-04:00

Jessica and Alan wanted a great wedding at a friend's house in Marshall, VA. It was a wonderous day, despite the humidity and heat! Whew~ over 100 degrees (which day this Summer wasn't?)!

Jessica's hand-tied bouquet was a lush mix of cymbidium orchids, sweet peas, roses,
baby green hydrangea, and hypericum berries with the handle designed with
chocolate brown satin ribbon, bullion and rhinestones.

The boutonnieres were fashioned out of a delightful mix of uluhe and hypericum berries.

I had the pleasure of working with other Bliss Collection vendors: Priscilla of The Finer Points and David of David Madison Photography. As always, it was a fun and entertaining.

Jessica, you were a pleasure and a sheer beauty for your wedding day!

Celebrating 90 Years with Pink Feather Boas!

2010-09-22T22:44:00.000-04:00

This summer I had the awesome opportunity to celebrate with family for my grandmother's 90th birthday! She looked fabulous and had a wonderful time.

On a hot summer Saturday night in July, 45 family and friends gathered at a yacht club in Virginia Beach to bring birthday wishes to her. The night was filled with a live jazz band, dancing and a sumptuous plated dinner.

For as long as I can remember, her favorite color is hot pink and she has a penchant for feathers. So, along with the feathers, I created clustered contempo garden bouquets for the tables. Individual place settings were marked with a napkin wrapped in short feather boas and a deep pink mokara orchid bloom.

Momma Kimel~we love you! Keep bringing light to us with your smile.


Garden Roses and Mokara Orchids

Exciting Grand Opening of Mason Inn

2010-09-21T21:34:00.000-04:00

Tonight was the Grand Opening of the Mason Inn on the George Mason University Campus. The beautiful building boasts a large ballroom as well as a junior ballroom, several meeting rooms along with conference rooms. Guest rooms are fabulously decorated with a Presidential Suite that is definitely sure to please, especially for preparing the bridal party!

A sleek yet natural setting is ready to welcome all who walk through it's doors. The Grand Opening festivities included fabulous eats, George Mason jazz musicians, and the who's who of event and corporate planning!

Bergerons sent a congratulations flower delivery to them earlier in the day in preparation.

Congratulations Mason Inn! Bergerons wishes you much success~

50th Wedding Anniversary-Wedding Bouquet

2010-09-18T10:39:00.001-04:00

It's not often that I get to work with people for their 50th wedding anniversary. A lady from Pennsylvania called the shop and said that she would like to re-create her mother's wedding bouquet for her parent's wedding anniversary. She sent us a photo of it via email and we discussed the possibilities. Well, it was a small, blurry photo, but from what I could see, it had one gorgeous cattleya orchid surrounded by stephanotis blooms and some smaller white flowers we couldn't make out. Mrs Haon needed it by Saturday morning and she was calling on Tuesday! Flowers like these are generally special order since they are quite fragile and so specific.

Mom and I quickly worked on finding the orchids, which we knew might be difficult. Turns out that they were available, but cost prohibitive since they were only available by the stem instead of by the bloom. Mrs Haon and I agreed on using cymbidium orchids and the stephanotis with freesia. I had a wonderful time designing the bouquet and it was such fun to know that it was for such a special occasion.

Bergerons is happy to congratulate Dan & Kathy Clark on their 50th Wedding Anniversary! May you have many, many more to come.

Thanks, Mrs. Haon for giving us the opportunity to fulfill your floral needs.

Inspiring Work from a NY Florist

2010-09-16T22:18:00.001-04:00

I was on Flower Magazine's blog and came across their blog about a florist in NY, Little Pheasant.
To say I was taken aback at the fabulous design is to say the least.

What gorgeous work. You'll have to read her blog to see the rest. You'll love it!

What a Day!

2010-09-16T20:10:00.001-04:00

Okay, the life of a florist is by far NOT glamorous! I do agree that I get to enjoy the beauty of flowers, talking with brides about their fabulous weddings, customers who are excited to send flowers in celebration of someone or something, and employees that are too wonderful for words!

But there are some days where no matter what you do, you just feel like throwing your hands up and closing the office door and taking a nap!

Today, driving into the parking lot, I parked and got out of the car. Low and behold, someone had driven into the back of one of our delivery vehicles, cracking the taillight, scrapping the paint and evidently feeling no good sense of common decency to leave a note for their mishap. Obviously, it wasn't on purpose, so why not leave your number and be a nice person....come on, right?

Next hours were dealing with a whirlwind flurry of calls, returning emails, and planning take up the day along with countless drop-ins of advertising companies expecting your immediate sign-up with their "can't go wrong with our company" accounts.

Later on in the day one our a best corporate customers called only to inform us that the head boss had decided to cut back on expenses and the weekly flowers had to go. Understandable, but still a bummer! I know it will be okay, but it just put some icing on the proverbial cake. This economy has been very difficult for even the best companies.

At the end of the day, it always comes back to faith. My faith comes into play and I realize that this day is just a day and not the whole of my life. Thankfully, God is bigger than the crushed taillight and a cut-back on an account~ Whew! Bring on the morning....

Aahhhh.......beautiful flowers can be a respite. I needed that!

Flowers for a recent wedding centerpiece I loved!

Bergerons Flowers will be releasing a new website!

2010-09-15T08:22:00.000-04:00

Well, after several years of our current website, Bergerons Flowers decided it was time for our online store make-over! We are in the transition period of creating the website with Strider, Inc. and are quite happy with the results so far......just wait and see! Not only will you be able to see our latest daily delivery options for Springfield, Fairfax County and Washington DC area, but our events website will be on the same pages as well as our blog....no more searching for everywhere Bergeron's is on the web.

Along with this, those of you who are signed up to receive emails from us, will start to see more information coming to you including specials and what's going on at the shop!

We can't wait so keep your eyes peeled or look at Bergerons Flowers & Events facebook page to find out when....

Have a blessed day!

MidAtlantic Florists Association-Bergerons Participates

2010-08-23T12:19:00.000-04:00

This weekend Bergerons will be participating in the Middle Atlantic Florists Association (MAFA) Annual Convention. Representing Maryland, District of Columbia, West Virginia, parts of Delaware, and Virginia, MAFA provides education to florists in the industry.

I will be leading a demonstration on photography for websites as well as performing my duties at Vice President. It's always exciting to see and hear all that is going on in this fabulous industry. Dedication to education is key to surviving and thriving in today's economic climate.

Teleflora is sponsoring internationally known designer, John Hosek AIFD, CAFA, MCF as he shows us his designs for The Eco-Party. Some of his designs were featured earlier this year in the international floral magazine, Fusion Flowers.

I hope to have some photos from the event, maybe even a video....we'll see.
Cheers everyone!

Announcing "Giving in Bloom"

2010-08-09T18:28:00.001-04:00

Bergerons is proud to announce the newest category on our website, "Giving in Bloom"!

In order to understand what this category is, we need to introduce the charitable organization that we have chosen to give to~ Jill's House. This organization is dedicated to providing care and support to special needs children and their families through overnight respite and therapy programs. We believe that these children and families are in need of this type of help.

Each season, Bergerons will design a special arrangement that will be featured in this section. When our customers chose this arrangement, 20% of this price will be donated to Jill's House. So, how exciting is it that those customer who choose to give flowers, will also be giving to such a worthy cause. So, go on now to the Giving in Bloom category on the website and see our seasonal pick for August-September.

Greg (my husband) and I have been looking for ways to give back and we think that Jill's House is the perfect opportunity. The House is set to open in the Fall and we look forward to providing them flowers weekly to greet the families that come through their doors. We know how much flowers brighten the spirits of those who are around them. It seems like the perfect way to add to their time at Jill's House.

Join us in this great way to give back~
Thanks for the opportunity!

Bergeron's Eye Candy: Aubergine Composite Bouquet

2010-07-02T16:37:00.009-04:00

Although we'd love to think that there are roses this lush and big, this bouquet is made up of several blooms. Ornamental kale composes the edge of the bouquet. Then individual rose petals are added to create this voluminous piece.

The stems of the ornamental kale are perfectly adorned with a sheer and satin ribbon accented with pins.

This bouquet is not for the faint of heart~ We love it! Great for summer into fall.

Bergeron's Eye Candy: Crescent Bouquet

2010-06-24T10:02:00.002-04:00

A stylized crescent bouquet of schwartzwalder calla lilies, kale, roses, china berries signifies the updated color hues in a formal classic design.

The handle treatment on the bouquet gives the sophisticated, updated look and surprises the bride with something that would give her a personalized look.

Flowerhandler's Bulletin Features Christi

2010-06-22T13:20:00.000-04:00

Dottie Harrigan joined Middle Atlantic Florists Association (MAFA) workshops in May. We had a day of hands-on training at Paul's Wholesale in downtown Washington, D.C. Dottie owns Flowerhandlers, a company that has a website promoting flowers and floristry.

Check out her bulletin on the workshops and the how-to's that she included from each workshop!

Thanks, Dottie!

Wedding Trends: Hot & Spicy

2010-06-21T18:30:00.002-04:00

A bold mix of reds and salmon/orange hues are a stunning mix for summer and fall. Sophisticated reds provide a formal backdrop.
Orange has emerged as an adventurous color when added to a hot and spicy mix of reds.

Besides roses; dahlias, berries, cockscomb/celosia, zinnias, along with orchids can add the rich, vibrant hues to this wedding color trend.

Bergeron's Eye Candy: Summer Rose & Hydrangea Bouquet

2010-06-17T23:54:00.001-04:00

The simple elegance of antique roses and voluminous deep purple hydrangea is fashioned with a classic hand-tied pearl pin handle treatment and a delicate brocade ribbon. This bouquet is perfect for the summer bride especially who wants a classic look without a lot of varieties of blooms, but loves the combined textures. What size is perfect for you? The average rounded English hand-tied bouquet varies from 8-11 inches.

Bergeron's Eye Candy: Diana Pedestal Bowls

2010-06-08T09:00:00.002-04:00

Simplicity in a centerpiece? Candles floating in tinted water with pink rose petals scattered at the base. Classic accents are achieved with a band of ribbon on the pedestal.

Bergeron's Eye Candy: Unity Candle Design

2010-06-01T08:42:00.004-04:00

Lush blooms of hydrangea and accented with dianthus (carnation) provide this gorgeous unity candle display. Perfect to use at the church and then take to the reception on the head table with or without the candles.

Bergeron's Eye Candy: Cascading Crescent

2010-05-25T21:35:00.002-04:00

Love at first sight! Individual blooms of dendrobium orchids threaded onto bear grass in varying lengths create this beautiful cascade. A delicate woven center made of ribbon and foliage add to it's beauty.

Gracefully carried by holding inside the hands or held in open palm, this bouquet is a true essence of elegance.

Photography by David Madison.

National Hospice Foundation Annual Gala: Founders Ball

2010-04-29T09:51:00.001-04:00

Having the opportunity to bid for the Annual Gala of The National Hospice Foundation is a highlight for us. We won the bid again this year and provided the floral decor for the 2010 Founder's Ball.

A day of setting up on Friday, with five staff members on-site was fun and exciting! Bergerons help set the stage for an awesome event with SofiEvents. Among the group of vendors was Doc Scantlin and the Imperial Palms Orchestra and CCR Events.

We also provided the centerpieces for the Gratitude for Giving Dinner on Wednesday night. Although a busy week at Bergerons, it was so much fun!

In the Community-PRS

2010-04-28T09:51:00.000-04:00

The excitement of Churchill Downs comes to Northern Virginia on Saturday, May 1st, with the 15th Annual PRS Kentucky Derby Benefit Party. The area’s most festive celebration of the Run for the Roses will feature live music from the Wayward Street Players, delectable heavy hors d'oeuvres, mint juleps, a fabulous shrimp & oyster bar, exciting live and silent auctions, raffle drawings, a wagering table, and the viewing of the 136th Kentucky Derby. The event is Saturday, May 1, 2010, from 4:30 PM to 8:00 PM, at the elegant private home of Fairfax County Supervisor John Foust and his wife Dr. Marilyn Jerome, in McLean, Virginia (address and directions provided upon purchase of tickets). Tickets are $125 each. Proceeds from the event benefit PRS, the premier nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization in Northern Virginia providing community-based support services and skills training needed for men and women to recover from mental illness. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.prsinc.org or contact Tammy De Martino at tdemartino@prsinc.org or 703-531-6321.

Bergeron's will be providing a floral piece for the event and is proud to be a part of helping PRS succeed.

Groundbreaking Event!

2010-03-10T22:47:00.002-05:00

Event: Groundbreaking Party for Jill's House in McLean, VA

Theme: Bridging the Gap

After the ribbon cutting to break ground for the new site of Jill's House in McLean, Virginia, guests were invited to a celebration time where Bergeron's provided the floral designs.

Our thought was to bring the theme to life by creating designs that would signify the "bridge" theme.

Events: Corporate Holiday Party

2010-03-07T14:53:00.000-05:00

Who: Peterson Institute for International Economics

What: Holiday Party

Where: Ronald Reagan Building, Washington D.C.

Theme: Winter Wonderland

Planning the Perfect Wedding: Ceremony Flowers

2010-02-13T09:31:00.000-05:00

So you've completed the major task of choosing a ceremony site, now what? Well, now you get to think about flowers for the ceremony! Flowers are an essential part of the decor for the aisle and altar, and can help transform any ceremony site into your own personal vision.

The choice, of course, is personal, but many weddings feature a very simple aisle, with one or two flower arrangements at the opening or even a light sprinkle of rose petals running the length. Others feature ribbons, simple swags of ivy, or wreathes on pew ends. To keep costs down, remember that the bridal couple is the centerpiece--several floral accents may be unnecessary.

The altar, or bimah in a synagogue, is usually the focus during most of the ceremony. Wedding Ceremony Flower Arrangements should be large enough for all to see, but, again, they can also be simple. Depending on the particular tradition, flowers may decorate the unity candle or Bible. If the wedding is Jewish, flowers are often used to decorate the traditional chuppah canopy.

If you're tying the knot in an unconventional setting, flowers are often used to decorate arches or trellises on a beach or patio. Again, these should be large enough to be seen, but can also be kept simple.

Wedding Ceremony Flowers are a great way to personalize the ceremony site! In fact, the same flowers can often can be used at the reception site after the ceremony.

Say it All With Flowers!

2010-02-08T10:14:00.001-05:00

Not only roses convey the Meaning of Love. Many other beautiful flowers have significant relevance and have been used to communicate feelings of love throughout the ages. So why not personally select something different to send to that special someone this year?

Consider these romantic alternatives:

Red Carnation: Aching heart, Admiration
Gerbera: You are the sunshine of my life
Holly: domestic happiness
Lilac: First Love
Lily: Purity
Orchid: Delicate Beauty
Red Tulip: Declaration of Love
Yellow Tulip: Hopelessly in Love

Not sure or looking say something else? Just ask. The staff at Bergeron's can help you select a thoughtful and unique gift to show how much you care. You really can say it all with flowers!

How to Send Bereavment Flowers

2010-02-06T13:36:00.001-05:00

When you receive news that someone has died it is customary to send flowers for the funeral. Funeral flowers are a touching way to share your sadness and grief with those who have recently suffered a loss. There are many different types of funeral arrangements, and different cultures have very different positions on funeral flowers, so your best option is to talk to someone close to the bereaved if you aren't sure about their specific customs.

Funeral arrangements were traditionally made up of white flowers but it is also common to see a mix of flowers and colors. Some types of flowers used in sympathy work are lilies, calla lilies, roses and dianthus (carnations) but it is perfectly acceptable to send another type of flower. If you know what the person's favorite flower was, it is a nice gesture to send a personalized floral arrangement, one including his or her favorite flowers or colors, or an arrangement that incorporates his or her favorite things (golf, gardening, favorite location, for example).

One of the first and most common questions after deciding to send funeral flowers is where should the flowers go? While many people choose to send the flowers to the funeral home for the viewing or church for the service, the attached cards are not often seen by the family. Sending flowers to the family's home is also an excellent option. Also, often a gift of a potted plant is even more appreciated than cut flowers, which fade and die over time. The potted plant can later be placed in a memorial garden or even planted on the grave site.

It is most important to remember when purchasing funeral flowers that you want to bring comfort to the mourners, so make sure that your choice is something that will bring them comfort. If you are unsure, the staff at Bergeron's is, of course, always available to help you make a selection.

Win a Dozen Valentine's Day roses!

2010-02-03T13:05:00.000-05:00

Fan Bergeron's on Facebook for exclusive sales, contests & giveaways!
Our online community is growing, and we want you to grow with us! Our Facebook page provides you the daily scoop on what's happening at Bergeron's. Don't miss out - become a fan of Bergeron's to learn about exclusive news, happenings, products, sales, contests & giveaways!

Bergeron's is giving away a dozen red roses for Valentine's Day!
This month, Fan us on Facebook and win a delightful arrangement of roses! Perfect for that special someone, that friend you've been meaning to thank, or even for yourself. To instantly be entered in the drawing for a dozen free Valentine's Day roses, simply go to the Bergeron's Facebook page and become a fan. One winner will be drawn at random on February 10, 2010. The winner will be contacted via Facebook. Roses will be delivered on February 12, 2010 to destination of winner's choice (in the Washington DC metropolitan area). See below for rules and details.

TO ENTER: No purchase necessary. Contest begins Wednesday, February 3, 2010 and ends on Wednesday, February 10, 2010. To enter, go to Bergeron's Facebook page and become a fan. If any dispute arises concerning the identity of an entrant, the owner of the Facebook account (owner of email registered with Facebook) shall be deemed the entrant.

DEADLINE: Giveaway entries include ALL Bergeron's fans on Wednesday, February 10, 2010. Fans received after this time will not be considered.

WINNER SELECTION AND NOTIFICATION: One winner will be selected by Bergeron's via randomized selection, from among all eligible entries, on or after Wednesday, February 10, 2010. The winner will be notified at the Facebook account used to enter the contest. If a selected winner is ineligible, declines the prize, or if Bergeron's is unable to make contact with a selected winner after reasonable effort and time (48 hours), the prize shall be forfeited and may be awarded to an alternate winner selected by another randomized selection from all remaining entries.

AWARDING & DELIVERY OF PRIZE: Subject to eligibility verification. The winner will receive one dozen arranged roses, to be delivered to destination of his or her choice in the Washington DC metropolitan area.

Planning the Perfect Wedding: Floral Consultation

2010-02-02T07:06:00.000-05:00

Congratulations, he popped the question and you said yes! So now what? As for the wedding flowers, the first step is to arrange an appointment with Bergeron's for a complimentary wedding consultation. This is best done at least six months prior to the wedding date.

During this first meeting, we like to get to know you and your ideas for your perfect wedding day. To get the most out of your wedding consultation, be sure to bring along any ideas, notes, magazine clippings and photos you may have. We also recommend your bring fabric swatches and pictures of the bridal gown and attendant dresses. If you have any important keepsakes or memories you would like included in your bouquet, such as your grandmother's brooch or special handkerchief, bring those along as well.

This consultation provides you and your florist with one-on-one time so you can both get an idea of your wants and needs and theme of your wedding. We will also go over details such as style, color, size and shape of your bouquet, number of corsages and boutonnieres you will need, and the style of each. Ceremony details will include how do you want your nuptials area framed? Do you want decor for the seating? If so, how many rows does the site have? Does the venue you've chosen have items for use on your day, i.e. candelabras or pedestals? What about how the reception is set-up? How many tables are you going to have? Are you and your fiance going to sit at a sweetheart table or have a head table with all of your attendants seated with you? Each wedding is different, so why not have your style captured?

We have many books here at Bergeron's for you to peruse. In fact, feel free to stop by and check out our library any time. Just give us a call at 703-455-0220 - you are welcome any time the consultation room is not in use!

We look forward to getting a clear vision of your perfect wedding and making your ideas a reality!

What is the Length of a Long-Stem Rose?

2010-02-01T15:47:00.000-05:00

Ever wonder, with all the information out there, what the real definition of a "long-stem rose" is? This link is the best description I've found and since I couldn't say it better, click on the link below and find out the real scoop!

http://thefloristblog.dragonflyflowers.com/2009/03/15/some-real-florists-perspectives-on-long-stem-roses.aspx

Know what you are ordering. So many just throw around the words, "long-stem", but aren't really sure what that means.

At Bergeron's we carry 60cm "Long-Stem" roses on a weekly basis in a variety of colors, so please call us, your professional, "real" local florist, and let us deliver some beautiful long-stem roses for you!

Ordering from a Local Florist: What to Expect

2010-01-30T14:00:00.000-05:00

When it comes to ordering flowers, many consumers go to websites such as 1800Flowers or Teleflora. These sites seem quick and easy and seem to display a lot of different arrangement options to view. However, these orders are sent to shops who sign up to receive them. Often times the florist who actually receives and completes the order does not even have the flowers or vases shown in the pictures!

Also, have you ever noticed that after you select the arrangement, only then do you have the option of choosing the size of the arrangement you have chosen? This is because the picture shown is usually the price of a small arrangement and does not include size upgrades or your delivery charge. By the time you reach your final check-out, your total will probably increase $20 or more.

So… what is the alternative? Call Bergerons of course! Our process is a lot faster and much more personal. We keep all of your information, including past orders, and can pull it up in our secure database as soon as you call. We can discuss exactly what you want and tell you exactly what we have available to create a special arrangement for you. Once we get all your information and collect payment, your order simply prints out in the back of the shop and is ready for creation!

Don't Bust Your Budget: Wedding Flowers Calculator

2010-01-27T11:15:00.001-05:00

Planning your big day? The last thing you want to do is bust your budget. Wedding budgets are about as diverse as the people who are making them – from the simplistic to the extremely extravagant.

Looking for a simple way to find flowers that fit into your budget? Check out our Wedding Flowers Calculator - an easy tool to determine which flowers fit into your budget.

Our Wedding Flowers Calculator allows you to get an idea of how much you’ll be spending on flowers for your wedding, before you even come into the shop. The spreadsheet will automatically calculate total costs according to the quantity you estimate for each item. The spreadsheet includes categories for economy flowers, most popular flowers and more expensive flowers.

Many of you ask, "Which flowers fit into each category"? Well, that can depend. If you were concentrating chrysanthemums, dianthus (carnations), alstroemeria (Peruvian lily), or asters~these would more or less be considered in the lower price point. So, if at any point you mix these flowers with some of the more expensive flowers, then you would be lowering the cost of your flowers. Roses, freesia, gerbera, tulips, etc. are considered among the medium price point. And, just to name a few of the higher price point flowers~we have orchids, calla lilies, peonies, and hydrangea to round out the list. Although, there are hundreds of flowers to choose from, this will give you just a snippet of what each category includes.

Keep in mind that while the Wedding Flowers Calculator is a useful tool for estimating and calculating a floral budget, it doesn’t take the place of an in-depth consultation with our knowledgeable bridal designers. It is, however, a good place to start when determining cost options.

Celebrating The Festival of Lights

2009-12-10T17:19:00.000-05:00

A flower arrangement makes a lovely gift for the holidays. Hanukkah, The Festival of Lights, is no exception. Hanukkah runs eight days, beginning each year on the 25th of the Hebrew month Kislev. This year, the first day of Hanukkah is Saturday, December 12, which means the first candle will be lit on Friday night, December 11.

As Hanukkah is often referred to as the Festival of Lights, brightly colored flowers are a very appropriate Hanukkah gift. Also, floral arrangements featuring blue and white flowers, reflecting the colors of Hanukkah, are often given. Really, any hue will be appreciated!

Give us a call - Bergeron's can help you select the perfect Hanukkah bouquet or arrangement!

Poinsettias....All the Scoop!

2009-12-09T09:30:00.002-05:00

Ever wonder about the background of the poinsettia? I find this amazing. We have a brochure that we include with our poinsettia deliveries. I thought I'd share it with the my blog readers.

History and Legend of the Poinsettia

Joel Robert Poinsett, who was an amateur botanist and the first ambassador to Mexico, first introduced poinsettias to the United States in 1825. He introduced the plant to the United States when he brought some cuttings to his plantation in Greenwood, South Carolina.

December 12 in National Poinsettia Day, an official day set aside to enjoy this symbol of holiday cheer. It was established upon the death of Mr. Poinsett to honor him and the plant he made famous. He died in 1851.

Poinsettias are native to Mexico, where they grow wild. The enchanting legend of the poinsettia dates back several centuries, to a Christmas Eve in Mexico when a little girl named Pepita had no gift to present the Christ child. Her cousin Pedro urged her to give a humble gift. So, on her way to church she gathered some weeds she found along the road. As she approached the altar, a miracle happened: The weeds blossomsed into brilliant flowers. Then they were called Flores de Noche Buena-Flowers of the Holy Night. Now they are called
poinsettias.

Poinsettia Care Tips

Poinsettias are one of the longest-lasting blooming plants available to consumers. To choose the perfect poinsettia and keep it blooming all year long, follow the care tips listed below:

Choosing the perfect poinsettia:

Pick a plant with small, tightly clustered buds in the center.

Look for crisp, bright, undamaged foliage.

Avoid plants displayed in drafty or crowded areas.

To keep the poinsettia blooming:

When surface soil is dry to the touch, water thoroughly. Discard excess water in the saucer.

To prolong color, keep a temperature range of 60 degrees for night and 72 degrees for day. High humidity is preferable.

Place plant away from hot or cold drafts, and protect from cold winds.

To rebloom for the next season:

During winter, continue to follow holiday upkeep tips.

March 1 (St. Patrick’s Day): When bracts fade, cut stems back to eight inches above the soil line.

Continue to water regularly.

Lightly fertilize with a balanced all-purpose plant food every three to four weeks.

When temparatures are warm, place plant outdoors; first in indirect, then direct sunlight. Avoid temperatures below 50 degrees throughout the summer.

July 4 (Independence Day): Cut back new growth stems. Repot if needed.

Early September (Labor Day): Move plant inside. Provide six or more hours of direct light.

October 1 through December: Confine plant to complete darkness for 14 hours, giving it 10 hours of natural light daily. This will set the buds and cause bracts to color.

Poinsettia Toxicity Myth

The poinsettia is the most widely tested consumer plant on the market today,
proving the myth about the popular holiday plant to be false:

Scientific research from The Ohio State University has proved the poinsettia to be non-toxic to both humans and pets. All parts of the plant were tested, including the leaves and sap.

According to the POISINDEX, the national information center for poison control centers, a child would have to ingest 500-600 leaves in order to exceed the experimental doses that found no toxicity.

A study from the Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University found that out of 22,793 reported poinsettia exposures there was essentially no toxicity significance of any kind. The study used national data collected by the American Association of Poison Control Centers.

As with any non-food product, however, the poinsettia is not meant to be eaten and can cause varying degrees of discomfort; therefore, the plant should be kept out of reach of young children and curious pets.

Information provided by:

Society of American Florists

1601 Duke Street

Alexandria, VA 22314

(703) 836-8700

Weddings: Kaja & Dan get married at the House of Sweden

2009-12-07T09:00:00.006-05:00

Who: Kaja and Dan

What: Modern, sleek, and elegant ceremony and reception. So fabulously "DC"!
When: September 13, 2009
Where: House of Sweden, Washington DC

What I loved: The venue and how we could create something with Kaja to embellish the House of Sweden. Ever decorated an all black room?

The infamous "black" room. Main Event Caterers came up with the set-up to create ambiance.

The entrance to the House of Sweden was graced with a bamboo vase filled with curly willow and orchid blooms. It was over 5 feet high, very impressive!

Carrying through the curly willow branches, we filled vases with them and added chic flats of wheat grass and brightly colored blooms. Very organic!

Kaja's bridal party flowers included fragrance, an often forgotten element. We worked with fresh rosemary, roses, stephanotis, and orchids.

To top it off her bouquet~curly willow, swirling into her bouquet along with feathers. The junior bridesmaids carried a European "teardrop" design-a break from the nosegay tradition. I love it!

Kaja made the process a thoroughly enjoyable one. Many happy regards to the couple in their new digs in NY.

Photos courtesy of Stephen Bobb, Love Life Images

The Hostess Gift: Forgotten Etiquette?

2009-12-04T08:00:00.001-05:00

I don't know about you, but for me the holidays tend to turn into a nonstop party - cocktail parties, cookie swaps, dinner parties, holiday open houses... I can barely keep up with finding enough cute party outfits, let alone remember to thank the hostess! That's right - don't forget your hostess this holiday season! Hostess gifts seems to have gotten lost in the vast shuffle of parties and events, but a little token of thanks is always nice and will most certainly always be appreciated.

You don’t have to break the bank on an extravagant gift - all you need is a little creativity to come up with a fabulous gift. Here are a few simple ideas to get the juices flowing:

Wine - you can never go wrong with bubbly or wine. Trust me, a bottle of wine or sparkling beverage will always be appreciated.

Flowers and plants - Everyone has a favorite flower, color, scent, etc. Take what you know about your hostess, and use that as your bouquet-selecting guide. Your hostess has a green thumb? Easy! Plants are a simple, long-lasting gift that your hostess will be able to enjoy and appreciate for a long time.

Candles- who doesn't love scented candles and potpourri?

Books - Is she a gourmet chef in training? A natural at home decorating? You can never go wrong with a book!

Just remember to keep in mind that you weren't invited because the host wants a gift from you, so don't go overboard. Just a small thank you will be appreciated. It's an extra little something that, amidst all the chaos and busy-ness of the holiday season, will be remembered and appreciated.

Katie's New Book & A Chance To Win $250!

2009-11-20T17:37:00.003-05:00

Well, all of you who are planning a wedding, I'm sure you have a mother out there who needs some help, right? Katie Martin's new book, The Everything Mother of the Bride Book (2nd Edition) will be the talk of the town.

She also has a blog contest to win $250.00. Click here and comment to enter to win! Why not? Have some fun!

Never Let the Day Get the Best of You!

2009-11-17T19:21:00.007-05:00

Well, today was certainly one for the books. The Bliss Collection produced a "mock" wedding today in Gainesville, Virginia at Stonewall Golf & Country Club.

On the way there, my Bergeron's vehicle broke down -completely stopped on Highway 66! Well, to my favor, a tow truck was behind me at that moment. He already had a tow, but he pushed my van over to the side. Within minutes, Myrna Grossman of For All Occasions was passing on her way to the event. She recognized me and pulled over. Another member of the event was passing as well, saw the van, and pulled over to help. Within minutes the flowers were all loaded into their cars and on their way (without me).

After about an hour and a switch-a-roo with my mom (what a doll!), the towing company arrived and I was finally on my way to the event.

Turns out that I wasn't the only one who had car issues. Mary and David at Mallowdrama had a flat tire!

Despite the obstacles in our paths, the wedding went without a "Hitch" (pun intended)!

It just goes to show that if a real wedding had taken place, vendors that work together on a regular basis can really pull together in a bind and still make that special day come together.

Look for the video and photographs on The Bliss Collection blog. There will be posts from me on this as well.

Giving Thanks

2009-11-16T20:43:00.008-05:00

Thanksgiving is all about family, togetherness, and expressing appreciation and gratitude. Why not give thanks to your loved ones with a gorgeous flower arrangement, centerpiece or gift basket! Sending flowers to loved ones from afar is a perfect way to express your gratitude and love when you can't be there in person.

And why not give yourself flowers this Thanksgiving? A floral arrangement becomes the focus of your Thanksgiving dinner table, adds a wonderful fragrance to your home, and provides seasonal embellishment to your decor.

Flowers also make a perfect hostess gift when you are a guest in the home of family or friends. You have plenty of options for sending flowers on Thanksgiving. Check out all of Bergeron's fabulous Thanksgiving options here.

We're certainly thankful for your business.
Happy Thanksgiving!

Handle With Care

2009-11-11T10:57:00.020-05:00

So many details go into planning a wedding. For the bride, it is so easy to become overwhelmed and distracted with the planning, that you forget that the day is actually about you. One easy way to help make your day special is to personalize your bouquet and other flower arrangements. The bridal bouquet can really set the tone of the event, and I find it often truly reflects the personality of the bride.

With my creations, however, the bouquet doesn't stop with the flowers. The bouquet handle can be as unique and expressive as the bouquet itself! A wrapped and adorned handle is a place to express the bride's personality and make an impact.

I like to create a personalized look by adding embellishments to the bouquet & bouquet handle with ribbon or sparkling accents, such as crystals, lace, rhinestones, fruit, feathers... almost anything! For a more natural look, the flowers can also be wrapped with tree bark, banana leaves, or twine.

A bouquet handle can also be adorned with personal, meaningful elements, such as your grandmother's handkerchief, vintage fabric, special photos, a locket or charm, or pieces of jewelry.

The flowers are one of the most important parts of the wedding. They should be a reflection of the bride's personality and unique sense of style.

Orchids Anyone?

2009-09-20T09:11:00.010-04:00

Orchids have become one of the most popular flowers in the past several years. First, we saw them in it's most popular form to date which is the phaleonopsis potted plant. Bergeron's has been sending out these beauties for quite a while. They are beautiful! Whether we pot them in a clear glass for a contemporary look (if you get them like this, these need to be cleaned quite frequently as orchids do not like to be water-laden) or in a classic ceramic container that in complimentary to the orchid color.

Then, brides began to see them in and part of bridal work. For bouquets they have a stunning quality to provide striking color or long-lasting capability. In an all white bouquet, you can pair them with roses, peonies, fragrant freesia, and even gardenias for a beautiful gathering.

Cut orchids have been filling vases now as a hot trend and we love them! From dendrobiums to mokaras, cymbidiums and long stems of phaleonopsis, these beauties won't let you down. They can be showy and stunning added to any arrangement or just a cluster by themselves.

For more information about all things orchids, check out orchids-info.com. Or call us to see what we have in stock to send out to that special someone today!

Photos courtesy of orchids-info.com and Bergeron's own collection of designs.

My Favorite Wedding

2009-09-07T08:52:00.007-04:00

Well, I have to admit my favorite wedding this year will by my niece's wedding. Brooke and Jesse exchanged their vows this summer and all of our family and friends had a wonderful time.

We brought flowers in from Hawaii, Holland, Columbia, Ecuador, and Italy. It was a crazy time, but Bergeron's was up to the task. My staff worked their tails off and thanks to a few friends as well, we were able to make a stunning display.

David Madison did the photography. What an amazing job! Thanks, David.

Hope you enjoy the pictures!

Scholarship Class: European Style Design

2009-07-27T01:36:00.005-04:00

Well, I have the privilege to be in Teleflora's Education Center this week for a class on European Style Design. The DC/MD/VA Unit of Teleflora selects a member each year to go on scholarship to one of the classes they offer. I was the 2008 recipient and have had the pleasure of picking any class they offered this year with an all expenses paid trip to Education Center.

I chose the European Style Design course taught by Dutch floral artist, Els Hazenberg. An Aalsmeer, Netherlands native who comes with a host of credentials; one of which has been the producer of all florals in the Rose Parade for many years up until two years ago.

Today was our introduction to the class. We were able to watch her designing as she taught us the many levels and principles of floral design. I will post pictures after tomorrow's class so that you can see some more of her work, and hopefully, a few of us in the class room as we try to elevate our design skills.

It is a fantastic and humbling experience to have the opportunity to learn from veterans in our industry. Els artistic talent and knowledge left me yearning for more. I was surprised when our class ended today. The time just flew by. I spent most of the evening talking with other florists who are here and exchanging info about our industry. Priceless......wouldn't change a thing!

Bye for now~

Wedding Arch

2009-07-24T09:04:00.002-04:00

Recently one of our brides had us decorate an arch that was provided by the hotel (Fair Lakes Hyatt ). It isn't always common for the venue to have the arch, so often we will rent our own arch for them to use.

Fair Lakes Hyatt was prompt and courteous in getting it set-up in time for us to decorate. And, as you can see from the picture, the end result was beautiful. And, it always helps to have a beautiful day!

The Bliss Collection's New Website

2009-07-22T15:19:00.004-04:00

All things new and re-done...

One of the most cherished opportunities I enjoy is time well-spent with other vendors in the Wedding/Event business. As of January this year, I joined the Bliss Collection. This group provides some of the best vendors in the Northern Virginia area: photographers, videographers, bakers, event planners; the list goes on.

During this short time, we have been able to hire a website designer to re-design our website. You can check it out here: http://www.theblisscollection.com/. Andrew, the owner of Eiffelfish.com, did a superb job and really captured what we were looking for in a crisp, fresh look that represented a first-class group of people/companies. I would highly recommend him.

Take some time to check out our new website and see all the wonderful vendors that are available for your (or someone else you know) wedding. Obviously, some of us do all types of events, but in this group we focus on weddings in particular. I'm proud to work with these vendors time and time again. There is a sense of peace when you know that you will be working with others you trust and rely on.

God's Creations

2009-07-20T08:29:00.007-04:00

The past few days while on my daily walk, I've been noticing the beauty that surrounds me on the wooded path. In the early morning the sunlight that shines through the trees onto the path provides fresh viewpoints and a joy about living.

I am amazed at the flowers, plants, and trees that I work with at the shop surround me in the natural habitat. Fresh upright amaranthus, Queen Anne's lace, black-eyed susans, sword fern, bark shed from the trees, all remind me of the plethora of choices God has made available for us, as florists, to use for delight. I get the pleasure of working with them and to use my God-given talents to arrange them artfully. I love my job!

Any florist will tell you it's not all roses and glory, the shop floor is filled daily with cut stems on the floor. The workroom is not glamorous, but the end product is where the beauty lies and we get to pass that on to you!

The 3/50 Project

2009-07-06T11:24:00.005-04:00

I came across a wonderful grassroots campaign today. The 3/50 Project is a campaign to get consumers back to choosing the businesses that started this great nation: the brick and mortar shops. I'm happy to say that Bergeron's is one of them!

The Wall Street Journal featured an article on June 30th about what The 3/50 Project is doing http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124631541083270621.html . If you want to learn more about The 3/50 Project, please click on this link: http://www.the350project.net/home.html

Bergerons is independently owned and has been since it's original owner, James Bergeron started this florist shop in 1971. Thanks for choosing us time and time again!

Weddings, Weddings, Weddings

2009-06-21T22:23:00.003-04:00

Well, it has been a long few months at Bergerons! We have had one wedding after another. Each wedding has been so different from the next: large and small, contemporary and traditional, elegant and fun. Guaranteed to delight in any form, they have been wonderful to be a part of.

After twenty-one years in the business, I still get excited about each wedding and look forward to the boxes of flowers that come into the shop for each one. The boxes come in from our purveyors and I feel like it's Christmas. Just opening the box and checking out the bunches of flowers we've special ordered for each wedding, watching the flowers open to their pristine best, and then arranging them in to the designs the bride has chosen. To see the bride's face on the day of the wedding when we present the bouquet elicits a feeling in my stomach that I never tire of experiencing.

What is the Length of a Long-Stem Rose?

2009-05-15T08:00:00.000-04:00

Ever wonder with all the information out there, what the real definition of a "long-stem rose" is? This link is the best description I've found and since I couldn't say it better, click on the link below and find out the real scoop!

http://thefloristblog.dragonflyflowers.com/2009/03/15/some-real-florists-perspectives-on-long-stem-roses.aspx

Know what you are ordering. So many just throw around the words, "long-stem", but aren't really sure what that means.

At Bergeron's we carry 60cm "Long-Stem" roses on a weekly basis in a variety of colors, so please call us, your professional, "real" local florist, and let us deliver some beautiful long-stem roses for you!

Blue Ribbon for Bridal Bouquet Design

2009-05-01T22:02:00.000-04:00

Exciting news!

After entering a design contest with nine other contestants, I walked away with 1st place. The design was to be a bridal bouquet designed with lime green and one other color.

I chose to make a purse design out with an aluminum wire handle, metallic wire and bouillon wire. The purse base was designed by layering flattened hydrangea florets. I used Rosita Vendela pink roses with accents of pink hyacinths. The lime green flowers consisted of green hypericum berries, and button pompons.

Getting what you've paid for....

2009-04-20T11:42:00.001-04:00

On the heels of another holiday, I realize that once again customers are deceived at the photos from wire services, i.e. Teleflora, FTD, 800-Flowers, etc, versus the price they've paid online.

If you've ordered directly from one of those sites, they've built in their delivery fees and service fees that either don't get passed onto the florist or the florist's aren't given enough to fill to the value of the flowers in the arrangement.

As a real florist, we attempt to match the "look" of every piece from the wire services according to the recipes that we are given. These companies give us a recipe to follow for each arrangement that often times doesn't even include all of the flowers pictured. Or the wire services have designed the arrangement for the photo with ALL of the flowers in the recipe facing the front, but have sold us the design as a piece that should be designed all-around, instead of one-sided. This gives the customer a skewed idea of how the arrangement is going to look. We, as the filling flower shop, have to decide do we design the arrangement all the way around (which means that the look of the arrangement will NOT appear as full as the picture), or do we design it as it looks in the picture? This option would either make the back of the arrangement bare (which is a no-no) or we end up adding more flowers to make it all-around? To add more flowers, makes it impossible to meet the bottom line, especially since we do not receive all the monies paid by you the customer. Either way, the florist is not able to break-even when sending out the arrangement. I'll explain below:

The wire service keeps a percentage of the amount, as well as, not indicating to you, the customer, that your total amount doesn't go towards the arrangement, but some gets taken out for the delivery too. If you were to look online at your local florist's website and notice the same arrangement you just paid for on the national wire service's website is less, you would see that we are actually listing the real price of the arrangement and that our delivery price is listed separately at the check-out. Wouldn't you want to know what you are really paying for?

For a different option, we sometimes take the container that we have gotten from the wire services and produce our own design in them so that we can give you a better product for your $$. In these economic times, we realize that all want to get what we pay for. Just remember, you don't always get what you pay for on these national wire/floral websites. They aren't really a florist themselves, they are just a "phone center" to direct the orders to real florists. Why not, save your dollars and go directly to the real florist themselves?

We really do want to please our customers. We welcome the opportunity and would rather speak to you. The opportunity to form a relationship with our customers as we recognize their needs and likes is how we have stayed in business for over 38 years. We don't enjoy getting the orders from a "phone center", we'd rather talk to directly to you, our customer.

Brides: DIY (Do-It-Yourself) Trend

2009-04-12T10:50:00.003-04:00

Over the course of the past few weeks, we've had many brides coming in to see if they can effectively produce their reception centerpieces themselves, and a few interested in making their own bridal party bouquets.

My initial thought is, "Of course, you can!". But as I think about it there are a few things that pop into my mind that can be warning signs. I thought I would mention some of these items so that brides would have a chance to think about it before jumping in:

1) Your wedding day (and the days preceding it) are extremely stressful. If you have a tendency to get stressed over the "small stuff" then this may not be the best option for you. The beauty of flowers is lessened when making sure everything needs to look it's best for one of the most important days of your life.

2) Realize that all flowers need to be processed and hydrated before working with them! And, some flowers need to have the refrigeration time to "harden" in their perfect state before arranging them.

3) Don't take on too much! Would you make your own wedding cake and decorate it? Taking on 10-20 centerpieces for the reception may be more than you can handle.

4) There are lots of ideas that can be done by you and your wedding party. Make sure that your bridesmaids are willing to help you and that you won't be left alone trying to put this together by yourself at the last minute. Let's face it, not everyone is the creative type, so don't expect all of your bridesmaids to be expert floral designers.

There are other countless questions/comments to bring up, but you have to be prepared.

All that to say that if you decide to venture down the "designing your wedding flowers" road, then try a few ideas from the expert first.

1) Maybe just working on the bridesmaids flowers would be fun. Ask your local florist if they would be open to you and your wedding party coming in and assembling the bouquets yourselves? Or, have a one-on-one demo with your florist to show you how to make the bouquets and then work on them by yourselves if you need to. Please don't expect your florist to do this for free. This is what your florist has been doing to years and their expertise and knowledge are worth something.

2) Keep in mind that if you are going to be doing something yourself, then pick something that is easy to put together, not more than you can handle. I don't suggest trying to learn how-to design 7 cascade bouquets for your bridesmaids, this requires a little bit more skill. But a hand-tied design, maybe with all the same type of flower, might be an easier choice.

3) Take a class on floral arranging to see if this fits your creativity level. This is the best way to see if you can handle this type of work for the days leading up to the wedding. Some brides have realized too late that they loved to work with flowers, but their wedding week was too hectic.

4) How about some creative centerpieces that can be made in advance and have flowers added at the last minute? Tap into your local florist and find out what part you can do and how they can help.

The last point I want to make as a florist, is to not expect to buy your flowers from somewhere else and think that the florist you bring them to can guarantee them and work with them. I've learned this for experience. You might be able to get them cheaper somewhere else, but do you know how those flowers perform? Does the variety of flower you are ordering open nicely? Does that variety hold-up and last in the design you have chosen? Is it in season? If it isn't, then the quality of the flower isn't going to be a great as it would in the height of it's season.

As a professional florist, we do have floral purveyors that we use on a regular basis and trust the quality that comes from them. Florist's process them, clean them, add preservatives, determine the correct water temperature and special handling instructions for every type of flower. That is part of what you are paying for when you come to a professional. Our designs and labor are just a part of the whole process.

We love to help you and guide you in the most important day of your life. Trust us, we are here to help you make decisions that best fit your budget and ideas.

Real Florist vs. Phone Booth Order Gatherer

2009-01-15T21:29:00.003-05:00

Okay, for the past couple of weeks, I've found myself explaining to customers the difference between sending flowers from a real "brick and mortar" florist and calling a "phone booth" florist.

What is the difference? I think the best description and information to figure out the difference comes from www.floristdetective.com, which gives consumer Information about alleged deceptive and misleading florist advertising and marketing practices.

Basically, you call one of these "phone booth" listings and they take your order, keep a percentage and then send an order to a "real" florist to fill and deliver. We are given the percentage of the order and expected to fill it to full value. For years, local florists have subscribed to wire services to be able to help their customers by finding shops in other areas when they needed to send a gift to another town or state. Now, with the internet, our customers have the ability to find local florists to where they want to send on their own using such sites as locateaflowershop.com or localflowershop.com.

Don't get me wrong, we love to help our customers and still send wires daily for them. Some of you like getting credit toward your flower buyer club account, and not having to spend the time finding a shop. We are happy to do it. That is why we have a wire service fee instead of taking the fee out of the amount we are trying to send to the other shop to fill the order. We want you to get what you pay for.

So, call us or use the search sites that I mentioned above. Either way, you will always have your order go to a "real" florist. In these economic times, we need to make sure our money is used in the best way possible. We are here to help. Feel free to comment or even call us to find out more information!

Have a great week...and Happy New Year!

Paula Dean--Diva of Southern Cooking!

2008-11-18T22:11:00.006-05:00

My sister, mom and I went to the Metropolitan Cooking and Entertaining show in downtown D.C. for the day. It was filled with fun! My mom, Jeanie, gave us an early Christmas gift by buying tickets to Paula Dean's book signing and luncheon. It was so much fun to see her up close and personal. She's one lovely lady! I took her a hand-tied bouquet of luscious roses in coral and deep pink, mixed with white crane kale, bear grass, bullet allium (part of the onion family and has a beautiful hue of purple), and hypericum (St. John's wort) wrapped in a organically friendly paper and tied with raffia and dried okra finish. Everything to tie together a cook's love for flowers!

Next, we went downstairs to the show area and looked around and visited many booths. What great food vendors! Then came the cooking show with Paula. Yum...chicken enchiladas....pico de gallo...her version of Spanish rice. She has a way of just having fun and allowing people to ask questions.

The later afternoon show was slated with Giada de Laurentiis. She is one of my favorite Food Network host's as well. Okay, the biggest question--How does a tiny lady have the ability to stay tiny when making some of the best tasting pasta? Her recipes are delicious and mouthwatering.

We came away with great recipes, smiles, and memories that last a lifetime. Who wouldn't want that type of Christmas present?

Design Competition

2008-11-18T21:56:00.005-05:00

Okay, it took a while, but I'm finally posting the design competition results.
I placed 2nd, which was awesome for me. What an experience.

It's like Iron Chef for florists. Essentially, we walked into a room that had tables set-up with supplies and buckets of flowers. The sympathy design was to come up with an arrangement to adorn a cremation urn. The wedding design; well, we were given a faux cake to design. And our original piece was of our own choosing. they had containers to choose from and we could use whatever flowers we wanted. The permanent botanical was something we had to bring with us.

Needless to say this was an eye-opening experience. I can't remember the last time I had been under such pressure. We had two hours to complete everything. I completely flaked on the cake design, which should have been my best piece. I think that being short on time made me overthink my design and under perform. This gave me some great opportunities to get some constructive criticism on my work, especially under pressure. I know, given the opportunity again, that I would concentrate on working faster.

The other bright spot of the evening was winning the Teleflora scholorship to their design center. Out of many applicants in our unit (D.C., Maryland, & Virginia) the application were sent to headquarters and chosen by them as to who would win an all expenses paid trip to their design center for the class of my choice in 2009. I never would have dreamed that I would win this trip! I can't wait for them to post the class schedule for 2009. I'll keep you updated on which class I choose.

Upcoming Competition

2008-10-21T11:17:00.004-04:00

Well, tomorrow is a big day for me. I am one of three competitors in the Annual Capital Cup Competition. We have competitions at three times during the year and each one has one winner. I was one of those winners in March. So, tomorrow the three winners meet at one location and bring a permanent botanical arrangement they have designed. It is a holiday theme. Mine is done in a contemporary feel (I'll post a photograph later). Then we'll have what's called a "surprise package" competition where we are told that we will design a wedding piece, a sympathy piece and a designers choice. We can only bring our toolbox. We will be given a half hour to go into the room and see the flowers, containers, accessories, etc. and have that time to sketch ideas. They will tell us spefically what types of wedding pieces or sympathy pieces we can do: for instance, a wedding piece can be a wearable piece like a corsage or head-wreath, bridal bouquet, or even a flower girls piece. The sympathy piece could be a standing easel spray, or table arrangement.

We'll have two hours to produce all three pieces and then we'll be judged on principals and elements of design, mechanics. I'll give you the categories after the competition.

The winner gets to do the design show next year in October focusing on the Christmas holidays. This show is in front of all the Teleflora shops in the D.C., Maryland, and Virginia area. Boy, would I love to do that!

So, I'll take all the prayers I can get. I'll post pics and stats after the competition. Stay tuned!!

Washington Wedding Show Update

2008-10-11T19:25:00.011-04:00

The Washington Wedding Show was a fabulous time. We had a beautiful booth full of gorgeous flowers. Our bridal bouquets were featured in the fashion show and were a bit hit. Brides came anywhere from West Virginia, Maryland, Virginia--even Georgia.

The wedding vendors were top notch and made the professional success of this show overwhelming. I was looking over the timing of the upcoming weddings of the brides who attended the show and they were ranging from November, 2008 to undecided. Most of the couples have dates in 2009. My question is has the state of the economy kept brides from making decisions until closer to their wedding date? Are the shows on television hurting brides by showing the platinum weddings? This sometimes put the brides at a disadvantage to get the world on a dime. I know that as a floral designer for over 20 years, I want to give the best I can for the money each bride has to spend in her budget. I do think that the television has made it harder to brides by showing these luxurious weddings that aren't exactly able to fit the average bride's budget.

In order to give bride's a better way of budgeting for their special day, Bergeron's has a wedding floral calculator that helps them put together what will be needed for their wedding. Check out our event website and you can download onto your computer and get a budget for yourself. Our event website is bergeronsevents.com.

By the way, our photos are courtesy of David Madison Photography. He took the time to come to the show to photograph our images exclusively. He does a fabulous job, doesn't he? We recommend him highly if you are in need of a photographer to capture your special moments. Thanks, David!

Workshop with Phil Rulloda

2008-09-24T20:00:00.002-04:00

Renowned florist guru--Phil Rulloda shared his love of the florist industry and poetry by sharing with 25 students at a recent workshop in Charlottesville, Virginia. Phil traveled to Virginia from his home in California where he has a school of floral design. He rarely travels anymore, so it was a great opportunity to learn from him.

This two-day Advanced Floral Design class was filled to capacity where people traveled anywhere from Louisiana to Pennsylvania and everywhere in-between. We learned weaving techniques with foliage, even learned how to make birds from hala leaves. That took some time to learn! Rosettes made from galax leaves and larger rosettes made from aspidistra leaves. Designing with tropical flowers and beautiful foliage intensified the beauty of great design.

Phil delivered beautiful recited poetry and his passion for flowers. It was so encouraging to meet someone who loves this industry and has an intense passion to pass on his knowledge. He feels that his legacy is furthering the industry by teaching the care and design of flowers as an art.

Who wouldn't want this gorgeous design with a dozen roses? The weaving of the "cone" for each flower is stunning, isn't it? Ahhh, the beauty!

Hitomi Gilliam--Awesome Floral Artist

2008-09-22T22:17:00.001-04:00

What an experience....two days closely working with Hitomi Gilliam. I had been looking forward to this for weeks. I was sick, but made sure I got there! Hitomi was awarded Gold Medalist at World Cup in Singapore this year. Well, it's no wonder. She's been one of my favorite designers for years and she lived up to my expectations (not that she has to live up to mine!).

Hitomi was serious about the industry; graceful in her design; helpful in teaching technique; and, powerful in her presentation. Teleflora sponsored her to come to our area and do a wedding show. She had helpers for two days as we constructed the pieces to show. Two of us were Capital Cup winners in '08 and another had taken a class with her in the past. Setting out for Maryland, I arrived at a local floral purveyor at 8:30 a.m. and worked until 7 p.m. the first night. Making bridal bouquet handles and constructing large armatures, we put to use our own ideas and learned new techniques and heard her share about the industry and her vision.

The second day we arrived again at 8:00 and worked hard until the culmunation resulting in a show that delighted everyone who attended. We had a packed house and florists in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia area we amazed at the wealth of knowledge and stunning designs she presented.

It was such a great experience.

Wedding show at Waterford

2008-09-18T22:17:00.003-04:00

Well, Bergeron's will be participating in the wedding show at the Waterford in Springfield, Virginia on the 28th of September. We're excited! This is the first big show we've done in several years. Bergeron's had exclusively shown only at the Macy's wedding shows for the past five years.

We will be the exclusive florist for the fashion show, which provides us great opportunities to show off our fabulous bouquets. I'll post the pictures after the show. Tune back in!

Design Show with Rene Van Rehms

2008-05-25T22:23:00.001-04:00

Spectacular! The one word that all of us at Bergeron's thought about going to see Rene van Rems recently at a local floral purveyor. We had a fantastic time watching a renowned designer show us his winning ways especially with hand-tied bouquets. His new book called "Rene's Bouquets" has such timeless information. Check out some of the pics from the show.

Also, that day there was a design competition of local designers, of which I competed once again. The competition was strong and it was such fun. We saw some fabulous designs. The theme was to use spring flowers for a centerpiece. The sky was the limit with a $300 budget. You can imagine how beautiful and artistic the designs were in a room full of floral artists! I've chosen some of the designs that you can see from the show as well.

1st Place Winner @ Design Competition

2008-04-05T23:24:00.007-04:00

Well how exciting was it that a couple weeks ago I won first place in a regional design competition called "Capital Cup". I was speechless. Our task for the competition was to design something for a "get well" in a hospital setting, so we had height and price limitations. Out of several designs submitted from all over the Washington D.C., Maryland, & Virginia area I took 1st place.

This was a great day not only for me, but also for Bergerons Flowers & Events! Look for the final competition with all the Capital Cup winners of 2008 to compete in the fall. Can't wait!

Bridal Bouquets--Clustered Trends

2008-04-05T23:20:00.002-04:00

Bridal Bouquets have dramatically changed over the past 20 years. It used to be common for brides to choose a cascading mix of all-white flowers. Today, the beautiful mix of compact, rounded bouquets have been made the statement of beauty and poise. The colors range from all white to monochromatic deep red with all the colors inbetween.

There are many new flowers on the market that are also hot choices: hydrangeas in many colors; miniature calla lilies in assorted colors, tropical orchids: oncidiums, phaleonopsis, cymbidiums to name just a few.

What fun is it to pick, order, and finalize your choices. Brides really should have fun picking out their flowers to hold on that special day! Check out just some of our selections online: http://www.bergeronsflowers.com

I really enjoy making weddings special and individualized. Who wants to just pick from a grocery store magazine, when you can pick from all sorts of flowers that are in season just by contacting your local florist for a consultation?

Tune in for more updates....I've got a bunch!

Design Show with Andrew Pascoe & Writer Amy Stewart

2008-04-04T23:38:00.001-04:00

What a fun day! I spent today watching Andrew Pascoe, a London-born floral designer who now resides in Oyster Bay, New York, designing for many hot customers like the New York Times and featured in Architectural Digest. He was very informative with a truly English garden type design style.

I have to say the best of show in my book was the design done reminiscent of the Flemish artists. The design included David Austin roses, which were spectacular! Imagine a soft peach rose that has about 4x's the amount of petals of the regular hybrid rose with fullness and fragrance to knock your socks off! This arrangement was designed with red ranunculus, red/yellow parrot tulips, single peonies, bells of Ireland and more. Extraordinary.

The afternoon session was filled with hearing Amy Stewart talk about her findings in her book, Flower Confidential: The Good, The Bad, and the Beautiful in the Business of Flowers. She has toured the world finding out the chain of the floral industry, from breeding, growing, producing, packing, shipping, right down to the delivery to your local florist. We are local florists are an endangered species with the major changes that are happening in our industry. We, at Bergerons, are still so proud to be here to supply your needs. Keep our business growing! Amy was extremely informative and I even got her to sign my copy of her book.

Spring-the Perfect Time for Flowers

2008-03-25T16:43:00.006-04:00

Spring flowers, oh, the beauty!
What exactly are the spring blooms that come to my mind? I love tulips, hyacinths, daffodils, viburnum (which means that hydrangeas are going to come into full bloom as well), ranunculus, peonies...the list goes on.

Keep in mind that some of these gorgeous blooms are phototropic, which means that they bend and curve with the sun and light; and they will additionally grow. So, don't be surprised when you bring home those fabulous tulips that they will need some re-cutting and have a mind of their own. That's the beauty of them, so enjoy!

At your local florist shop, you will find many varieties and colors to choose from. Often times, more choices then the grocery store or big super chain stores might offer. At any rate, enjoy these fabulous flowers while you have the chance.

Buy a bunch of tulips or hyacinths and drop them into a cylindrical vase. Tie some ribbon around the vase for accent and viola!--you have a beautiful presence of nature inside your home.

I'll be bringing some other design ideas on the next blog.
Until then, Happy Spring!

Design Show with Joyce Monheim

2008-03-18T13:30:00.000-04:00

My staff and I had the opportunity to go to a design show with Joyce Monheim, AIFD. Boy, were we blown away at some great design ideas as well as some great tips. It's always exciting to see the hottest new trends and fabulous new varieties of flowers that are out there on the market today. Everything from everyday design to design for event work.

One of my favorites was this piece that use a floral sphere covered in blooms set inside a beautiful mix of botanicals. This piece was just calling my name! I love the contemporary work.