Tag: wedding flowers

Peonies Coming Soon!!!

Is there anything more richly glamorous or lushly romantic than the overflowing blossoms of peonies? Although our plant and flower emporium in New York City is abounding with endless options, peonies are the spring flower that our designers always swoon over. With peony season right around the corner, we wanted to give our beloved friends and clients the inside scoop on the flower that sets all of our hearts at Starbright aflutter.  

The gradation of shades for peonies and their incredible petals are stunning.

Adored throughout New York City as one of the most romantic flowers (inspired, perhaps by their ubiquitous presence in the NYC-based Gossip Girl tv show), peonies are also one of the longest-used flowers in Eastern cultures. Known as the “flowers of riches and honor” in China, the bloom has been crowned the “King of Flowers” in Japan, and it is easy to see why. Their unique and stunning beauty can leave anyone breathless, in bunches or as a single, perfect bloom.

Indeed, the history of peonies is as rich and varied as their blossoms. There are many wonderful myths about peonies and the origin of the flower. One of our favorites is that there was once a beautiful nymph named Paeonia, who Apollo flirted with. When Paeonia realized that Aphrodite was watching them, she flushed and Aphrodite turned her into a peony, imbuing the flower with bashfulness. Why Aphrodite turned Paeonia into a flower, we aren’t sure — but we are thrilled to have peonies as one of our most cherished blooms in New York City!

Peonies make dazzling bouquets and are sure to delight the even the most discerning.

Peonies have long been associated with health and prosperity, so long, in fact, that water would be infused with the petals of peonies and drunk in the Middle Ages. Today, the petals are added to salads or beverages to add an unexpected, delightful floral essence. In England, children used to wear the root of the peony around their necks to ward off pain from teething. Peony seeds used to be swallowed to fend off nightmares, and while we hope it helped, we would imagine that a garden filled with peonies would do that, as well!

The generous bloom can range in size anywhere from 2 – 10 inches. While we must admit that we adore peonies when they are on the larger end of the spectrum, there is something particularly enchanting about the smaller peonies and how they infuse a bouquet with their precious intricacy.

The bright fuchsia in a peony is magical.

Peonies are like no other flower to be found anywhere in New York City. The depth and variation of their hues alone are enough to make Starbright’s designers wax poetic all season long. Traditional peonies range in color from the purest white to soft pinks, charming rose-colored and decadent reds. Today, we’re seeing an expansion of color offerings, including the endlessly fascinating coral, rich purples, deep mahogany and happy yellows. While we love all of the tints of colors that peonies come in, there is something so classically beautiful about peonies in pink that will always take our breath away.

Pink peonies are always among our favorites, though all of the colors are gorgeous!

We are thrilled to announce that with the start of peony season, there will be a new and dynamic section of the Starbright website that will be catering specifically to your peony whims. Of course, we’ll keep you updated on these exciting developments and hope that as peonies begin to bloom, so will your adoration of these truly incredible flowers.

Starbright Floral Design is a full-service florist located in Midtown NYC that has been brightening New York City for over two decades with flowers, plants and more.

It is our distinct pleasure to be of service to you in creating stunning floral compositions that will make you smile.

We are delighted to be able to carefully deliver each creation through our fleet of dedicated floral concierges in Manhattan, all of New York City and beyond.

In NYC, where anything is possible, we offer same-day delivery for our friends and clients to ensure that when want to send your wishes with flowers, orchids, plants and so much more, we are there to answer the call.

We invite you to visit us online or in our store, which you will find is bursting with flowers and delight in being of service to you. We would be thrilled to make your floral dreams come true!

Warm regards from all of us at Starbright, “The Official Florist of the City That Never Sleeps”.

Flowers, Festivals and Celebrations – It is what we do!

Starbright Floral Design

140 West 26th Street, New York, NY 10001

Behind the Scenes at Starbright

With Starbright Floral Design out and about at events in New York City every day, we wanted to share with our dear friends how the magic is made. Founded 22 years ago in NYC, Starbright started out with the mission to be the greatest florist in the City that Never Sleeps. Over two decades later, we can say with great happiness that we are still chasing that dream every day, and are honored to work with over 200 concierges in Manhattan who heartily recommend us to their guests and clients.

Starbright's beautiful creations.
Starbright’s beautiful creations.

But where do we craft our intricate designs, and who are the elves that create the magic in our New York City flagship shop? We wanted to throw back the curtain and introduce our incredible floral designers, who we think are the best in the business.

Starbright Floral Design has 17 designers working full-time to create lush, floral masterpieces. Our staff of over 70 people ensures that each flower delivery gets to just the right place and is always on time. Our days are busy and overflowing with flowers because we have an average of 250 floral deliveries going out each day in addition to being the florist for an average of 6 events each day. Starbright is having its best year yet and it is also our 22nd year of consecutive growth. We’re thrilled that we get to bedeck Manhattan in flowers and wanted to share what we’ve been up to recently.

Starbright carefully crafts each beautiful bouquet.
Starbright carefully crafts each beautiful bouquet.

The events where Starbright’s floral creations appear vary from black tie galas and fundraisers to celebrating a 111th birthday at the Pierre Hotel. We were delighted to beflower Fashion Week in NYC this year and of course, we love our work as a corporate florist.

One of our upcoming events is for a law firm client who requested that Starbright enhance the United Nations Delegates Dining Room for a private meeting. Later this week we will be collaborating with Macy’s Herald Square in NYC to provide blooms as they start to prepare for the holiday season crush.

While Starbright is delighted to be the florist for incredibly elegant and festive events in Manhattan, one of our priorities is always giving back to our community in New York City. This week we are proud to be a sponsor for the 31st Annual Gala of Answer the Call at Cipriani, which provides assistance to the widows and children of first responders of NYC.

Starbright's team is dedicated to giving back to NYC.
Starbright’s team is dedicated to giving back to NYC.

Additionally, we were honored to have been called on by the American Red Cross to fill the Museum of Natural History with flowers for the 2016 Gala, Heroes Among Us.

With so many events and floral masterpieces to create, there’s only one way Starbright could do it all. It’s thanks to our incredible team of floral designers, inspirers, dreamers and doers that we’ve been able to come this far as a firm. And together — who knows what the future may hold. We hope to see you soon at an event that has Starbright’s impeccable blooms!

We hope our blooms brighten your day!
We hope our blooms brighten your day!

This missive is brought to you by Starbright Floral Design. Starbright Floral Design is a full-service florist located in Midtown NYC. We deliver inspired floral compositions throughout Manhattan, all of New York City and everywhere beyond. You may visit our website where orders may be placed for designer-crafted flower vases and arrangements, impeccable orchids, plants and so much more.

We offer same-day delivery to most parts of the United States and would be delighted to make your floral dreams come true.

We will be honored to be of service to you now and for a long time to come…

Warm regards from all of us at Starbright, “The Official Florist of the City That Never Sleeps”.

Flowers, Festivals and Celebrations – It is what we do!

Starbright Floral Design

140 West 26th Street, New York, NY 10001

212.229.1610

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A Hand Picked Romance

At Starbright Floral Design in New York City we’re inspired by the stories clients share with us. Roughly one out of every fifteen weddings we get to participate in decorating this season are for same-sex couples. Each one comes with a unique pair of individuals, with love in their eyes and a desire to give their family and friends an event to remember. We’re excited to share their experiences, and how those experiences have inspired us as we continue through the seasons.

As seen on The Edge, Boston 

Floral centerpieces
Centerpiece with late Summer garden flowers

 

A Hand-Picked Romance

“My partner and I have been dreaming about getting married for fifteen years. Being a same sex couple, I thought it would remain but a dream. When New York gave us the right to make it official we jumped at the chance. We booked a restaurant downtown for an intimate celebration with thirty or so friends. The floral designs were wildflower themed. I told Starbright I wanted it to look like I picked the flowers out of my garden. What they came up with from such limited direction was incredible. We got married in New York, with friends around us, with good food, surrounded by beautiful flowers. It was a dream come true. Starbright’s help in making this dream a reality can’t be overstated.”

– Shared by Jonathan V.

Jonathan and his partner’s earnestness inspired the Starbright team to craft arrangements that would imbue the atmosphere with the same sweet, everyday hopefulness that goes along with a bouquet of wildflowers.

Working With Wildflowers

Starbright-Flowers18

The trick to successfully using wildflowers for wedding decor is to know which varieties are in season. From early Spring to late Summer, new bloom varieties appear in the shop each week. Some of our favorites re-appear only briefly before they disappear again until next year. In Spring, blooms such as the lace-like aster, sweet smelling lilies of the valley, and the many petaled ranunculus are popular for weddings because they remind us of new beginnings and softer feelings. Late Summer wildflowers are a whole different ballgame. Be ready for bright colors, lots of texture and a trip to the wild side.

Late summer wildflowers tend to be wind-swept-and-wild. The colors, shapes, and textures are a great way to add a twist to standard floral fare. During this time of year, herbaceous florals begin to fill the Starbright Floral Design cooler; small, untraditional blooms stand out amongst twisted stems in shades of green. Great for adding dimension, texture, and scent, herbs first became popular in wedding arrangements during the Victorian era when they were used to also convey specific meanings. For the traditionalists, our favorite herbs to include are lavender for luck and devotion, rosemary to remember friends and family who cannot attend, and sage for a long life together. And for the bride or groom with stage fright, thyme or mint in the boutonnière is a must – the scents will help keep you calm and collected.

Unlike many popular wedding flowers, wildflower arrangements actually look better when they aren’t meant to be identical! The wild nature and shape of these flowers keeps them unified and also unique, just like the couple saying “I do.”

Today, weddings don’t have to mean what they used to. Mix it up! Define what’s right for you and then explore it. When it comes to the flowers, we’re here to help. From all of us at Starbright Floral Design, congratulations AND best wishes to all the happy couples!

 

Starbright Logo

 

Looking for flowers in New York City? Visit our Event Gallery for inspiration. Or see our daily selection at Starbrightnyc.com.

Georgia O’Keeffe and a Colorful Bouquet

Georia O'Keeffe inspired bouquet

 

Georgia O’Keeffe was inspired by what she saw in nature – over here at Starbright, we’re inspired by her perception and the images she shared.

The painting above is Ms. O’Keeffe’s Music, Pink and Blue No. 2. This abstract expression of music has an informal balance that gently flows across the canvas to create a soothing rhythm. The pattern, created by repeating circular lines and colors creates the impression of layers. Even the color harmonies mimic music.  The deep pools of concentrated color create a base (or bass!) for the sweeping mid-values to stand out against. The orange and white splashes, which are only partially visible in the above image, add focus – like lyrics, they sit slightly towards the foreground of the painting and give the eye something to pivot around.

Armed with inspiration, it’s easy to interpret O’Keeffe’s interpretation back into the natural.  The medium – flowers.

The bouquet in the above image was composed of the following flowers:

 

flowers

1/ Ranunculus : These bright orange flowers have crepe-paper thin petals. We’re reminded of the layered feel of the pattern in Music. The bright color is creating bright points of focus in these arrangements. Ranunculus come in a brilliant variety of colors. Giving a ranunculus says “I am dazzled by your charms”.

2/ Calla Lily : These undeniably elegant flowers mimic the central shape in Music. The washed pink color also reminds us of the calming shades of pink in the painting. These flowers represent abundance and beauty. 

3/ Sweet Pea : These richly colored, sweet-smelling flowers come in a variety of colors and represent blissful pleasure. The flowers themselves are about one inch big and resemble butterflies with folded wings. We chose a purple shade.

4/ Rose : This rose variety has a color gradation effect in its petals – the outer petals are light pink and get darker near the center.  According to The Language of Flowers, a pink rose represents perfect happiness. 

5/ Cornflower : These brilliant blue flowers are often called bachelor’s buttons.  The name comes from an old folk tradition that claims if worn by a young man in love the flower can divine the feelings of his beloved.  Because of this tradition, the cornflower has come to represent hope in love.  We’re going to use these in the groom’s boutonniere. 

6/ Hypericum Berries : These smooth peach colored berries add another texture to our arrangement.  We especially like how clean they look against all the ruffled petals. 

7/ Thistle : Ok, these are a little out there for the inspiration, but the rich blue/purple color and spiky prickles add great color and texture.  The thistle is also a Scottish symbol of noble character – which we think is pretty fitting for a wedding.  

The inspiration can be seen throughout the bridal parties pieces.  Below is the groom’s and groomsmen’s boutonnieres.

Georgia O'Keefe inspired Boutineers

We had a lot of fun making these colorful pieces!

Congratulations and best wishes to the happy couple!

 

Starbright Logo

Starbright Floral Design began as a husband and wife team who had a passion for hard work and floral artistry.  Over twenty years later, we continue to stand by these founding principles. Looking for flowers in New York City? visit our Event Gallery for inspiration. Or see our daily selection at Starbrightnyc.com

 

 

The One Year Anniversary of Same Sex Marriage in New York City

The Mayor’s Press Conference. Nic Faitos, Senior Partner at Starbright Floral Design is about to be introduced and will speak about the effect this law has had on local businesses.

On the one-year anniversary of the Marriage Equality Act, Starbright’s senior partner, Nic Faitos, was invited to speak on behalf of New York City’s business community about the Act’s positive impact on the floral business and the city in general. As part of NYC & Company’s participating wedding services, Starbright has had a finger on the pulse of the city’s weddings, which have certainly increased in the past year. A year ago New York joined the other states that endorse same-sex marriage. An increase in the number of marriages occurring in New York means many things. The fact is, the city has felt the recession which has gripped the nation for the past several years, so its leaders cannot help but be enthusiastic about anything which boosts the economy. As an epicenter of the U.S., anything which boosts New York City will hopefully help encourage the national economy as well. New York has attracted many non-residents to marry within our state, which brings in additional revenue. More weddings undoubtedly also mean more work for those who offer goods and services in the wedding industry. But the most important ramification of all is the increase in the amount of joy felt and shared amongst all involved in a wedding.

Every wedding is a happy occasion. Despite the often stressful number of details which go into planning a wedding, when the day itself arrives, there is no bride or groom who isn’t overcome with happiness, smiling ear to ear as their lives are joined with the recognition and blessings of their loved ones. How much more poignant must such a union be for a couple whose relationship could not have publicly been thus consecrated, up until a year ago. The details of such major life events are what add up to give us the feel of the whole, and flowers have always been an integral part of weddings. The more traditional aspects of a marriage that are employed in same-sex marriages, or any marriages, for that matter, the more universal of a declaration those weddings are to their witnesses. Starbright has and will proudly offer our floral design services to all those couples who would like to declare their devotion to each other in front of others, regardless of sexual orientation. We’re just glad the rest of New York can now officially participate.

Spin the color wheel! Dos and Don’ts of Wedding Colors

To be bold or subdued; bright or muted; classic or trendy… should the colors complement the venue or your complexions?  Does my mother have to wear a matching dress?  Invitations, bridesmaid dresses, table linens, vests and neckties and of course the flowers are just a sample of items affected by the color scheme a couple chooses for their wedding.  Since color can set the tone, it is best to choose wisely.  Through my years as a designer, I’ve seen some fun combinations.  Some color schemes have been more successful than others.  Over time, I’ve developed some dos and don’ts that I have shared with countless couples.  Although I contend that there are no rules when planning a wedding, I’m always willing to share my opinion on choosing a winning color combination. 

Don’t Go for Complements:

Most brides and grooms are familiar with the idea of complementary colors.  The three primary colors of red, blue and yellow are placed opposite their corresponding complementary color on the color wheel.  Blue is paired with orange, yellow with purple and red with green.  You will notice that the primary color is paired with the secondary color that is made by mixed the other two primaries.  This creates a bold and loud contrast between the colors.  These color combinations are often used for things like gas-station logos, or sports team uniforms.  The contrast between the colors catches the eye and forces the viewer to take notice.  When trying to use these colors together in floral design, it’s very difficult to fight off thoughts of the Mets or the Lakers.  Red and green together also bring their own unique challenge of constantly conjuring thoughts of Christmas for many of us.  For these reasons, I suggest trying to avoid using complementary colors as the basis for wedding décor. 

Do Go for A Bold Statement:

While complementary colors may be too bold a choice for most, it is a great idea to choose at least one bold color to inform the design.  Purple, fuchsia and orange seem to be the go-to colors these days for couples looking for a pop of color.  Vibrant and rich tones such as these can provide a warmth and personality to the occasion without detracting from the proceedings.  When choosing a bold pop, I suggest limiting the palette to just one bright tone.  This brings me to my next tip.

Do Go Green:

Green is your friend.  I frequently suggest adding lime green to the floral arrangements we make for weddings.  If a bride or groom favors a brilliant tone such as purple or orange, adding a touch of green into the mix tends to heighten and embolden the arrangements.  Green is a neutral color and is found in abundance in nature.  Green “goes” with everything!  (Although it’s good to keep in mind the challenges when pairing red and green, Jingle Bells…)  It’s soothing and calming qualities pair beautifully with the lush colors found in the floral world. 

Don’t Count out the Classic:

A white wedding seems to have become a less popular choice these days.  Perhaps with all the fantastic color options found both in fabrics and flowers, couples would rather have more fun with the color palette.  This is understandable, however white has been the traditional wedding color because it’s clean, pure, and simple and it allows for the couple to be the stars of the day.  There are also so many flowers available in white; it’s easy to make arrangements interesting by using different textures, shapes and scales.  This is another instance when lime green can be helpful.  It’s also a good idea to choose one color to add into the mix of white.  One of my favorite weddings used all white flowers with accents of huge and lush coral colored peonies.  Simple and chic, this color scheme still resonates with me all these years later.  It was unique and yet remains a classic and elegant choice.

Don’t Tempt the Humor Gods:

If you’ve never seen your color combination used at a wedding, there might be a reason.  Sometimes when a couple chooses to be unique, it can backfire.  I’ve had to explain to a bride and groom why yellow and brown is not a great choice for a color scheme.  Without going into the specifics of why, (think about it people, yellow and brown… really?) certain color combinations elicit subconscious responses or connotations.  It’s the same reason why yellow and black can be difficult to use together; taxi cabs and bumble bees!  Yellow and red always makes me think of Ronald McDonald and ketchup and mustard.  These are not thoughts I want to have at your wedding! 

Don’t Over Indulge:

No matter what colors are finally chosen, don’t fall into the trap of thinking that everything has to be covered in these tones.  You don’t have to dye your Maltese puppy to match the bridesmaid’s dresses.  It will be just fine.  Choose key locations and items for the colors to be used.  You don’t want your guests to feel like they just stepped into a Pepto-Bismol bottle if your color happens to be pink.  Touches here and there will suffice.  Also, everything doesn’t have to be the exact same shade or hue.  I have learned to beware of the bride who carries the Pantone chip!  Relax! 

Do Listen to Our Advice but…:

We have seen it all… or close to it anyway.  Your vendors have been involved with hundreds of events and weddings.  Most of the time, our advice is free and is often given weather you ask or not.  We will tell you if your colors won’t work or if they should be rethought.  Although we can offer some sage wisdom, remember that it’s your day and your decision should be the final word.  You write the check so ultimately you must be happy with the colors you chose.  Maybe you are both huge Lakers fans.  So go for it!  Don’t let us get in your way. 

This scribe is brought to you by Tom Sebenius.  Tom is a longtime Starbright employee, team leader and Creative Director.  More brides have written online reviews about Tom’s work after their wedding than anyone in the industry that I know.  We are proud to have Tom on the Starbright team.  He is anal, demands a lot from me (I am his boss) and I put up with as much as a restauranteur puts up with from his Chef.  Truth be told, I know that at  the end of the day, Tom’s work is what built our brand and what has helped maintained our Gold Standard in customer service.  Tom will always do what is right for our client and knows that preserving our reputation is the most important function of all.

Starbright Floral Design is located in  the Heart of New York City’s Historic Flower District in a second floor loft space.  We offer all the services that a traditional florist would except that our home  is not a store  front that you would walk on by.  Our focus has always been on providing the highest quality flowers (we import directly from really exotic places), amazing customer service and really cool designs.  When you have a free moment please visit our website at www.starflor.com where you will be able to gain a clearer perspective on our organization and the work that we do.  You may also call us at 800.520.8999 – we would love to hear from you! 

Warm regards,

The Official Florist

Starbright Floral Design – www.starflor.com

Located at 150 West 28th Street, Studio 201, New York City

(between 6th and 7th Avenues)

1.800.520.8999

Marriage Equality: (More) Cause for Celebration!

I know exactly what I want my wedding flowers to look like.  Considering that I have met with and executed the flowers for at least a hundred brides during my career as a floral designer, I’ve definitely had the opportunity to formulate my own ideas about my big day.  It was only until a couple of weeks ago that the fantasy was granted the chance to become a reality.  The New York State Assembly voted to extend the right to marry to same-sex couples, thus allowing the dreams of countless loving couples to finally come true.   No, I haven’t recently become engaged.  I will still have to be content with making other people’s boutonnières and centerpieces.  However, now my pool of potential brides and grooms will include a lot more grooms and grooms and brides and brides!  Talk about a reason to celebrate!

Many times I am asked what the differences are between a same-sex wedding and the standard wedding we have been accustomed to.  Truthfully, there isn’t a difference.  Of course, if two men are getting married, it is likely I will not need to make a bridal bouquet.  Other than that, the differences are hard to find.  The emotions, politics, logistics, and ultimately the flowers are practically the same.  Color schemes are agonized over, seating charts are adjusted and the merits of orchids and roses are debated by couples no matter their gender or sexual orientation.

It’s important as a wedding vendor to keep compassion and equanimity in mind when dealing with gay and lesbian couples.  This new marriage equality should inspire equal treatment and consideration across the board.  Most couples will be looking forward to meeting and speaking with a vendor who is as excited about the big day as the couple themselves.  Florists would be wise to be inspired by the joy and new sense of validation and empowerment that their same-sex couples will exhibit while planning their wedding ceremony and reception.  What a beautiful gift our care and enthusiasm will be for these formally disenfranchised pairs.

Of course I am totally biased on this subject.  Growing up, I would have never thought that gay marriage would be a reality.  That certainly never stopped me from contemplating what color peonies I would match with purple Dutch hydrangea for my centerpieces.  I’ve also been blessed with a loving boyfriend who I know wouldn’t judge me for wanting to hold a bridal bouquet if we were to ever get married one day.  (Do you know how many bridal bouquets I’ve made???!!!  I get to have one of my own!!!)  I’m lucky that I’ll never have to risk meeting with a vendor who would try to talk me out of what I want and what I’ve dreamed about for my wedding day.  I hope and pray that the same will be true for all the other gay and lesbian couples who wish to celebrate their union with their friends and families.  Best wishes, Mazel Tov and congratulations to us all.

This scribe is brought to you by Tom Sebenius.  Tom is Starbright Floral Design’s Creative Director and has a part of the Starbright team for most of the modern history of our company. Tom has made countless brides happy and has created some truly magical Starbright moments.  Tom is our most published contributor to floral industry publications and probably the most reviewed floral stylist on all the major online review sites.  We consistently earn five-star reviews on the likes of Citysearch mainly through Tom’s insistence on quality and attention to detail.  A proud member of our team and  a true artist.  Everyone  at Starbright is thrilled that we will one day witness Tom’s ceremony and cannot wait to see  what his creativity brings out on THAT special day! Stay tuned….

Starbright Floral Design is located in the heart of New York City’s historic flower district in a second floor loft at 150 West 28th Street.  Our services include local, national and worldwide flower delivery as well as consultation and execution of social and corporate events.  To learn more about us and the type of work that we do, please visit our website at www.starflor.com.  You may also go directly to our online portal for ordering gifts at www.starbrightnyc.com or to our Event Gallery to see thousands of photographs from our recent work. You may also call us at 1.800.520.8999.  We are always thrilled to hear from you and to be of service in every way possible….

Our warmest regards,

The Official Florist of the City That Never Sleeps

Starbright Floral Design

 

Lily of the Valley: The May birth flower and possibly Robert Plant’s inspiration to the 70’s song “Stairway to Heaven”.

The lily of the valley is a low-growing perennial plant that usually has two large oblong leaves and small fragrant nodding bell-shaped flowers that grow evenly up the stalk forming what appear to be steps.   Perhaps Mr. Plant, observed the Lily of the Valley’s configuration and penned the song “Stairway to Heaven” (probably not).  However, medieval monks having lots of time on their hands and keen observation skills, viewed the flowers configuration and labeled the flower the “ladder to heaven”.  The flower was considered a symbol for the steps to heaven.

The Victorian era, with its strict rules of etiquette regarding verbalizing feelings of affection, was the golden age of the language of flowers.  When the lily of the valley was given as a gift to a love interest its meaning was said to be “you made my life complete”.  Today its meaning is said to be happiness, humility, purity and sweetness.

Through the years the flower has gained popularity in wedding bouquets.  The reason for this is open to debate.  Some would say it’s the flower’s fragrance and beauty.  Opponents offer that many flowers equal its beauty and fragrance.  The marriage cynics amongst us, point to the flowers’ herbal use as a poison antidote as the reason for its wedding bouquet popularity.   Statisticians claim that polls of brides are flawed.  Many brides are embarrassed to admit fear of poisoning by their groom as the driving force behind the choice of the flower.  Perhaps we’ll never know.

Similarly the origins of Lily of the Valley is open to debate.  One Christian bible story has it that the flower first grew where Mary’s tears fell at the foot of the cross.   Another has the flower first sprouting from Eve’s tears after she was kicked out of the Garden of Eden.  Whatever its origins, the flower provides a beautiful fragrant and visual accent to any floral display.

This post is brought to you by Starbright Floral Design (www.starflor.com).  Sometimes we like to bring out “the fun side of flowers” by injecting some humor into our scribes.  We truly hope you enjoy our reads and get to see flowers from a little bit of a different perspective.  We sure do.

When you have some time, please visit our website and tell us what you think of the work that we do.  If you would like to order a gift for someone, you can visit our e-commerce portal we always recommend Designer’s Choice as a great option to take the guess work out of ordering flowers for a friend, a loved one or a parent. We deliver flowers on a same day basis (open seven days a week) in the United States.  Worldwide delivery is available  (except war zones, jungles, desserts and merchant marine vessels in the open sea) within 48 hours.

We would love to hear from you!  An alternative to our website is to call us (800.520.8999) or you may visit us at 150 West 28th Street (Second Floor).  We are in the heart of New York City’s Historic Flower District.  Pop on in! We would love to meet you!

Starbright Floral Design – The Official Florist of the City that Never Sleeps.

“Flowers, Festivals & Celebrations… It is what we do!”

BLOOD, SWEAT and TEARS: A Neophyte Florist’s Timeline Diary of Valentine’s Day

We asked one of the members of our team that was with us for his first Valentine’s season in the flower business to chronicle his experiences through the week.  Filled with humor and an appropriate dose of sarcasm we learned more  about ourselves and what we do than we ever really expected to….  Step into our world for a behind the scenes look at the single craziest day of the year.  Accountants call it April 15th, farmers have harvest time, to the florist it is Valentine’s Day…. “Thank you for calling Starbright, can I help you?”

Our Design Team
St. Valentine was a martyr... May love and passion live forever!

-February 7th : One full week before Valentine ’s Day.  All I’ve heard since I began work here at Starbright Floral Design, was the nightmare that is Valentine’s Day.  I am a skeptic by nature and brimming with confidence that I can handle whatever challenges presented.  I dismiss my coworkers’ warnings as tall tales and nothing to fear.  Here we are 8:30 A.M. one full week before V-day and the sky is blue, the earth is still spinning on its axis, all is well. 9:00 A.M. I arrive to the scene of impending DOOM, Starbright Floral Design, 28th street, the flower district.  The store is abuzz.  Orders are coming in rapidly both telephonically and through the internet.  10:00 A.M. Staff meeting held discussing potential delivery problems.  Plans are in the works to start delivering to accepting businesses, such as hotels, at 4:00 A.M.  I spontaneously erupted in laughter.  My laughter was not reciprocated nor well received.  Is it possible this was not a joke?  Four A.M.?  The theme from the twilight zone is now deafening.  Day ends without further incident.  A busy day, but nothing too atypical.  Can’t wait for relaxing carefree night at home.

-February 10th : A few days have passed since my last entry.  Work has kept me busy.  Orders are now appearing on my desk magically.  The machine they call the Dove keeps printing what seems to be a copy of the Iliad.  A continuous flow of paper is fed into the machine printing order after order.  10:30 A.M.  Our purchasing department arguing over facts, figures and projections.   The consensus is that this is going to be a big one.   Fear and panic is abound.  Last minute orders are frantically placed to suppliers in Holland and other flower growers throughout the world.

-February 12th : 9:00 A.M. Fearful of poor customer service as a result of  taking orders beyond capacity has led to the decision to shut down the Dove.  I come from a business background.  The notion of turning away good and profitable orders was foreign to me.  When I questioned the move my coworkers’ glares were like weaponized lasers.  Management wasn’t as irritated by my inquiry.  It was explained that the floral industry is customer service driven.  Taking in orders that couldn’t be adequately serviced would result in unhappy customers.  Accordingly, the net effect on the business, long term, would be negative.  I understand the principle, but still believed it to be a  premature and perhaps  panic driven decision. 05:00 P.M.  My coworkers are looking increasingly weary and disheveled.  Some have clearly forgotten that personal hygiene is an integral part of a healthy lifestyle and healthy work environment.  Shaving appears to be a lost art to the men in the office (probably the women as well).

-February 13th:  8:00 A.M.  The place is a flurry of activity.  Hasn’t taken long to realize my Saturday night exploits were ill timed and will be regretted.  Word to the wise, don’t drink and floral design on Valentine’s day weekend.  I am unable to recover or catch my breath.  11:30A.M. Designers as far as the eye can see are preparing pre-Valentine’s day orders.  Nerves are frayed. Niceties such as “Good Morning” or “Hello” fall upon deaf ears or are responded to with a grumble.  Each designer appears to be genetically transforming into a snapping turtle. The phones are ringing incessantly with an ear piercing buzzing.  Never realized how annoying the phone ring was until now. 4:30 P.M. the order goes out for all available hands to start cleaning roses.  I had developed a case of laryngitis from the endless hours of phone calls rendering it painful to speak.  I need to conserve my voice for V-Day.  Accordingly I volunteer for the simple, mundane task involving a knife and thorny long stems.  6:15 P.M.  The monotonous task coupled with exhaustion has led to blood shed.  Several fingers have become victims of errant knife shavings.  Several other fingers suffered from thorn inflicted wounds rendering their use painful.  Luckily my middle digit was immune from injury and thus I was able to adequately express my feelings to my coworkers without the need for speech.    9:00 P.M. End of day staff meeting.    Nic Faitos, President of Starbright and our valiant leader begins a pep talk to the staff that would hopefully last through the following day –V-Day.  “Guys and gals, you are about to embark upon a great crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. Your task will not be an easy one.  I have full confidence in your devotion to impeccable floral design and customer service. We will accept nothing less than the full satisfaction of our customers.  Let us all beseech the blessings of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking.  Good Luck and I’ll see you at 5:00 A.M.”  I was inspired by his eloquent words and eager to meet the challenges of the following day.

-February 14th:  0500 hours V-Day.  Proper preparation has made the beginning of the day a time to strategize and ready ourselves for the coming battle.  I felt confident and prepared.  0530 hours –the first two delivery trucks are on the road.  With any luck we’ll have them back and reloading by 0900.    01000 hours, the phones are unleashing an endless barrage of sound blasts.  Oh the noise noise, noise!  Everyone is working at a fever pace.  There is no room for dilly or dally today.  01200 hours,  the lunch crowd is now filing in.  I think to myself, how much more can a person handle?  It is not long before I get my answer.  Several of the designers, both men and women, have been broken.  Tears are streaming down their faces.  I want to console them but don’t have the time, the energy or the empathy.  I have to commit all my energy to the common goal.  The flowers must be delivered and they must be beautiful!   01500 On a normal day I would be busy making dinner plans.  Today I have been recruited to insure that our all business deliveries are made before 01700.  The pressure is unrelenting.  I have broken into a cold flu like sweat and have trouble focusing.  The enormity of this logistics task quickly overwhelms me.  Near tears myself, I call for backup personnel.  01800 hours, the corporate deliveries have been made.  The second phase, home deliveries, is now well underway.   The last minute business crowd is now filing in.  I ponder if any of these last minute shoppers understood how challenging it was to give them that appreciative smile demanded of a Starbright employee.  02100 The day of days is coming to an end.  I have travelled through the valley of blood, sweat and tears and come out the other side smelling like roses.  I have a deep sense of accomplishment and pride.  I can’t believe I doubted the enormity of the task.  Twelve hundred deliveries in one day, made with grace, will not be forgotten soon.  I guess the day is best summed up by the immortal words of Davy Jones: “now I’m a believer.”

Starbright Floral Design is the “Official Florist of Romance” and most of the time we deliver flowers, love, passion and hope everywhere in Manhattan and worldwide.  Sometimes we deliver yellow carnations.

Give us a call, visit our website or pop on in!  We would love to meet you….

Passionately yours,

The Official Florist

Starbright Floral Design

Located in the heart of New York City’s Historic Flower District

150 West 28th Street, Studio 201.

T. 800.520. 8999

Web: www. starflor.com

E-commerce portal: www.starbrightnyc.co

February Birth Flowers (Bush vs. Gore revisited)

Controversy surrounds the true birth flower for February.  There is no consensus and conspiracy theories are abound.  The battle is between the Iris and the Violet.  Both make good cases for being the birth flower.  The Ancient Greeks considered the Violet a symbol of fertility and love and used it in love potions. The Iris’s claim stems from it being named after the Greek Goddess “Iris”, the messenger of love linking heaven and earth via the rainbow.  February is the month containing Valentine’s Day whereupon millions of people send their messages of love.  The floral industry is an industry designed to bring smiles and the spread of love, not litigation.  Accordingly there is no high court to settle the dispute.  Both combatants have a claim to the throne and deserve their place as a representative flower of birth. One reason, perhaps a biased reason, to choose the Violet over the Iris, is that the Iris is one missed key stroke away from being a symbol of fear and detestation (IRS).  Nevertheless, we will treat them equally with love and respect.

Iris by Starbright Floral Design
Iris is a sure favorite for February

Iris

Iris meanings include faith, hope, wisdom, courage, and admiration.  There are many species of Iris widely grown and distributed throughout world.  From their earliest years, irises were used to make perfume and as a medicinal remedy. Today, they are primarily seen in gardens, in bouquets, and in the wild all over the world. The Iris family includes over 200 varieties in a wide spectrum of colors. Irises are one of the easiest perennials to grow.

While garden irises can come in any of these varieties, the flowers’ commercially cut versions include the most popular blue variety, white, and yellow.

The Fleur-de-lis is the national symbol of France.  The Iris is the state flower of Tennessee, and the Fleur-de-lis is the emblem for the city of New Orleans.

The Violet is February too!
Know someone born in February? Violets are a sure fave...

Violet

The Violet’s story stems from Greek mythology. Zeus was in love with a nymph named Lo.  Zeus’s wife was suspicious and jealous of Lo. Zeus being fearful of what his wife might due to Lo, turned Lo into a cow.  As a cow Lo had no choice but to eat the plain dry boring grasses bringing Lo to tears. Zeus, distraught by the tears of his love, he decided to turn her tears into edible flowers. Thus the Violet was created.

The Violet is mainly found in the Northern Hemisphere. They grow best in moist shaded areas but are tolerable of diverse conditions. The flowers are formed from five petals; four are upswept or fan-shaped petals with two per side, and there is one broad, lobed lower petal pointing downward.  With over 400 different variations of the Violet there are a multitude of colors to choose from.  Including blue, purple, white, cream yellow and combinations thereof. The purple Violet, hooded blue Violet and butterfly Violet, is very popular in the eastern United States and is the Wisconsin State Flower.

So what to do for a February birthday?  How do you choose between the Violet or the Iris.

The personality traits of people who have this birth flower are said to be calm, friendly, faithful, hopeful, and enlightened.  Perhaps a person like that will be thrilled with the thought of the gift and not be troubled that you chose one flower over the other.  Perhaps to be safe a bouquet of both the Violet and the Iris is best.

Starbright Floral Design is the “Official Florist of Romance” and most of the time we deliver flowers, love, passion and hope everywhere in Manhattan and worldwide.  Sometimes we deliver yellow carnations.

Give us a call, visit our website or pop on in!  We would love to meet you….

Passionately yours,

The Official Florist

Starbright Floral Design

Located in the heart of New York City’s Historic Flower District

150 West 28th Street, Studio 201.

T. 800.520. 8999

Web: www. starflor.com

E-commerce portal: www.starbrightnyc.com

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