Happy 2017!

A look back on 2016

Just a few days into the New Year, and it is hard to believe that it has been over a year since the very first post here at Perennial Petals, when we opened the doors to Flower Design by Bridget here in Clearwater, FL!

So very much has happened in the last year, it is hard to imagine it all!  Over 1,800 amazing people have been following my shop on Twitter and Facebook, as the year has flown by!  

I met some wonderful people, and got to design some beautiful flowers for Baby Showers and got featured in Style Me Pretty for this beautiful Military Wedding I had the honor of designing the flowers for, along with all the special flowers I got to design all year long!  

My shop was featured as one of the cover stories for Creative Business Maven Magazine, and my daughter and I got to be cover girls! 

While every year has mountains and valleys, it is sometimes nice to look back and be happy about so many wonderful things that happened in just one year's time!

Here is to the future! Wishing you all a bright and happy New Year!

<3
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Bridget is the proud Owner of Flower Designs by Bridget, bringing European Certification and 20 years experience to Pinellas County, Florida, where she lives with her husband (Air Force, Ret.) and two children.  When she is not in her shop, you will find her enjoying a cup of Roiboos tea with her family and several cats and dogs (including one named Daisy).  While the holiday greens and decorations of December are her favorite, she looks forward to bringing you sunshine and smiles through flowers all year round!

An Open Letter To Brides-To-Be

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Dear Bride-To-Be,

This is not your standard letter of congratulations. Though I do wish you the biggest congratulations!!

And it is not a checklist of things to do before your big day (although those are all extremely helpful!).

This is to you, yes, you.  If you are a Bride who is currently navigating through Bridal magazines and Facebook Groups and following the latest trends and Pantone colors - this is to tell you that your wedding is not the latest in keeping up with the Joneses.

While this might seem like something unusual coming from a wedding vendor, as we are supposed to be so interested in inflating your budget, this is to tell you that is not how it is supposed to be.

Your wedding should be about you, and your love, and the start of a new life together.

It sounds so easy to say, but it really is!

At the end of the day, it will have mostly been a blur, and all you will have are the photographs and few memories.  But what is most important is that you will be married and on the beginning of one of the greatest adventures of your life.

And that is all that really matters.  

For what it is worth coming from me, please don't hold any aspect of your wedding up to any standard other than "is it something that makes you happy?"

Because, in the end, the day really is about you and your love. And the people coming should be people who support that and would be as happy for you at an afternoon picnic as they would in the grand ballroom of a Paris hotel.

Maybe this does not apply to you reading this.  And if so, that is wonderful!

But if it does, just know that all of us - your caterer and your wedding planner and your photographer and your dress seller and your DJ and your florist - those of us really on your side, are all about making the day special for you!  And having it be the day you always dreamed about!!

Post in FB groups and ask questions.  But, please, don't ask the internet if your chosen colors are "right" or if your bouquet has the "correct" flowers.  

If you are working with a designer, or venue planner, or stylist or makeup artist (or florist), get their professional opinion if you want it.  Just don't forget that it is your day.  And if you want evergreen-themed centerpieces in July, or pink and gold in January, and you can find someone who can do it for you, or you can DIY it, within your realistic budget, go for it!  

There are no "Wedding Police" who will monitor if your silk flowers came from France or a Dollar Store, or from a florist.

I am happy to help with any flower questions!  You can always comment here or message my FB page.

Your day is about you and your love.

Never lose sight of that!

<3

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Bridget is the proud Owner of Flower Designs by Bridget, bringing European Certification and 20 years experience to Pinellas County, Florida, where she lives with her husband (Air Force, Ret.) and two children.  When she is not in her shop, you will find her enjoying a cup of Roiboos tea with her family and several cats and dogs (including one named Daisy).  While the holiday greens and decorations of December are her favorite, she looks forward to bringing you sunshine and smiles through flowers all year round!

Wedding Planning Stress Solutions As Told By Cats

Wedding Season is here - and it can get very stressful!

Here is a course of action, guided by cats, to help get you through!

So, wedding planning has got you all...

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And if you have to look through one more bridal magazine you are going to...

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So before you...

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Trying to dig yourself out of the flood of information on what to do next like...

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Take a deep breath and...

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Remember the moment of...

 

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And the magical feeling of...

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It will be ok.

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Just keep that in mind, and never let the stress replace the meaning of the day and remember what it's all about.

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<3

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Bridget is the proud Owner of Flower Design by Bridget, bringing European Certification and 20 years experience to Pinellas County, Florida, where she lives with her husband (Air Force, Ret.) and two children.  When she is not in her shop, you will find her enjoying a cup of Roiboos tea with her family and several cats and dogs (including one named Daisy).  While the holiday greens and decorations of December are her favorite, she looks forward to bringing you sunshine and smiles through flowers all year round!