Weddings Tips From Melissa 101

Many of my girlfriends that are getting married ask me "Melissa, where do I start? HELP!" So here are some inside tips on how do get started finding the perfect flowers for your special day.

Finding a Florist

1. Book a florist at least 12-8 months before your wedding.

Especially at Bank of Memories & Flowers, we book up. It's the last thing I want to do is turn down a bride because we are booked. Once you have an idea of whom and where you will need flowers and your bridesmaids dress color picked out, you are set for a consultation. Yes, things might change along the way but I just go with the flow and cater to the changes as needed. It is always a good feeling when you have a sense of what your flowers will be and to get that big "to do" off your wedding list.

2. Ask friends and family for references.

This is the most common way our Brides find us; a venue might have suggested us, they have heard of us from a co-worker or have been a bridesmaid in a wedding we have done. They have seen our work first hand.
3. How is their service?

We offer day of services which makes us stand out from the other florists. Everything from delivering, to set up, pinning on, and midnight take down; you'll find what you need. I have some brides that need me to fill in where needed throughout the day to "Melissa! I just need you to do everything...!" Check out some of our Packages.

4. Can they cater to your needs?

My girlfriends always joke, "Tell us about your Bridezillas!" I really don't have any. Yes, some need a little more hand holding then others but this really gives me the change to get to know them and makes their wedding day more special. I tend to cater to my brides how they need the process to go. They have never done this before, so I want to make sure it is as unstressful as possible.
5. Most important, have a feel of the florist. Will they portray your style?

I really do love working with my brides. From our first consultation, I get so excited when my brides describe to me their ideas and style. From there, I create in my mind a custom design just for her. I laugh that is a strange gift to have, but I really can visualize her flowers in detail to size, colors and textures.

For more information, Please contact me at the shop 262.253.9111 or check out our web site at www.bankofflowers.net

Photo by Faber Photography

Wedding Show This Sunday!

Bridal shows are a good way to judge some of the new trends and concepts that are accepted and fashionable in the industry today. Don't miss us this Sunday, January 29th at Washington County Fair Park for their annual wedding show.

Plan your wedding in one stop from 11am till 3pm! Dozens of great vendors to chat with and sample their products. Amelishan Bridal puts on a great fashion show at 1:30 showcasing all of this years wedding dresses. Take some time to walk our show floor and take in the latest colors, styles, decor and concepts in wedding flowers. Admission is only $3.00 at the door. Don't forget to enter our drawing for a chance to win $150.00 off your wedding flowers. Can't wait to see you there!

The Greatest of Love Stories

Every year Hollywood produces films dedicated to telling love stories. Even action films have some kind of romance interest. But let’s be real, the stories seem unrealistic. It’s time for us to hear about true love stories.

Bank of Memories and Flowers wants to hear the greatest of love stories. The love-at-first-sight, head-over-heels, distance means nothing, high school/college sweetheart stories that remind us what love is all about. Designer/Social Media coordinator, Lauren Wright says, “Everyone’s love story is truly unique and special. Our customers enjoy hearing the stories we have to tell, and we want to hear them all.”

Bank of Memories is asking customers to share their greatest love stories and enter to win a free dozen red roses and a box of chocolates to be delivered on Valentine’s day. In order to enter, customers are asked to write their story, 500 words or less, by February 10. The love story will be shared on BOM’s blog and other social media outlets.

Stories can be sent via email (bankofflowers@yahoo.com), mail (see below) or by dropping it off at either location. Writers will need to include their contact information and information for the receiver of the flowers and chocolate.

It’s about time we start hearing real stories that aren’t fabricated by Hollywood. And Bank of Memories knows the customers that walk through their doors have the greatest of love stories.

Contact:

Bank of Memories and Flowers

Melissa Mass-Owner

bankofflowers@yahoo.com

Menonomee Falls Shop

Ph: 262.253.9111

N88 W16723 Appleton Avenue

Pewaukee Shop

Ph: 262.695.9911

346 Oakton Avenue

Meet Our Designer Michelle

Meet Michelle Wille, one of the fantastic designers at our Menomonee Falls location! She is 24 years old and started working for us in 2008. During that time she was going to school for Spanish Education at Mt. Mary college. She now teaches Middle School Spanish at Slinger Middle School and is the freshman volleyball coach. She enjoys teaching the skills of the game and getting to know the players more personally than just in the classroom. Michelle helps us out the shop part time in the evenings and occasionally on Saturdays.

Michelle enjoys traveling in summer and during breaks from school. She looks forward to sharing her experiences with her students. She has traveled to six Spanish speaking countries, and has made a life long goal to visit the other 20. While in Costa Rica, Michelle frequently visited a flower shop in the small town of Santa Ana. There she was able to use her experiences from our shop and her Spanish to participate in an interview and design a couple of arrangements. Here at the shop, we receive informational biographies about the Hispanic women who package our flowers. Michelle now uses these biographies to help her students connect with the world outside their own. "The flower shop is my haven, after what is sometimes a long day with the students. I truly enjoy the ambiance at the shop."

It's a Boy!

Tom, Theodore, Florence and Melissa Maas

Owner Melissa Maas gave birth to a sweet little boy on December 27th to Theodore.

"This has been such a wonderful Christmas, and of course , my favorite Christmas present! My daughter Florence loves to call him our little Teddy bear. I am so excited I have joined the mom club of having a little boy. I hope he will enjoy growing up at the Flower shop...playing with flowers or just playing in the dirt...? Only time will tell. In the mean time there are plenty of girls at the shop that will be holding him." - Melissa

2012 Wedding Show!

If you missed us or just want another look...here are all the beautiful floral designs from the 2012 Wonderful World of Weddings show at State Fair on January 7th and 8th.

2012 wedding season here we come! Danyell, Krista and Sam had a world wind of a time creating these amazing floral design, setting up the booth and talking with so many wonderful brides and grooms all in a weekend.

Now is the time to set up a wedding consultation, dates are filling up. At your consultation will go over all your ideas, help you come up with some new ones, go over all your flowers in detail and even have an estimate at the end of the consultation. Our consultation fee is $25; and if you book your wedding flowers with us, this fee will go toward your wedding costs.

Before your consultation, we encourage you to have your bridesmaid dress picked out, a list of areas you will need flowers (people, ceremony and reception) and an idea of a budget. Pictures of of your inspiration always helps.

Thanks to Melissa K. Photography for these beautiful pictures. Melissa can capture your special day and even your engagement photos. Melissa can be reached at 414-659-3774.

Voted the Best of Weddings 2012!

Bank of Memories & Flowers has been selected the Best of Weddings for 2012 for the third year in a row for the Milwaukee Metro area for being the "Best" in Wedding Flowers from the Knot.com. We pride ourselves with going over and beyond our brides dreams for her wedding day. Thank you to all our brides that have wrote glowing reviews on the Knot.com We are so excited for this honor!