Wedding Tips By Melissa 102

Things to Bring to Your Florist:

1. Have a folder or binder filled with flower photos and ideas. This can give your florist a feel of your style. Select your wedding colors. Have photos and/or swatches of your wedding dress and bridesmaid dresses, or at least the colors you're considering.

There is nothing more fun when by bride opens up her binder and shows me her collage of pictures. The frame work is starting to take form and my creative brain works into gear collaborating with her style. Just love this moment!

2. Bring photos of the ceremony and reception locations.
3. Have list of the wedding party to determine "who needs what." (Include bridesmaids, groomsmen, flowers girls, ring bearers, ushers, parents, ect.) Think about where you would like to decorate at the ceremony and reception.

This not only helps me but can also help you visualize as we come up with ideas and concepts. We can focus on the details of the space and figure out were flowers would most enhance the space.

I will make sure to go over any and all areas of flowers at the consultation; this is a pre-homework list to get you thinking about what you need.

4. Have a complete sense of yourself and how much you want to spend. Not only will it make it easier for the florist to help you, but it will keep you on budget.

Yes, it is hard to know what to estimate but have an idea what you feel comfortable spending. Are you willing to spend, $1,000 or $5,000? Is your wedding more simple or do you have exotic taste?...like everything you seemed to pick for this wedding is the high style price tag. That can be an indicator of what your flowers may cost too. But just know you always have options; I can come up with something unique and different for centerpieces for $10 up to $250+ a table. Rule of thumb is to estimate for your wedding flowers is 10-15% of your total wedding budget is to be spent on flowers. This breaks down to $2,000 to $3,000 for a $20,000 wedding. (Average Milwaukee Wedding is between $17,000 and $28,000 according to theweddingreport.com)

Lauren's Thoughts on Valentines

With the thought of Valentine’s day right around the corner, I wondered to myself “What do women really want?” I did a little “research”--and when I say research I mean asking my friends and acquaintances-- to figure out what women want. Now, as a full-time marketing professional I must note that my research does not count as a valid study, but who cares!

After asking my friends what they wanted for Valentine’s day, I learned that most of them said that they simply wanted to know that their man was thinking about them. And what was their favorite way to realize this? “I would LOVE to receive flowers” was one of the most popular responses. However, several women said they believed that the standard bouquet of roses is cliché and doesn’t always always fit their personality. Ordering her a bouquet of oriental lilies after remembering how she “oo-ed” and “ah-ed” over them while on a walk last summer will mean more to her than anything (Guys, its shows that you pay attention!) In addition, women said that flowers really brighten their day at work and even makes their day!

So guys, what do we get out of this? Flowers are definitely a great gift for Valentine’s day, but let’s mix it up every once and while. This valentine’s day Bank of Memories is offering special arrangements. Ask about our “Etched in Love” arrangement that provides a variety of flowers including roses, daisies, mini carnations and beautiful filler flowers. Or maybe our “Exclusively Yours” arrangement fits your wife/girlfriend’s personality-- filled with roses, lilies, snap dragons and other flowers. Plus, we have chocolate AND Becky’s Blissful Bakery Caramels!

Let us help you make something special for your special someone. We are known for our unique personalized arrangements straight from the heart, which is what women really want.

~Lauren Wright

Pewaukee Designer

Washington County Wedding Show Recap

We had so much fun chatting with all of the beautiful brides to be this past Sunday at the Washington County Wedding Show. At Bank of Memories & Flowers we know that wedding bouquet design is constantly evolving along with current fashions.

So what are the current popular trends in wedding bouquet design?

The style of bouquets is simple and elegant designs which include the most popular hand tied bouquets. This could be by using exotic flowers such as pin cushioned protea, as shown in our all yellow bouquet, or by designing it to be chic and unfussy.

Our all red rose bouquet portrays how you can easily accessorize any bouquet using elegant diamond rhinestones. While meeting with our brides a frequent wish for their wedding bouquet design is to have it 'traditional with a contemporary twist.' At Bank of Memories we can offer our brides a contemporary stylish look using contemporary flowers, design, and accessories. And fear not bride- color is your friend! A textural, colorful bouquet will totally pop off your dress in your pictures.

Photos by Melissa K. Photography 414-659-3774

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."