2013 McLeod County Fair

Oh Dear, it has been a while since we last posted on this blog!  We have just been so super busy at the floral shop!  This year has been full of weddings, exciting changes, and events!  Here is a small slice of our most recent endeavor...the annual decorating of the McLeod County Fair!  Every year we have the opportunity to design fun arrangements to spruce up the 4-H building at the fair.

 This year we also had a ton of fun creating this stunning showstopper for Cindy's Natural Beauty booth at the fair!  It complimented her booth perfectly and caught the eye of all who passed by!

In the 4-H building, We designed an adorable due with these Dairy Milk-jug jars!  Fall flowers blossomed out of the top, adding a fun touch to the building and setting the mood for the upcoming season! We also created a unique "Apple-tree arrangement that many fair goers enjoyed.  Several asked to purchase it on the spot!  Never fear, Everything pictured is available for purchase at Crow River Floral!

New this year, as part of our fall floral and gift-ware lines, are these fun Chicken baskets!  We can decorate them however you desire, and for the 4-H building, they were perfect!

A touch of elegance for the fair!  These High-styled silk designs won the hearts of many home decorators!  They are Elegant and unique, and look amazing as accent pieces for anyone's home!  Now available for purchase.

Finally, we decorated all of the cases in the 4-H building with fall floral swags.  They added the bright pops of color that the space really needed!  All in all, we truly enjoyed this years fair decorating.  After weeks of planning, visualizing, and designing, seeing it all come together into making the building look beautiful really paid off!  We look forward to next year's decorating and coming up with new and exciting ideas.  For more pictures, visit Crow River Floral on Facebook!

Hutchinson Ice Skating Show 2013

The Hutchinson Ice Skating show took place 03/02/13!  Every year the council that puts on this event orders flowers that they can hand out to the hundreds of participants.  You know what this means right?  750 carnations and roses were water-tubed, greened-up, and individually wrapped.  Was it a lot of work? YES!  Was it worth it? ABSOLUTELY!  Seeing the bunches and bunches...and bunches of flowers and knowing that they would put smiles on the faces of all of the children that have worked so hard practicing for this event is a great feeling!  The flowers were all brightly colored and vibrant since the committee that ordered them asked for "jewel-colored flowers"! 

Here are but a few bunches of the hundreds of flowers that we delivered!  We also had a lot of personal arrangements to design that were ordered by the parents of skaters for their children.  One of our favorite that we created was this presentation bouquet!  It was made for a high school girl because this was her last year figure skating. 

We wish all of the participants luck and hope that they all have fun!  Seeing so many roses and carnations together was a beautiful sight, and we are so glad that they were used to celebrate hard work and achievement in such a difficult skill!  We look forward to supplying the Hutchinson Ice skating show with flowers for next year as well!

Narcissus Wedding, The First Wedding Of 2013!

It has been a log, hard winter, but last weekend Crow River Floral experienced a distraction from the cold by designing flowers for our very first 2013 wedding!  This spring-themed wedding features gorgeous flowers in yellow and white. 

The most unique aspect of this wedding was actually a tiny little white blossom named the Narcissus; it is part of the Daffodil family.  Although small, these dainty blossoms added interest and detail to the bouquets, along with a heavenly aroma that was absolutely divine!

The Bride's bouquet was wrapped in Opaque white Satin, but to match the bridesmaid's charcoal colored dresses, we wrapped the bridesmaid's bouquets in a silver/charcoal ribbon.  The effect was simple, yet fit the wedding detail perfectly!

As part of our floral service, Crow River Floral delivers all wedding flowers so that the bride and her family will not have to worry about that little detail on her big day!  This worked out very well for us since this wedding took place at a church that is located only a block away from our shop!  We delivered the flowers and made sure to notify the Maid of honor and one of the Mothers since the bride was busy with hair and make-up.  Detail is so important to us, so we always make sure to notify members of the bridal party and notify them with any special instructions.  For example, the gorgeous white narcissus had a little secret, when wet, the stems secrete a clear sticky sap!  Not good when considering that they will be resting on a pristine white gown.  The solution was simple though...drying the stems off stopped the flow of sap.  needless to say, the bridal party was notified to dry all stems before travelling down the aisle!

All in all, the church was beautiful, the bride was beautiful, and the decor was beautiful!  Even though the wedding took place in the chilly month of February, the weather warmed up, the Bride had the wedding of her dreams, and the sun shown as bright as the colorful flowers that the bride had selected!

Happy, Happy, Happy, Spring!

Hello and Happy Spring!  Ok ok...maybe it is not spring quite yet, but we can still look forward to warmer weather right?  Here are some examples of products that you can expect to see at Crow River Floral this season.  Stop in and celebrate mild temperatures, garden planning, and of course, the return of spring flowers!

Easter items are now in, so be sure to browse through our new items such as pastel glass vases, plush Easter bunnies, spring silk flowers, and Easter-themed arrangements!

What Else does the Crow River Floral gift line offer?  spring birdhouses, flags, garden stones, wind chimes, animal figurines, and a wide variety of spring glassware and containers!  There is much much more!

New this year as well is the delicious line of candy bouquets by Priscilla!  Made to fit any occasion, they look almost too good to eat!  Also by Priscilla is a line of hand-made cards that can be personalized to your specific occasion by request.

Spring is such a wonderful season because of the hope that is brings.  Goodbye cold icy winter, and hello Spring!  We hope to see you all soon, and look forward to crating beautiful bouquets, personalized just for you!

 

 

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day!  The day that celebrates love is one of the busiest for florists world-wide!  It is a day that we all look forward to at Crow River Floral.  This year, we have several new vase choices that will be sure to delight your sweetheart, including the Crystal vase and Heartstrings vase, by Teleflora.  The time to order early is almost past, so be sure to place your order ASAP to ensure that it will be delivered before the mad rush of orders comes in!

Stun the love of your life with one of our Teleflora or FTD arrangments, or you can order a Florist's choice bouquet, which is always fun and unique!  We at Crow River Floral wish you all a Happy (and romantic) Valentine's day, and hope that you will all take the time to celebrate love and appreciate the loved ones in our lives!

Our Condolences

Unfortunatly, January 2013 has seen a record number of funerals.  After creating arrangments for several funerals a week, (one week, we even did 10 funerals!) we are ready for a little break!  It has been our privilage to do the family flowers for many services this past month, and our hearts go out to all of the grieving families and friends.  From honoring a Breast cancer victim, to celebrating the life of a hard-working farmer, we made sure to add personal touches to every piece so that the families could remember thier loved ones in a very special way. 

Keeping Flowers and Plants Safe in the Cold

     Brrrrrr! When temperatures drop to single digits and below 0, most people are happy to stay indoors! Of course, being florists, everyone here at Crow River Floral is accustomed to braving whatever weather is out there to deliver you flowers!  In this cold weather, it is important to wrap flowers and plants whenever you go outside, even if you are travelling a very short distance (like from our shop to your car)!  We usually wrap our plants and flowers in plastic bags because you can trap warmer air in with it for the journey.  As far as knowing when to wrap flowers/plants for outdoor transportation, a good rule of thumb is 36 degrees or cooler is dangerous.  Once you reach 40 degrees, they are usually safe to transport without insulation.
     For indoor plants, make sure that you move them out of any cold drafts and also that no leaves are touching window panes.  Otherwise, they can get frostbitten, and the leaves will turn brown.  We all hope for warmer weather, but until then, taking these precautions should keep your flowers and plants looking beautiful!

The History of Bridal Bouquets

Every bride dreams of walking down the aisle in a stunning gown, a radiant smile, and of course, a lovely bridal bouquet.  When did this tradition of carrying delicate blossoms down the aisle start, and how does it affect what current brides choose to accompany them down the aisle on their dream day? 

The earliest records of bridal bouquets are dated all the back to ancient Greece and Rome.  These antiquated cultures were steeped in superstitions and myths.  It was believed that certain flora and fauna were blessed by the gods and were used in rituals for protecting or cursing.  On the most important day in the life of a Grecian or Roman, the bride would carry garlands of herbs and spices, not flowers, down the aisle to ward off evil spirits.  Even grooms would be subject to donning the strong-smelling herbs.   

             Centuries later, Queen Victoria began a new trend when she used a mixture of herbs and flowers as she married Prince Albert.  After that, the Victorian age was full of brides mixing local flowers in with the traditional herbs.  Slowly, the herbs were replaced by lovely blossoms.  A new fad had begun during the Victorian age, the exchange of flowers between lovers.  Every flower held a special meaning, so secret love messages could be sent from one person to another through a “flower language”.  This was carried into weddings when brides chose specific flowers to convey personal messages. 

Later, floral bouquets became popular in the USA when early Hollywood starlets began using them.  Another tradition began during this time when brides tossed their bouquets after the wedding to their bridesmaids.  This symbolized the bride passing from being unmarried to being married. Now, in modern times, flowers are still used to symbolically communicate messages;  they are used to show the bride’s personal taste and wedding theme.  Whatever flowers are chosen for the big day, every bride wants them to add beauty to the celebration and convey the love that she and her soon-to-be-husband share.

Why We Do, What We Do!

Today, we received an order for a Blue and Purple bouquet to be delivered to a couple who were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary.  We designed the arrangement, and then proceeded to deliver it.  When I got to their house, the wife answered the door with the biggest smile on her face; she was thrilled to be receiving flowers!  Her husband came up behind her and said that he was just glad to have been able to spend 50 years with her, and that they didn't want a big fuss, just more time together.  This is why we do, what we do!  I am so blessed to to have been able to meet such a lovely couple!- Kathleen, florist

Getting To Know Us A Little

What separates Crow River Floral and Gifts from other Florists?  Our business motto that we operate by is that we promise to deliver a more personal touch to your floral needs.  Whatever you order, we give it our utmost attention, and make sure to add all the little details that let your loved one know how much you care! 

We are a local small-business florist located in Hutchinson MN.  As such, we are free to be as unique and creative as we want!  Community is very important to all of the employees here at Crow River Floral, and we are always excited to support other small local businesses with donations of flowers for their events! 

   Crow River Floral is a unique business because the building that we are located in, is actually a historic landmark.  One of the oldest houses in Hutchinson, it was declared a historic structure over 30 years ago and precautions were taken to ensure its survival.  It has been ruled that for preservation's sake, it can not be lived in.  The family who originally owned the house, decided to lease it for businesses under the strict instructions that no changes be made to the structure.

 Soon after the house was on the market for leasing, a floral business moved in: Cindy's House of Floral Design.  Cindy used the house as a business for roughly 20 years.  The great thing about life is that nothing ever stays quite the same, and so after years of owning the business, Cindy decided that it was time to move on to new things.

 This brings us to Jan 15, 2008.  Jeanne Schealler, a florist formerly of Ohio, had been running her business out of her home for roughly 20 years.  Just like Cindy, she was looking at opening a new chapter in her life.  the two of them met, and the business was transferred.  Since Cindy was no longer the owner, it made little sense to keep the old name.  Cindy's House of Floral Design became Crow River Floral and Gifts.  We still carry on the tradition of  creative floral arrangements and unique giftware.  We have added new elements such as wedding and event decor including backdrops, ceiling lights, and table linens.  We have become famous for our angel-themed giftware, stepping stones, various figurines.  The most important thing though, is that our customers, old and new, trust us with creating gorgeously creative arrangements for them and that we strive to make all of our customer's special moments perfect. 

2013 wedding flower trends!

As the winter snow begins to melt, and spring once again, warms the landscape, Crow River Floral's thoughts turn toward the upcoming weddings that we will have the privilege to be a part of.  Many of our 2013 brides will have started planning their wedding months before, but many brides will be just starting to consider their possibilities for 2013 or perhaps even 2014.  One of the questions that we get asked often is the current trends in color, flower variety, and style.  Well, to help you answer these questions, here is the 2013 floral style guide!

 

This year, a lot of attention has been paid to celebrities, and what they have chosen for their weddings.  One of the most influential weddings in 2012 as far as color was Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel.  When she walked down the aisle dressed in a pink gown, Critics and fashion experts quickly began predicting a future demand for the color.  They were correct!  In 2013, one of the predominant color schemes will be a soft, blush pink. 

Along with the blush color, has come a predominant style: Vintage Glam!  Adding white tones and glittering brooches, rhinestones, shiny pearls, or other eye-catching accents will be a theme in many 2013 weddings.  Who can blame us for being excited about this trend?  Blush is such a soft, romantic color, that it is simply perfect for any wedding, and who could ever say "no" to unique, glamorous accents?

    

 What else is popular in 2013?  Going green!  Kelly green Orchids are becoming wildly popular because they can be used for any season, theme, and are naturally elegant!  Other green flowers such as Hydrangea, lilly pods, and berries can also be used to bring out a green theme.  Also, adding small white accent flowers such as mini white Dandrubian Orchids will bring out the green color.

                                

Finally, going along with the vintage theme, are "BLING BOUQUETS"!  These bouquets look retro and are made completely out of jewelry.  They can be made out of any type of jewelry and color.  What a fun accent for your wedding day!

 

 

So there you have it.  Blush, Green, Vintage, and Bling!  All ingredients for an amazing wedding look.  The most important thing to remember though is that your wedding day is going to be one of the most important days of your life, and it should reflect your personal style and taste.  So if Vintage isn't quite your thing, or you prefer natural to blingy, go for it!  Crow River Floral will be here to assist you in planning the most personalized beautiful flowers and decorations for your wedding!

2013 Hutchinson Bridal Fair!

          There is never a dull moment at Crow River Floral!  We are always busy with some new project or preparing for a big upcoming event.  This January is no different as we are planning and preparing for one of our favorite days of the year: The Hutchinson Bridal Fair!  It is hosted by KDUZ/KARP radio and will be held at the Hutchinson Event center on Hwy 15 on January 27th.  The Fair starts at noon and will end at 4:00pm.  Brides can pre-register by contacting KDUZ or the Event center.  Brides and grooms attend for free, everyone else will be charged a $5.00 fee at the door.
          We are so excited to be planning for this day because we have been asked, once again, to decorated the runway stage!  For the past few years, we have had the honor of decorating this stage and try to do something new for each year.  Last year, we hung vertical lights, Illusion Gossimer fabric and Chocolate silk fabric to make a gorgeous backdrop.  We also designed an elegant victorian-styled centerpiece to grace the stage and to add interest to the backdrop.  What will we do this year?  You  just might have to attend the fair, to find out! 
          In addition to decorating the fair, Crow River Floral will also have a booth filled with stunning wedding bouquet examples and various other beautiful artistic floral decor.  Right now, all of the Crow River Floral employees are collaborating an just what that all might be.  I can't give away too much of the surprise, but what I can say is that purple is absolutly a must for at least one of the sample bouquets, and a lot of unique touches will be added to all of the sample bridal bouquets!  This of course means bling, feathers, beads, brooches, and much more!  By request, we will also be mixing the sizes of the bouquets up to include both bridal and bridesmaid samples.  From past years, many brides have seen what the size of thier bouquet will be, but have had difficulty visualizing what thier bridesmaids will be walking down the aisle with.  Well, no more! 

          What else can you expect to see at the Crow River Floral booth?  Well, as of 2012, FTD has given us the honor of being one of the few carriers of the brand new Vera Wang Floral line!  This is so very exciting for us because only florists with a very high FTD customer satisfaction rating can be nominated to carry this line.  We are very grateful to our cusomers for giving FTD this positive feedback and will continue to strive for excellence in floral design in the future!  So, since we have been blessed with this new line. we will of course, be showing it off at the bridal fair!  The Vera Wang line includes high-styled ellegant bridal bouquets and wedding decor.  So we will be sharing some of the crystal centerpiece vases, bridal bouquets, and pamphlets for that! 
          Of course accesories are always fun for a wedding, such as corsages, boutiniers, garters, cake decorations, candlabras, unity candles, and hair pieces!  We love detail work, so we will be sure to bring tons of samples for that! 

          There is so much that we are looking forward to showing you, and it can't all fit in one post, so be sure to attend January 27th for all of the fun!  If you have ideas for your wedding that you would like to see in person, such as a certain type of bouquet or decoration, let us know so that we can include a samlple of it at our booth. We all look forward to meeting and getting to know you at the 2013 Hutchinson Bridal Fair!

Here We Go...

Hello!  This is Crow River Floral and Gift's very first blog!  The purpose of creating this page is because we love our custumers and want them to know that they are a vital part of our business.  Everyone likes going "behined the scenes" and seeing the inner workings of a company, and with this blog, we plan to do just that.  We will show you the soul of the business, introduce you to the employees and owner who strive to make all of your celebrations, big or small, perfect, and show you new and exciting things that are in store for Crow River Floral.  We invite you to follow us on this exciting, beautiful journey, and look forward to getting to know all of our valued customers better!