Blooms that Benefit

 

Visiting Apples to Zinnias for my floral consultation was like having someone read my face. Moments after hearing my venue and color choices, wedding specialist Juan Gomar had created the dream floral pieces for my dream wedding. Before I could say, “my favorite flowers are hydrengeas,” hydrengeas were the center focus of the two day, three event affair. Before I could casually mention how I love soft pinks with my navy color choice (and brag to yet another vendor that there will be a cotton candy machine at the reception), soft tones of true pinks were being interwoven into bridesmaid bouquets and family dinner centerpieces. “You love to vary the height of center arrangements? How did you know I love to vary the height of center arrangements?!” I had to continuously remind myself throughout the meeting that I was here because I was with my perfect partner, because the more and more Juan spoke I was sure he was the man of my dreams. 

So was this a coincidence that I’d found a Dallas floral designer with my exact taste? It didn’t seem to be the case when I browsed Apples to Zinnias’ extensive wedding portfolio. Each bouquet and pew marker was so different, as unique as the bride who had ordered them for her ceremony and reception. This wasn’t about me having the same taste as a flower shop, this was about a florist knowing people, being able to read clients and creating the perfect wedding they might not even know they wanted. Just as the ghost whisperer is the voice of the dead, Apples to Zinnia’s wedding whisperer is the voice of our innermost “I do” desires. Perfect for the bride like me who has a vision and an eye for detail but is new to the science and art of floral design. 

Not only does Apples to Zinnias cater to the brides who flock to their Preston Center storefront, but the work they do for local non-profits is just as tailored and phenomenal. I was referred to Apples to Zinnias by a friend who saw their pieces at a dinner for Dallas’ Wilkinson Center and was wowed by the exquisite detail of the work. When I visited the shop on a Wednesday afternoon, the team was busy designing cookie-box themed centerpieces for the Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas and a Spiderman made completely out of flowers for the Medical Center of McKinney. Finding a florist that will hand off a few stems to charity now and then is one thing, but knowing a floral designer that treats their in-kind donations with the utmost attention says something more about Apples to Zinnias, and makes me want a floral Spiderman at my wedding. Kind of…