What Really Counts At My Little Flower Shop? Giving Back.

What a week! As many of you know, El Jefe, the Big Man On Campus, our Fearless Leader, AKA Gregory Goodman, turned 50 on Wednesday.  There was quite a celebration.  Alan, Head Designer, and all around terrific husband, made sure Greg’s party at The Fix on El Paseo was classy, fun and beautifully decorated.  Friends came to celebrate from near and far, and the cake was phenomenal, as one might have known since The Fix is attached to The Pastry Swan’s retail location. Oooh, I can still taste that cake.

Al raises a glass to his gorgeous 50th birthday arrangement at Fix

But as Greg told me later, something else also meant a lot to him that day.  He helped a friend decorate a table** at her daughter’s high school graduation. He said “It wasn’t a big deal – some mirrors, and a couple things styled in a fun way” but he went on to explain he felt it had been for a girl who really achieved something.  “She and her family worked hard for that diploma. And her family was so proud – and I was too, and I got to help that happen with what I love to do.”  So for Gregory, an important gift he got on Wednesday was, in fact, one he gave away: help, support and encouragement to someone else.

It got me thinking – Greg gives a lot, to a lot of people. And that’s the secret to his happiness and positive attitude. He gave me and Stephen 150% of his time, energy and love when we got married in 2010. And he gives that kind of focus to all his brides; I’ve seen the tough businessman cry at many a wedding he attends. He’s given second chances. I’ve known him to hire people that many businesses wouldn’t, and to get great work (and great loyalty) out of them. He gives so much to the Wedding Warriors – and to making sure his friends and associates get business from his clients. The guests at his party certainly reflected that. He always shares his success.

So that’s what I’m thinking about today. Gregory’s birthday gift of giving. And it reminds me that there is always a gift to be given that is from the heart. And sometimes it’s just showing up, and doing what you love.

Be well, and love well.

-Dinah

* We would have liked to include a photo of the table. Unfortunately we used a linen from TE Couture Linen that we had in the shop as a sample, and they were upset. We would like to use this space to publicly apologize, we are sorry they were unhappy that we did not make advance arrangements for a contract to donate use of the tablecloth sample. We regret that they have chosen to no longer do business with My Little Flower Shop, and hope to remedy that situation.

 

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Trust Yourself To Pick A Florist You Trust

I completely trust the guy who cuts my hair (Paul Norton at Warren Tricomi salon in West Hollywood – he’s AMAZING). I basically tell him, “make me gorgeous,” and he does his thing. And I end up – guess what – gorgeous!  Every bride should feel the same about her vendors – especially her floral designer.  While you may want to offer more guidance, if they are the right florist, you should trust them enough to say, “here’s my basic vision, the colors I like, now make it gorgeous.”

When My Little Flower Shop did our wedding, Stephen and I knew it would be beautiful.  We knew the overall feel we wanted, and the colors.  And then we told Greg and Al to make it gorgeous. There were no details discussed, but I knew from centerpieces to bouquets it would be perfect ( and it was. Check out our Pinterest board).

The huppah covered in roses, hydrangea, succulents, lisianthus, mums, and beautiful greenery

When Greg called me that morning to ask if it would be OK if he left the tulle off the top of our chuppah (Jewish wedding canopy/structure) because it looked great without it, I laughed.  “Of course – you didn’t even need to call.”

Are you feeling like the lead designer on your own wedding? Making too many decisions, and giving too much direction? Maybe you need to go in a new direction, and to a different florist. Trust yourself!

Be well, and love well.

-Dinah

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Are Your Wedding Vendors Hands On?

Being as close as we are to one of the biggest fresh flower markets in the world, it would be a crime to not get into Los Angeles from time to time and get hands on while picking our stock of flowers.  Sure, there are wholesalers that ship gorgeous blooms straight to My Little Flower Shop for our wonderful parties and weddings, but there’s no substitute for getting in there and looking at the riot of color on offer in the Los Angeles Flower District.  So Greg and Al make their way there at least once a week to stay in touch with what’s in season, the latest trends, and the best suppliers.

Greg at the LA Flower mart with a cartload of beautiful arrangements-to-be

When choosing wedding vendors, don’t forget to ask how each one keeps up with industry trends, and makes sure they are in touch with what inspires them.  When it comes to your wedding, you want all the hands you can get – and you want people who are willing to get in there and get ’em dirty. If your designer is doing a lot of gesturing and pointing, but hasn’t laid a hand on anything organic, time to say “hands off my wedding!”

be well, and love well!

-Dinah

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