We asked Craig Core of Suburban Wholesale Florist in Chatham, who married teacher Shannon Russo on July 4, 2008. Here’s what a florist creates for his own wedding:
Craig Core admits that armloads of roses are handy in the dating game. “Whenever I sent extravagant bouquets to Shannon’s school, the other teachers ‘oohed’ and ‘aahed,’” Core laughs. Suburban Wholesale Florist (973-701-0777) is a third-generation business that sells solely to florists. Craig and Shannon Core enlisted three of them, all personal friends, to create a garden wedding.
“I DO” IN PINKS & WHITES Joe Longo and Robert Bove of Seasons Floral in Summit (908-277-0051; seasonsfloral.com) decorated St. Teresa of Avila Church, also in Summit, by hanging giant floral wreaths on the columns and luscious bouquets on the pews. “The bride was a pink girl,” Bove says, “so we agreed to use white hydrangeas and roses in whites and creams and light to hot pinks. What we created with these ingredients was up to each florist.”
Jack Rekemeier of Rekemeier’s Flower Shops in Summit and Cranford (908-277-6333 and 908-276-4700; rekemeiers.com), a four-generation business itself, created the personals. He wrapped up rose, calla-lily, and orchid bouquets with pink satin ribbons for the bride and bridesmaids. “We made an extra, in case the bride’s bouquet wilted,” Rekemeier says.
COOL COCKTAILS David Mitchell of Still Life Event Design in Morristown (973-889-3615; stilllifeeventdesign.com) created large-scale plantings to greet guests at the Meadow Wood Manor in Randolph. A 100-foot-long garland festooned the entry, and eighteen-foot-high mahogany urns filled with palms and orchids towered inside the lobby.
“Craig and Shannon envisioned a cool cocktail hour in the midst of their hot-pink event, so we went all-white,” says Mitchell. He planted urns with viburnum branches and white roses. For centerpieces, he filled bamboo stem vessels with white orchids and roses.
AN OVER-THE-TOP RECEPTION Family friend Jack Rekemeier handled the banquet flowers. “Craig and Shannon liked these beach ball-shaped centerpieces from a Beverly Hills wedding,” says Rekemeier. “That presented an engineering challenge: How to elevate and support a globe of 750 flowers weighing 50 pounds.”
He found a way, with each floral ball resting on a glass cylinder and lit from within. “The guests expected the flowers to be over the top, but they were still wowed,” says Rekemeier. “Wedding flowers average $5,000 to $7,000. At a $100,000 value, this was 20 times the impact.”
“Weddings where the sky’s the limit are far and few between,” says Bove. “It gives us the freedom to use the most expensive flowers—plenty of them—and go all out.”
And Rekemeier is already looking ahead. “Next summer, there may be another extravaganza,” he says. “Craig’s twin brother, Chris, is getting married.”
Find the perfect seasonal flowers
for your fall, winter, spring, or summer
wedding at newjerseybride.com.
Floral designers
Betina’s Garden
668 White Horse Pike, Absecon
609-646-4119
betinasgarden.com
Many options are available from elegant bouquets to contemporary centerpieces to stylishly decorated huppahs. See the virtual gallery on their website.
Black Eyed Susies
600 Kinderkamack Road, River Edge
201-225-0772
blackeyedsusies.com
Owner Susan Scimeca has more than 20 years of experience as a wedding florist in the New Jersey/New York area. She focuses on providing personalized service to each bride, and books only one wedding a day.
Cape Winds Florist
160 Stevens Street, Cape May
609-884-1865 or 877-526-3591
capemayflowers.com
Cape Winds works closely with many local hotels and B&Bs and can provide you with a range of floral items from a classic bridal bouquet to a lavishly decorated arbor.
Coventry Crossing Florist
261 96th Street, Stone Harbor
609-368-4949
coventrycrossing.com
This family-owned floral shop can provide flowers for your wedding from Atlantic City to Cape May, and can recommend locations for your reception.
Crest Florist
424 Pleasant Valley Way, West Orange
23-24 Merry Lane, East Hanover
973-731-0930 or 800-541-3308
crestflorist.com
Crest Florist specializes in sophisticated, elegant wedding flowers and designs, with themes such as French romantic, English country garden, and wildflowers. Crest Florist serves facilities in New Jersey and New York City. Its arrangements are tailored to parties for all occasions.
Everlasting Florals by Anna
Totowa
973-919-9773
everlastingfloral@verizon.net
With more than 20 years of floral design experience, which includes the first Live with Regis and Kathy Lee Valentine’s Day wedding, Anna Parisi believes in the benefits of silk-flower arrangements. She uses top quality flowers that look fresh. Choose the flowers that you love without considering seasonal availability, allergies, or weather conditions. By appointment only.
The Floral Design Group
Andover
908-979-9186
Barbara Woodruff and her staff use fresh, silk, and dried flowers to create distinctive bouquets and arrangements for weddings and parties. They will travel to you by appointment.
Flowers by Nine
54 Morris Avenue, Branchville
973-786-6172
From the smallest bouquet to the grandest arch, Flowers by Nine will add the final touch of beauty to your unforgettable day. They are a complete wedding florist, specializing in wedding flowers for outdoor and special venue weddings with huppahs, arches, and arbors. Owner Glenine Ryan also has extensive experience designing floral arrangements for corporate events.
Haddonfield Floral Company
31 Kings Highway East, Haddonfield
856-429-0428
haddonfieldfloral.com
Free consultations are available for brides at this full-service florist. They have a portfolio of past work available for you to look through but will work with you on an individual basis to customize your wedding flowers.
Hearts and Flowers
Marlton
856-985-2552
Jeanine Conti specializes only in flowers for your wedding. Once a wedding is booked, she will create fresh samples so the bride will be completely satisfied on her wedding day. Free consultations by appointment only.
It’s Our Secret
973-697-8892
Personal ambiance planner Virginia Bua will decorate your bridal suite with a rose petal walkway to the bedroom, and turned-down bed with handpicked rose petals, one long stem rose, and votive candles. Chocolate-covered strawberries on a silver platter add the finishing touch. Two packages, $225 to $250, are available, with the second including massage oil, bottle of bubble bath, and rose-petal bath sachet.
Keepsake Floral
800-616-5337
keepsakefloral.com
Don’t toss your bridal bouquet...treasure it. Keepsake Floral, the nation’s premier floral preservation experts since 1994, can preserve your actual wedding flowers, creating a custom work of art you will treasure.
Kenmac Flowers
700 Haddon Avenue, Collingswood
856-854-6150 or 800-253-5224
kenmacflowers.net
The staff of expert floral specialists at Kenmac Flowers will help you make your wedding day unforgettable.
Leigh Florist
400 Amherst Road, Audubon
856-547-1090
leighflorist.com
Leigh Florist has served South Jersey since 1918 and continues to flourish as a full-service purveyor. Allow them to be your source of inspiration with their extraordinary styling. Let their creativity and attention to every detail exceed your expectations for a most beautiful event.
The Lily Pond
1906 Bartle Avenue, Scotch Plains
908-233-1230
lilyponddesigns.com
The Lily Pond floral-design studio specializes in exquisite and unique floral design for special events such as weddings, anniversaries, or any other social occasion where exceptional style is desired.
Linda’s Florist
36 Farley Place, Short Hills
973-379-2188 or 877-806-9088
lindasflorist.com
For more than 30 years, Linda’s Florist has specialized in premium fresh flowers, both grown locally and imported from around the world. Their distinctive designs are custom-created to complement your day.
Louis Roros Event Design
Sayreville
877-219-8705
Louis Roros has been designing floral events for the past 25 years and has earned a sterling reputation. Roros has provided signature designs for some of the most exclusive catering facilities, along with elite tent and home weddings in the tristate area. He can orchestrate every aspect of event design from floral arrangements to reception format.
Marie’s Flower Shoppe
216-18 New Jersey Avenue
North Wildwood
609-729-0199
mariesflower.com
Serving Cape May County and the Wildwoods for more than 20 years, Marie’s offers free consultations for wedding flowers, as well as an extensive online gallery to peruse. By appointment only.
Marquis Florals by Kim & Joann
286 Rt. 34, Matawan
732-441-4800
marquisflorals.com
This sister team has been custom-designing wedding and party flowers for more than 23 years and can create a wide variety of designs, from innovative to traditional. They select, deliver, and set up the flowers, remaining at the site until the ceremony is over, and they design everything from centerpieces to huppahs. Call for appointment.
MDS Floral Designs
Manahawkin
609-607-0467
mdsfloraldesigns.com
As a former head designer of New York City’s Ed Libby and Co., Michelle Santanello is bringing New York City style to the Jersey Shore. An exclusive event designer, she offers personal attention and is one of the recommended florists at Bonnet Island Estate. By appointment only.
Michael Bruce Florist
821 Haddon Avenue
Collingswood
856-854-6322
michaelbruceflorist.com
Michael Bruce Florist invites you to call ahead to discuss your wishes, then get ready to be amazed by their unique designs and unusual flora. By appointment only.
Rekemeier’s Flower Shops
13 Ashwood Avenue, Summit
908-277-6333
116 North Avenue West, Cranford
908-276-4700
rekemeiers.com
Specializing in wedding flowers for four generations, Rekemeier’s delivers unique bridal bouquets and arrangements composed of fresh flowers imported from all over the world. Serving the tri-state area.
The Romantic Garden
54 Bank Street
Morristown
973-898-7200
romanticgarden.com
The Romantic Garden creates couture floral, wedding, and event styling that are earthy, original, and provocative. Sue Nairn Smith has more than 10 years of experience, and provides personalized service for large-scale or intimate events.
Rose Petals and Lace
East Brunswick
732-613-0053
rosepetalsandlace.com
Whether your setting is a grand new palace in central Jersey, a romantic beachfront ceremony down the Shore, or a classic venue in the North, Rose Petals and Lace will dazzle you with unique designs and exquisite flowers. They invite you to a relaxed consultation where gorgeous bouquets, award-winning designs, upscale style, and complete décor for your wedding await you. They are a complete floral and décor design company focusing on weddings and special events. Their designs are created for you based on the style, colors, theme, and ambiance you would like to achieve. Known for their personal service and attention to detail, they are located in Central New Jersey and will travel throughout the state and tri-state area.
South Jersey Florist
45 South New York Road
Smithville
609-404-1110 or 866-739-9800
southjerseyflorist.com
South Jersey Florist offers creative and innovative floral creations from contemporary and modern to high-style and elegant, and can provide related items such as vases, candelabras, and customized lighting. There is an onsite wedding consultant available.
Stargazers Florist
Denville
973-476-6799
stargazersflorist.net
Stargazers Florist is a highly personalized florist dedicated to making your wedding flowers as beautiful and memorable as the day itself. They are known for their high-quality, long-lasting, and creative designs, as well as their unique in-home consultations. Stargazers caters to only one event at a time, giving you their undivided attention from your initial consultation right through to decorating your special day.
Tiger Lily
Gladstone
908-234-0840
tigerlilyfreezedried.com
Beverly Tiger has been a floral freeze-dry preservation specialist since 1989. Tiger Lily takes pride in freeze-drying your wedding bouquet and any of your special flowers. They offer an extensive selection of frames and display containers to complement your keepsake. Tiger Lily is the New Jersey sales representative for the gown-preservation company Forever Treasured.
Victor’s Flowers and Gifts
16 East Blackwell Street
Dover
973-366-1068 or 800-237-7382
victorsflowers.com
Owner Susan Konight and wedding designer Meredith Konight-Hoff will work with you to create elegant floral designs for your special day. Special attention is given to every detail from your bridal bouquet to personal, reception, and ceremony flowers. Their designs are as unique as you are, from the classic traditional to the sophisticated contemporary. They will help you find your style and make your dream wedding a reality, whatever your needs or budget. Call for a consultation.
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