DIY Weddings at Sparks Florist®

Prom, JA, & Homecoming Flower Ideas

Sparks Florist Customer Testimonials

Want to Join The Sparks Florist Team?

Sparks Florist, Inc., Northern Nevada's largest retail florist is seeking an experienced, highly motivated and upbeat floral designer/sales associate who'd like to join our team. The position will consist of working in our Floral Design Center doing all facets of floral design as well as working in our retail stores, designing arrangements and assisting customers with their purchases. The ideal candidate will possess previous floral experience. This can be either a full or part time position and Saturday work is required. To be considered for this position, please email a resume and cover letter to suzanne@sparksflorist.com.

Weddings By Sparks Florist®

Orchid Care

Orchids make great gifts for any occasion, whether it be for a birthday, anniversary, to say "thank you", or even to show your condolence for sympathy. There are two popular varieties of orchids for displaying your emotion – a Dendrobium orchid and Phalaenopsis orchid. These two are commonly sold throughout the U.S. due to their wide availability and popular demand.  Whether you are given an orchid, or dabbling in thought of growing your own orchids and becoming an orchid enthusiast, there are three main components to caring for your orchids (excluding air flow around the roots due to the humidity of the orchid’s climate).

Proper watering is key to maintaining a healthy, lively plant. Since Nevada is a very dry state (average of 7” of rainfall a year…), your watering schedule will be a little more frequent. This is usually once a month at minimum, but this completely depends on the moisture level of the soil. Orchids are customarily planted in a very porous soil with bark and moss. This allows for water to not sit in the plant due to the fast drainage. Over-saturation causes loss of roots which results in the plant not being able to absorb the proper amount of nutrients.  You want the orchid to completely dry out between watering. To tell when the plant needs water, insert your finger into the potting medium to feel if it is dry. You do want to water the orchid plentifully, but definitely prevent it from sitting in water.

Fertilization is another component to sustaining healthy orchid plants. You can find fertilizers that are specifically made for orchids that contain the right amount of constituents to help it thrive. Fertilization is key to help the plant stay healthy and produce fit and more frequent blooms.

Lastly, the amount of light that is provided to the orchid determines the frequency in which it will bloom – the more the light, the more frequently it will bloom and vice versa. Light also helps regulate the strength and abundance of the orchid blooms. With this being said, direct sunlight can “burn” the plant, so be sure to place the orchid in a highly lighted area out of direct, full sun.

Sparks Florist (and others in our similar climate) use many other types of cut orchid stems in arrangements, including, Oncidiums, Cymbidiums, Vanda, and the monster Cattleya orchid.  Discover the wide varieties of orchids here: http://www.orchid-care-tips.com/types-of-orchids.html  Orchids are often used in a variety of tropical style arrangements as well as Ikebana high style arrangements. See how Sparks Florist uses orchids HERE. 

Sparks Florist's DIY Wedding Marketplace

In some situations, designing the flowers for your own wedding can not only be fun, but can save you money as well. Welcome to Sparks Florist Marketplace. You can order your flowers by the bunch (or by the stem) at wholesale-to-the-public prices. Bring your wedding party to our 10,000 square foot Floral Design Center, with some finger food and champagne of course, and make it a true party! You can use as much, or as little help from our wedding designers as you want. Typically, the bridal party will design table centerpieces, altar arrangements, shepherd hook arrangements, and various other flower arrangements, and our wedding designers will make the wedding parties' bouquets, boutonnieres, and larger pieces such as the arch piece.  It all depends on how ambitious you are! We provide cooler space as well as delivery and setup. Be sure to visit the link at the bottom to see the Walters' wedding flowers - a recent DIY party masterpiece!

On a related note, the Walters had Laura Reaney photograph their wedding in Vinton, CA. Sparks Florist is happy to be working with Reaney Photography, an expert in the picture taking world! Laura is not only a great wedding photographer, she also specializes in engagement, family, graduations, maternity and newborn, and proposals. She offers her services at a one time fee, rather than an hourly rate, which is usually a great option for the soon-to-be newlyweds. Check out her website here and her zenfolio site here. Brides - prepare to fall in love!

Here is a little sneak peak of some of her work from Morgan and Jenny's #barn #open #field #rustic #shabbychic #awesome #wedding (too much on the #hashtag??? Sorry, #stilllearning).

Check out the Walters' wedding flowers and get some great ideas for your upcoming wedding!

Wedding Proposal Ideas

Alright guys, have you ever thought of making Valentine's Day the day to propose to your soon to be fiancé?  With the right amount of planning and creativity, you definitely can make your proposal truly unique.  Below are a few ideas that have worked well for now happily married men.

Love of My Life

One nifty idea that an old friend pulled off was taking his girlfriend to a fancy dinner and then had multiple friends bring out one rose at a time. After a number of roses were delivered by their friends, out came a four dozen, over the top, rose arrangement! He then proposed and now they are happily married with two kids.

We had a guy come in asking for an eleven rose arrangement and to add a fake rose to make it one dozen roses. The twelfth "rose" was a ring holder. He had the arrangement delivered and the card said "I will love you until the last rose dies".  He then later proposed to her when she realized that the last rose was a fake and contained a ring.  Very suave.

Let us know if you have any neat ideas for ways of proposing so we can share them with everybody!

Tips for Men

Guys: have you ever been in the dog house and had trouble thinking of a way to get out?  Here is my theory: always apologize FIRST (even if you were definitely right...) and then get the conversation moving and let the "healing" begin.  Apology gifts are usually good tool to consider.

We had a hilarious situation happen a few years ago that we always remember and reminisce about.  A guy was attempting to solve his challenge of getting out of the dog house by sending his girlfriend a beautiful and huge arrangement as a make-up apology.  When our delivery driver was walking up to his apartment, he heard "funny" sounds coming from the open door.  He then knocked on the open door knowing this was going to be super awkward. The dude peeked his head over the couch without clothes on and yelled, "Just a moment!" and slammed the door shut.  About a minute later he opened the door while zipping up his pants, and said, "I don't need this anymore, but good timing. She'll love these..." Apparently he did something right.

Flowers are always a way great for apologizing, because what lady doesn't like them?  You can be sure to look like the good guy and get the communication ball rolling.  Keep in mind that flowers also act as a supplementary tool to entice your lady to allow you to get something. Whether it is a new tool, firearm, big screen TV, or something else... just saying.  Keep that in the back of your mind. It is that time of the year you know.    

Ladies - Your Eyes Only! Valentine's Day Suggestions

Ladies: contrary to our previous post about the Man's Duty on Valentine's Day, it is your duty to expect and frolic in the lavishing your man will provide. Drop subtle (or sometimes more obvious) hints about what you want. For example, what your favorite place is for a nice dinner, what your favorite flowers are, or what your favorite scent is. This is an adverse view to what most would think, though being a man, I probably have the same mentality and way of thinking as most men, and need to be told what you want.  Of course we can be spontaneous and creative at times, but with a little nudging, you can get what you want and you both can have a great Valentine's Day.

Over the years I have read endless stories and blogs about how men have to do this or that and be sure to surprise his lady by doing something unexpected.  Let's be serious though, we all know how this game is played and we shouldn't fool ourselves.  For the perfect Valentine's Day, make your man think the ball is in his court and simply call the shots from the sideline - then everybody wins.

On a different note, have you thought about giving female co-workers, your mom, your friends, or even your children Valentine gifts?  Flowers, candy, gift cards, or a simple "Happy Valentine's Day" with a smile and wave is an easy way to make people beam.  Have you thought of giving your man a gift? What about a beer gift basket, or tickets to the game, or even flowers with a bottle of wine in the arrangement?  These will definitely build up the brownie points...not like you needed any!

More Valentine's Day suggestions, ideas, and thoughts to follow.

Men - Your Eyes Only! Valentine's Day Suggestions

Men: with Valentine's Day right around the corner, you should be thinking about how to surprise, charm, praise, and thank your lovely lady for doing all the great things she does for you. Be prepared. One great way to start is to send her a gift early in the week at her place of business so she can enjoy (and flaunt) your thoughtfulness with her co-workers.  If you are the one who sends her a gift early in the week, all of her co-workers will be gossiping how special she is and how awesome you are.  This is a time-tested technique for you to win big points...

There are plenty of gift ideas here for you to check out. Remember to not let others out do you, because that would be very embarrassing for your gal, especially at work.  Nothing will make you stand out more if her friends and co-workers are in envy of your kindness.  Even if you are not fond of Valentine's Day, it is our job as men to make our women feel really special.

An idea to make her feel special is to do something you don't usually do, such as getting a hot bath ready with rose petals floating on top and scented candles placed around the bath tub. One guy sent one rose on 2/10, then two roses on 2/11, three roses on 2/12 and so on, because they were celebrating their fifth Valentine's Day together. He definitely built up his brownie point coffer!

More ideas for the perfect Valentine's Day to follow!  

Any Brides-to-Be?

This coming Sunday, October 13th, there will be a Wedding Faire at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center. This is a fun event where you can find everything you need for your upcoming wedding.  Sparks Florist will be showing unique bouquets that will surely inspire your creativity! Ceremony arrangements, reception flowers, cake decorations, bouts, and corsages will be on display for you to look at and get the ideas flowing. We invite you to come, ask questions, and let our flowers and displays stir up your creativity!  Feel free to call us for more information: 775-358-8500.

Hurry and Vote!! One and a Half Days Left for the School Appreciation Week Contest!

The School Appreciation Week Contest is almost over, so hurry and vote!

Sparks Florist is celebrating School Appreciation Week! Is your teacher the best? How about your Principal? Do you just love your school nurse? Music director or other staff? If so, then nominate your school as the best in the "I Love My School" contest sponsored by Sparks Florist. All faculty and staff from the top 3 winning schools will each have a unique and long lasting Everbloom Exotic Design delivered to them at your school! Vote online HERE from September 13 through September 26th

We are closing the contest at noon on September 26th, so get your vote in HERE!

School Appreciation Week

Sparks Florist is celebrating School Appreciation Week! Is your teacher the best? How about your Principal? Do you just love your school nurse? Music director or other staff? If so, then nominate your school as the best in the "I Love My School" contest sponsored by Sparks Florist. All faculty and staff from the top 3 winning schools will each have a unique and long lasting Everbloom Exotic Design delivered to them at your school! Vote online HERE from September 13 through September 26th.

Plants - Cancer?

Have you ever wondered what causes those large growths bulging from trees?  Well, probably not, but us here in the flower and plant world do think of these fun and exciting topics (no exaggeration...). Thankfully, there is an answer to this question!  The inquisitive and deep thinker C. Clairborne Ray, a columnist for The New York Times, happens to ponder like the rest of us floral minds, and decided to look into this conundrum.   It turns out that these "tumors", or growths, don't metastasize because the plant cells have cell walls preventing them from moving around.  Hugely multiplied collection of cells, or plant tumors, is usually caused by a virus, fungus, bacterium, or structural damage according to Dr. Susan Pell, director of science at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. To read the article and settle your straining mind that is yearning to figure out what those bulging growths on plants and trees are, read more here: Tree Bulges. 

June is for Brides!!

 

Sparks Florist offers an amazing special for the month of June!

Any bride-to-be who makes an appointment for a wedding consultation with our designer or sales associate during the month of June (wedding date can be any time), and enters into a wedding contract with Sparks Florist, will receive 20% off her flower order. This 20% discount applies only for her floral arrangements made by our designer, but not for delivery, set-up, or labor charges, nor for flowers purchased for DIY (design-it-yourself) wedding parties or loose flower purchases. For example, if a bride-to-be decides to make her own reception centerpieces, but asks our designer to make the bridal bouquet (or other arrangements), this discount applies for the bridal bouquet and all other arrangements made by our designer. How nice is that!

Click here to set up your free one-hour wedding consultation for the month of June. (Act fast, because time slots are filling up!)

An Open Letter to Sparks Florist Customers About Deceptive Practices

April 12, 2013

Dear Sparks Florist Customer,

Sparks Florist has been working with Nevada State Senator Debbie Smith of Sparks to enact a law requiring that non-local floral businesses clearly state the address of their business in their internet ads and phone directories.
 

In the flower business, there are companies known as deceptive order gatherers who are located out of state, but advertise as if local.  Often, their trick is to make it seem as if they actually are a given real local florist.  This has happened to a surprisingly large number of Sparks Florist customers when they landed on a deceptive advertiser’s website, thinking that they were on our website at www.sparksflorist.com

Here are two internet ads that I copied directly from a Google search on “sparks florist” that serve as concrete examples:

	$19.99 Sparks Florist www.goflorist.com/SparksFlorist Guaranteed Sameday Delivery Here in Sparks Florist. From $19.99!		Sparks Florist - Same Day Delivery in Reno. www.reno-florists.com/ Order Online & Save $10 Today! View this ad's deal - valid as of Jan 31, 2013

 

Although Sparks Florist had neither knowledge of, nor anything at all to do with these transactions, some of our customers thought poorly of us because they were very disappointed with the results. Once they informed us of their experience, and we discovered the cause, we were able to explain it, but the disappointment remained. 

If this happened to you, and you are willing to provide written testimony that we can use to support S.B. 404, please email me all of the details at mike@sparksflorist.com 

In return, I’ll send you a free voucher for one of our fun DIY Design Classes to compensate you for your trouble. 

S.B. 404 soon will be presented to the State Senate and you can help us by contacting Nevada State Senators.  You can read the bill at:  Senate Bill 404.  A list of Nevada State Senators can be found at: Nevada State Senators.

Please remember to enter www.sparksflorist.com in your browser to get to our website.  You know us and trust us because we have been your “Your Personal Florist” for over 53 years.  We sincerely appreciate your business, and thank you for your kind consideration and the help you might provide in this matter.

Sincerely,

 

Mike Fiannaca

President

Sparks Florist Inc.

Valentine's Day is Right Around the Corner!

Interesting fact:
In 2002 scientists in north-east China discovered a fossilised flower that bloosomed about 125 million years ago. Called "the mother of all flowers", Archaefructus sinensis resembles the modern water lily.

With Valentine's Week right around the corner, guys don't forget to pamper the special gals in your life -this includes wives, girlfriends, daughters, mothers, and grandmothers! Check out all of our specials Here to make sure you are covered and earn extra bonus points! Four of our specials include two truffles from Sweets Handmade Candies and one includes a heart sucker from Tahoe Toffee!

As a bonus, every Valentine's order delivered between February 11th-13th will include a 2-1 coupon for John Ascuaga's Nugget! PLUS...The first 20 customers who purchase our Timeless Jewel Arrangement will receive a certificate (valued at $500) good for:

• a One-Hour beauty/glamour/boudoir photography session at Huong Forrest Photography
• Professional hair and makeup for the photography session
• a $200 photo print credit!

"Wake Up with Artown": The Sparks Florist Murals

Artist Mark Switlik is almost done with the Sparks Florist Murals!

July is Approaching Fast!

6 more days to make an appointment for a wedding consultation!

 
Any bride-to-be who makes an appointment for a wedding consultation with our designer or sales associate during the month of June (wedding date can be any time), and enters into a wedding contract with Sparks Florist, will receive 20% off her flower order. This 20% discount applies only for her floral arrangements made by our designer, but not for delivery, set-up, or labor charges, nor for flowers purchased for DIY (design-it-yourself) wedding parties or loose flower purchases. For example, if a bride-to-be decides to make her own reception centerpieces, but asks our designer to make the bridal bouquet (or other arrangements), this discount applies for the bridal bouquet and all other arrangements made by our designer. How nice is that!

Click here to set up your free one-hour wedding consultation for the month of June. (Act fast, because time slots are filling up!)



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