Guest Post – Arrie Broussard From Petal Press Decor.

Petal Press Decor is unique home decor using fresh OR dried flowers from special occasions and more; pressed and designed into the perfect piece for you! All Petal Press Decor pieces are created by hand in Lafayette, Louisiana by designer & founder Arrie Broussard. How did it all start, you ask? It started when I decided to quit my profession to pursue my passion. While trying to make my way through the world of teaching, I quickly realized that I wasn’t able to use my creativity as I hoped I would. As that part of my life came to a close, my brain was constantly thinking of ways to still positively impact people while using my creative juices!

After taking bridal pictures with a gorgeous bouquet of flowers, I was constantly thinking about what I could possibly do to preserve them forever. I couldn’t bear the thought of throwing them away; and while hanging them upside down on a wall is beautiful, I felt the need to take it a few steps further!

One day while in conversation with my dad, I suddenly remembered pressing flowers as a child with my mom. Living in the country, there wasn’t much else going on. I decided to take the concept of flower-pressing and add my own twist… and then, Petal Press was born! I created my very first Petal Press using the flowers and greenery from the bouquet used in my Bridal pictures.

This entire concept has been made possible with the love and support of family and friends; as well as a tremendous amount of help from my dad and the amazing shop that he has in his backyard. He always makes sure that I am fully stocked with cut & sanded wood for each Petal Press that I create.

Each new piece is created thoughtfully and crafted by hand, and I pride myself on each design being as unique as my customers! Whether flowers are fresh or years old, I will create a beautiful keepsake for you to cherish. Petal Press also offers customers to simply choose a color scheme for their piece; in times when all you want is unique home decor (without providing the flowers).

I am so grateful for the journey that God has graciously chosen for me, and I look forward to continuing it with all of you! For more information on how this process works, please visit my website petalpressdecor.com.

-Arrie Broussard | Owner & Designer

Stop the panic attack from online wholesale flowers not showing up on time! Twice this week I have received frantic phone calls from customers in utter panic with the same exact issue – “My wholesale/bulk flowers I ordered online didn’t get here for my event, can you please help me find flowers?”  This can be very stressful when you are handling the floral needs yourself for an event or wedding. Flowers need more care than one would imagine, and that includes the ordering and shipping of the flowers. Spedale’s Florist and Wholesale offers Farm Direct Wholesale Flowers each and every day.  Ordering locally from Spedale’s in Lafayette you can be assured that your flowers are not just another bulk order from an online retailer. All we do, each and everyday, is FLOWERS.  Retail or Wholesale, we can handle your floral needs.  We will monitor your order to assure that your wholesale and bulk orders will be in town and on time when you need it.  We have multiple backup farms ready to ship at all times. Most events are planned in advance and it is always advisable to place your wholesale and bulk order at least three to four weeks in advance.  However, we also have the ability to Fedex overnight flowers from all over the world for next day pickup (if ordered by noon) to Lafayette or anywhere in the United States.  Ordering fresh flowers from Spedale’s assures you of very competitive pricing and the highest quality premium flowers. So next time you are in the market to purchase large quantities of fresh flowers, roses, greens, or green plants, please consider allowing Spedale’s to quote a price for you. We pride ourselves on quality and service.  We will do whatever is necessary to help your event be a success.  You can access our website portal via https://spedaleswholesale.com. Feel free to send any inquiries to sales@spedales.com or call 337-233-4404. Due to the nature of these orders, we prefer to take your order via email or phone so we can discuss the details and make sure you get exactly what you need at the best possible price.  Every order is a special order and is treated as such. 

As always, all of us at Spedale’s in Lafayette Louisiana want you to have a wonderful experience working with flowers.  It is our life and we love it.  We are here for you in any way that we can be.  

 

 

 

 

Enjoy this short video produced by the flower growers of Columbia talking about “Bringing Flowers Into Your Life Everyday! This was shared to me by the President of Alexandra Farms. I thought you would enjoy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehVNoo23fA8&feature=youtu.be&t=1m3s

 

Spedale’s Florist Announces Two Hour Delivery

Lafayette, LA – August 25, 2018 –Today, Spedale’s Florist announce the roll out of Two (2) Hour Delivery Service of a selection of floral arrangements and plants for a defined area of Lafayette. 

“Two Hour Delivery of floral arrangements and plants is a service that the consumers of Lafayette deserve to have available to them.  I have traveled and researched the large metropolitan areas that are testing delivery of retail and grocery products.  I felt the time is right for Lafayette to have a Florist who is committed to invest in the future and offer these same services for the consumers of Lafayette,” said Thomas Spedale, President at Spedale’s Florist. 

Immediate Impact for the Customer 

“As everyone is aware, rush and expedited delivery of retail items is growing across the country.  Spedale’s Florist, a Lafayette Florist and Wholesale Florist, has recognized this trend and has invested in the technology and logistics to be proud to offer this service to our local customers.  Two (2) hour delivery of a selection of our product line, within a specific delivery area, makes available to the consumers of Lafayette the services usually only available to the major metropolitan areas. Spedale’s Florist is committed to stand among the leaders of the retail and ecommerce companies in the United States,” said Thomas Spedale, President at Spedale’s Florist. 

Service Availability  

In early September 2018. Spedale’s Florist will release a delivery zone map which will show the areas that this rush delivery service will be available.  Spedale’s has plans to expand this delivery area quickly as the need arises.  Additionally, Spedale’s is committed to put the infrastructure and logistics in place to make this a possibility to consumers in our total delivery area in the near future. Once live, the “Rush Delivery” option will be available at www.spedales.com.

Spedale’s Florist® is the registered trademark of Spedale’s Florist, Inc in the United States of America.

 

Congratulations! You are getting married!

You found the dress of your dreams, shopped with your Bridesmaids to choose the perfect dresses for your perfect day.
The venue you want is available, you have booked with them and that’s taken care of, your Church, photographer,
the cake, the food, Mom’s dress, most of everything is done, you’ve planned for the perfect Honeymoon. What’s left?
The Flowers!

Did you know that there is cultural evidence of the use of flowers in weddings dating back to the earliest of historical times?
Therefore, flowers have always been an integral part of the wedding rite of passage.  Imagine all the changes that have occurred
with the use of flowers for weddings over thousands of years.  My point being, there have been recent changes in your options to
purchase flowers for your wedding and reception.

Of course, you can come to Spedale’s Florist, or any other local flower shop and allow the professional floral designers to create
a unique one of a kind wedding just for you. Your dream wedding designed specifically to your dreams and choices. Additionally,
Spedale’s Florist also offers special wedding packages which offer a certain number of items priced as a package.  But once
again, although a package, it is created uniquely for you.

Why do I keep saying uniquely for you? As mentioned before, with all of the changes in wedding flowers since recorded time, you do
have other choices for wedding flowers from many fine companies which can be placed online. Some of these are priced extremely
competitive and you will be shipped directly to your door in boxes. You can purchase them or you can rent them. The choices are limitless.

Now I know you are wondering, why is Spedale’s Florist in Lafayette, Louisiana, telling me about all the different options for my wedding
flowers? I have mentioned all of these options to assist you in preparing for your special day. We would love to be your florist of
choice.  But we also want you to know that making your wedding dreams come true is even more important.  Even if we don’t sell you flowers
for your wedding, we want it to be the special day you have always wanted.  So when the time has come to select where you are going to
purchase your wedding flowers, make sure you are not settling for a “low price” or that “special deal” online.  Read the fine print and make sure
you understand what is included, fee’s that may be added, when and how you have to repackage and send back.  These different floral options
might be the perfect choice for you. I encourage you to do your homework and shop around about the details when you place your order online
for wedding flowers. There are many fine companies offering these services, please research them to know exactly what you are receiving.
The last thing you need on your special day is a surprise detail that you didn’t know about.

It is my feeling that if you are getting married in Lafayette or the surrounding areas, your Lafayette Louisiana Florist will be the best
equipped to get your flowers delivered on the day of your wedding.  You won’t have to watch for a tracking number to make sure the flowers
get to town in time. Most importantly, and this is the part as a professional florist i have to say, I want to create a unique look and feel
for your wedding. I want to meet with you.  Look at pictures with you, find out what your dream is, and then come up with designs that meet
your dreams and stay within your budget. A professional designer can create that custom look just for you.  And believe it or not, your
local florist can compete with the online pricing.  All you have to do is give us a chance. Further, just as with the online choices, shop
around and research all your potential vendors.

Spedale’s Florist Weddings are designed with the highest quality flowers available on today’s flower market. All of our flowers come directly
from the growers that we work with every week.  Make the worry free choice and purchase your wedding flowers from a professional florist.
You can count on us to pay attention to those little details that mean so very much on one of the most important days of your life.
And, most importantly, enjoy every minute of your special day!

What’s New At Spedale’s?

Exciting times are ahead for the customers and staff of Spedale’s Florist! I am so pleased to announce that Spedale’s Florist is in the beginning phase of completely evaluating and changing our company and the products and services that we offer.  As a leading florist in Lafayette Louisiana, Spedale’s is committed to offering the most current floral arrangements possible. During my recent Market Trip to purchase new products to offer to our customers, I was very successful in finding unique containers, glass vases, artificial natural botanicals, sympathy keepsakes, etc… to enhance our product mix.  Spedale’s Florist is committed to bringing the consumer of Lafayette and the surrounding areas (Breaux Bridge, Broussard, Carencro, Maurice, Milton, Scott, Youngsville) the highest quality flowers that we possibly can.  While I cannot reveal today everything that I and my staff are working on.  I can assure the Lafayette community that Spedale’s Florist will be a leader in the floral industry and our flower shop will continue to strive to be a leader in quality and service.  Spedale’s is well aware that the floral industry is changing and your options as flower consumers have grown.  These changes and options will only continue to increase as technology and some of major online companies add additional floral options and same day flower delivery to the Lafayette area.  Rest assured that Spedale’s is not waiting for these changes to occur in the flower industry.  We are taking the approach that Spedale’s will set the standard that all others will have to meet and try to exceed. That only excites the staff at Spedale’s Florist in Lafayette to be the best we can be on a daily basis.  Please stay tuned for additional announcements as we roll out the new products.  You can see the beginnings of our new floral options on our homepage at www.spedales.com.   Current, beautiful, unique floral designs, delivered the same day.  We are proudly working to stay your florist of choice.  Thank you all for the support of your local florist.

Why should you use a local florist? I can’t think of a better topic to discuss with all of the options available to you as a consumer. First and foremost, it makes me happy to see anyone purchase flowers, no matter from where, just the fact that the consumer decided to spend their hard earned money on flowers. I am a true believer that flowers are a special wonder of nature that should be enjoyed by everyone. The colors, the fragrance, the natural beauty cannot be denied.  So to all of the people reading this that like to purchase flowers, thank you.

Now we come to the question, where should you purchase your flowers. Should you order online, should you go into a local florist, should you use a national website or a local florist who has a website? The answer to this is that you have many options available to you on a daily basis, including the convenience of picking up flowers while doing your grocery shopping.  So who do you use? Personally, I would like to think that your local florist or flowershop would be your first choice for any floral needs that you may have. Your local florist is a professional in the industry and is an expert about the product that they sell. This is all we do, we sell flowers and floral arrangements for any event or occasion, big or small. We are experts at it.  When you place your order with a local florist you can be assured of same day delivery if ordered by noon.  Your local florist stays on top of all the current trends, styles, designs that the consumer is seeking.  Moreover, the design staff is always available to answer questions or make suggestions to guide you in your floral selection. The service offered by a locally owned company is second to none.

With all of that said, why specifically should you consider using Spedale’s Florist and Wholesale and www.spedales.com? Spedale’s Florist is a local florist located in Lafayette Louisiana.  We have been open since 1984 and are owned by the Spedale Family.  Of all the flower shops in Lafayette, we like to believe we are among the finest flower shops you will find anywhere in Lafayette, Louisiana, or for that matter the United States.  As one of the leading florists in Lafayette, we are also one of two florists wholesalers in the area. What does that mean to you the consumer? We have a very large selection of fresh flowers at all times for any event or occasion that you might need. Additional services we offer are balloons delivery for birthday, food basket gifts, fresh flowers delivered, wedding flower wholesale, floral wholesale, and so much more. It doesn’t matter the occasion, Spedale’s is florist in Lafayette you should contact first.

Tonight, Spedale’s Florist was honored to receive recognition from the Lafayette Police Department. During the Lafayette Consolidated Government Council Meeting, the Chief of Police presented to Tom Spedale and the Staff of Spedale’s Florist a beautiful engraved plaque recognizing the years of support given to the Officers of the Lafayette Police Department and all area Law Enforcement Personnel.  For the past 10 years Spedale’s Florist has been priviledged to provide flowers for the Annual Memorial Service honoring the officers of the Acadiana Area that have given the ultimate sacrifice for the citizens of our area.  Tom Spedale, owner of Spedale’s Florist, accepted the plaque and thanked everyone present for the humbling award.  Spedale’s is so proud to be part of supporting our community. However, the men and women of Law Enforcement are the ones that should receive the awards. They are always there for us in times of need.  We are very appreciative of their dedication and service.

Prom flowers wearable art, by Sandy Fletcher

Custom corsages and boutonnieres are all the rage with todays prom trends, no longer are they all the same. The possibilities are endless. Our floral industry realizes that todays prom customer wants an individualized custom look and the selection of bracelets, ribbon, jewels, feathers, and trim that is now available makes it all possible. As a designer, this has opened up a new world of possibilities. Custom corsages are the perfect finishing touch for prom, floral designers are your “go to” for these new trendy looks, a professional designer can guide you in your selection and make sure you get the look that you want. We can often recreate a customer’s selection from a picture provided, or an idea you may have. We no longer just make a corsage, we create wearable art! Get the look you want from your local professional flower expert.  Creating floral art is our life.  Don’t wait, call Spedale’s Florist today or come by our flower shop in person.

By Thomas Spedale, Louisiana Master Florist.

Have you ever found yourself in the situation that you needed or felt like you wanted to order flowers, but you were unsure of what to order? First and foremost, sending flowers is a way to express your thoughts and feelings to the recipient. The sentiment of sending flowers is universal and can relate to any event or occasion. Flowers can be sent to your spouse, loved one, professional acquaintance, employee, thank you, etc… Sending flowers allows you to show the recipient that you were thinking of them (female or male). Therefore, the decision comes down to what do you want to send.  Many floral consumers are very knowledgeable about flowers. They know exactly what they want – color, style, flowers to be used, and the price range of the arrangement. But some consumers need advice on what they should send. This is where your professional local florist is an invaluable asset. If, after searching the internet, you find yourself confused with all of the choices and prices, pick up the phone and call your local florist (I would like to think you would call Spedale’s Florist). Tell them the occasion and your budget.  Yes, I did bring up budget. Having a budget in mind is important so the florist can make suggestions to you within what you intend to spend. Beautiful floral arrangements can range from $12 to the sky is the limit. If you are unsure of what flowers cost, visiting a website like www.spedales.com can give you price ranges. You also have the choice of picking up the flowers yourself, or having them delivered locally, nationally and even worldwide. So with that said, what do you really need to know to order flowers? You need to know the recipient, their address, phone number, the occasion, your card message (the florist can help you write this if you ask), and budget.  Sending flowers should always make you feel good since you are sending your sentiments to another person. Every professional florist knows this and will do everything in their power to make the experience a good one. Of course, for some occasions like a wedding, party, family funeral pieces or a corporate event, a personal meeting with a floral consultant is advised.  I would suggest that you call ahead and make an appointment so the consultant will have a reserved time for you. As you can see, sending flowers doesn’t have to be a difficult process.  Visit your local florist’s website or call them, they will do the rest.