This question comes to mind now, because I’ve had a recent flurry of requests for consultations for weddings that are next year.  How do you know if you’re ready to meet with a florist?  Here’s one florist’s opinion…

I like to meet with clients once they have some of their planning underway.  Most importantly, you should have your wedding date selected.  You want to make certain that your florist has the date available to do your wedding flowers.  Otherwise, you’ll be wasting your time (and theirs!), if they’re already booked for the date you end up selecting.  And without the date selected, you can’t count on your first-choice venue being available, either.  Having the venue secured allows the florist to make design choices that work in harmony with the space.

Also, it is most helpful if you already have an idea of the overall look you’re going for with your wedding.  Knowing the look or feel you’re trying to achieve will direct the conversation.  For example, are you trying for a romantic and traditional look, or something more modern and quirky?  The florist will be interpreting these looks through their flower selection and design.

Are you going to have a color scheme?  This is often led by the choice of the bridesmaids’ dresses.  If you are going to have a color scheme, make sure you know it before meeting with the florist, since the flower choices will likely be dictated by the color scheme.

Also, make sure your florist is best suited to provide the products and services you’re looking for.  I try to find out right away if we’ll be able to provide what the client is looking for.  Understand what a potential florist does–and does not–do well.

We’re a small company, and don’t do big over-the-top weddings.  Sure, we can do a 30 centerpiece reception, but if you’re looking for a one-stop place to create your look and transform a room, I suggest you look to an event design company such as Botanicals or Heffernan Morgan.  They can help you select linens, provide furniture, design the lighting, as well as provide beautiful flowers.  At Pollen, we don’t get into all of that.  We have just a few basic rental items, such as pedestals and larger vases.  Here, we generally stick to the flowers.

What we are best suited for is weddings in which the couple is trying to minimize their wedding’s environmental impact.  If a couple is planning a green wedding, I don’t hesitate to let them know that we are a likely good fit.  And I’m happy to provide references for other green wedding vendors as well, so if you’re looking for an eco-conscious caterer, invitation company, photographer, venue…  Let’s talk!

So, can we meet for a consultation?  If we’re available for your wedding date, if you have enough planning under your belt, and if it seems like we can do a good job providing what you’re looking for, then I’m happy to schedule the consultation!  Please give me a call at 773-387-1398 or shoot me an email at lynn (at) pollenfloraldesign.com to schedule a consultation.

What are your hours?

Pollen’s hours are by appointment only.  We are not a retail storefront, but a floral design studio.  It’s more of a workshop than a showroom.  Typically, the only flowers we have on hand are reserved for the week’s events.

Weekday appointments are the easiest to schedule. Evening appointments book up quickly, and usually need to be scheduled 2-4 weeks in advance.  Weekend appointments are nearly impossible during the busy wedding season, but sometimes can be accommodated in the off-peak months.

To schedule a consultation, contact Lynn by sending a message through the contact page, sending an email to lynn (at) pollenfloraldesign.com, or calling 773/387-1398.  If you reach out on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, you will most likely be contacted the following Monday, since I’m in full-on wedding mode during the weekends!

Where is Pollen located?

The studio is in the Ravenswood Corridor at 4222 N. Ravenswood, which is on the WEST side of the Metra tracks in between Irving Park and Montrose.

* By train, it’s in between the Irving Park and Montrose Brown Line stops, and slightly closer to the Montrose stop.
* By car, come from Montrose, since this stretch of Ravenswood along the west side of the tracks is one way going south.

If you’re coming from the north, when you see the Bowman Dairy building, you’re close.  We’re right next door.  You’ll see a 4222-C and 4222-B, but you want the plain ol’ 4222 at the grey door.  There’s an electronic directory out front from which you can be buzzed in.  For deliveries, there’s a loading dock at the rear of the building.

Pollen’s design studio is located in an old industrial building along the Ravenswood Corridor, and loaded with entertainment.  Step into the new walk-in cooler, spin the compost bins, take a freight elevator ride, hang out on the roof deck! Did I mention that there’ll be food and booze? That’s right, food and booze.

When:  Thursday, July 22nd, from 6PM – 9PM

Where:  4222 N. Ravenswood Ave. #202 (on the WEST side of the Metra tracks, look for the grey door).  Map here.

There’s plenty of parking.  If you’re taking the CTA, the studio is on the Brown Line between the Irving Park and Montrose stops.

Whether you’re a friend, a colleague, or a past, present or potential client, I’d love to see you!  RSVP to http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=127550377287324&index=1

I’ve been slightly more consistent with sharing what I’ve been up to on Pollen’s Facebook page.  Allow me to direct you there…  http://www.facebook.com/PollenFloralDesign

Peony Bridal Bouquet

This was a day wedding for a bride who was truly a dream to work with.  At the initial consultation, we talked about keeping it simple and soft, and landed on using only peonies.  No greenery.  No accents.  Just peonies, in a range of pink, from light to dark.  Just peonies for the bridal bouquet, the bridesmaids’ bouquets, and the centerpieces.

Peony Centerpiece

The centerpieces, like the bouquets, were just peonies in a mix of shades of pink.  I recently added the recycled glass vases to my rental inventory.  I really like them because they have a strong presence, and because of the small opening, don’t require a ton of flowers (and a ton of money) to fill.  The pink peonies helped to soften the otherwise somewhat masculine space at Salvatore’s.

Such a pretty and simple look for spring!

In addition to beautiful and eco-friendly photography, The Green Tree Studio gives back to the community in many ways.  Erika started the Little Tree Foundation to send nurses abroad for medical missions, and to support other social and environmental projects.  Talking with Erika really inspired me to think about ways that Pollen can do more.

You can check out more photos that Erika shot during our visit under “Pollen” at http://thegreentreestudio.com/viewing/

Thanks, Erika, for stopping by Pollen!

Before I lose track, I wanted to document here some recent attention that Pollen has received!

First, see me and some friends, including Lisa Gordon of Lisa Gordon Events and Zina Murray of Logan Square Kitchen in this segment on green weddings, “Getting Married the Green Way,” which aired last month on LiveWell HD Network’s Save My Planet.

A few weeks back, I had the pleasure of meeting Fahiemah Al-Ali with Northwestern’s Medill School.  Fahiemah created a fantastic audio slideshow about Pollen, filmed on my first day in the new studio.  View it and her other reporting on green weddings here:  http://www.class.fahiemah.com/?page_id=3

Pollen recently got noticed by Bizbash’s The Scout.  (Yes, my name is misspelled here.)  I’m looking forward to doing more corporate work, now that I’m in the new space.  Coverage like this will surely help to meet that goal!

Earlier this week, we pulled together a group of eco-friendly Chicago area wedding vendors to talk about ways we can work together to educate consumers, ourselves, and other vendors about being mindful of the choices we make when planning events.  Some of the ideas we’re talking about are to create a directory of eco-friendly wedding vendors, put together a website for the green wedding vendor community, and host a green wedding show.  And of course, we’ll be holding regular networking events to bring together the community of mindful wedding vendors.

If you’d like to join the group, please send an email to me at lynn(at)pollenfloraldesign.com.  We’re so excited to get this community together!

• Wednesday, March 10, 2010
• 6-8PM
• Logan Square Kitchen (2333 N. Milwaukee, Chicago, IL)

Feel free to bring a drink or beverage to share.  I’ll be stopping at Provenance on my way there to pick up something tasty.

I’ve been talking with Amanda and Tony of Spilled Ink Press about ideas for getting together an alliance of Chicago-area green wedding vendors.  This would create an opportunity to educate consumers and other vendors while establishing a referral network of like-minded vendors.  Sounds cool, right?  We think so!

So if you’re a green wedding vendor, come by on Wednesday!  Photographers, florists, wedding planners, caterers…  We’d love to meet you!

Modern Theme Mini-Inspiration Board

I featured fuchsia phalaenopsis orchids in the centerpiece, bridal bouquet, and boutonniere.  These flowers are so gorgeous and striking, that they really can stand alone.  I added lily grass to the tall centerpiece, and allowed the orchids to have some space, so the individual stems could be appreciated.

Tall and Modern Orchid Centerpiece

These beautiful orchids were grown in a western suburb of Chicago, so they only had to travel 25 miles to get here, instead of 2500 miles!  So not only are they very fresh, but they have a smaller carbon footprint than imported orchids, since they don’t need nearly as much fossil fuel to get to their ultimate destination.

For the bridal bouquet, I again allowed the orchids to stand alone, with a little lily grass added for a modern flair.  I wrapped the stems in pewter ribbon, then silver wire, to carry through the silver accents in the centerpieces.

Modern Orchid Bridal Bouquet

These flowers would be perfect for the couple planning a simple and elegant wedding that still makes a  statement!