ULTIMATE ENTERTAINING GUIDE
Florists & Decorations
Mille Fleurs
314 Wyndhurst AvenueRoland Park, MD
410-323-3182
www.millefleursinc.com
Mille Fleurs' owners describe their style as "lush, European garden with a tight look." Co-owner Kathy Quinn says their work includes premium flowers and premium greens. All varieties of flowers can be used, but roses, lilies, and other garden types are preferred. The shop is rather small, and prefers to work on smaller events. Small arrangements begin at $75-$85, and there is a consultation fee.
Flowers & Fancies
11404 Cronridge DriveOwings Mills, MD 21117
410-653-0600
www.flowersandfancies.com
Color, creativity, and an aura of excitement — at any event, we bring the life to the party. That is what we bring to the table — and the whole room as well. Whether it is an intimate party for two, or a sit-down dinner for 1,000, Flowers & Fancies has the resources and the experience to create the perfect environment. For over 30 years, Flowers & Fancies has created flowers for Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, special birthdays, weddings, theme parties, anniversaries — any of life's celebrations and events. We create a look distinctive to each function, while paying attention to every detail. We decorate in every venue — hotel, catering facilities, country clubs, party rooms, your office — even some very nice backyards. And we do it all within your budget. Contact us today for an appointment.
A Garden of Earthly Delights
24 Ridge RoadCatonsville, MD
410-744-3810
Owner Carole Ann Langrall's studio was voted best florist in the City Paper's Best of Baltimore issue in 2000. Using anything from roses to tulips to orchids, Langrall likes to "work closely with each client to find their specific taste." She grows many of her own fillers, such as dusty miller and artemesia. Many Dutch and Flemish designs are created, which may incorporate unusual elements such as fruits and berries. She also likes to use one or two types of flowers to fill an arrangement, "complimented by unusual greens for a funky look." She offers free initial consultation. By appointment only.
Andrea Stieff Designs
410-823-3669Andrea Stieff's attention to detail is a vital part of her floral design. "I am there, on site, with a crew making sure that everything that we talked about is seen to and completed. I'm a bit of a Type A personality when it comes to how a finished event looks-- actually I'm a maniac for details!" Her signature style is lush beautiful flowers with an emphasis on color and texture. Stieff has been told her arrangements convey understated elegance, but with a definite "wow" factor. Andrea can work with a range of budgets, and her average events cost between $5,000 and $10,000.
Betty’s Gardens
1517 Providence RoadTowson, MD 21286
410-823-2321
With twenty years in the floral design business, owner Betty L. Baldwin describes her signature look as "natural country elegance." In the summer she grows a great deal of old-fashioned country flowers, including zinnias and asters. Also grown are unusual foliage such as hydrangea leaves, rosemary and jasmine, which give different colors and textures to arrangements. Baldwin prides her work on being "elegant yet affordable." Arrangements can be placed in anything from crystal bowls to clay pots.
Blue Sage
P.O. Box 460Phoenix, MD 21131
410-592-3010
Owner Jeanne Graham says about 90 percent of the work done by Blue Sage is for weddings. She describes her work as having an English garden look, with arrangements full of blooms. Candles, pedestals and chuppahs are all available as rentals. Flowers for the average Blue Sage wedding cost roughly between $3,000 and $5,000.
Celadon Event Design
410-327-4488Known for her unique décor designs and florals – Cindy Fischer has a distinct look to her events. “I believe in the power of color – whether it be amber uplighting or fuchsia florals – to really give an event a vibrant and memorable atmosphere.” Clients have requested her design talent at events in New York, Florida and other remote locations such as Jamaica.
Eleanor Oster Floral Design
410-337-9671Eleanor Oster specializes in garden arrangements that use a great deal of blooms to maximize color. Her philosophy is quality over quantity. "With the right colors and textures, you don't need millions of flowers in arrangement to appreciate each individual flower," she says. Oster does many large parties and weddings, as well as holiday home decoration. She recommends contacting her at least six months before the date, and even more time is optimal for weddings.
Flora et Fauna
410-665-5800Owner Sharon Gordon occasionally gets help from her mother, but for the most part she runs a one-person operation. She does not let the limited manpower stop her from any big events, and does parties and weddings of a variety of sizes. "We run the gamut of designs, from contemporary looks with tropical flowers to traditional designs with garden flowers." She is flexible, and what she designs depends completely on client and budget.
Floral Impressions
8826 Baker AvenueBaltimore, MD
410-668-7442
Floral Impressions presents designs with an overall garden look, sometimes including arches, gates and statues in the larger arrangements. Owner Teresa Kastner usually chooses a "more is more" decorating style and specializes in large-scale arrangements. Centerpieces typically range in price anywhere from $40 to $250.
Flowers by Chris
1019 Cathedral StreetBaltimore, MD
410-727-3434
Owner Chris Psoras attributes much of her success to her main designer, Ron Poust, who is a member of the prestigious American Institute of Floral Design. He attends floral seminars annually, and, Psoras says, "this continuing education allows for cutting edge work with a sophisticated touch." The staff prides itself on "detailed personal attention" and an organized set-up the day of the event. Many Jewish weddings are handled by Flowers by Chris, and they offer a choice of chuppas, or will custom design one. Flowers by Chris handles no more than four weddings each weekend, so early contact is encouraged.
Flowers by Michael
6407 Belair RoadBaltimore, MD 21206
410-426-2000
Full service florist providing creative floral decor for any event large or small. Upscale weddings and galas a specialty for 25 years in Baltimore.
Foxglove Design
410-244-1369Foxglove Design vice-president Bambi Jenkins says Foxglove is known for "natural, lush, romantic, English garden design." Handling a variety of events from bar mitzvahs to corporate parties to weddings, they are a great option for theme parties because of an artisan staff whose props include everything from $5 candelabras to $20,000 bars. "We cover the whole spectrum," says Jenkins. All arrangements and props are individually priced, with centerpieces beginning around $55.
Garland’s Garden Center & Florist
1109 Ingleside AvenueBaltimore, MD 21207
410-747-5151
Full-service and special event florist. Weddings, bar mitzvahs, funerals, greenhouse and garden center. Free chuppah rentals.
J.J. Cummings Floral Company
500 Light StreetBaltimore, MD
410-664-1100
Despite the formal style of their European garden arrangements, J.J. Cummings likes its work to appear natural and unforced. They believe that "if it doesn't grow together...it doesn't go together." So, although they will use tropicals or exotics, they do so only used when the theme is right. Large scale arrangements are preferred, and often include an element of surprise. Unusual materials can include coconuts, bird nests, and centerpieces hanging from chains above tables. Cost is determined by materials used and availability of product.
Jake Boone
410-523-0023Anyone who believes "more is more" when decorating is in the same line of thought as Jake Boone. He does not go for the light, airy style of floral arranging, but prefers to work on large-scale events with a full, dramatic flair. Materials often incorporated into the designs include lattice and topiaries. An average centerpiece runs about $200.
Mary Collier
410-429-4040Mary Collier sees floral design as similar to the art of painting-- there are many different colors, shapes, and textures to be used to come to a creative end. She describes her work as having little structure. "I like clients to let me experiment with designs and ideas." Arrangements are filled with lots of color and few greens, and are given a natural, seasonal look. Collier starts from scratch with each arrangement, and likes to provide her clients with drawings in the early stages of design.
Mayers Brokerage Ltd.
410-448-1661Ken Mayers describes his strategy as "designing for the environment", and believes every detail from flowers to tablecloths to curtains should "work together to enhance the beauty of a room."
Mich’l Anthony Design Center
4401 O'Donnell StreetBaltimore, MD
410-327-8400
Mich'l Anthony Design Center has more than 20 years of experience in the event business, mostly with large-scale events. The firm's prop warehouse offers a huge variety of rentals for theme parties. The great number of materials allows for very customized work. Mich'l Anthony Design Center handles only one event at a time, so early contact is recommended. Package deals are offered.
My Flower Box
1211 S. Charles StreetBaltimore, MD 21230
410-244-8890
My Flower Box brings over fifteen years experience in creating floral designs for weddings, and corporate and private parties. We are a floral design boutique also specializing in quality gift items and designer home décor. Together we can create a plan for your "Life's Events."
Myland Farms
Stevenson Village CenterStevenson, MD
410-484-5540
Myland Farms uses seasonal European flowers and likes to emphasize the blooms in each arrangement. They mostly work on bigger events and weddings, and offer custom-built chuppahs for each bride. The firm's variety of props, such as pedestals and candelabra, allows many avenues for clients to take when making decorating decisions. Prices for centerpieces begin around $75.
Party City
10385 Reisterstown RoadOwings Mills, MD 21117
Party City has everything you need to throw the perfect party for any occasion. From tableware and decorations that you just won’t find anywhere else to scene setters, piñatas, inflatables, unique costumes, accessories and much more, Party City’s got it all -- at incredibly low prices! Find a Party City near you at partycity.com.
Pinewood Farm
410-877-7082Although Pinewood Farm pulls from local and international sources for their flowers, owner Jeff Conti also grows his own material. Conti describes his company's work as "high-end" and very customized and site-specific. "We are very flexible and can do any style from contemporary to classic, depending on what the client wants." Arrangements begin around $75.
Radebaugh Florist
120 Burke AvenueTowson, MD
410-825-4300
"If you want it, we will do it," is how a Radebaugh designer describes the style of the company. With a wide selection of flowers, the firm is known for their funeral work, but there is a separate department that focuses on weddings.
Robert A. Zimmerman
410-669-6093Robert Zimmerman does not just handle the flowers. He also steps in to handle any wedding day emergencies. He is known for practically becoming part of the client's family because of all the time he spends with his customers. His style can be described as "simple elegance," and he goes for a "less is more" look. A variety of flowers is used, but a favorite is gardenias because of their fragrance. Every event is custom-designed to deliver what Zimmerman calls "the most bang for the buck... how to get the biggest impact." From intimate dinner parties to formal balls.
Rutland Beard Florist
7627 Bellona AvenueRuxton, MD
410-321-1737
Rutland Beard Florist uses mostly locally grown flowers such as sunflowers and lilies in their loose, garden-style arrangements. Props and other materials are offered and mostly used for theme parties. Contact should be made around six months in advance for weddings and one or two weeks in advance for smaller parties.
Secret Garden, Elizabeth Nuttle
410-821-1945Elizabeth Nuttle's focus is on seasonal flowers with a fresh, natural look. Arrangements are filled out with mostly blooming material and few greens. Nuttle is able to work with clients and give recommendations for smaller budgets. Centerpieces are about $125 on average, and wedding budgets start around $4,000.
Simply Beautiful
1302 Greenbriar Circle410-484-7743
Co-owner Brian Friedlander describes their style as "custom florals using only fine flowers... a free-flowing look that is structured but not rigid." Friedlander emphasizes the importance of getting to know clients so that the designs agree with the clients' personal tastes and styles. Simply Beautiful strives to compete with world-class designs, and makes sure "nothing leaves the shop unless it is good enough to be photographed and put in a magazine." Centerpiece prices start at around $60 and can go up to several hundred dollars.
Suzanne Rafferty
Poise & IvyBaltimore, MD
410-235-4376
Suzanne Rafferty's signature style involves a very romantic look. Mostly English garden flowers, such as roses and hydrangeas, are used. In order to ensure that the beauty of the flowers capture attention, hardly any greens are used in the designs. Rafferty typically does large-scale arrangements. Props include chuppahs and display tables.
Upsy Daisy, Clare Stewart
410-484-6395Stewart uses a great deal of blooms in garden-style arrangements to create a "natural, whimsical look" in her designs. She personally feels that less is more when decorating. Only "premium, high-end flowers" are used in her arrangements. Centerpiece prices start around $75.
Wessel’s Florist
3715 Old Columbia PikeEllicott City, MD
410-465-0177
"Elegant garden style using masses of blooms for a natural, romantic look," says Wessel's owner Giulianna Cox. "We do like to really listen to clients to find their style, their look, and create arrangements that reflect them." Props are often used and include candelabras, urns, and chuppahs.
Wicked Willow Floral
633 Frederick Rd.Baltimore, MD 21228
443-285-3448
Floral stylists, Randy and Tina, create wonderfully elegant and artful floral designs for weddings and events."We love to use interesting fresh materials for color and texture." By appointment only.
Wilhide’s Unique Flowers and Gifts
9101 Reisterstown RoadOwings Mills, MD 21117
410-356-4040
Since 1937 Wilhide's has offered premium flowers with service to match. Come in and enjoy a wide selection of flowers or have a gift delivered in the Baltimore metro area, or around the world. Today, we're not just flowers anymore. We currently offer a wide line of fashion jewelry and accessories along with a unique line of artwork and giftware. Come in and enjoy the experience of Wilhide's Unique Flowers and Gifts.

