Florists
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May 2008
Florist: Monica Yee works out of her home. On the morning of our
wedding around 4am she went to the SF flowers market, purchased
then made all our beautiful flowers, drove them to our wedding
site at the UC Berkeley Botanical Gardens, and took care of
everything. We also had her decorate our wedding cake with
flowers. She has an incredible gift for flowers, is very creative
with a lovely touch, and she is inexpensive. You'll see all the
photos on Andy's webpage fourfa.com. 510-206-6108
March 2007
We're getting married at the Berkeley Faculty Club late May and
we're looking for a florist. It's an informal ceremony (It's my
second marriage, his first, we have teenage kids). I checked the
postings and most are old. I'm not looking for traditional
roses-type stuff. Maybe some wildflowers, etc. Got any ideas?
Not a Blushing Bride
I loved my florist...Freshly Cut, off Hopkins Street near
Monterey Market. I was the anti-bride and went with very
non-bridal bouquet (no white, no roses, no giant price tag). They
were excellent to work with!
denise
I used the florist which is outside of Rockridge Rags in
Oakland. Jill is the florist's name and her stand is called
Spring Fever. You can call 510-658-6000 the address is 5711
College Ave in Oakland
aniesha
You might talk to the folks at Meadows on College Avenue.
Bloomies at Market Hall could probably do what you want but would
charge an arm and a leg. The flower stands on and around
Telegraph Avenue can do wedding flowers at very reasonable
prices. Another option if you have some helpers is to talk to one
of the flower vendors at the local farmers' markets about picking
up a bunch of flowers the day of your event. Have a wonderful
wedding!
Michela Maiden the owner of Bloomies in Market Hall in
Rockridge did a beautiful job with our wedding flowers. She has
a great design sense and does beautiful less traditional
arrangements. We discussed the feel and colors that we were
looking for and then gave her the discretion to work with what
was available in the flower market. The arrangements were
gorgeous and Michela was a pleasure to work with. The phone
number for Bloomies is (510) 547-0444.
Another Faculty Club bride
I highly recommend Sean Misaghi at Telegraph Flower in Berkeley.
He is a great Florist with a lots of talent and experiences and
also very sweet.
He did my sister wedding flowers,everybody loved it.
And he would do what you would like regarding your tast and
size of your wedding and etc...
I think he has another location in Berkeley which they work
together.
His work phone# is:510-548-2765 at telegraph flower.
Good Luck
Tamira
Feb 2007
We're looking for an affordable florist for our wedding in the
East Bay -- any recommendations?
anon
We used Albany Florist & Gifts (on San Pablo, close to Solano)
for our wedding flowers a few years ago. I thought they did a
fabulous job, were only moderately overpriced, and didn't try to
convince me that I needed flowers in the bathroom, for the
cousins of our attendants, etc. (I found the wedding-only
florists to have all sorts of ridiculous ideas of what we needed
to have for our wedding, and all sorts of ridiculous ideas about
what I must have really meant when I gave them a budget.)
Good luck!
Feb 2007
I am a Special Events Consultant and am looking for new
Caterers, Entertainers/Bands, Florist, and Graphic Designers to
recommend to my clients. I work with both non-profits and
businesses in the Bay Area. I have two events in particular
coming up in May that I am looking to book for. I would love to
support small and new business.
I want to recommend a great Florist in berkeley to you.
His name is Sean Misaghi and his phone number is:510-548-2765.
He does a Fantastic work on wedding's Flower arrangement or for
any party.I always buy my flowers from him and have him done
flowers in some party that i had have.
He is a sweet person,with a very fair price and you always get
fresh flowers from him.
I am sure you would like his touch in the flowers.
His shope name is Telegraph Flower,in Telegraph Ave.
Good Luck.
Deanna.
Ellen Kim of Gingerleaf Floral, 510-406-2638,
www.gingerleaffloral.com. Beautiful and unique designs.
June 2004
Beautiful Corsages for Proms!
My son had previously gotten corsages for his dates at a
florist close to Berkeley High School. However, for his
senior ball he got the corsage from Sumito's Floral Design,
1708 Shattuck, Berkeley, 548-2344.
When he got the corsage he was most pleased. He noted that
not only was the corsage much more attactively done, but
also that the price was more reasonable for what you got.
The people at Sumito's Floral Design were also very nice and
thoughtful about fitting the flowers to the person.
I wanted to share this information since perhaps many may
think [as I did!] that Sumito's is only a place to get
flower arrangements & bouquets, and not a place that
actually makes corsages, and very attractive ones at that!
patricia
May 2003
My sweet stepdaughter on the right coast sent me flowers for
Mother's Day. Can anyone recommend a florist in Berkeley who's dependable and
reasonably priced, has some aesthetic sense, and delivers?
Melanie
A great Berkeley Florist is Muguet 510-528-2447. Ask for Maryam
or Meena. They deliver and have great aesthetic sense. They are
not cheap but if you give them your price they can work with
you! They are my favorite flower place. Everytime I go to
someone's home with one of their bouquets I get a lot of
compliments.
Gabrielle
Just today, we ordered probably our 30th arrangement from
Sumito, 1708 Shattuck, Berkeley, 548-2344. They work with
customers (in person, by phone) to learn about the
recipient's taste, interests, etc., and unfailingly do just the
right thing, exactly to the price you say you want. We
generally do things in the $30 to $50 range. $7.50 for East
Bay delivery. They also do the FTD thing, and still manage to
work with the delivering florist in another state to do
something better than 'usual.'
John
It's been a while now, but I've had good experiences with
University Flowers -- the one on the corner of University and
Sacramento (Milvia?) with the big window display. Good prices
for a full-service florist and really nice bouquets.
anon
Barbara Efrani on San Pablo Avenue (just across Cedar and a
couple doors up from Cafe Fanny) is very good.
Rebecca
University Flower Shop (corner of University Ave. and Martin
Luther King Jr Way) and Lee's Florest (University Ave. adjacent
to Andronicos) fit your criteria. Both have been located in
Berkeley for many years (50+). I have been well taken care of
at both establishments. University Flower Shop no longer
provides ''wire'' service as quality cannot be guaranteed. I am
one who values a business relationship. I have had an ''account''
at University Flower Shop (not Visa, Master Card or the like)
for 30+ years. The owner ''knows'' what is approiate for the
occasion and remembers what family members prefer. I highly
reccommend both.
A VERY pleased customer!
Try Jutta's Flowers on Claremont--she's got a great touch--
doesn't do just the ''usual'' and she will deliver
Julie
A florist opened at the location that used to house Tiddlywinks,
at Gilman right by the BART tracks. They did a beautiful and
interesting job for me, at a reasonable price, and are worth
checking out.
Seulberger Florist in North Oakland makes other florists look shoddy.
They are experienced, artistic, use only the freshest flowers and they
deliver. Call them at (510) 451-7600.
Ann Higgins
The best florist I've ever worked with is Monica at ''the Lily
Pad'' which is located inside the Berkeley Bowl. Monica makes
deliveries of fresh flowers, beautifully arranged. She has a
great eye for color and texture and using what is gorgeous in
season. Her prices are fair and her demeaner as cheerful and
sunny as her flowers.
Cynthia
April 2003
Can anyone recommend a florist who does leis for graduation?
Preferably near UC. Thanks!
Julie
The best place to get them is Lee's Florist on University next to
Andronico's. They do carnation leis and orchid leis. The
carnation ones look lusher than the orchid ones I think.
Reasonably priced as well. Their phone number is 843-0502.
They are the best florist in Berkeley from my experience!
Hi! There are a few options for leis. I've found the best
quality (and surprisingly, price) is to have them fed-exed from
Hawaii. I've used Cindy's Lei Shop a number of times and they
are great. Their number is (808) 536-6538. You pay more for
shipping than the leis if you order just one, but their prices
are great. I recently ordered micronesian ginger leis for
$12.50 each ($35 shipping). The other options are a woman in
El Sobrante who makes them (she messed up the date for me last
year and blew a major b-day party, so I haven't returned), a
hawaiin store in mill valley that does just mail order now
(micro ginger start at $65) and I believe a florist in Alameda.
Google 'hawaiian leis bay area' and you'll find them. Aloha!
Jen
I got a beautiful lei for my student assistant from the florist outside
Avant-Card on Bancroft. I think the name of the place is "Freedom
Flowers" but I don't think he has a phone.
Anon.
Jan. 2003
I was wondering if anyone could recommend good florists, in both
Oakland and Berkeley? I haven't been very happy with the
florists I've tried and didn't see anything about this on the web
site.
Sima
Try Kay Gjeltema of Making Arrangements Floral Design. Her number is 540-1931.
She works out of her home but will
deliver to all hospitals and local addresses. She is extremely creative and
does beautiful arrangements. She will provide
arrangements for weddings and other parties, as well as individual bouquets.
Lucy Mattingly
I highly recommend *Orchid Florist* on Solano.
They do specialize, in orchids but have many other flowers.
The owner Felip is fantastic! He did all the flowers for our
wedding a couple of years ago and they were amazing!
http://www.orchidflorist.com
angel
no one is better than Monica of Lily pad - she runs the little
florist shop contained within the Berkeley Bowl. We have her
delivering a weekly bouquet to the office, she offered us the
best price for needs and has never disappointed, 4+ years running
now. When calling around to shops asking what they could do,
Monica was the most professional, willing to please, and all for
areasonable price. After discovering her, she's done the flowers
for at least 3 weddings I've attended, delivered get well,
birthday, special occasions bouquets, etc. Sometimes you'll even
see little Casey, her ~3 year old helping out (charmer!).
Cynthia
A good florist is the Lily Pad, located in the Berkeley Bowl.
The owner, Monica, is a really nice person who creates lovely
displays.
Toby St. John buddha@LMI.net
We get inexpensive flowers at the Berkeley Farmer's Market, but
when it's a special occasion, here's who we go to:
H. Julien Designs. They do very pretty arrangements, soft and
romantic. 1798 Shattuck, Berkeley 548-7400
Erfani Floral Studio Very unusual, dramatic arrangements using
branches, etc.
1523 San Pablo
525-3523
Freshly Cut
Hopkins St. near Monterey Market Not inexpensive, but very nice
selection of orchids and more unusual flowers
525-3751
Natasha
Barbara Erfani of Erfani Florists is on San Pablo near Cedar in
North Berkeley. She is absolutely fantastic -- lots of
experience, a bent toward the unusual and unique, and a keen
sense of aesthetics/drama. She uses very unusual flowers and
plants -- and whatever's freshest at the mart -- to create
striking arrangements. She no longer does weddings, though. If
you can trust her judgment and give yourself over to her
aesthetics, you will be amazed at the final results.
Noreen
Jutta's on Claremont Avenue is consistently good. She's not the
cheapest, but her bouquets are always dependably beautiful.
Linda
I recommend Myrna's, above Safeway in Montclair. My friend told
me about this lovely little shop after they did a wonderful
centerpiece for a party she threw. I described a bridal bouquet
that I wanted for a very no frills bride. The requirements were
natural, meadowy, wildflower-ish. It was lovely and aromatic and
fit my description to a T. It was also about $25.00, much less
than I anticipated. I've since relied on them to send
arrangements to friends in the hospital. They called me
immediately when someone was checked out early and delivered the
arrangement to their home no questions asked. I am always
charmed by their arrangements and selection, and then pleasantly
surprised by their very fair prices. Give them a try.
Jessica
I like Freshly Cut in the building at Monterey and Hopkins. I
don't buy a lot of flowers (I mostly go there to sniff!) but
when I do need some very special flowers, I nearly always go
there. They take great care of their flowers, they have
interesting stock, they are pleasant and they do lovely
arrangements. Not cheap but well worth it for a special
arrangement.
suzanne
I'm not absolutely certain they are still in business, but
Zuzu's Petals ''flowers by Linda Snyder''delivered the most
amazing arrangement to me when I had my daughter in
April of 2000. The flowers were fresh, original and
deliciously scented. (Peonies, lilacs, tulips) They were
arranged in a pretty and functional ceramic jug. Zuzu's
petals is located in the East Bay. The number I have is
(510)653-4501. Good luck!
Hilary
Florist for 50th Wedding Anniversary Party
Feb 2002
I have taken on the (increasingly complex) task of organizing
my parents' 50th wedding anniversary party. We are planning
a dinner for about 25 people at Cafe de la Paz. (Gee,
it sounds so simple when I write it out, and yet....)
Who are your favorite florists? You know, the ones who
are easy to work with, creative, not outrageously expensive,
and will use the best the season has to offer? Who bailed
you out when you forgot YOUR anniversary and you'd like
to return the karma to? Likewise, any tips on 'whatever
you do, don't use so and so' would be appreciated, as
well. I'm up against deadline!
I sure hope someone will do this for us someday...
I highly recommend the Flower Outlet in Emeryville.
They did a huge party (100 people) for us very reasonably
and they can deliver.
Ellen
Barbara Erfani (Erfani's florist on San Pablo at Ceder,
near Fanny's Cafe and Kermit Lynch) is fabulous--really,
really creative, artistic, nice, easy to work with and
when we used her for our wedding 9 years ago, she was
very reasonable. Someone photographed and made a poster
out of our wedding flower arrangements, they were so
beautiful.
Anonymous
I use ''the Lily Pad'' 9 times out of 10. The Lily pad,
510/649-1781, is the little show located INSIDE the
Berkeley Bowl. Monica is the Manager (owner?) and is
delightful to work with; her little daughter Casey
(~2yo) is also a charmer. Monica has done two weddings
I attended, one rehearsal dinner, and sent bouquets for
special occasions. When first seekign a florist when I
moved to the area, I called multiple shops and Monica
was the most professional and personable of the lot.
Some shops have rude workers - I called a number on
University Ave and was LESS than impressed with their
customer service.
a flower lover
We were very pleased with the flowers that Barbara
Erfani (www.erfani.com) did for our wedding a few
years ago. She also happened to have the lowest
prices of the four florists we considered. She's
on San Pablo in Berkeley.
Nomi
You should ask the people at Cafe de la Paz. I don't
know what or where this place is, but they should have
experience with this sort of thing. If that;s where you
want to have it at, ask them about your concerns and
for suggestions. You might be surprised that the
simplest answer is right there. Make sure you explain
all your concerns. If they don't make these arrangements
for you, they may know who to recommend from past parties.
marianne roberts
I too planned my parents' 50th wedding anniv. party.
I used Barbara Erfani of Erfani on San Pablo Ave. in
Berkeley. If you're interested in an FTD kind of
arrangement, she is definitely not the one for you.
She does unique arrangements using seasonal and unusual,
yet beautiful flowers. She did our centerpieces and
corsages. They had a wonderful relaxed, wildflower
kind of look, yet were very sophisticated and interesting.
I *highly* recommend her, she does outstanding work.
Constance
Susie Skram is the best florist I know. She works out
of her house in Oakland. Her arrangements are creative,
inspriational and just plain awesome. (Sorry I can't
find better words to describe them!) She can be reached
at 510-530-0514. I can't recommend her highly enough.
I am an event planner and I use her for all my events.
In addition, she does the weekly flower arrangements we
have at the office. She isn't cheap but will work with
your budget. Even her small arrangements can take your
breath away.
Allison
for my wedding i used leslie rose at the meadows on
college ave at claremont. she was an absolutely wonderful
florist to work with (very laid back, open to your ideas
yet reliable) and reasonably priced as well. our wedding
and reception were both in san francisco, and she delivered
everything exactly as she promised, as we planned together.
she made my bridal boquet, the table centerpieces, several
large arrangements, she decorated our wedding cake table
with greens and leslie even touched base with our baker
from la farine right down the block to arrange floral
decorations for our wedding cake as well. her arrangements
are very natural, and she can size them to fit your budget.
leslie is an A+ in my book! have fun.
jenny berten
Re: Florist recommendation. We have used Lee's Florist in Berkeley.
They are very reliable and have beautiful arrangements.
1420 University
Avenue,
510-843-0502
Ali
April 2002
The 50th anniversary party for my folks was great -- I thought I'd post some
references and lessons learned as a way to thank all who shared their ideas:
Florist: Barbara Erfani (on San Pablo) handled everything over the phone.
The arrangements were STUNNING. Each flower was at the perfect stage of bloom.
Simple, gorgeous, unusual combinations (several types of protea combined with
dogwood, roses and lilies -- who'd a thunk it?) and all coordinated perfectly
with the room and event in terms of colors and style. She asked the right
questions, like the color of tablecloths (white or off-white) and my mom's
outfit.
(I had to do homework to find out, but well worth it!) My grandfather was a
hybridizer
of camillias; grandma a florist, their son my uncle is a top landscape
architect. This
was a roomful of ''plant people'', and the flowers were the hit of the party.
I couldn't
be happier with how they turned out. Cost was reasonable given the exceptional
quality
(five arrangements, corsage and boutonniere for 200 bucks)delivery included.
Outstanding reference, straight from this list! Thanks!
Cafe de la Paz -- great room downstairs. Russell is owner, and more into food
than being organized. I felt fairly comfortable that everything would come
together
at the end, and I didn't worry about it too much (though my less creative,
more-linear
husband was a bit more nervous). The servers were terrific, welcoming, nice.
But overall,
not a good match for a party planner who is extremely detail-oriented, or for
a super-formal
event. Worked well for my crowd.
Having a party with kids and adults? Set up a separate project table. My plan
was to have
blank cards and card-making supplies that everyone could use to create
romantic tokens of
appreciation for 50 years of marriage. It ended up that the kids planted
themselves there
most of the night with the glitter glue, and only decorated the fronts, didn't
write messages.
But the guest of honor saved them all, and was still leafing through her pile
of cards as she
hit the road two days after the party. Kids from ages 2+ to 10 years loved it,
and parents
loved having the kids engaged in something that held their interest. I
provided washable
materials, and the restaurant didn't fret about the tablecloth or the floor.
The grown-ups
could actually hold conversations with each other! Worked great.
Ann
July 2004
Please update your records - Monica Yee, the wonderful florist
who has operated out of Berkeley Bowl for years as ''The Lily
Pad,'' is now operating independently. (Berkeley Bowl has decided
to host their own flower stand.) Monica is still available (and
as ever talented) to help you with your wedding and special
occasion flowers. Please call her at 510-206-6108 for great
service and to support a mom of two charming little girls!
Cynthia
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