Weddings Winter 2010 > Planner

Allow Me Events

Kerri Silvestri spent years working in the financial sector, indulging her interest in floral design on the side. In 2002, she took Allow Me full time. Her designs venture far beyond your basic centerpieces into "candlescapes" of floating votives surrounded by dendrobium orchids, and she often helps with cake decoration, as well as linen and chair selection. Bouquets tend to be organic and free-flowing. Prices upon request.

Antony Todd

Event and flower designer Antony Todd makes elaborate but modern arrangements. His résumé—which includes Martha Stewart Weddings editor Darcy Miller’s nuptials and the Elton John AIDS Foundation—should give a sense of the league he’s in. Prices upon request.

Ariella Chezar Design

A veteran of California-wine-country weddings, Chezar eschews tight arrangements for ones that look happened-upon, studded with citrus fruit and rare vines. Many of her materials are grown locally, in the Berkshires and upstate, though she supplements such finds with unique plants from her own garden and will dig into her collection of antique silver vases, too. From $350.

Ariston Florist

Since owner Thomas Barbagianis opened his shop in 1977, he’s been re-creating the memories of his childhood garden near Delphi, Greece. He specializes in big, voluptuous bouquets with attention to seasonal palettes. For spring, Barbagianis juxtaposes arrangements of bright peonies and lilacs with a contrasting bridal bouquet of mango-colored calla lilies, berries, and chocolate-brown roses. From $75 to $300.

Banchet Flowers

This shop buys directly from designer Banchet Jaigla’s sister in Holland. Contemporary and architectural, the designs emphasize the natural beauty of the flowers. Banchet uses organic, seasonal, and wild flowers whenever possible. Bouquets from $220 to $325; centerpieces from $175.

Barbara's Flowers

This mother-daughter team has designed arrangements for MoMA and the Studio Museum. Owner TaraSimone Powell fondly recalls crafting envelope clutch bags with floral buckles at one wedding because the bridesmaid’s dresses were “just too fabulous for an ordinary bouquet.” From $125.

Bardin Palomo Ltd.

Robert Bardin and Robert Palomo started their visual events-planning company seventeen years ago; today they do complete interiors for high-end parties. Their impressive creative portfolio, filled with lush, colorful arrangements, features classic designs with a modern twist. Bouquets from $295; centerpieces from $285.

Belle Fleur

Couples flock to this shop for eye-catching upscale designs. The monochromatic, lush arrangements here have a contemporary feel. These days, Belle Fleur mixes Eastern and Western styles by juxtaposing orchids with peonies or adding tropical leaves to traditional bouquets. Centerpieces are $150 to $500; bouquets start at $175.

Bill Kocis Important Flowers

This Garden City Park florist focuses on clean lines and seasonal elements. For a recent wedding, Kocis created a fresh, dewy environment by suspending green orchids and wheatgrass spheres from a clear-acrylic overhead platform that supported 1,000 candles. Bridal bouquets start at $150.

Bloom

Couples are bowled over by owner Kimberly Perrone’s modern yet elegant combinations of traditional and exotic flowers. Bloom’s arrangements are in demand all around town (the W Hotel is a regular client). Bridal bouquets start at $200; centerpieces start at $275.

Bowman Dahl

With clients like the New York Botanical Garden and Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum, Brian Bowman and Dan Dahl know how to create classic arrangements with eye-catching twists. A spring wedding might include black parrot tulips, sweet peas, masses of lush branches, and seasonal fruits (quince, crab apples, and cherries). The duo draws inspiration from the bride and groom’s story, so expect personalized floral design. From $200.

From the Winter 2010 New York Wedding Guide