It’s New to Us by Jean Stratton

FLORAL FAVORITES: “We do flowers for events, especially weddings. We can do any size and type of event, and we are completely hands-on, a 2-woman team and the only ones to work on the project.” Erin Rizzo (left) and Angela Weaver are the owners of Ginger Lime Flowers.

Ginger Lime, Specialist in Event Flowers, Offers Original and Sophisticated Style

How did a solicitor from England and a graduate of F.I.T. (Fashion Institute of Technology) in New York City team up and become owners of a florist, specializing in event flowers?

Angela Weaver, the lawyer, and Erin Rizzo, the fashion graduate, met when they both worked at a florist in Princeton.

Ms. Weaver had come to the U.S. in 2001, and because of her love of flowers, found herself embarked on a new career. Ms. Rizzo, a New Brunswick native, found a similar love for flowers.

“We realized that we had a similar style,” says Ms. Weaver, “and we both saw that our passion was for events.

Ms. Rizzo also discovered that her creative experience in fashion was helpful in floral design. “I had even majored in designing wedding dresses at F.I.T., and that background was helpful. Color and texture are such a part of what we do.”

Princeton is a great place for event florists,” adds Ms. Weaver. “There are lots of weddings and other events going on. We recently did the flowers for a First Communion party, we’ve done baby showers, and parties of all kinds, and right now, we’re working on a wedding. Weddings are not just May through October anymore (although that is still the most popular time), and we are busy all year long. Weddings are a specialty for us.”

Unique Designs

Ms. Weaver and Ms. Rizzo pride themselves on their ability to create original and unique designs. Once they have conferred with the client about the theme of the project, they find the most appropriate flowers to reflect and enhance the theme. They go to New York and northern New Jersey to see the flowers personally, always seeking the freshest, the highest quality.

“If it’s a wedding, we get to know the bride’s style and coordinate everything with her. We’ll see pictures of the dress, and visit the venue. We’ll do the flowers for the ceremony, reception, personal corsages for the wedding party, parents, etc., and we’ll use a flower from the bride’s bouquet for the groom’s boutonniere. We try to connect the flowers of the ceremony to the reception; we will also design the tablescape for the reception — the whole table, with flowers and candles, all incorporating the wedding theme.”

“Another thing, with our flowers, we can have several different designs and sizes — and different heights, high and low, to keep it interesting.”

“Our concept is to deal with everything ourselves,” emphasizes Ms. Weaver. “This includes meeting the bride, coming up with ideas, selecting the flowers by hand, and creating a unique design that is integrated within the theme of the wedding. This is what we love to do.

“We bring our ideas to help them make the wedding or other event very special,” adds Ms. Rizzo. “We confer with the client all along the way, show them pictures, samples, etc. We have on-going contact from the proposal, right up to the wedding. “

“I think we both derive real satisfaction from putting all those elements together,” says Ms. Weaver. “It’s a privilege to be part of it.

Perennial Favorite

“Roses are a perennial favorite in all colors for weddings,” she adds. “Tulips and hydrangeas are also favorites, as are dahlias; and orchids are consistently popular. We will also mix flowers. Some brides want different flowers and colors. Others may want different shades of pink, for example. Then there are brides who like field-grown flowers, a wild flower feeling. We can also incorporate seasonal elements, such as winter foliage. This can have a wintry look. Also, some flowers are harder to get, especially if they are out of season.”

No two brides are alike. Each has her own style and taste, report the floral team. “Some are very definite about what they want. One bride wanted unique vintage keys incorporated into her bouquet, a sort of faux whimsical look. Another had a rosary intertwined in the bouquet, something that was very meaningful and personal to her.”

“We also like to bring fashion into our floral designs,” adds Ms. Rizzo. “For example, not just using a ribbon to tie the bouquet, but perhaps an unusual trim that will bring out a detail from the dress, that can make it more unique and personal.”

Ginger Lime has handled flowers for weddings in a variety of settings: outside under an arbor, on the beach, on the grounds of an estate, in a church, hotel, grand ballroom, and in a tent.

Floral Magic

“A tent can be a lot of fun,” point out Ms. Rizzo and Ms. Weaver. As they say, it’s really a blank canvas on which they can work their floral magic.

They also keep up with floral ideas internationally, notes Ms. Weaver. “I keep a close eye on trends in Europe. We try to find a different look, something contemporary perhaps, or vintage-inspired, a fresh look. We set a high bar.”

Their many referrals from satisfied clients indicate that they have succeeded. They are continually in demand for weddings and a variety of other events.

“There has been a lot of word-of-mouth,” says Ms. Rizzo. “The most important thing about us is the level of personal service we bring. We’re perfectionists. We want the flowers to be perfect for the event. Our style of floristry is design forward. We offer an original touch, with very different accents. It can be a classic style, but with nuances and different textures.

“Also, the client puts so much trust in us. And it’s wonderful when there is that ‘WOW’ factor, when they see the full effect at the event.”

“In the case of other florists, there can be a lot of different people doing things. We do everything ourselves. We are completely hands-on. There is continuity all along the way with the project,” adds Ms. Weaver. “And we both have high standards of execution.”

She suggests booking a wedding at least two months ahead of time; the larger the wedding, the more time needed, especially in the May-October period.

Ginger Lime can be reached at (609) 933-8776 Website: gingerlimeflowers.com.

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