Here comes
^thebride!
By Mark E. Stroder

Costco.com’s flowers
add color and value
to a day of bliss
frKe_eep’e_sm _h

Here are six easy steps

IN HONOR OF THIS, the season of nuptials, we where in the United States. “In the cut-flower offer—in no particular order—five great reasons for business, getting the flowers from the ground to getting married and having a formal wedding: the member in as little time as possible is key,”

to keep fresh flowers lasting longer.

1. Fill a clean vase with lukewarm water.

2. Remove all leaves that will be under water. Submerged leaves decay and harbor bacteria, shortening the life of a bouquet.

3. Recut the stem of each flower, using a sharp knife or scissors. Cut in a diagonal direction, approximately 1 inch from the base of the stems. This prevents the formation of air pockets, which block water uptake to the flowers.

4. Revitalize flowers by recutting the stems and placing them in fresh water every three days.

5. Add floral preservative (available in packets with every costco.com flower order) to the vase water. Do not add more than the recommended doses—the flowers may be sugar sensitive.

6. Display flowers in a draft-free location away from harsh sunlight or heating vents.

1. True love Julie says. “If you purchased these flowers from
2. Lifetime companionship many other national retailers, their life is probably
3. She actually said, “Yes, I’ll marry you!” 80 percent gone [by the time they reach the con-
4. Agoodprenup sumer] because they are not being shipped
5. Costco.com’s incomparable floral directly from the grower.”
wedding package The price of the costco.com wedding packages
As long as there’s already a bride and groom, you should leave money for the honeymoon. The com-
might as well fill the wedding and reception with a plete rose package is only $699.99. The hydrangea
beautiful flower assortment from costco.com. packageisonly$599.99.
“Our floral wedding packages simply cannot be Costco.com also offers additional wedding
matched,” says Costco buyer Julie Brownrigg. centerpieces and centerpieces without pearls for
“These flower arrangements look spectacular, and parties and other ceremonies. And costco.com offers
they are sold at an unbeatable value.” several other beautiful floral groups—available
Costco.com offers two complete wedding floral in bulk quantities—including a stunning assort-
packages: the rose-filled Simply Elegant Wedding ment of long-stem roses, hydrangea, alstroemeria
Collection, available in many different colors, and and calla lilies.
the Blue or White Hydrangea assortment. Here’s an important reminder: The floral
Each floral wedding package includes a bridal wedding package must be ordered 30 days in
bouquet, maid-of-honor bouquet, four brides- advance and needs to be refrigerated upon arrival.
maids’ bouquets, two mothers’ petite han d-ties (a Bulk flowers must be ordered seven to 10 days in
small bouquet surrounded by satin), 12 corsages, 12 advance for a Tuesday through Friday delivery.
attendant boutonnieres, six centerpieces and 10 “We’re always looking to give our members
rosebuds (for the flower girl). something spectacular, something
All of the bouquets are wrapped in satin with they can’t find every-
pearl pins, so they are ready to be walked down where,” says Julie. “And
the aisle. “All of these beautiful flower assort- always at a remark-
ments are arranged for the ceremony and able value.” C ARTICLE FEEDBACK
reception,” Julie says. “All you do is take
them out of the box. Each item is labeled
and ready to go.”

Julie says the freshness of flowers should never be compromised—especially for a once-in-a-lifetime event. From the time the flowers are picked, it takes only three days to ship them any-