From flower deliveries at dawn to handcrafted arrangements, this is the behind-the-scenes story of your flowers, a glimpse into the people, passion and petals behind every bouquet.
The Story Behind Every Stem
♪ Ding ding…ding ding…ding ding… ♪
It’s 4:50am and the alarm cuts through the silence, marking the beginning of another busy day for owner of Victoria Florist, Leanne Lovell. By 5am she’s logged into the online flower market and bidding up a frenzy, ensuring only the freshest of flowers for her customers.
Out of her dressing gown and ready to face the public, Leanne’s arrival at the shop provides the rush no caffeine hit can ever match. While her commuter coffee wakes her up, the flowers lift her up, proof that the best pick-me-up isn’t always in a cup!
It’s a busy time as the floristry team process fresh flowers and prep the shop for the day ahead. By 8:30am, when the doors open to the public, they’ve already conditioned the flowers for maximum freshness. It’s a morning ritual of preparation and care, ensuring every bouquet will look its best and last longer in your home.
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Soon after opening, the phone starts ringing. The first call of the day belongs to a family who want to send their beloved mother cruising out in style. While Victoria Florists also liaise with funeral directors, it’s a privilege to work in-person with the bereaved, creating floral tributes that are uniquely personalised. However, this phone call leads to a first for Victoria Florists. A lovely lady who adored cruising, the departed’s casket is a cruise ship, the top deck a floral tribute designed and crafted by Leanne and her incredible crew of talented florists.
Celebrate Your Love Story with Beautiful Flowers
An email pings. It’s an international bride coming to New Zealand for an elopement wedding! She’s got everything sorted – the registry office, the photographer, the dress… but no flowers.
One of the joys of an elopement is that you don’t need hundreds of flowers to create something beautiful. Small in scale doesn’t mean small in impact, and Leanne’s team arrange to supply a carefully curated bouquet and gentleman’s buttonhole that will feel just as special for an intimate celebration as a grand wedding.
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A uni student wanders into the shop. He’s out of his comfort zone, but he’s got a girlfriend and he needs maximum impact on a minimum budget!
Leanne’s got his back and he departs with a cheeky grin, confident his girlfriend is going to swoon, while his bank balance remains intact. Leanne’s in her element too, manipulating her floristry skills to bring joy to others. As she says,
“We’ve been doing this for a long time. We know how to put flowers together so it looks like you’ve got more.”
Delivering More than Flowers
The day continues, and there’s laughter and banter between the team as customers come and go, plans are made for table arrangements for a corporate event over the weekend and the window display is refreshed.
Three times a day, Gary pokes his head round the door, the luckiest guy in Christchurch. Part courier, part happiness distributor, Gary has been delivering flowers for Leanne for 16 years, connecting people through flowers one doorstep at a time.
The Final Flourish
As the day comes to an end, the team gathers. Together, they tidy and straighten, settling the shop ready to bloom again tomorrow. Leanne turns the key in the door, happily exhausted and looking forward to an episode of Coronation Street! It’s been another day of flowers delivered, moments celebrated and connections made, and she’ll be up ready to do it all over again tomorrow.
Whether you’re marking a milestone or sending a thoughtful surprise, let Victoria Florists help you say it with flowers. Browse our latest arrangements and order today. Call Victoria Florists on 03 351 7444 or Order Online