It’s Spotlight day where we introduce you to Cheryl Andrews of CDC Floral and share the stories behind the company.
When people ask “what do you do?” how do you answer?
I am a certified Floral Design/Owner of an event and wedding design company.
What did you do before you did this?
I was a hairdresser.
When and how did you get into the wedding industry?
I was looking for a career change and decided to sign up for floral design classes and fell in love! The rest, as they say, is history!
How long would you say you’ve been doing what you do today?
1994 – 26 years In 2004 earned the Florida State Master Designer certification and in 2017 received the Certified Floral Designer designation by the American Institute of Floral Design (AIFD).
How did your work evolve to get you to where you are today?
I started my floral career in retail which eventually evolved to me opening my own floral design company, CDC Floral. Starting as a home-based business we quickly outgrew the home base and have gradually increased business and facilities to our current 10,000 square feet of showroom, production, and warehouse space to serve our client needs.
What is your favorite thing about what you do? What’s your WHY?
Each day holds a new challenge or opportunity; formulating a design concept for event or wedding and then having the freedom to create and execute it to exceed the client’s expectations.
What’s the best part of your job?
Being creative and always learning new trends, designs, processes, styles, etc.
What motivates you to do this every day?
Passion for the floral industry and the opportunity to make people happy even if for just a moment.
Love being able to share my talent through great design.
What fun-fact would people be surprised to learn about you?
My father was a mechanic and owned his own shop. Through high school and a short time after I worked in the garage doing oil changes, brake jobs, and even rebuilt a transmission. Eventually, went to a cosmetology school where I received my diploma and worked as a hairdresser for many years.
How did you decide on the name of your company?
I wanted a name that would appear at or near the beginning of the alphabet, so it would appear near the top in the “phone book.” (Haha!)
What is important for clients to know about your company before they book you?
That we are a full-service, one-stop-shop, able to not only do your flowers but design an entire event: linen, chairs, lighting, etc.
What is the best compliment you’ve received from your clients?
That I “got” their vision, executed it flawlessly, and that I went over and above at exceeding their expectations.
Complete event design – we can offer as much or as little of our services as our clients need. Tables, chairs, linen, lighting, and floral. We work with a broad spectrum of event and wedding professionals who are as passionate as we are to assist you with bringing your vision to life.
What makes your business stand out from others in your category?
The thing that makes us different is…me! The level of service: we engage with each client and become a part of their “team.” We have a vested interest in the success of their event. We strive for perfection, but excellence will be tolerated.
Tell us about your favorite type of engaged couple.
Someone who is truly engaged in life and looking forward to the planning process of their event. Couples who have a vision but are open-minded and willing to accept the suggestions of the professional they hire.
Why do couples hire you?
I develop a one-on-one relationship with all of our clients to develop a level of comfort for them to truly express their concerns and needs.
Bridal bouquet and matching boutonniere, four attendants’ bouquets, six boutonnieres, and two wrist corsages.
Why do you think your business is successful?
Personal attention is given to each and every client, along with exceptional service and a quality product.
Tell us briefly about some of your package options. What is the price range for these packages?
We’ve only recently developed packages. It has always been our thinking that each couple deserves to have the wedding of their dreams and not have to be pigeonholed into a package that may not fit their needs or style.
But over the years, packages have been requested, so we have finally succumbed.
The Intimate Package includes bouquet and boutonniere for $150.00.
The Bliss package adds two attendant bouquets and two matching boutonnieres for $500.00.
Our Elite package adds two more attendant bouquets and a total of six boutonnieres and two wrist corsages for $1,000.00.
Of course, these are all customizable; ceremony, reception, decor, and design services are available at an additional fee.
CDC Floral shares some helpful information for engaged couples…..
What are the most common questions you get asked by brides and/or grooms?
“How much is this?” with a picture attached.
What is your best piece of advice for someone that just got engaged?
Choose vendors you are compatible with both in style and temperament. You are investing a lot of money and time in your vendors to make sure they are working FOR you.
What current trends have you seen at weddings that you personally like the most?
Themed events/weddings and organic design. More free form, flowing design.
What do you think are the biggest misconceptions that people have about your vendor category?
Flowers are inexpensive. A trained floral designer will have years of education and experience in proper care and handling of floral and greenery to ensure that excellence is always at the forefront. With the trend of greenery only, it is not a less expensive option for floral; in fact, some foliage is more expensive than flowers. It takes the same amount of time to prepare, design, and deliver greenery as flowers.
You are not only paying for the product but the creativity, talent, attention to detail, and exemplary customer service. Like the adage says, “you get what you pay for”.
Name three unique venues that you enjoy working at and why.
Bella Collina Golf and Country Club – There are so many beautiful spaces for ceremony, reception, and photos. A little touch of Tuscany right here in Central Florida. Amazing views and staff!
Omni Resort Orlando at ChampionsGate – so many beautiful location options; indoor and outdoor. Staff is professional, helpful, and efficient.
Howey Mansion – Historical atmosphere and old-world charm.
What some of their previous couples had to say….
“The women at CDC Floral are always so sweet and it was an absolute pleasure to work with them for my rehearsal dinner and wedding. Cheryl and her team provided a birch wood arch with floral satellites for my ceremony along with the dinner table centerpieces, bouquets, boutonnieres, and a few other miscellaneous arrangements for the reception. They also provided centerpieces for the rehearsal dinner that we were able to re-use at the wedding the following day. I also rented some candles and decor pieces from them that enhances the overall look and feel of the event. Every arrangement was absolutely gorgeous and they understood my vision 100%! I’ve worked with CDC Floral on other events and each experience is easy, fun, and flawless.” – Amanda and Matthew, The Acre
“Thank you so much to the CDC team for my stunning bouquet and flowers!
With a wedding vision board, a picture of my wedding dress, and somewhat of an idea for my bridal bouquet, I left the creativity to Cheryl and had her tell me what would pair nicely. And the result? A bridal bouquet that was better than any Pinterest idea I saw! It was truly an outstanding cascading bouquet that had everything I didn’t know I needed! I was beyond ecstatic when I saw it on my wedding day! =) For me, it hit me I was getting married once I had my bouquet in my hands… it was such an emotional moment.
As for the personal flowers, beautiful! I wanted something different for the bridesmaids and she gave it life. Cheryl worked with what I was looking for but added touches only a talented person with experience would do.
CDC puts attentional to detail, works with your wedding vision, and are truly experts at what they do. I hope you book them! You will be very pleased with your distinctive arrangements ;)” – Jessica and Abraham, Ever After Farms
“I absolutely adored my décor and flowers for our wedding. From the moment I met with Cheryl with CDC Floral, I knew that I could trust her to create my vision. She is professional, she took her time with me and she worked with me on my budget. Not only did she do a beautiful job on my alter décor, but my bridal party flowers were gorgeous! I only have positive things to say about CDC Floral! It was a very pleasant experience. I would choose them over and over again.” – Hope and Todd, The University Club
Watch this video of different bridal bouquets…
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