Those garden-variety grocery store flowers will do in a pinch, but when you want to impress, a good florist is your best bet. We roamed the wilds of Chicago and the North Shore in search of the brightest florists in the field. Below is our perfectly pruned arrangement of floral designers to suit every taste and occasion.
Wow-Worthy Flowers for Weddings
1. Vale of Enna (Lincoln Park)
The Vale of Enna is a mythological valley of eternal spring—an apt name for this lovely Lincoln Park floral design studio. Vale of Enna has cultivated a loyal fan base with their creative, utterly romantic wedding floral arrangements. Think sumptuous bouquets of blushing blooms and custom centerpieces that deftly incorporate natural materials like Grapewood branches strewn with peonies, paper birch, succulents and peacock feathers.
2. FlowersFlowers (Evanston)
It’s clear from the impressive range of styles in this little Evanston flower shop’s wedding portfolio that the designers at FlowersFlowers are true artists. The shop specializes in creating original designs inspired by the client’s vision, that vary from traditional to modern, but always incorporate unique flora in lush, garden-style arrangements. (Make It Better’s audience voted FlowersFlowers Best Blooms in our Best of 2015 survey—for the fifth year in a row!)
Beautiful Bouquets for Romance
3. The Foxglove Studio (West Loop)
The Foxglove Studio creates floral designs like no one else. Owner Caitlin Kerr’s arrangements shoot forth like fireworks in colorful bursts of plush petals and cascading tendrils. Each design is uniquely modern, but rustic and seemingly untamed with the expressive drama of a Dutch still life. Foxglove does floral design for weddings, events and parties. They also offer subscription and delivery services for clients in downtown Chicago.
Glitzy Arrangements for Galas
4. The Flower Firm (West Loop)
For glamorous galas, look no further than The Flower Firm, an event production company that provides everything from stunning floral design to décor, fabric and lighting for events and galas of every shape and size. Flower Firm has been in the biz for more than 15 years and has an enviable list of clients for whom they’ve created extraordinary environments with an impeccable attention to detail.
Neighborhood Favorites
5. MilleFiori (Evanston)
Nestled among the charming storefronts on Central Street in Evanston, the lavender-colored facade of MilleFiori has been a fixture in the neighborhood for nearly two decades. A great place to find little luxuries and garden accents, along with gorgeous bouquets and green plants, it is the perfect one-stop shop for any occasion—large or small. The shop has been tended by husband-and-wife team Charlie Mullenix and Tracy Rosenquist for the past 10 years and provides warm, considerate service, online ordering and delivery throughout the North Shore.
6. Fleur (Logan Square)
Fleur has been woven into the fabric of the Logan Square neighborhood for 13 years. Despite a recent relocation, the shop remains an integral part of the community—offering workshops, classes, flower subscriptions and other fun floral events, as well as a curated selection of hand-crafted gifts. Known for romantic and delightful “windswept” arrangements, Fleur provides seasonal flowers from local growers for any occasion. Whether you’re picking up a single stem, a romantic hand-tied bouquet or planning a lavish wedding, Fleur is always a bustling, blooming, beautiful place to visit.
Eco-Conscious Florists
7. Flowers for Dreams (Chicago)
Flowers for Dreams does all the things. Their philanthropic flowers are locally crafted, sourced from responsible, certified-sustainable growers, beautifully arranged and delivered to your door. Each month, Flowers for Dreams selects a local charity to benefit from a quarter of that month’s profits. They offer a subscription service, free delivery throughout Chicago ($10 for the North Shore), and also provide floral design for weddings and events.
8. Field and Florist (Barrington Hills)
In a flower market flooded with pesticides and imported flora, Field and Florist has emerged with an exquisitely simple, yet brilliant concept. Field and Florist is a Barrington Hills flower farm and floral design company. They sell their dazzling, sustainable, locally cultivated blooms wholesale to the floral industry, and grow and design wild, luxurious arrangements for weddings and events. You can also score one of their gorgeous bouquets on floral holidays (like Valentine’s Day) during their pop-up events (follow them on Instagram and Facebook for updates).
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