The Flower Cottage Vendor Guide: Teams We Know And Trust
The Flower Cottage Vendor Guide: Teams We Know And Trust

One of the things we love most about hosting events at The Flower Cottage is how much creative freedom it allows our clients. You’re welcome to bring any vendors you’d like, from catering and bar services to rentals, décor, and entertainment. You can even bring in your own food and beverages to truly make the space your own. The only exception is flowers — as a floral-forward venue, we are the exclusive provider of floral design for events at The Flower Cottage. This allows us to ensure every event is thoughtfully designed, cohesive, and elevated with flowers that perfectly complement the space.

Over the years, we’ve worked alongside some incredibly talented vendors, and we’re excited to share a few of our favorites to help make your event planning process seamless and stress-free.

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Events at the Cottage, Hosting IdeasSapphire and LaceComment
The History of The Flower Cottage
The History of The Flower Cottage

The Flower Cottage has one of those stories that feels a little bit meant-to-be. It sits tucked quietly behind Ziebart and the Leon’s plaza, right off busy Perry Highway in Wexford…but unless you know exactly where to look, you’d never notice it! Honestly, even though Bethany and Julie both grew up in the area, drove these roads daily, and still live nearby, they had no idea this little house existed! It’s right down the street from their high school, yet the cottage stayed hidden all those years like a sweet little secret waiting for the right moment.

The cottage itself dates back to the 1950s, when it was built for our landlord Barry’s grandparents. Barry grew up on this land, and over the years he’s watched the property around the cottage change and evolve. After he married his wife, they lived in the cottage for a time before eventually relocating to another part of his property, where they still reside today. The cottage has always been a meaningful piece of his family’s story.

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Sapphire and LaceComment
Venue Spotlight: Heinz History Center
Venue Spotlight: Heinz History Center

The Heinz History Center is one of those venues that truly offers something for everyone. Whether your guests are lifelong Pittsburgh locals or visiting the city for the first time, it’s such a fun and memorable space to experience!

One of the things we love most about designing weddings at the Heinz History Center is its versatility. There are multiple spaces throughout the venue that can be used for ceremonies, cocktail hours, and receptions, allowing couples to create a wedding day that flows beautifully while still feeling dynamic and intentional.

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Wedding FlowersSapphire and LaceComment
Elevated vs. Low Centerpieces: How to Choose for the Venue & Guest Experience
Elevated vs. Low Centerpieces: How to Choose for the Venue & Guest Experience

When it comes to designing your wedding reception tables, centerpieces play a huge role in setting the tone for the evening. The choice between elevated (tall) centerpieces and low arrangements isn’t just about style — it’s also about how the space feels, how guests interact, and how the florals work with your venue.

So, how do you know which is right for you? Let’s break it down!

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Wedding Tips for Couples, Wedding FlowersSapphire and LaceComment
How to Design Wedding Flowers Quickly Without Sacrificing Quality
How to Design Wedding Flowers Quickly Without Sacrificing Quality

Here’s the thing, designing wedding flowers quickly and beautifully is absolutely possible. The secret? Experience, practice, and training yourself to work within a tight time frame. You might be surprised at how stunning your designs can be when you pick up the pace.

A lot of people imagine florists slowly and thoughtfully placing each stem, sipping tea, and adjusting a single rose until it’s “just so.” And sure, there are moments like that… but for most event florists, the reality looks very different.

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Tips for Florists, How-to'sSapphire and LaceComment
The Best Flowers for Large-Scale Installations That Hold Up Without Water
The Best Flowers for Large-Scale Installations That Hold Up Without Water

Flowers need water! One of the biggest challenges to solve as a florist tackling a large-scale installation is figuring out where your water source will come from.

Sure, you can use water pick tubes, floral foam, plastic vases, and other mechanics to keep stems hydrated. But sometimes, you just need a list of durable flowers in your back pocket for those larger installs where water isn’t an option.

It goes without saying (though we’re saying it anyway) that silk flowers are always an option for installations—especially in tricky spots or extreme temperatures.

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Tips for FloristsSapphire and LaceComment
Quick Flower Style Guide: Turning Words Into Floral Designs
Quick Flower Style Guide: Turning Words Into Floral Designs

When couples describe their wedding flowers, they often use words like romantic, organic, or modern. But what do those words actually look like in practice? As florists, we take the words you use to describe the feel of your day and translate them into shapes, textures, and flower choices. Here’s a quick guide to help you connect the language with the look.

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Tips for Florists, Wedding Tips for Couples, Wedding FlowersSapphire and LaceComment
Masterclass Recap
Masterclass Recap

Back in April, we hosted our very first floral design masterclass—and what a weekend it was! 🌸

At Sapphire & Lace, we regularly offer seasonal beginner-level floral workshops where no experience is necessary. But we knew we wanted to create something special for those ready to advance into a floral design career or deepen their existing skills. This new masterclass was designed to bridge that gap—helping aspiring and established designers take their artistry to the next level.

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Flower Tutorials, Tips for Florists, How-to'sSapphire and LaceComment