ftd – user's Blog!

May 20, 2016

9 Summer Wedding Tips to Help You Keep Your Cool

Summer is one of the most popular wedding seasons of the year. However, summer weddings can be a tad uncomfortable for guests as well as the bride and groom. Here are some tips on what you need to beat the heat and say “I do” to some Cash Back at Ebates while you’re at it. Preparing for your dream summer wedding will be easier than you think.

1. Play it Cool

Having an outdoor summer wedding? Skip the sweltering heat and keep guests comfortable with gear to cool them off. Place handheld fans on their seats or in baskets at the entrance to your venue for guests to grab. Umbrellas and tents are a great option to create shade and stay protected from the harsh sunlight. Large portable fans make keeping your outdoor tent space cool as a breeze. Fabric seat covers or cushions will keep guests from burning themselves on hot rental chairs. If possible, opt for a location that offers both and indoor and outdoor space in order to provide guests an air-conditioned sanctuary when they want to beat the heat.

2. Warm-Weather Worthy Food & Drinks

Hot, greasy food and scorching weather just don’t pair well together. Choose light entrees, cool salads and sweet seasonal fruits to keep guests feeling festive and ready to celebrate. Visit FruitBouquets.com for Cash Back at Ebates on fruit baskets and bouquets sure to make a scrumptious statement on your buffet or snack table. Be sure to keep appetizers and food over ice or on chilled platters so they don’t spoil. Add ice water pitchers to guests’ tables to keep them hydrated and cool, too. Dress up your drinks with fresh slices of fruit or berries for a stylish way to sip and serve frozen adult beverages for the perfect refreshments. Don’t forget to keep the little ones hydrated by keeping ice buckets full of water bottles and no sugar-added juices within their reach. Check Overstock.com or Crate and Barrel for great beverage dispensers, drinkware and more. When it comes to dessert, traditional wedding cakes are great, but unique ice creams, gelato or shaved ice will keep guests cooled down and delighted.

3. Summery Styles

Don’t get weighed down by a bulky dress or tux. Opt for light and breathable fabrics for summer-appropriate style, especially for outdoor ceremonies. Encourage guests to sport flowy summer wedding dresses or airy shirts, shorts or pants for maximum comfort. Open-toed shoes or comfortable sandals will keep you from overheating, too. Visit Shoes.com and save on tons of summer-friendly styles with Cash Back at Ebates and a money-saving promo code.

4. Hot Weather Hair & Makeup

Hair and humidity are mortal enemies. Prep your locks with a smoothing serum or humidity protector before walking down the aisle on a sticky day. If you have medium to long hair, think about skipping the flowing ‘do for a more summer-friendly style off your neck and shoulders. Stay cool with a chic bun, pony or chignon and don’t forget to set your look with a humidity-fighting spray. When it comes to makeup, the drippy, sweaty style that comes with summer just isn’t flattering. Be sure to visit ULTA Beauty to find your perfect primers, powders and matte setting sprays to make your look last all day, shine-free. Score amazing wedding makeup deals and save with an ULTA Beauty promo code!

5. Flower Power

Wilting, brown flowers aren’t what you signed up for on your wedding day. If you want to add pretty petals to match your summer wedding colors, be sure to choose heat-resistant blooms that thrive in that sizzling summer weather. Succulents and vines are beautiful options that won’t wither in the great outdoors. Talk to your florist or check out FTD Flowers and save with a promo code while earning Cash Back at Ebates on beautiful blooms. Don’t forget to keep summer wedding corsages and boutonnieres in a cool place until you’re ready to go.

6. Don’t Bug Out

The hot summer sun means bugs come out to play. Skip the mosquito bites and gnats by providing plenty of bug spray to combat those annoying insects. Set up a warm-weather refueling station complete with bug spray, cold water bottles, sunscreen and ice water spray bottles to keep guests comfortable. Light citronella candles around your ceremony for a little glow that’ll keep you protected, too. Toss them in a stylish lantern and you’re golden!

7. Favor Faves

Skip the melty chocolates and other ooey-gooey sweets and opt for mini summer wedding care packages to keep your guests comfortable. Parasols, personalized fans and sunglasses make great additions to your summer wedding favors. Mini bubble bottles are the perfect outdoor wedding favors for kids, just make sure they’ve got their UV protection on first, of course.

8. It’s All Fun & Games

Perfect summer days are ideal for outdoor play! If the temps don’t skyrocket, keep guests having fun outside with entertaining summer wedding ideas like bocce ball, horseshoe and other fun lawn games.

Did you tie the knot during the summer season? Comment below and share your favorite wedding ideas for summer!

February 10, 2014

The Sweetest Romances Bloom with Gifts from FTD

It’s that time of year when romance is in the air and sweethearts everywhere are inspired to find new and original ways to tell each other, “I love you!” At FTD, we’ve been making Valentine dreams come true for more than 100 years, and for 2014, we offer an exciting array of luxurious gifts that go beyond the expected, and into the exceptional, at a range of prices.

Flowers, and especially roses, are an iconic choice. While red is a familiar favorite, consider surprising your sweetie with roses in the year’s trendiest hues – like lavender, or in a fun and vibrant mix of several bright and beautiful colors.

This year, we’re finding, more and more people are accompanying their bouquets with a sweet treat to create a loving, multi-sensory Valentine experience. Among the top choices are FTD’s new and exclusive collection of Chocolate Dip Deligh ts. Artisan chocolatiers start with big, ripe, juicy natural fruits and berries, along with scrumptious cakes and cookies, and make them even more delectable with generous hand-dipping in luxurious 100% real, premium chocolate. They’re the perfect gourmet goodie for all your sweeties, whether they’re women, men or children.

What better way to kick off a night of romance than with Chocolate Dip Delights™ Valentine Real Chocolate Covered Strawberries? Each plump, vine-ripened strawberry, specially selected for its size, sweetness and juiciness, is hand-dipped in velvety 100% real chocolate – dark, milk or white – and striped with ruby red drizzles. Yum!

Or, choose from one of these great ways to say “Be Mine!”

Belgian Chocolate Covered Oreo® Cookies… the world’s favorite cookie made more wonderful with a delightful dunk in our premium, 100% real chocolate.
Happy Valentine Cake Pops are one of the trendiest treats and an inspired way to send “hugs and kisses” to all the loves in your life.
Valentine’s Day Cupcakes hand-dipped in Chocolate Dip Delights signature 100% real Belgian chocolate−dark, milk or white−and decorated for Valentine’s Day.
S’more Hugs & Kisses reinvents the classic campfire treat with a fun and festive look just right for Valentine’s Day gifting.
And Red Hot Love Valentine’s Day Chocolate Covered Jalapenos to help you bring a delicious, exciting and spicy touch to a special relationship.

Here’s an idea! Make the love you share this Valentine’s Day, last though the year. Choose from our Chocolate Dip Delights Belgian Chocolate Covered Dessert or Fruit Club and keep the sweetness flowing for your choice of 3 months, 6 months or a full year!

Don’t forget to check out the bouquets for which FTD is world famous. You’ll find roses with stems up to 5-feet long, long-stem roses in fun, fresh and colorful mixed bouquets, and arrangements ready to display in exclusive, sparkling, heavy-glass keepsake vases they’ll cherish for years. And one of the great things about ordering roses from FTD is your assurance that no matter which bouquet you choose, the blossoms will be hand-chosen and meet our strict standards for excellent bloom formation, color and freshness.

Finally, one bit of advice we always share−order early to get the best selection and price. Order your Valentine’s Day gifts now and schedule delivery for Valentine’s Day, or better yet, have your gift delivered early that week (Valentine’s Day is on Friday), so your sweetheart can be the envy of the office from Monday through Friday.

June 4, 2013

Getting Ready for the OTHER Big Gift Season with FTD

At last June has arrived, and with it, the start of summer. It’s a big season for birthdays, weddings, anniversaries and housewarmings – all great reasons for showing the special people in your life how much you care. And among these special occasions, two stand out as particularly fun gifting opportunities: graduations and Father’s Day.

The Class of 2013
Make Their Graduation a Day to Remember

What a day! They’re saying “good-bye” to one part of their life, and saying “hello!” to the next all accompanied by the requisite pomp and pageantry and gushing parental pride. Traditionally, it’s a jumble of mixed feelings−elation in a successful job done, sadness for the end of a happy time, excitement at what’s to come next.

How do you appropriately mark a day this important and celebrate the graduate at the center of it all? Flowers are always welcome and a brilliant pick that honors the departing student and their alma mater is a bouquet from the FTD College Roses Collection. These beautiful, bi-colored roses come in the official colors of over 50 schools. Another colorful choice is the Way to Go Graduate Rainbow Rose Bouquet created especially to make an indelible impression and happy memories.

And if you want to present them with a great way to savor and preserve those memories, consider the Personalized Dream & Believe Graduation Wood Frame for displaying a photo of the day’s special moments.

One of the nicest ways to wish a graduate success is with the Peace & Prosperity Braided Money Tree that blooms with your hopes for happiness or treat them to a sampling of appetite appeal with the Mrs. Fields® Graduation H at full of the world’s most acclaimed cookies. Or take the celebration to its ultimate expression with a luxury treat of our Celebrate with Dom Perignon & God iva® gift combo−which is also perfect for honoring over-21 graduates, along with their persevering parents.

Father’s Day 2013
Honoring the Big Guy. Big Time!

Right now, in the weeks leading up to Father’s Day, folks everywhere are wondering what to get dad? Searching for inspiration they ask, “what does he need?” or, “what does he want?” or, “what gift will convey how much we love him?” or, “what can we afford?” No wonder Father’s Day neckties and golf balls became favorite gifting clichés!

This year, Father’s Day falls on Sunday, June 16th. Anticipating our customers search for Father’s Day gifts that combine originality, creativity and the making of happy memories, FTD offers a great select ion with plenty to please practically every pop, big time.

Since FTD has been the top name in flowers for over 100 years, let’s start by debunking the obvious fallacy … real men DO like real flowers. You think that just because they’re guys they don’t go for big, beautiful, colorful, attention-getting demonstrations of love? Even if they’ll never admit, MEN LIKE GETTING FLOWERS. And if it’s a bouquet from our College Roses Collection and they come in the colors of the college team he loves best, then these flowers are a made to order choice for the big guy.

Other inspired ways to celebrate dear old dad are the Nuts for Him gift basket chock full of treats that will make his day, or you can pay tribute to his culinary skills with the Happy Father’s Day Barbeque Gourmet Gift Basket overflowing with everything he needs to take his grilling to a whole new level.

Is he a golfer? Then dress up his desk with Dad’s Big Day Father’s Day Gift, a flourishing plant in an oversized golf ball planter, or give him an assist for his own dressing up with Personalized Elite Collection Silver Engraved Cufflinks customized with his initials so he’s knows they’re for him alone.

One final bit of advice – don‘t wait until the last minute to order. Ordering in advance (for arrival on the date you choose) will help assure that the items you order will be available and ready for delighting grad or dad on their special day.

December 5, 2012

Enter to win a $100 FTD Gift Card!

Just in time for the holidays! Check out our six new stores on FTD.com with greater selection and fast, easy one-cart shopping!

Gift Basket Shop, Sweet Shop, Luxury Collection, Jewelry Shop, Plant Shop, FTD College Roses.

FTD will be giving away $100 gift cards to 3 Ebates fans!

Entry is simple: Check out the new FTD.com and then leave a comment right here telling us how you would spend your prize!