Bike Week visitors tie the knot at park

Ormond Beach Observer
Neighbors

Florist uses creative signage to bring in business

Romance blossomed amid the roar of Bike Week on March 11 when a couple here for the event got married at Bailey Riverbridge Gardens. Greg Huber and Denise Miller (now Huber) were riding their motorcycles when they saw “Free Biker Weddings” on the sign at A Floral Boutique, 321 N. U.S. 1.

“We had been talking about it for a while and just couldn’t figure out the logistics,” Huber said. “So we said, ‘why not?’”

Miller said they were having a great time visiting and reminiscing with old friends who just moved to Ormond Beach, Brian and Kathy Kilpatrick, and it just seemed like the perfect time.

The Ohio couple got their license at the Courthouse Annex in Daytona Beach, and then later that day picked up the flowers at A Floral Bouquet for a sunset wedding at the park.

Store owners Rick and Susie Rivers helped with the wedding ceremony, provided the flowers for free and paid for the officiant.

Rivers, who has published two books on marketing, often places attention-getting messages on his sign. After Valentine’s Day, he had “How was that couch?” He said several guys who had forgotten to buy flowers for the day stopped in and bought a bouquet.

“They knew exactly what the sign meant,” he said.

While not directly earning money, the wedding promotion is building good will. Rivers said the friends of the newlyweds told him they are going to be customers, and a biker magazine plans to do a story about it, he said.

But the money is secondary to Susie Rivers, who said she enjoys the personal aspect of the business.

“When people send flowers, they are sending their heart,” she said. “They are trying to say something.”

Having been in business in Ormond Beach for 30 years, she said they have provided flowers for someone for a prom, and then a few years later for their wedding. Later on, they will supply flowers for their grandmother’s funeral.

She said people will keep photos that show the bridal bouquet all their lives, and press flowers in a book.

“It’s more than a business. It’s rewarding,” she said.