Before the sun rises over East Boulder County, the lights inside Lafayette Florist flicker on. The air is cool and fragrant — buckets of fresh roses, lilies, eucalyptus, and sunflowers line the workroom like an artist’s palette waiting to come alive. The team sips coffee, greets each other and ties on aprons. They begin doing what they do best: turning flowers into emotion.
The Early Hours
The day starts quietly. Fresh shipments arrive from local wholesalers and international farms, and the processing team begin “conditioning” the flowers — trimming stems, hydrating blooms, and prepping greens for the day ahead. Each order waiting in the queue represents a story — a birthday, an anniversary, a thank-you, or sometimes, a simple reminder of love.
The phones start ringing, printers come alive producing website orders and shoppers filter into the store. Our drivers are on the move, gathering gorgeous gifts destined to delight unsuspecting recipients.
By mid-morning, the design tables fill with color. More arrangements are getting processed for delivery. Ribbons unfurl, clippers snip, and conversation hums between the team as arrangements take shape. Each designer uses a recipe, to make sure every bouquet matches a website selection or a customer request.
The Creative Chaos
Our store is designed to draw shoppers right into the heart of the action. Everything happens out in the open — designers line the west wall, creating stunning arrangements while onlookers watch in amazement. Plant expert Tanner guides customers in selecting pieces to brighten their homes, while the walk-in cooler beckons visitors to explore our Cut Flower Experience Bar, choosing their own blooms and having our team carefully wrap their treasures. Nearby, drivers load carts for deliveries, giving shoppers a peek at the beautiful arrangements heading out the door. It’s a vibrant, interactive space — a place where creativity, discovery, and fun are always in bloom.
“This isn’t just a fun place to shop — it’s a wonderful place to work. As a family business, keeping it happy and welcoming is at the heart of everything we do,” says Sandi Sniff, co-owner.
“We always say we don’t just sell flowers,” says Sandi’s sister, Lori Wheat. “We deliver connection. Every order means someone’s thinking of someone else — that’s the heart of what we do.”
The Hidden Work
Behind every beautiful bouquet is a mix of logistics and love. There is Jordan working remotely on marketing and event proposals. Jessica is working on bookkeeping, Tanner is sourcing the best plants and a group of others making sure every detail keeps customers smiling.
And then there’s the care after the design: handwritten messages double-checked, vases wrapped for travel, and every stem inspected before it leaves the shop. “We want every delivery to feel like it came straight from our hands to theirs,” says Sandi.
More Than Flowers
By late afternoon, the shop quiets. The last vans roll in, empty buckets are cleaned and sterilized, and the scent of lilies and eucalyptus lingers in the air. It’s the calm after the rush — the moment when the team looks around and knows they’ve helped celebrate love, comfort loss, and brighten ordinary days.
Lafayette Florist has been part of the community for decades, but inside its walls, every day still feels new — full of color, creativity, and care. Because behind every bloom is a team of people who believe that flowers don’t just decorate life — they help us feel it.