ODD JOBS: Flowery Language

Nothing is stronger than the ties that bind a family together, especially at work.

Apart from Hyattsville's oft-discussed arts district stands one of the city’s best-kept secrets— located on Hamilton Street.

Under the owner ship of the Leiva family for just half year, business has been busy and rewarding.

Visiting the shop to further explore what a typical day in the bridal and flower industry showed me a hard working family with aspirations of going far.

While Guni and Marisol Leiva are away the Leivas’ daughters Yareni, 19, Katterine, 16 and Dania, 14 with the help of Jessica Lopez (employee of previous owner) pull the reigns of the family business.

"We all had to learn how to be more responsible with each other and the business," Dania Leiva, said.

No day is the same at Jessica's Bridal and Flower. The words of a pastor preaching in Spanish played through a room of wall-to-wall favors for every occasion. Boxes of packaged flower orders set waiting to be prepared for weddings, quinceaneras, baptisms and other special occasions.

The main task of that day for the Leiva family was sorting out the flower delivery by order of arrangement. This included cutting the stems of the flowers by the bundles; putting the base of the flowers in water to keep them fresh; and placing them in a room size refrigerator until further preparation was needed.

On other days the Levias may be expected to deliver flowers and set them up at desired locations. If flowers are not that day’s centerpiece, they place orders of gowns for wedding parties, proms and quiceaneras.

Providing props or decorations in ballrooms or churches fills up the remaining spots on the calendar.

Wedding packages are offered for $1,200 to $1,750. Some include bridal gowns, tuxedo rentals, alterations and utensil sets for cutting the wedding cake.

“Jessica’s Bridal had my exact size in tux and shoes and I would recommend the shop to other people," said customer Brian Sanchez.

In addition to bridal clothing and flowers, the Levias makes arrangements with a local bakery to prepare cakes for special occasions for their customers.

In the future the Levias would like to expand their business to include catering and multiple locations.

Jessica's Bridal & Flowers is located at 3501 Hamilton St. and can be contacted by phone (301) 985-1298.