Malak has fully embraced the computer age. Instead of my leafing through her paper portfolios, she shows me her latest flower decorations by tapping away at the keyboard of her laptop. Bridal bouquets mixed with the now so fashionable crystal springs, centerpieces of vibrantly colored dahlias, roses and gerbera daisies. "I always carry a digital camera with me, and it takes no time from taking the picture to displaying it on the monitor," she told me.

Malak began working with flowers in 1985. She enjoyed it so much that she bought her own business five years later. She offers fresh and silk flowers, and can provide everything from aisle runners and arches to a variety of containers and baskets. She offers three wedding packages or can custom-design the whole event. Her prices are very reasonable, yet she never compromises on the quality and freshness of her flowers. Her large digital portfolio features many different styles. I found her work to be very creative, incorporating paper fans into an Asian floral design, and floating lemons and limes into a tall tropical design. Her business is 95 percent referral. She told me about one very large family of 950 people for whom she provides wedding flowers year after year. Former brides even return to her for flowers when they renew their vows.

I saw beautiful work, at both the church and the reception, for a bride on a budget. Tulle and pink cording swagged from pew to pew all the way down the aisle. The bride's bouquet was elegantly formed with large, timeless ivory roses and soft purplish misty. The bridesmaids' bouquets had the same large roses in addition to alstroemeria and freesia. At the reception site, Malak decorated the large wooden stair railing with ferns, roses, alstroemeria, mums, larkspur, and stock. The centerpieces were done with white football mums, red mini-carnations, and alstroemeria.

Wedding clients love the "fresh-cut" look of Malak's flowers. One mother wrote, "The bridal bouquet was so special, we are having it freeze-dried." The Saratoga Chamber of Commerce, a regular customer, has also sent her thank-you notes saying, "You outdid yourself with this lovely arrangement. We received more compliments than ever before. You are a treasure!"