Born as a college project, Flowers for Dreams has revolutionized the concept of floral delivery in Chicago. How? The company set out to do away with baby’s breath and pesticide-infested roses in favor of modern, locally sourced stems. To top it all off, a quarter of its profits go towards a local charity each month. Starting at just $35, you can get a charming bouquet artfully wrapped in rustic, recyclable cloth, hand-delivered. You'll also never be upsold on a teddy bear, box of chocolates or cheesy balloons—they don't even carry them! The flowers are center-stage.

Though the Bouqs Co. is a national floral-delivery service, the company has more compelling arrangements than the humdrum bouquets of carnations and daisies you see on some competitor sites. In fact, The Bouqs Co. sources all of its flowers from eco-friendly and socially responsible farms, with the blooms cut the day that you order them. That includes a collection of blooms grown at the base of a volcano in South America. (How's that for a story?) With a streamlined ordering process, the price you see is what you get, with the delivery fee included. Choose from dozens of floral designs, with same-day delivery also available.

With shops in Wicker Park and the West Loop, the retail experience at Asrai Garden is a breath of fresh air—literally. Far from your average florist, Elizabeth Cronin decks out the storefronts in everything from wild flowers to extraordinary succulents, mixed in with home decor, jewelry, and apothecary goods. Both shops offer truly unique arrangements for everyday and special occasions, as well as citywide delivery. If you want something far from average, look no further. You can trust us on this. 

A "farm-to-vase" florist on the city's South Side that grows beautiful flowers in vacant lots, this local business prides itself on bringing beauty to the neighborhoods it operates in as well as its farflung customers. You'll find a small selection of bouquets available for delivery within the Chicagoland area. If you're feeling extra kind, you can also donate an arrangement to a person in need.

Owner Kelly Marie Thompson stocks her one-of-a-kind Logan Square boutique with only the freshest seasonal blooms in both exotic varieties and contemporary styles. Order arrangements for pickup or delivery for special occasions, weddings, or just because. Once you're done drooling over the beautiful flowers, you’ll also notice the shop's charming selection of fine cards, candles, jewelry and home goods—perfect additions to make any bouquet feel extra special.

Inspired by European-style flower shops, Marguerite Gardens offers a fantastic range of fresh blooms from the familiar (roses, lilies, tulips) to more unique (pincushion protea, raspberry thistle) in a rustic-industrial West Town space. Without a doubt, the best way to order delivery from Marguerite is by selecting "Designer's Choice," and allowing the pros to pull the freshest stems from their inventory—all you have to do is choose a price point ($75, $90 or $125) and they'll do the rest.

Instead of the usual selection of impersonal, mass-produced bouquets you find on most online retailers’ websites, BloomNation showcases unique arrangements from local florists. Working with a network of Chicago shops not only allows them to offer easy same-day delivery, but also gives you a much more diverse selection to choose from. Blooms on offer include peach roses tucked inside a teal hatbox, the dusty peach arrangement pictured and even glass terrariums filled with teeny-tiny plants. Aw.

This West Side flower shop offers a little something for everyone: artfully arranged everyday and special occasion bouquets, wedding florals, bulk stems for those who prefer to DIY and fast, same-day delivery. The shop purchases its flowers in bulk straight from the grower, so you can count on some of the freshest blooms available. Plus if your event requires lots of, or very precise arrangements, then you can book a consultation online.

This family-owned and run florist has been serving Chicago with beautiful arrangements since 1932. With no less than five locations, this place will satisfy no matter your floral needs—from Valentine's Day to the big day. The website offers easy, streamlined ordering, same-day delivery to the city and surrounding suburbs, plus 24-hour phone assistance. Basically, you can enjoy all the big company perks with the family-run charm and none of the fuss.

With an enormous selection of everything from a dozen red roses to bonsai trees, this industry veteran comes in handy when you need a gift in a pinch. ProFlowers has an arrangement for every occasion (funeral, birthday, engagement, business gifting) and even offers same-day delivery nationwide. It may not be the trendiest choice, but it certainly is one of the most convenient.

When we’re looking for a truly romantic dining experience in Chicago, we tend to seek out cozy spots that are quiet and just dark enough to make us feel like we’re the only ones there