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                                                                     Exhibit 5.1



                                                      June 3, 1999

Gerald Stevens, Inc.
301 East Las Olas Boulevard, Suite 300
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

Gentlemen:

         Gerald Stevens, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), has filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission a Registration Statement on Form
S-3, Registration No. 333-78597 (the "Registration Statement"), under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). Such Registration
Statement relates to the sale by the Company of up to 5,750,000 shares (the
"Shares") of the Company's common stock, $.01 par value per share. We have acted
as counsel to the Company in connection with the preparation and filing of the
Registration Statement.

         In connection with the Registration Statement, we have examined,
considered and relied upon copies of the following documents: (1) the Company's
Restated Certificate of Incorporation and the Company's Bylaws; (2) resolutions
of the Company's board of directors authorizing the registration of the Shares
to be sold and related matters; (3) the Registration Statement and exhibits
thereto; and (4) such other documents and instruments that we have deemed
necessary for the expression of the opinions contained herein. In making the
foregoing examinations we have assumed, without investigation, the genuineness
of all signatures, the conformity to authentic original documents of all
documents submitted to us as copies, and the veracity of the documents. As to
various questions of fact material to the opinions expressed below, we have
relied solely on the representations or certificates of officers and/or
directors of the Company and upon documents, records and instruments furnished
to us by the Company, without independently verifying the accuracy of such
certificates, documents, records or instruments.

         Based upon the foregoing examination, and subject to qualifications set
forth below, we are of the opinion that the Shares have been duly authorized
and, when issued, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.


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June 3, 1999
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         Although we have acted as counsel to the Company in connection with the
preparation and filing of the Registration Statement, our engagement has been
limited to certain matters about which we have been consulted. Consequently,
there may exist matters of a legal nature involving the Company in which we have
not been consulted and have not represented the Company. We express no opinion
as to laws of any jurisdiction other than the General Corporation Law of the
State of Delaware and laws of the State of Florida. The opinions expressed
herein concern only the effect of the General Corporation Law of the State of
Delaware and of the laws (excluding the principles of conflict of laws) of the
State of Florida as currently in effect. This opinion letter is limited to the
matters stated herein and no opinion may be implied or inferred beyond the
matters expressly stated herein. The opinions expressed herein are given as of
this date, and we assume no obligation to update or supplement our opinions to
reflect any facts or circumstances that may come to our attention or any change
in law that may occur or become effective at a later date.

         We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement and to the reference to our name under the caption "Legal
Matters" in the prospectus comprising a part of the Registration Statement. In
giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we are included within the
category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities
Act or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

                                       Sincerely,



                                       AKERMAN, SENTERFITT & EIDSON, P.A.