Author: heaw81

September 8, 2016 heaw81

behind the scenes...

I'm so excited to share these "behind the scenes" pictures taken by my
close friend, Samm Jayne of Paper Angel Photography.

 

It dawned on me recently that while my couples
LOVE that I cut their flowers a matter of days before their wedding...
they've not actually seen me in action. So here are the results- enjoy!

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Arriving at Carol's cutting patch in Eckington is heaven- awesome views and a heap
of flowers to chop. This particular cutting session was for the gorgeous, Tess and Gareth,
who married a few days later in Redditch. I was also asked to create something
special for a photoshoot with local dress designer Sophie Wynne-Owen,
so there'll be lots more photos to share with you at a later date!

 

So, as you can see, it was a belter of a day- in fact even at 8am it was probably a little too
hot for the flowers to be cut... I could have done with an earlier start to be honest but my
trusty assistant was in tow with a poorly tummy.

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Whenever I go to cut for my couples weddings,  I like to first identify my key flowers
and "must-haves"... building the colour palette and overall look as I continue to cut.
Tess and Gareth's design brief was a for a colourful and relaxed Summer picnic
so I wanted to build on that with a variety of colour and textures.

 

Below you'll see me cutting key blooms including  Gaura Lindheimeri, Nepeta Nuda (cat mint), Echinops (for the buttonholes and Dahlias. Other fab additions included Cosmos,
Verbena Bonariensis, Roses, Scabious and Ami Visnaga.behind-the-scenes-cutting-ad-creating-british-flowers-5

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lunch break

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Once I have everything cut and I'm happy the trolly gets loaded and the car filled...
lunch happens at some point if there's time... but I am usually itching to get the flowers back to my workshop so I can get them fully conditioned and stored in the cool and dark.

 

Conditioning the flowers is a key part for any florist- it's a process that helps prolong the life of the flowers. Of course, when I cut at the patch the flowers go straight into water but once back at the workshop I systematically go through every stem, removing lower foliage (preventing water pollution from rotting leaves) and re-cutting stems at an angle to enhance water up-take.
Off shoot stems are also cut in order to maximise overall stem count.  

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Once conditioned (ideally for 12 hours), I allocate the flowers according to the quote.
I mentally label the Brides bucket of flowers and those for the Bridesmaids,
table arrangements, thank you bouquets, Buttonholes etc etc thus ensuring
that the wedding flowers have an overall balance and look.

 

Once I've divvied up the flowers I can set about creating!

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Every designer works differently... but for me... I like to create a base shape using minimal foliage,
adding focal flowers and then building on the overall look by threading in with
transitional and textural elements until complete.

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The inevitable mess... means only one thing... finished flowers!

 

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So,  I hope you've enjoyed this post and feel a bit more clued up about how I work
 and go about creating wedding flowers for my couples.

 

Being part of someone's wedding day is an absolute pleasure and privilege for me
and is made all the better working with locally grown British flowers!

 

Let's call it a Labour of Love ! 

 

 

 

CREDITS :

Photography: Paper Angel Photography
Silk Ribbons: Heirloom Silk AND Lancaster and Cornish,

 

 

June 25, 2015 heaw81


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This time last year I teamed up with the ridiculously talented Sam of Paper Angel Photography, Rock Follies Vintage & Revamp Art for a photoshoot at Spetchley Park Gardens… not quite sure where the past 12 months have gone but I thought it fitting to share the images one year on!

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As you’ll see, it was the most gorgeous day; filled with fab vintage attire, bright British blooms and set in the stunning grounds of Spetchley! To be honest, we were spoilt for choice with the locations… we squeezed SO much in; from ribbons to table settings, a mock ceremony, pictures in the greenhouse and recreating the indoors, outdoors.
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Even in the early planning stages, the ribbons were something Sam and I had had our hearts set on doing and the rest just followed. John of ReVamp Art lent us all the furniture, I raided my collection of glasses, lace and crockery… & Lynda… well, she’s just the Queen of all things vintage! From dresses to shoes, suits, accessories and all kinds of nic-nacs- you must find her- she has the best shop in Worcester !
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I love the above shot… totally impromptu but it worked and was lovely to see the table have a secondary purpose to looking pretty ! Sam is one of those photographers who has the nak of getting ‘those’ shots… the ones that look easy but you never get yourself! Unsurprisingly, Sam got the photoshoot featured on the  Whimsical Wedding Wonderland blog back in February this year…. was pretty chuffed 😉

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The next set of shots capture a slightly darker mood- these might actually be my favourites…. the combination of all three girls and the eerie overgrow greenhouse. It’s all a bit reminiscent of a ghost story or ‘Day of the Trifids’.

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and finally the indoor-outdoor shots… lots of ‘vintage finds’ and plenty of flower filled jugs! Perfect !

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Thanks again for visiting and another huge thanks to all those involed!! MWAH ! Hannah. x

 

PHOTOGRAPHY- Sam. Paper Angel Photography

FLOWERS & STYLING- Hannah. Bride and bloom

DRESSES, SUITS & ACCESSORIES- Lynda. Rock Follies Vintage

MAKE UP- Sophie. Sophie Cantrill Makeup Artist

VENUE- Spetchley Park Gardens

HAIR- Emma Jane. Emmarella

FURNITURE & PROPS- John Wain. Revamp Art and Home Style

 

 

 

May 13, 2015 heaw81

chair backs

I know you’ll have a million of other things on your mind that you consider to be “details”… BUT… do consider having chair-backs, even if just for you and your other half! They make for a fab photo and are definitely having a moment right now! For more inspiration check out my Pinterest account.

April 15, 2015 heaw81

fleurs

 

Nothing like a bit of Spring sunshine to get the flowers growing! Happy hump day from me this www!

Hannah. x

April 1, 2015 heaw81

branching out

This blog post doesn’t need much explaining….. it’s Spring and our beautiful British nature is doing it’s thing! Why not capture it at your wedding by using some fab flowering Spring branches!? They look fab in most vessels- jars, bottles, tins, jugs…. and will certainly add  bit of statement to your day.

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 So, if you’re a Spring Bride or Groom-to-be this could be a look worth considering, it is also dead easy to do if you’re thinking to DIY your own venue flowers! Similarly it’s quick for your florist to set up so will help on the purse strings if you’re using a florist.

all images are taken from pinterest.

March 11, 2015 heaw81

SPRING is a time for some wonderful BRITISH flower options… yes, ok, it’s not Summer which provides endless varieties but these flowers are SEASONAL to now and smell divine!!

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This post was created out of  frustration and sadness after seeing what can only be described as a, wholly false and inaccurate “seasonal flower chart”, on a prolific wedding blog!  I appreciate that non British flower florists can buy, for example, Roses all year round (I can’t and won’t) but to state that Daffodils are in season in August is totally misleading!  It is ok to not to know what is season when- that’s my job- but for blogs, magazines and the like to publish something that is clearly made-up and so far from the truth is irresponsible; our Brides and Grooms to be deserve better than that !

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 So, for what it’s worth, I thought I’d do something about it and help to rectify the flower myths! Of course temperamental weather and crop failures can impact what is available when but I wanted to create a guide for Brides and Grooms which is much more informative, realistic and seasonal for our British flowers! Enjoy!

Hannah. x

February 18, 2015 heaw81

website

Calling all Mums, Daughters, Aunties, Sisters, Grandmas, Girlfriends, Cousins and Nieces !

This Mothers Day, celebrate with something a bit different by coming along to one of my Floral Workshops on the 14th March!  Bring along your favourite females and learn how to create a lovely hand-tied Spring bouquet, which is yours to keep, using fabulous seasonal British Flowers and foliages. All your equipment, materials and flowers are included in the price, including copious amounts of tea, coffee and homemade cake!

Places are limited so do get in touch to book your place. Email me at hello@bridebloom.co.uk

February 4, 2015 heaw81

up in the air

 

I just can’t get enough of foliage and floral creations up in the air ! Certainly adds some drama and something different… hope this trend hangs around (sorry)!