poppies !

I've always been a lover of poppies! So I'm so pleased to see these characterful flowers gaining in popularity over here in the UK.

We all recognise the field poppy or Flanders poppy that grows in abundance in our corn fields each year but how about some of the other fantastic poppy varieties?

Calafornian poppies come in an amazing variety of colours and forms.

 

Theres the amazing blue of the Hymalanan poppy

 

 

Or the faboulous 'peony' flowered  poppies

 

 

 

                                             Or how about these striking oriental hybrids?

image http://www.onestoppoppyshoppe.com

We've been using Icelandic poppies in our work at lot recently, and although they look fragile they are actually quite robust just remember that the stems need sealing with a flame if you cut them then the flower will absorb water through the sides of its stem. . I think they look best either on their own simply arranged in a jug or similar or with other 'meadow' like flowers and grasses.
For bridal bouquets I like to add just a couple as feature flowers, the transparency of the petals adds a delicacy to a bouquet that few flowers can match.. Just simple and beautiful....

carmen rose the easy way!

Its the one design many florists dread!
Heres my sneeky method to create the same design in half the time and no fiddly wires.

Heres how its done.....

Thick card, scissors, marker pen, florist glue, floral tape,petals.

 

    Cut out a circle of card and fold in half cut a cross in the centre to make a hole.

     Begin to stick the largest rose petals to the outside of the card with the glue. 

Work towards the centre grading the petals so the smallest are at the centre, just like a real rose.

                       Slot a single rose through the hole at the centre

        Glue rose leaves face down to edge the rose. Continue to overlap untill the card is covered.

                         Add extra rose stems and tape to create a handle.

                           

For a smaller version suitable as a wrist corsage simply make a smaller card circle.

Yes, I know its been a while!  The blog has taken a bit of a back seat while I work on a new website and new courses for this year.
This year I've decided after much prompting to create a really intensive wedding course. Held over the first 2 weeks in June (really the best month for flowers)
 I've listened carefully to everyone who has attended workshops at g lily. The message is clear, MORE practical hands on floristry and less time spent on theory.The majority of lovely people through my door have already had some training, often on a City and guilds or NVQ course but    working on a real wedding or event  requires a whole set of different skills.
So that is the basis for this course, lots of practical skills using beautiful quality flowers, the flowers that would be used on a real wedding.  I want give an idea of what its like to work under time contraints and reveal some clever techniques and ideas learnt over the years. Of course theres some theory but the main focus is on flower skills and up and coming trends.
The course runs from 3rd to 14th June and is limited to 4 students .Full details will be on our website soon. In the meantime here are some imges from last weeks Bridal course.

  

Lampshade style!

I've always loved lampshades! Yes its true, I remember as a very young child being dazzled (literally) by the lighting department of Peter Jones. The displays of silk lampshades in every colour shape and size fascinated me as did the array of sparkling chandeliers and lamp bases.
Later on whilst working in Fullham I would sit on the left hand side of the No'11 bus so I could check out Christopher Wray's lighting emporium with its windows full of Tiffany lamps.
Theres definitely an art to matching the a lampshade with a lamp to create the perfect combination. In many ways its not dissimilar to matching flowers with a container.
So, I thought why not lampshades and flowers?

For a centrepiece the silk of a lampshade brings a softness that a ceramic or metal container doesn't have and with so many shades its easy to find one to suit a colour scheme.
I'd place a  battery light with in the shade to light the whole design once the lights have dimmed. Perfect for an day to night look at a party or wedding.         

Flowers in a mixed palette with a touch of the neon are complemented by a shade in a subtle duck egg blue.

 

Small lampshades, (the kind used on wall lights) make a great basket for a small bridesmaid.

 

  

This is in fact a cheap chandelier placed on a glass cylinder with a ball of Gypsophila placed on top.

Velvet lampshades are perfect for the 'Vintage ' Look..

Floristry, moving with the times?

Since I've been running floristry courses at G Lily Flowerschool I've met people from all walks of life but all with the same passion - to work with flowers. Many are currently studying floristry at their local college and most have good basic floristry skills, wiring etc.
A number of our courses are aimed at professional and semi professional florists seeking new skills and inspiration or wanting guidance on starting or revamping their business.
The floristry world had changed in the last 10 years. As with many small  businesses, the high street florist has faced increasing competition from supermarkets and larger online florists,and with the current economic climate the consumer is less worried about buying 'supermarket' flowers .
Diversification as we're always being told is the way to survive in the current market.Retail floristry is tough. Rent, rates, staff and a perishable product explain why many florists shops stock a range of add ons, becoming gift shops selling flowers rather than the other way round.
The event side of the industry is one area that so far the supermarkets have not been able to infiltrate altough M and S and Waitrose are trying to follow their succesful wedding cake ranges with table centres to order. What they will never be able to do is give the time, exclusiveness and imagination that a professional creative brings to a client.
So unsurprisingly more florists are choosing to focus on weddings and events, becoming artisan businesses rather than retail. Cutting overheads and the ties of shop hours and getting back to what they love....flowers.
So why are the college floristry courses not more aware of current trends?
I'm seeing increasing numbers of students frustrated with the sylabus and learning progress on somee courses which seem to focus predominatley on retail floristry. I don't want to belittle what they do, I myself  did city and guilds (29 years ago!) but I find that the floristry in general is influenced by continental style and there seems to be no focus on the growing wedding and event industry.
To succeed as an event florist is cruicial that your work reflects current and future trends, an understanding of fashion and colour is important as is presentation  and portfolio.

The wedding industry is a young industry and is thriving even in these difficult times.
The influence of wedding magazines , blogs and websites is enormous.
Wedding flowers magazine the sister to Wedding Magazine bought by brides and florists alike and showcasing the creativity of British florists reflects what brides are asking for and very different  compared to the abstract and often bizzare but undoubtably skillfully created designs  that feature in Fusion magazine or the flower arranger. Continental and competition style floristry is wonderful but most people attending a floristry course are aiming for a career. Qualification is only one element.What about creative resources, social media,marketing, selling skills and presentation?

One of my students told me of the trips that had been organised by her college: A tour of the Dutch bulb fields followed by a workshop with a Dutch 'master florist' Lovely but whats wrong with a trip to an English flower market / cut flower grower followed by a workshop with an English 'masterflorist' ? God I hate that lable! 
There are some many talented people here in the UK that provide inspiration relevant to our marketplace.
Why not arrange enhancement days with people in different areas of  floristry so students can get a broad view of the directions and oppotunities with in the industry?

Please give feed back, I hope no one will be too offended by my views everything I have said is intended to be constructive.


  http://www.wedding-mag.co.uk/flowers.
http://www.fusionflowers.com




                   

Return of the carnation!

I honestly didn't think the day would come when I would start using carnations!
I guess as in fashion if you wait long enough everything comes back into vogue.
It does beg the question as to why we all started avoiding this flower... 'No carnations and no chrysanthemums' How many times have I heard that said!
Now with the return of 'retro' and the Edwardian and roaring 20's influence we're seeing a renaissance of other previously out of favour blooms. Chrysanthemums, Gypsophila and Dhalias are all increasing in popularity probably because the young brides choosing them are unbiased in their views and see these flowers from a different perspective.
So time to put aside my prejudice and embrace the carnation....

Simply arranged in a cake tin.. a la great british bake off!

In sweetie colours to adorn a door!

Budget busting flowers!

Money saving ideas.....

Centrepieces often take up the largest portion of the flower budget but they are also one of the most important elements. Choose a design that looks good but can also be given away after the wedding like these pretty country flowers in enamel buckets.

Herbs always look pretty and are a very economical alternative to flowers. Save a little more by growing them from seed yourself you'll have more choice on varieties and size, Look out for plants that also have a flower like Marjoram, mint and feverfew

.
Pew ends are very effective but can add up, a single Hydrangea head attached with pretty ribbon is a great alternative to larger more costly arrangements.

Instead of a large centrepiece create interest and save money by using small groups of flowers in   bud vases and T light holders.

Follow William and Kate's example and use trees at your ceremony or reception.
 Silver birch, hornbeam and cherry look great and can of course be planted after the wedding. Ashridge Trees supply a huge variety and can deliver www.ashridgetrees.co.uk


　

                                               Birch trees underplanted with hydrangea plants.
If your planning a spring wedding raid the garden! Daffodils and Narccissi look great in posies, pew ends and tables centres.

Look for designs that can be reused, an archway of flowers looks great outside a church but cannot realistically be transferred to the reception afterwards.

Use your centrepieces on the registrars table and transfer to your reception tables after the ceremony.

Centrepieces were used to line the aisle at a civil ceremony before being transfered to the tables.

Arrange lanterns outside your venue and transfer to mantelpieces or dot around your reception or garden after the ceremony.

DIY Even if you don't feel confident enough to make bouquets and buttonholes or larger displays you can enlist the help of your friends and family and arrange some of the flowers yourself.
Our DIY days for brides help with colour and flower choices, give you the skills to create your own designs and the knowledge to help you decide how much you want  to take on yourself.
See the full course list http://www.glily.co.uk

　

Flower Ideas for civil ceremonies

Getting married in a licensed venue opens up untold possibilities when it comes to decoration.with  civil ceremonies taking place in a wide range of venues from stately homes to football clubs.

Whether you are planning an elaborate wedding with all the traditional elements or something small and more intimate,heres are some ideas for ceremony decor.

When choosing a venue pay attention to the colour scheme of the room used for civil ceremonies. Hopefully it will either co-ordinate with your chosen colours or is fairly plain.

If you love the room but are unsure about the décor think about using flowers in a neutral pallet ie whites greens and ivories which won’t clash and will help to dilute a strong or busy colour scheme.

Sarah and Darren's elegant wedding at The Rectory Hotel
 

Create the feeling of an aisle in a large room by using a fabric runner and scattered rose petals or hurricane shades . Make sure the runner is secured to the floor to prevent slipping or tripping!

 The gorgeous orangery at St Audries park

Another beautiful orangery, this time at Bannatyne's Charlton house.
Photo: www.susannastanford.com
 

Look at the area behind the registrar’s table. Any decoration used here will form a backdrop when you sign the register. Use an arrangement of flowers, a collection of candles at different heights, spelling letters monogrammes,  a floral heart, circlet or garland attached to the wall ,window or door.

Photo :  www.susannastanford.com

 

Use one of your table centres to decorate the registrar's table 

 

 

 

 Think about your backdrop!

 

 

Look for beautiful fabric to use on the registrar’s table (remnants are ideal) drape to the floor.
   Pin on trailing foliage like ivy, jasmine, or old man’s beard interspersed with small flower heads along the front to form a garland .

 Ivy trails jasmine and roses pinned to table cloth

  Fabric remanant and runner


Look at the chairs that are available, if the colour or style is not to your taste then consider chair covers, or dress up plain chairs by attaching small posies of flowers to the backs with pretty ribbon.

 An outdoor ceremony at Coombe Lodge using garden chairs

Chiavari chairs at Chaffeymoore Grange

 

Chiavari chairs come in many colours and finishes these available to hire from Abbas marquees.

 

 

 

 

 

Chair covers and sashes at Pembroke lodge.

 

 Pillars and columns don't have to have to be decorated with lights or ivy, we used ribbon and butterflies on these ones at Holbrook House 

 

 

 Decorated coloumns at Holbrook house

 

Finally a word of warning!
Many older venues do not allow the use of candles. If you have your heart set on romantic candle light at your ceremony. Battery operated candles and T lights look very realistic and are also useful for areas where a naked flame would be dangerous.

  
Links :
 http://www.susannastanford.com
http://www.chaffeymooregrange.com
http://www.holbrookhouse.co.uk
http://www.bannatyne.co.uk/hotel/charltonhouse/
http://countryhouseweddings.co.uk/staudriespark/
http://therectoryhotel.com
http://pembroke-lodge.com
http://abbasmarquees.co.uk