What is your most memorable wedding?
I have many favourite weddings from over the years but ones that stand out the most are the personalised ones with lots of detail. I loved an Alice In Wonderland wedding, which I created last year, I also enjoyed working on one with very much a botanical feel. We used lots of terrariums and props to create little installations on each table and hanging structures above the 'top table,' it was a stunner!
Describe your style in 5 adjectives.
Creative, detailed, imaginative, I don't have a style as such, my job is to interpret others ideas. Whether that is romantic, woodsy, classic, country, rustic, the possibilities are endless!
What about your business are you most proud of?
That I created it myself from scratch after having a long break to bring up my children. I retrained as a florist and started from there. I know get most of my work from word of mouth, brides recommend me to their friends and relatives, venues recommend me and that makes me incredibly proud.
What is your No. 1 wedding planning tip for couples?
Ditch the favours! They really are not necessary and unless they are really carefully planned can detract from the overall look of your tables. They often get left behind by guests and you can save yourself money here when you have so many other things to prioritise.
What is your favourite personal touch you have seen at a wedding?
The table plan and names that relate to the couple always makes such a personal and individual touch.
Other details may get overlooked but all of your guests need to find their seat and will enjoy and appreciate you haven taken the time to create something unique to yourselves.
Describe your typical process with a couple.
I like to meet with you personally to go through your ideas for the look of you wedding together. Some people have lots of ideas and visuals from Pinterest, others need a little more help, I can give you as much or as little help as you require to bring everything together. I work in a very personal way and it is a collaborative process at every stage. You can trust me to be creative and inspirational with ideas and to exceed your expectations. I provide you with sketches and mood boards of each item from buttonholes through to large arrangements. Everything is visualised so that there are no surprise on the day. A colour palette shows you the suggested flower varieties and colours, if you don't like a particular flower we can revise until you are happy!
What is the most interesting thing you have put in a bouquet?
Succulents work beautifully in bouquets and I have used them many times over the years in this way. Silk flowers can be mixed in with real ones if there is a particular flower variety that you love but is not available in season, you can not tell that they are not real when used in this way. Similarly, I have made paper roses for bouquets and used them mixed in with fresh flowers or as complete paper flower bouquets.
Is there a flower that has specific symbolism that you would recommend for couples?
White Roses are available all year round. White flowers are generally associated with new beginnings and make an ideal accompaniment to a first-time bride walking down the aisle.
What is the most romantic flower and why?
I personally love the Hydrangea as it is so soft and blowsy with lots of tiny petals and florets. It looks very romantic when lots of heads are grouped together and other flowers interspersed, definitely one of my favourites!
What should you do with the flowers after the wedding?
Bouquets and arrangements can be given as gifts to friends and relatives. Another lovely touch is to place on the grave or memorial of a loved one. Lots of brides opt to preserve their bouquet but this has to be done the day after. There are lots of companies out there that you can send your bouquet to for preservation as a lasting reminder.