In the Press

The Flower shop regularly contributes to 'Your West Midlands Wedding Magazine'. Here's a few recent articles...

Flower Power

Q. I'm a traditionalist at heart who adores flowers, so I have big plans for my bouquet. However, I have a bit of a conundrum in that I don't really want to throw it. I'd love to keep my posy for as long as possible and perhaps get it dried after the wedding is over. Equally though, I wouldn't want my female guests to miss out on the excited scramble for the bouquet. A couple of people have already mentioned it! Do you have any suggestions?

A. Louise Rose says: The excitement of throwing the bouquet is definitely a moment to be treasured. Instead of throwing your flowers however, ask your florist to make you another 'mock' bouquet to throw instead. Using local, seasonal blooms in the same hues as your original bouquet will work out less expensive than duplicating your main bridal flowers too. When it comes to having your main bouquet preserved, your florist should be able to recommend a professional company to ensure that your posy is kept in a similar design and clarity. You must arrange this service prior to the wedding.

Recycling blooms

Q. We're getting married in our local church and we're hoping to decorate it with lots of flowers. As we're planning to spend quite a lot on our arrangements, am I right to assume we can bring the displays with us to the reception venue afterwards?

A. Louise Rose says: Yes, most churches are quite accommodating in allowing you to move the arrangements to the reception venue after the ceremony, however, you may want to let them know in advance out of politeness. Also keep in mind some might ask that you leave one or two for the congregation to enjoy during their weekend services.

You are likely to want to re-use the dramatic pedestal arrangements, which sit either side of the altar. These look particularly good in larger churches and you can place them on either side of the top table at the wedding breakfast. Pew end arrangements look great tied to the backs of chairs, while topiary trees used at the entrance of the church could also be used at the entrance of your reception venue.

To reduce stress on the day, your florist should be able to offer a service to help move the arrangements, but this may be charged at extra cost. Otherwise, you could nominate a member of the bridal party to co-ordinate the moving for you which, with the help of family and friends with adequate-sized cars, should make the task rather easy.

Bright and beautiful blooms

Q. We haven't yet chosen a colour scheme but we do have our hearts set on a really vibrant summer wedding. What flowers might look nice alongside colourful decor and rainbow bridesmaid dresses?

A. Louise Rose says: So far this year I have seen couples opting for an explosion of colour. Selecting flowers, decor and wedding party outfits in varying shades is a great way for couples to embrace colour on the big day.

I recently provided flowers for a wedding where all five adult bridesmaids wore different colour dresses, but the bouquets were kept neutral. The flowergirls, on the other hand, wore ivory coloured dresses and carried posies which comprised colours from the bridesmaids' dresses. The result was a vibrant and fresh look.

Also, don't be afraid to experiment with solid blocks of colour - and even clashing colours. Coral pink, lime green, purple and hot pink all look great and there is a vast selection of seasonal blooms that come in these shades. In particular, look out for peonies, roses and gerberas, and also tropical flowers like eye-catching gloriosa and anthuriums, which will add excitement and interest to centrepieces.

Image courtesy of Gary & Sue Photography

Feeling the heat

Q. We're opting for a cottage garden-inspired day for our wedding next August so there will be flowers in abundance. While I'm hoping for warm weather, I am concerned that if it is particularly hot the displays won't look fresh by the time the evening guests arrive. I love real flowers and would prefer not to use artificial ones. What can you suggest?

A. Louise Rose says: The summer is the perfect time to embrace a cottage garden theme and your choice of flowers is endless. Hydrangeas, sweet peas and peonies are all perfect for your displays, however, they are delicate and could be affected by the heat if it does get too hot. To eliminate this problem, arrange your flowers in loose handtied bouquets and place them in glassware or galvanised pots. These will hold lots of water to stop the flowers drying out and wilting.

An alternative to cut flowers would be to use potted plants in urns or baskets instead. If they are planted in moist soil, they will stay fresh all day and would work perfectly with your theme. The plants can be given to family and friends after the day as a thank you.

Image courtesy of Claire Evans Photography