Spring wedding flowers

 A selection of Spring wedding flowers that I have created over the past few years.

 Anemones, Hyacinths,Tulips, Wax flower, Astrantia.

 Viburnum (bright green,globe like flowers) gives a lovely fresh Spring look.
White and green work well in Church.

 Hint of blue.

 I love, love Hellebores. I grow lots to use.

 Faded pink works well with cream/white.

 Ranunculus and Hyacinths with wax flower

 Tulips with Viburnum and pink Wax

Typical Spring, yellow and cream.

Planning a wedding...

I'm starting a small series of hints for planning weddings .

Find a florist/ flower person you like the look of their work.
Always ask to see photos . Social media is great for this now. Do not book someone that has no photos to show you or the quality looks poor, even if you think they are chip as chips! (there is a reason why we cost a fair bit if you are looking someone talented)

Plan and book as far in advance if possible. If a Florist is good they get booked up in advance!

Think what season you are going for carefully, for the flowers you want.
The times I get asked to have Peonies in November_ it ain't gonna happen!!

DO NOT say ' we are on a budget" its not a great opening gambit!
Tell the florist your idea and then they can tell you if it is possible .
Ask for a price list.

Take a mood board/pintrest or a few pictures, if you have found some you really like?

Tell the florist what look you are after- Country, informal. Not Vintage , we hear that ALL the time!!

List everything you want from Buttonholes to Thank you bouquets (people always forget these until the week before!)

A good florist can tell by your frame/size what bouquet will work best for you, but will depend on the dress.

They will also be able to tell you what is in season too.

Pay a deposit to ensure you have the date secured.

I don't do wedding fairs and I know a lot of very good florists who don't either.
Recommendations are the best adverts.

Some brides come to see me and do not have a clue what they want but are happy to go along with ideas and are easy going - these make the best Brides/clients and I then think 'your marriage will last" you are chilled out and happy to compromise- well that is what marriage is all about after all!!
Happy planning x

Today

Sunshine on a Winters day!

 The light was lovely yesterday, a real treat. I think the birds are lulled into a false sense of Spring has come? They were singing away. I really don't mind January when its as kind as this! I doubt it will last but lovely to enjoy when its here. The textures and markings of plants stand out more in the bare bones of Winter.

 The Hellebores are emerging, as its so mild.

 Blue skies!! The first blossom too.

We have finally finished our porch, lovely to sit inside when it is chilly and catch the warm rays.

Spring colours…and a rant!

 Lovely to see some colour. I love change in the shop from one season to another.

 I've been working with a friend of mine who makes the most divine, bespoke wedding cakes. Her business is called Emily Harmston cakes - do look her up. We have been dressing the window of a local bakery that has opened in Oundle called The Small Bread Company. Lovely artisan breads and cakes, I do hope it does well.
Oundle Town shops are finding it tough at the moment as we recently have had a Waitrose open on the outskirts of the town. Such a shame , how can small coffee shops compete with a supermarket giving away free coffee and newspapers??A Worry for small business including mine. I hate the fact all these Big supermarkets are taking over. Will we end up with just big chains and Internet sites?? Where is the customer friendly service ?? We are creatures that need to interact and be social are we not?
I love small shops that are unique and quirky. We don't want everything all the same now do we??
Rant over!
emilyharmstoncakes.co.uk

What will the new year bring??

 None of us know what is lurking around the corner but I know that in this new year things will change.
My daughter will hopefully be off to University and as well as being proud I will feel rather lost as we are very close but it is the natural order of things.
My father will be 91 this month, he has been amazing and still soldiers on but his heath is declining.
So I have to make some hard decisions about my business. I have been pondering on closing for sometime. I don't want to, but we may have to adapt the shop for my Dad to move into. Im trying to think of way to adapt the business?
The shop has been my second home for 7 years now.

 Lots of weddings and events.

 The challenge of growing flowers for the shop.

 5 minutes of fame!!!! Fun experiences I would never have had if I had not had Foxtail Lilly.

 Lots of help and advice from friends and family

 Met some lovely folk through Vintage shopping

 Magazine articles have raised the profile of the shop.

If it wasn't for the shop I wouldn't have met so many lovely customers. The opportunity to be creative is  something I will have to find a way to carry on with no matter what direction I go?
So who knows what the year holds? I feel quite calm and know that the most important thing is my family and people face much worse dilemmas!!
So Happy New Year one and all and I hope it brings you health and happiness .
xxx