So it's the last post of the week from me and I have another fantastic and local Lancashire supplier as part of the Taste of Lancashire feature to share with you. Blush Rose are a local florist specialising in wedding flowers and special events. If you're inspired by Clare's interview and previous work then please leave your comments below for her. Over to Clare...
"When I first started out in the industry, I had no qualifications and just started out working in a florist. I started work for one of the leading stores on king street Manchester and went on to work for Laura Ashley Interiors. I loved working with colours and patterns and before I knew it I was designing rooms and worked up a client base that consisted of clients that were famous on and off television. Next I managed a fashion line from within the House of Frazer. I have always been interested in anything creative and art and so Blush Rose was created as I had also worked within the wedding business on & off for over a decade.
Myself and the Blush Rose team work along with brides creating their perfect day as regards the wedding flowers and venue decoration. We work all over Lancashire, Cheshire, Yorkshire and all of Greater Manchester. We also work internationally and look forward to some of the weddings we have abroad as they are always magical."
Tell us more about your concierge service.
"I started the concierge service as for most brides this is the first time they get to plan a massive event and it can feel over whelming. So when the bride books us to create their wedding flowers, as we sit discussing designs, we also ask if there is any other way that we can help. If they are struggling we can provide useful contacts for them to use for example photographers, makeup, cakes etc. I only suggest suppliers who are reliable and I would use for myself and I know their work is first class.
Do you have a favourite type of flower yourself?
"My favourite flower is the sweet pea. This is why I created a florist company, for the simple reason being when I was a little girl my father would grow them every summer and the smell was so intoxicating. This flower and its hypnotising smell brings back so many lovely memories of my happy childhood. I strongly feel flowers and scents can evoke such feelings in all of us."
Can you describe the most memorable wedding you have experienced so far?
"Wow this is a hard question as I have done so many. I have to say what makes a wedding memorable for me is when I decorate the room and I get the privilege of seeing the brides face when she walks in with the groom on their own to look at the decorated room. Words cannot express that look when she walks in and gasps and if I get to see that I feel on top of the world."
What are the wedding trends for 2012?
"Block colours are in for summer weddings such as hot pinks and oranges. But I have noticed since the royal wedding and also Kate Moss to Jamie Hince that soft and wild flowers are in vogue. Brides are tending to choose soft and loose wild flower bouquets rather than uniformed structures. But like I always say each wedding is unique and I have never done two weddings that are the same and that is why wedding flowers are such bespoke designs."
Why should Lancashire brides book you?
"I am unique in what I offer, I sit and listen carefully to what the bride requires and the look and theme she wishes to create around her special day. We only do one wedding per day as I will not allow others to do the designs or pass it on to someone else. I personally see to the picking and choosing of all the wedding blooms. Also, because we only do one wedding per day, and not several in a day, the bride is booking me personally for that day, which I feel strongly it should be."
Have you got any tips for our brides when it comes to organising their wedding flowers?
"Enjoy it and look around and see what inspires you. Never feel silly if you have an idea but scared what others think, break away from the norm. Flowers speak volumes and depending on the designs you can invoke certain styles without saying anything. You can go for relaxed, fun, elegant, vintage, and chic, the list is endless.
I love the fact that brides are becoming more confident and showing me designs as to what they want. The wedding flowers magazine http://weddingmagazine.co.uk/ which has flower recipes for putting together a wedding bouquet, is a fab read."
Where can our readers meet you? Is there a website?
Yes there is a website to contact me on or call 07837097639
And we are on Facebook and twitter too.
Thank you for reading about Blush Rose and if we never get the pleasure of working with you we wish you all the happiness for your future.
Love Clare xx
