Philosophy Flowers Top Wedding Flower Tips: Part Two

Part 2 of Tuesdays wedding flowers tips is here today.  Remember if you find these useful then pretty please leave your feedback below.  Again, these very helpful tips are courtesy of the talented guys at Philosophy Flowers.

Check out what flowers will be in bloom at your venue on your wedding day. Use the same in your bouquet for max effect.

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Your florist should label who each buttonhole & bouquet is for to avoid confusion.

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Understand what you are paying for and also liable for. Glassware can often be expensive if broken.

http://philosophyflowers.co.uk

Try small unique multiple displays for your top table instead of a usual arrangement.

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Look to book your florist at least 6 months in advance. Popular summer dates quickly get taken.

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Most vases, ornaments and display items can be sprayed to perfectly match your flowers and theme.

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Scale and proportion is key for ensuring your bouquet is perfect for you.

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A delicate wrist corsage can make a lovely addition or alternative to a bridesmaids bouquet.

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How about a modern version of your mothers wedding bouquet for a great idea and a little tribute.

http://philosophyflowers.co.uk

Your florist should supply spare pins and magnets for buttonholes and other items.

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Try a sign decorated with flowers to guide guests to your venue.

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If having DIY flowers, factor in 2-3 days of work and preparation depending on flowers and quantity.

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It takes 2 people to get married. Make sure both of you have a say in the flowers and designs.

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Consider ferns, heathers, foliage & berries as an alternative to traditional buttonholes.
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Ask your bridesmaids what their favourite flower is. If possible you can personalise each bouquet. Whilst keeping to your theme and matching your bouquet of course!
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Winter weddings are becoming ever more popular as couples try to shave a few £££’s of the cost.

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When choosing flowers for your bouquet ask your florist how heavy it will be. You have to carry it!

http://philosophyflowers.co.uk

Why not use extra flowers or seeds that relate to your wedding as favours & gifts?

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Displays from church could be taken to your reception venue to get maximum effect.

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Why not use your floral table centres as the markers for your seating plan?

For more inspirational picture and ideas please visit Philosophy Flowers blog  http://philosophyflowers.co.uk/blog/ or Facebook page.  You can also follow them on Twitter @philosophyf.

Have a good weekend folks and I'll be back next week with lots of loveliness especially for Valentines Day!

Love Lancashire Bride x

Top Wedding Flowers Tips: Part One

When it comes to organising your wedding flowers, brides are often left in two camps.  The first camp are bewildered and don't know where to start.  The second camp know exactly what they want and how they are going to get it!  However, there is always something that crops up that you may not have thought off.  Whichever camp you're in these tips, kindly provided by Philosophy Flowers,  should provide a helpful guide to get you on your way.

http://philosophyflowers.co.uk

Do as much homework and prep as possible before your consultation.

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Use different styles of table centre around a central theme to add interest to your room.

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Have a 2nd impartial pair of eyes at your consultation for extra help and advice.

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See as many examples of your florists work as possible. Ask if you may speak to past clients.

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Incorporate your ‘something old’ into your bouquet to make it super unique.

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Personalise communal areas at venues with small arrangements to add finishing touches.

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Getting married on the same weekend as other popular events can increase the cost of certain flowers.

http://philosophyflowers.co.uk

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If possible take a fabric sample of your dress / bridesmaid dresses to your consultation with your florist.

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Young page boys and flowers girls can struggle with bouquets. Try a little basket full of petals instead.

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Candles can make your table arrangements look fantastic. Make sure your venue allows them.

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Be careful when choosing tall table displays. They can obscure your guests view of each other and you!

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On a budget? Don’t skimp on your bouquet its the most photographed. Table centres can be padded out with foliage.

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Present a bay tree, hydrangea or peony bush as a thank you gift. Will last much longer than a bouquet.

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Consider having a extra arrangement for your card & guestbook table to tie in with the others.

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Have details of timings and addresses of where flowers are to be delivered on your big day when meeting with your florist.

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Ask your florist if they can re-package your flowers the day after your wedding for family to take home.

http://philosophyflowers.co.uk

Some flowers stamen leave stains. Lily for example. Ensure they have been removed by your florist.

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Picking flowers that are in season will increase quality, availability and make the most of your budget.

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Choosing one flower in one colour and having lots of them can look stunning.

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Ensure the florist you have your consultation with will be the actual one working on your displays.

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Part two with even more top tips and inspirational pictures with be posted later on this week.  In the meantime why don't you head on over to their blog http://philosophyflowers.co.uk/blog/ or Facebook page. You can also follow them on Twitter @philosophyf. 

If you have found this guide useful then please feel free to leave a comment, the more the merrier!  I strive to write posts that are of interest to brides to be so your feedback is more than welcome, and I am sure Philosophy Flowers would love the feedback too!    

A Taste of Lancashire: Blush Rose

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.

http://www.blushrose.co.uk/concierge/ ."

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

www.blushrose.co.uk

And we are on Facebook and twitter too.

www.facebook.com/blushroseevents

www.twitter.com/blushroseevents

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