Men, weddings and flowers.

There may be a few sweeping statements in this little blog post, and I know there are always a few occasions where people buck the trend, but generally men have little say in wedding flowers. I also know for most men its not always the most exciting topic when it comes to planning a wedding - food, yup I get that, drinks, suits, games, ties, table plans ... generally flowers come some way down their list. I'm not complaining, but I do like it when a groom wants to step away from the traditional rose buttonhole. I also love it when a groom says to hell with the bridal flowers, I want something unique thats going to match my suit ... so there!

Buttonhole inspiration is something we get asked about a lot, so we thought we'd take a few snaps of some more manly buttonholes to give you that lightbulb moment. I love all of the below for their texture, the fact that they are not too floral, and most importantly they are not massive!

Remember boys ... buttonholes don't have to be boring, they don't have to be floral and they certainly don't have to match everything else.

Buttonhole containing scabiosa, dusty millar and chinch bound in twine

Buttonhole containing astrantia, chinch, babys breath and dusty millar bound in twine

Buttonhole containing babys breath, succulent, eucalyptus and dahlia heads bound in twine

Buttonhole containing cotton, Snowflake spray rose, astilbe, passionflower and ivy leaf bound in twine

Buttonhole containing succulent, veronica, dusty millar and passionflower bound in twine

Our top 10 summer flowers - the floral equivalent to our summer soundtrack at Green Parlour.

We are completely spoilt at this time of year, so many gorgeous blooms available and so many delicious varieties. Although my heart lies in Spring, I have to admit my heart flutters slightly when I start to think about vases filled with delphiniums, the scent of flowering mint!

Each of the above flowers has a special place in my heart. I know there are a few marmite flowers on there, dahlias in particular seem to have a bad rep, but I cant understand how people don't fall for them in all there multicoloured glory. I'll have them over sunflowers any day of the week.

Scabious and later on in the season their gorgeous seed pod heads, are perfect for a summer wedding with a country vibe. Fill a jug with seeded grass and scabiosa for a lovely addition to your table.

Hydrangeas with their brash bold heads work perfectly in a vase on their own. I may even go as far to say that they are my favourite flower of all time. A bold statement from a florist!

A vase filled with some more of our favourite summer flowers including astrantia, nigella, lemon balm, veronica, scabiosa seed pod heads and Memory Lane roses.

I love the simplicity of the glass cylinder vase, perfect for a pretty hand tied arrangement of flowers. Everyone gets worried about arranging in vases, we can arrange a bouquet in any vase you have lying about the house. Pop one into the shop for some expert advise on what would bring your vase to life.

Whats your favourite summer flower?

xx

Images courtesy of Pinterest

We are a little addicted to craft at Green Parlour and Pinterest is full of gorgeous crafty ideas to get your teeth into. Here are a few of our favourite pins from our Pinterest adventures this week ...

Image courtesy of four square walls you must check the site out

I stumbled upon this amazing Runaway Coffee Date dress pattern when it was re-pinned by Tilly (from Great British Sewing Bee fame) who runs Tilly and the buttons and of course I clicked right onto Four Square Walls to see where I could get such an ace pattern from. I should have known Etsy would be involved! If your after some unique patterns Pattern Runway do some lovely bits and pieces, well worth a look if your longing for some dress making time.

Image courtesy of Beyond Beyond

String, wool and some cleverly placed nails. Now all I have to do is convince the other half that this gorgeous DIY idea HAS TO grace to walls in our little abode. Such a simple idea, now to choose a word...

Check out some more of our favourite pins here or come and look at all our boards by following us on Pinterest

Nathalie and Neil tied the knot at The Aviator in Farnborough. If you haven't visited this hotel before, you must! Its absolutely stunning, with unusual views across the airfield!

Nathalie wanted to blend the formal surroundings with a more relaxed country vibe throughout the bouquets and venue flowers. I think its a look that really works, especially when the ceremony took place within a picturesque old church.

Bridal bouquet filled with flowering mint, oregano, aim Graceland, lisianthus, dahlias, spray roses, nigella, eucalyptus, scabiosa and astrantia

Nathalie was keen to have lots of scent in her bouquet, and we focused on the amazing scented and flowering herbs that are available throughout July, August and September. Flowering mint is a complete favourite of mine and a scent I find incredibly calming, perfect for a bridal bouquet.

Small vases were filled with scabiosa, dahlias, delphiniums, ammi Graceland, flowering mint, oregano, eucalyptus, veronica and nigella. Each place setting had a little setting of astrantia, scented myrtle and veronica.

Contrast to the sleek setting, mix and match vases scattered throughout the table balancing the soft country feel with the surroundings at The Aviator.

After setting up our wedding flowers at The Aviator we managed to sneak a few snaps of the amazing staircase that runs over all 4 floors of the hotel. What an amazing view!

Hannah visited with her mother, Diane a few months ago to discuss all the flowers for Hannah's big day. Filling me in on all the details including lots of DIY bunting which would be hung throughout Ufton Court. I love setting up wedding flowers at Ufton Court, such an amazing venue and each wedding we do there is completely different! Hannah had chosen a colour palette of peach, blue and yellow, based around the amazing soft lemon bridesmaids dresses and her groom's love of cornflowers.

Bridal bouquet filled with peach Juliette David Austin roses, delphiniums, astilbe, cornflowers, lisianthus, dusty millar, succulents and eucalyptus.

I admit it ... I am a complete David Austin rose-a-holic. This gorgeous Juliette rose is my absolute favourite, teamed with the soft blue delphiniums and deeper blue cornfowers, this is a bouquet I'm seriously considering for my wedding day!

Bridesmaids bouquets were filled with astilbe, delphinium, yellow lisianthus, Apple Tea carnations, dusty millar, cornflowers and eucalyptus.

I always feel a little uneasy uttering the word "carnation" but this soft peach Apple Tea carnation is perfect for weddings, just the right shade, not too orange and not too pink. I'm sure when I suggest it brides think I've completely lost the plot, but I hope you'll agree, its a stunning carnation.

Do you love Hannah's colour palette? Let us know what you think! xx

Harriet, Romain and their families first came to see Green Parlour in the depths of winter. Talking through the garden feel they wanted to create and the summer blooms weaving  throughout all the arrangements felt like a lifetime away! But finally the time came and below is the outcome of many month planning.

We loved that each arrangement had its own personality, but still following a colour palette theme. This really works for a natural relaxed vibe. Just because a flower is in your bridal bouquet, it doesn't have to dictate everything!

Bridal bouquet filled with freesia, delphinium, matricaria, scabiosa, lavender, English grown roses, sweet peas, grasses, alchemilla molls, honesty and lisianthus

Maid of honour bouquet filled with sweet peas, English grown roses, matricaria, nigella, lisianthus, lavender and delphiniums

Bridesmaids bouquets were filled with scabiosa, delphiniums, lavender, sweet peas, lisianthus, English grown roses and grasses.

With the ceremony taking place at The Olde Bell in Hurley, we went all out with the country theme, mix and match vases adorned the tables and large milk churns filled with the most spectacular hydrangeas framed the ceremony table perfectly.

Weeping pear trees marked the entrance and helped transport you into the garden theme of the day.

Small vases waiting to adorn the tables at The Olde Bell, Hurley.

Small vases were filled with English grown roses, lisianthus, grasses, dahlias, nigella, cotinus,cornflowers, lavender and delphiniums

Milk churns filled with delphiniums, alliums, cotinus and hydrangeas

We loved setting up the wedding flowers at The Olde Bell, Hurley. Such a lovely venue set up and I hope you'dd agree the flowers were beautiful! I can't tell you how much we enjoyed making all the beautiful displays. Let us know what you think xx

Nancy and Andrew came to see us with bags of amazing ideas for their DIY garden themed wedding. Set in the grounds of Wasing Park's Secret Garden they really wanted to take inspiration from the gorgeous surroundings.

After choosing the wonderful Laura Babb for their wedding photography, Nancy and Andrews wedding was featured on Rock My Wedding. Read all about their big day here

All photographs copyright Babb Photo

Nancy also took the time to write us this fantastic testimonial! We loved been part of their big day!

"Thank you Emma and everyone at Green Parlour for my amazing bouquet and the super cool buttonholes! We had such an amazing day at the Wasing Secret Garden and your flowers were spot on with our English garden theme!"