Hello and a warm welcome to our Q&A session with a wedding florist! I'm Emma, the head florist at Green Parlour, and I'm thrilled to be your guide through the wonderful world of wedding flowers. With over 20 years of experience in the floral industry, I've developed a deep passion for creating stunning floral arrangements that bring joy to couples on their special day.
Planning a wedding can be both exciting and overwhelming, especially when it comes to choosing the perfect flowers to complement your vision. That's why I've put together this Q&A session—to help answer all those burning questions you may have about wedding floristry.
Whether you're just starting your wedding flower journey or looking for expert advice to refine your floral plans, I'm here to provide insightful answers and valuable guidance every step of the way. So, don't hesitate to share your questions with us—I'm here to help you plan your dream wedding with beautiful blooms.
Rowena and Josh chose to have their New Years Eve wedding at Wasing Park and what a day it was. I love flowering up at Wasing Park - it has a wonderfully laid back, yet sophisticated atmosphere. Perfect for a New Years Eve wedding celebration. The brief was my ideal for that time of year - crisp whites, fresh but with a hint of winter. The statement florals here were all about adding height to the barn - you cannot beat candelabras and layers upon layers of candles for the ultimate New Years Eve sparkle.
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Spring is a time for awakening and new beginnings and that alone should convince you that a spring wedding is one of the most magical times to get married. Not only is it the perfect season to tie the knot, it's also the season when the flower world starts to bloom. You'll have an abundance of Spring flowers to choose from - daffodils, flowering viburnum, hyacinths and roses to name a few.
Whilst I love pastel flowers as this time of year, it's also a time of bold colour. Don't be afraid to mix in some stronger pops of pink, coral or yellow for a real celebration of spring. I always start planning spring weddings with the bridal bouquet, all the other arrangements then spin off this. Your bridal bouquet is the most important bunch of flowers you'll ever carry - it needs to be knock out beautiful. In this post I'll be sharing some of my favoruite Spring wedding bouquets.
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With March whizzing by in what felt like a moment, and a sea of soft pastels, Kelly and Alan's big day came along and kicked us into full on bright, bold and colourful mode. I adore punchy colours and Kelly and Alan's scheme didn't disappoint. Plums, cerise, dusky mink tones and most importantly lots of texture - a florists dream!
Kelly and Alan tied the knot at their local church and then headed to The Olde Bell in Hurley for the big celebrations. We've been to The Olde Bell on many occasions and have floralled up so many different schemes over the years but nothing as bold and beautiful as this. Tying the knot at the end of March, we had the pick of the spring flowers to use along with some early summer fleurs making an appearance.
A few weeks ago these beauties hit my inbox from the wonderful Benjamin Stuart Photography. We were lucky enough to both be involved in Natasha and Sam's romantic country wedding at Combe Manor in Hungerford, Berkshire. I think you'll agree Benjamin has captured our flowers beautifully and the images really are a feast for the eyes.
We were lucky enough to deliver Natasha's bridal bouquet to her at Combe Manor, it has to be one of my favourite parts as a florist. Suddenly this wedding bouquet, which you've spent months planning, writing about, tweaking until its perfect is delivered to the Bride. All that love and emotion we have put into creating the wedding bouquet then takes on a whole new meaning as she walks down the aisle.
Natasha and Sam tied the knot in late May, its such a gorgeous time for flowers, with some of my all time favourite blooms in abundance. I literally cannot get enough of sweet peas during the summer months, and for me they are the most perfect wedding flower. Having scented items (unless you are suddenly going to be struck down with a major allergy) should be something top of your bridal agenda. There is something completely magical about the power of smell. Who wouldn't want to be reminded of their big day when they smell the delicate scent of sweet peas in the future.
All the flowers were designed to compliment a soft romantic yet rustic theme. Combe Manor is set in the most idyllic Berkshire countryside one could wish for, and the reception barn is really something else. With bags of character from the hanging murals to big black barn doors, the space really suits some light, dreamy flowers to compliment the drama.
Natasha and Sam tied the knot at St Swithun's Church next to Combe Manor, with this beautiful archway reaching high into the rafters. Filled with tons of scented foliage, as well as seasonal stocks, daisies and roses, the arch really brought the space alive. I love the idea of an internal archway too, and then it can be enjoyed throughout the service.
The tables were adorned with rustic matt zinc jugs each holding chic country hand-tied bouquets. These were filled with sweet peas, alchemilla mollis, scented stocks, Sweet Avalanche roses, daisies and lots of scented foliage.
Thank you so much to Benjamin Stuart for sharing the love with these wonderful photographs, I think you'll agree he's one to watch in 2014/2015. We can't wait to work with you again.
Spring has well and truly sprung ... our gorgeous flower stand is filled with some beautiful seasonal blooms from scetned muscari through to poppy like anemones, what a perfect time of year to get married!
Harriet and Rory certainly chose a beautiful weekend to tie the knot in the Tithe Barn in Yattendon. With their rustic, country vibe perfectly reflecting their surroundings. You are in for a treat when you look at all their gorgeous DIY detailing!
We had a selection of flowers that screamed country garden. From sea holly, gypsophilia, spray roses, iris to anemones and muscari. Bring on country styling ...
Harriet's wedding bouquet contained clusters of gypsophilia, iris, scented anemones, groupings of sea holly, ivory Majolika spray roses and scented foliage. This completely summed up the country wedding brief to me.
Harriet's bridesmaids bouquets were filled with seasonal hyacinths, scented muscari, ivory Majolika spray roses, hints of eucalyptus and gypsophilia. Beautifully rustic and the perfect compliment to the bridal bouquet wouldn't you agree?
We got a little bit snap happy when we visited the Tithe Barn in Yattendon ... boy oh boy had this couple put in a lot of work. We literally walked in the door and our breath was taken away! Greeted by 3 trees filled with origami escort cards through to hay bale sofas draped in old quilts and cushions, through to old wire reels used as poser tables. We were in Pinterest wedding heaven!
I love banqueting style layouts, and a barn really lends itself to this informal table layout, especially when said tables are covered in old doilies, book stacks and amazing folded books acting as menu holders.
I want the bride to come and style my wedding now! Oh and yes that is a home made wedding cake ... gorgeousness
We were lucky enough to work with the super talented (and also very lovely) Hannah McClune back in May 2013. I know, its taken us forever to blog the amazing images she took of Tracey and Simon's big day, but, we're sure you'll agree they are worth the wait!
We know once you take a look at Hannah's images below you'll be hooked. As well as shooting fabulous weddings, she also takes baby portraits and family shots. Hannah's definately one to watch, after scooping the Wedding Industry Expert award for " Best new photographer, Berkshire" we're pretty sure she'll be on to even greater things in 2014.
The men wore succulent and herb buttonholes. Here's simon getting pinned, the succulent is the perfect match next to his charcoal/blue suit. I love playing with textures on buttonholes, for any regular readers of our blog you'll know I've done an extensive post on boutonniers ... get the lowdown here
Tracey's bouquet was filled with Sweet Avalanche roses, peonies, Majolika spray roses, scented eucalyptus, succulents and heavily scented sweet peas. Gorgeous soft pastel colours were chosen to compliment the flowers girl dresses. Each wore a different pastel tone from soft powder blue, through to pink and a subtle lilac. Beautiful!
I think you'll all agree, Hannah's photographs are wonderful! Thank you so much for sharing them with us. We're really looking forward to working with you again in 2014
Jo and Nuzrul tied the knot at The Elephant Hotel in Pangbourne back in late October. I have to admit, its one of my favourite times of year for wedding flowers. All the gorgeous early autumn berries are still around and the winter foliage is just making its first appearance. Arrange all the gorgeous greens with dusky roses, deeper red dahlias, berried and for me, you have the perfect late autumn bouquet.
Jo's bouquet may well be one of my favourites of the year, I love the little splattering of rosehips!
Adding more depth and tying in Nuzrul's burgundy tie, the table centres had punchy red dahlias entwined within the Amnesia roses and foliage. The thing that sums up autumn flowers for me is all the beautiful textures from the foliage. In the table centres we used dusty millar which has the most splendid leaf formation, texture and colour. Its already big news in the wedding flower world and combined beautifully with every tone.
Simple hand-tied bouquets were placed within vases for the table centres. Although I love elaborate table centres from a creative stance, I have to say these practical arrangements are gorgeous, and your guests can take home a beautiful bouquet to enjoy whilst your on honeymoon.
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.
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!
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
