This morning I collected my brand new designer leaflets that I shall be handing out at all my wedding fairs in 2012. If you are a bride, or indeed a groom, come and see me at my first fair of the season, The Bentley hotel on 8th January to see how I can help you have fabulous wedding flowers.

I look forward to meeting you.

Christmas Tweet up

I once again made my way up to Leeds, this time to a lovely cafe called Tasty, to meet a few of 'the norths' most gorgeous wedding folk. A much more intimate affair, it allowed great conversation to flow between us all as we got to know each other. The 'do' was organised by Phoebe, originally from Lincolnshire, of So you're getting married blog and fabulous wedding planner. A surprise for us when we got there was a great spread of food from Tasty and it really was delicious, if a little far for me to regularly pop in for a treat. Great tasting cakes were also provided by Jemma of The delicious cake company who provided a fantastic cake for the raffle. A fantastic night was had by all and well worth the trip.

Last night I attended the Lincoln tweet meet at the Lincoln showroom. It was great to meet many local buisness people many of which have interest in the wedding industry at a new and exciting modern venue.
The night was aimed at buisness on the internet and how best to use social media including of course twitter and facebook.
If you haven't heard of The Showroom, click here to find out more about this multi purpose venue. From buisness meetings, climbing walls (I can vouch for this, great fun), dance machines, cafe and kids games, this venue has it all.

Judges Lodgings wedding fair

 These photos were very kindly taken by Adam of Through the lens photography at The Lincoln wedding fair, in The Judges Lodgings back in October.
This is me and my gorgeous flowers. I went for an autumnal display with contrasting colours to stand out against the lovely flowery wallpaper and dark fireplace.

Adam was also exhibiting here, to see more of his work please click here.

I would once again like to thank all who stopped by to say hello, and if you would like me to call you about your wedding flowers please drop me an e-mail to sandra@sandrasflowerstudio.co.uk with your wedding date

2012 wedding industry awards

Although I didn't win the regional award for the East Midlands, I was short listed and have now received the comments my couples left as part of the voting process. All comments are anonymous.

These are just a sample of them:

"Sandra has been a fantastic florist she helped us with all our flower needs and the finished items were outstanding.Great florist and will be highly recommending her to fellow bides"

“Sandra was extremely professional & helpful, We at no point felt pressured into anything regarding choice or budget. Sandra came to visit us in our home at a time suitable to for us. The bouquets Sandra produced were first class, and lasted for many days after the wedding. I have happily recommended Sandra to some of our friends who are getting married 2012.”

"Sandra is a true professional, nothing is too much trouble, the finished product is breathtaking"

On why the couples booked with me (again a sample):

"Sandra has vision, it's almost as if she can see what you see when explaining what your heart desires, perfect!”


"Sandra's work really shined at the wedding fair where we meet her, from there we knew we wanted her. She was so helpful throughout the whole process of planning, and the finished flowers were beautiful."


"I booked Sandra simply because she's a lovely friendly lady, who was easy to talk to and clearly had a lot of knowledge in flowers. When I first met her I instantly felt she would be perfect for my wedding and she was."


I would once again say a HUGE thank you to all my couples for voting and for leaving such overwhelmingly great comments. The best part for me is that you all loved your flowers and are pleased you booked them with me and they helped to make your day truly special.

Covent garden flower market Christmas Extravaganza

 Question: What does a florist do on a day out? They go to Covent Garden flower market for a Christmas extravaganza that's what.
Part of the reason was to explore new suppliers, always on the look out for 'different' sundries and choice of flowers. The other was to see some fantastic displays by some of the celebrities in my trade.
The day didn't disappoint. A very early start meant we arrived before the days proceeding's had started, giving us chance to look around the market which opens at 3am. Above is part of one wholesaler of fresh flowers.

 Above is one section of the Christmas baubles available.
It also meant we got good seats to watch the first demonstration by Simon Lycett. I particularly wanted to see him as I have heard fantastic reviews on his displays. I was not disappointed. Many of you will know some of his work, especially if you have ever watched Four weddings and  funeral. He created all the flowers.

 He made two displays: This Christmas centrepiece was gorgeous. Christmas baubles galore with an array of flowers from roses, orchids, anthurriums, amaryllis and many more in many many colours, proving any colours go.

This centrepiece was fabulous. He made it in several pieces, each would have been stunning on it's own, but he kept adding and adding flowers, and this was the finished display. It was huge. Where would this be for? A wedding guest table centrepiece.

2012 wedding industry awards

I would like to say a HUGE THANK YOU to all my brides and grooms who have been kind enough to vote for me in The 2012 Wedding Industry Awards. I am pleased to announce I have been shortlisted for the florist award East Midland region. This part was based purely on your votes and comments so thanks again.

Regional winners are to be announced end of November, so fingers crossed.

5 arm candelabra with crystal chimneys for hire

 This is one of a selection of items I bought on my trip to Covent gardens. I couldn't resist it, ticks all the right boxes: It sparkles, it's glamorous, and it is different to usual candelabras.
It has 5 candle shades that are multi faceted beads which look fabulous both in daylight and at night when the candles are lit.
The height is 92cm (36")

 It is a heavy weight so would be ideal in a marquee where it won't be easily knocked.

 These photos are just a quick look at how it will look both in artificial light and with the candles lit. You can see how the light dances through them.

These candelabras can be both hired and bought, prices on application. Taper candles and church candles can be bought to suit.
Flowers can be added in many forms, from balls and rings in the centre to a spiral around the stem.
More photos to come

2012 wedding industry awards

Well today is the day voting closes on The 2012 wedding industry awards. I would like to thank ALL my brides for voting for me. The short list for the regional winners are due out mid November and are mainly based on your votes and comments. I'm keeping my fingers (and toes) crossed.

Dates for your diary Sunday January 8th Bentley Hotel Wedding fayre
                               Sunday March 4th March The Lincoln Wedding Fayre - County Assembly Rooms

The Lincoln wedding fayre

 Thank you to all the lovely brides and grooms and their families who stop by on Sunday to speak to me at The Judges Lodgings part of The Lincoln wedding fayre. I had a fantastic day and hope you all did too.

This is a small selection of my flower creations.
A silver candelabra, courtesy of Lincolnshire lanterns, with an autumnal display of orange/yellow roses, blue hydrangea and snowberries.

Candelabra

  A stunning brides bouquet of a single pink garden rose with large white/pink cymbidium orchids and diamantes.

 My stand complete: L-R
A large fishbowl design complete with candle
A mirrored cube with calla lilies, hydrangea, orchids and roses.
Brides bouquet from above
A large martini vase with an array of autumnal flowers. (Vases are available to hire separately)
An autumnal brides bouquet of calla lilies, roses, hydrangea and orchids.
Candelabra from above.

The Lincoln wedding fair

I am exhibiting in The Judges Lodgings in Bailgate Lincoln on Sunday 2nd October. One of a handful of venues open as part of The Lincoln wedding fayre. If you are in the area please pop in for a chat. Lots of lovely suppliers there and the room will be dressed in part for a civil ceremony.

The Olde Barn Marston

I was asked by The Olde Barn if I would kindly arrange some flowers for them for the wedding fayre. Two pedestals and an arrangement for their display.
For the entrance to the restaurant I created a modern pedestal arrangement on a small square metal stand. The flowers included were gladioli, hydrangea, gerbera and stallion chysants.

 The pedestal for the main entrance was a traditional pedestal on a white church stand. The flowers were basically the same but with gypsophila added.

The arrangement for the table was in a glass cube with hydrangea, garden roses, snowberries, anemones and stallion chrysants.

Columbian Garden Roses

The flowers I had on display from The Olde Barn at Marston wedding fayre.

Close up detailing of the butterflies added to the garden rose handtie. Other items can be added such as a family broch (suitable for something old or borrowed) diamantes or pearls.

 A garden rose bouquet with deep, mid and light pink and white roses. Fountain grass and salal foliage also.

 A mixed bouquet of pink and white garden roses, freesia snowberries, anemones and assorted foliage.

 The main centre piece was a conical vase with willow branches and garden roses around the top of the vase. This can be placed on guest tables in a high ceiling room/marquee or as an alternative to a pedestal in an entrance hall/bar area.

 Gorgeous white Columbian garden roses.

 Rose pomanders were hung off the willow branches. The scent from all the roses was lovely.

 A vintage tea setting. A single rose with foliage in the tea cups and snowberries, anemones, roses, gyp and hawthorn in the tea pot. These are all available to hire. Get in touch for a quote, which will include set up and the all important clearing up the next day.

 A fabulous silver candelabra on hire from Lincolnshire lanterns with white garden roses, sedum and hawthorn with mixed foliage.



Olde Barn Marston, wedding fayre

Thank you to all the lovely brides, grooms, mums and sisters I saw at The Olde Barn at Marston wedding fayre on Sunday.
This was my display, minus the bottle of water, of mainy Columbian garden roses. I will post individual photos of all the displays later, with close ups of the roses.

Brides Up North Tweet Up

I am so excited. Tonight is the night of The Brides Up North Tweet Up. I shall be travelling up to Leeds to meet and greet 79 other wedding industry people to have a chat about all things wedding. Look out for a full report coming soon.

For those who don't know this is a fantastic blog of all things wedding in the north. Real weddings, photo shoots and generally good ideas for your wedding, showing you don't have to be traditional all the time. You can have your wedding personalised to you and your groom. If you haven't visited it yet click on the link above and see what you are missing.

Cyclamen tea cup favours

A small taster of one of the designs I will be showing on Sunday at The Olde Barn Marston Wedding Fayre.

These can be used as favours, place names and as part as your table centrepieces.

The deigns will include gorgeous garden roses and seasonal extras which you will have to come and see yourselves. The day starts at 11am and closes at 3pm. I am told there is a good selection of wedding services also showing and it will be an ideal oppurtunity to have a look around a lovely venue.



Thank you letter

I received this letter from Laura and Simon for the flowers I created for their wedding in June.Click Here to see their flowers.

Rose and Spray carnation Brides bouquet.

I was asked a couple of weeks ago if I could make a replica wedding bouquet for an anniversary present. This of course I can do, but unfortunately I was only given 2 days notice and was therefore unable to match it completely as I was unable to get hold of stephanotis.

The original photo

My reproduction

I did however use today's equivalent pale pink roses and spray carnations with plenty of gyp and asparagus fern as the original.

Both the person who ordered it and his lovely wife both loved it.

I have spent some of today sourcing some gorgeous goodies to arrange flowers in for my upcoming wedding fayres. I am planning on showcasing some vintage style table designs with some lushious roses as well as bridal bouquets.

Come and see me on 11th September at The Olde Barn Marston and on 2nd October at The Judges Lodgings, part of The Lincoln Wedding Fayre.

Burgundy and Ivory wedding bouquet

 A small registary office wedding a couple of weeks ago.
The bride was from away and sent me a photo of a bouquet she wanted with swatches of material to match her dress and the grooms tie.
The bouquet is a hand-tied design of Black baccara roses with ivory Gletzer roses which have a lovely scent to them. Tree fern and gyp were also included and the stems bound with ivory ribbon.

Wedding Fayre

Save a date in your diary for Sunday 11th September, 11am - 3pm.

Come and see me at The Olde Barn Hotel near Grantham.

I will have a selection of bouquets and table centrepieces and will happily answer any questions you have regarding flowers for any part of your wedding.

Cute butterflies and flowers



Blue Butterfly

 These cute little butterflies and flowers are ideal for adding a touch of sparkle to all sorts of wedding designs. Add them in your bouquet or to decorate the ribbon on hand-ties, hair decorations either by themselves or in flower combs. Add them to your invitations, place cards or napkins.

Blue Flower

They both come in pink and blue and are available to buy separately in packs of 6. E-mail for price and p&p.

Pink flower

Pink flower    Blue butterfly

Bridesmaids Fans

Looking for something different for your bridesmaids to hold? How about these gorgeous fans. They come at present in 3 colours Black, Burgndy and White.

 Either keep them as they are or they can be adorned with jewels and 'sparkles' or with a corsage of flowers.

Ideal for when the weather is hot (OK there is still time for a really great summer) or for a Spanish themed wedding or looking ahead for a Christmas wedding with bridesmaids wearing fluffy wraps. The only limit is your imagination.

A small selection of the displays I have had the pleasure of creating for some special couples

Gerbera designs

A function held at The Lawns in Lincoln.
The only brief I had was a table centre in creams and greens that could be given away at the end of the night. Gerberas are lovely 'showy' flowers and are ideal for this design. The clear cylinder vase had ivory 'oasis' in the bottom with a gerbera and another layer of 'oasis' at the top with 3 gerberas and lots of twisted willow, bear grass and curled cordyline leaves. The vase also had green midelino sticks curled up inside it.

Modern gerbera centrepiece



The top table design compliemented the others but was displayed in a glass cube and had aspidistra leaves to give the design some length. The same cream gerberas, willow and bear grass were used.

Top Table



Marquee Reception

The reception of Laura and Simon's wedding was held in a marquee at the family home.
The colour scheme was all white with pink added with the flower displays and hot pink favours.
Laura wanted the top table display to be minimal and disliked the usual long and low displays so in keeping with the guest tables we used 2 sizes of fishbowls.


Top Table

 The bowls included, suduko roses, astrantia, larkspur, gracia spray roses, eucalyptus and corn.

 As there were 12 tables we decided to split the designs between high and low to add impact and interest when entering the marquee.

 There were six tables with large fish bowls using similar flowers to the top table plus, guelderose and sweet peas.


Large fishbowl

  The other six tables had large martini vases with a variety of gorgeous pink flowers in various shades. These included larkspur, sweet avalanche roses, stocks, hydrangeas, astrantia, pink gyp, with eucalyptus, ruscus, asparagus fern and corn.


Large Martini Vase




The view as you walk into the marquee

The catering and table set up was by X-Keys at Stow. They were there when I first arrived, and as a night time guest, they were still there when I left. The service was superb throughout I'm told.

The bar was provided by the local Half Moon pub, where on a personal note I was pleased they were serving their own brewed beer: Grafters Brewery

I love the pink and white light shades in the ceiling. 



View from the top table

The wedding ceremony itself was at the local village church where I had been asked to provide the lovely church ladies with matching flowers for them to decorate the windows, porchway and a pedestal. I was then asked, if possible, after the service could I take some of the displays down to the marquee.

This is the pedestal in situ to the side of the top table and it fits in perfectly with the other designs.

 One of the porchway designs from the church re sited at the entrance to the marquee.