Hot air balloon centrepieces

Last year the lovely Elaine at Elsham Hall got in touch. One of her summer brides wanted these hot air balloons as the centrepieces for her guest tables. Would I be able to recreate them? Of course I said yes!!! I really should research these things before committing myself and jumping in with both feet. 

I knew balloon companies sent hot air balloons as gifts, so that is where I started to look for all the balloon components. Wow was I in for a surprise! I had already been advised the bride wanted the design as near to the picture as possible so on seeing the set up from my balloon supplier I knew she wouldn't be happy with what I was given. A very basic and rather tacky net just wouldn't do. More research was needed. Other balloon supplier friends couldn't help and I even contacted a net maker all to no avail. This design was tracked down to an American wedding blog where all the comments where where or how could this be bought/made, with no details at all to give further advice. Blogs, please take note: If you are going to put these types of designs on, please credit the maker/designer etc to give brides a chance.

Well that was it. I decided if I was going to fulfill this order then I was going to have to make the whole thing from scratch. I learnt how to make the netting, and what to make it with to give the best finish. With help from dad (thank you :-) ) we designed the frill and worked out how to put the whole thing together. A few sample pieces were put to the bride and refined where needed until we finished up with the design below.

This took many, many hours but in the end, once final colours were decided (These started life as pink but the peach, gold and ivory gave a much better overall look) I am very happy to say, the bride loved her designs.

As the ceremony also took place at Elsham Hall, I never got to see the room dressed as the guests and bride and groom saw it but here they all are waiting for their final placement.

The flowers used were peach avalanche roses, peach and ivory stocks, ivory eustoma and astilbe.

The registrars table display was different too! The bride provided small bottles dressed with lace, ribbon and pearls for me to place a couple of stems of flowers in.

These also adorned the radiator covers with other items from the bride.

Peach stock

Astilbe

Stock and Astilbe

Peach stock and eucalyptus

Roses and stocks

This wedding set up took a long time to refine so the bride was happy. We got there in the end and hopefully it shows the lengths we go to to get it right.
The overall look of The Barn was once again transformed completely and made personal to this couple.

The bride sent this to me the next day:

Sandra

I just want to say a huge thank you - the centrepieces were fantastic! I hope you can market them now and I hope other brides can love the idea as much as I did. The rest of the flowers were also beautiful! Couldn't have dreamt of them being better - thank you so much xx

Sara (June 2013)

Mothering Sunday, Mother's day

Don't forget this Sunday is

MOTHERING SUNDAY

30th March 2014

Orders still being taken

Click here for details

OR

HERE to order online

Craft fair Lincoln

Mothering Sunday is fast approaching. If you are in Lincoln on Saturday call in at The Priory Centre, St Catherines (South Park Roundabout) and have a look for that special gift at this craft fair. I will be there with planted designs for sale and will be taking orders for fresh flower designs for delivery on Mothers day.

The Mansion Wedding fayre Leeds

 On Sunday I traveled up the A1 to showcase my flowers at The Mansion Leeds, Brides Up North wedding fayre. A stunning venue set at the top of Roundhay park. This means lovely views from all aspects across the park and plenty of green space for those all important photos.

A bird nest design full of lilac lisianthus, purple anemone, vanda orchids and lavender.

 Black urn design with ivory roses and purple vanda orchids.

 Bridal hand tie in shades of purples and lilacs. Memory Lane roses, purple, lilac and white lisianthus, thistles and gyp.

 Glass tea light lantern with vanda orchids

 60 cm martini vase with Blue delphiniums, Iris and lavender with eucalyptus and gyp

 A traditional shower bouquet of ivory and memory lane roses, purple and lilac lisianthus, thistles and lavender.

 My stand all set up and ready for the brides and grooms and their family and friends.

 One of the lovely views over Roundhay park.

White ceremony flowers at Elsham Hall

 Rebecca's wedding was held in The Barn at Elsham Hall. The registrars table had a long and low design filled with white and ivory flowers. Roses (bloom and spray), Eustoma, Viburnum, and stallion chrysants with a selection of foliage including ivy. This was also to double up as the top table centre piece.

 The romantic set up of the ceremony table.

 The full effect with Elaine's archway dressed in white organza.

 On each of the radiator covers stood a white candelabras, also from Elaine's collection. These were decorated with an ivy garland for the ceremony

 and then for the reception were given a flower circle to stand in.

These circlets had a mix of roses, eustoma, and stallion chrysants with foliage. Lace was also threaded through the design.

White rose wedding with extra bling

Rebecca's wedding was another lovely rose affair with added bling. Another bride who had been recommended by Elaine of Elsham Hall and with a clear idea of what she wanted.
Her bouquet was a mix of white roses in various sizes, Avalanche, Akito and spray with a diamante display over one third.

The diamante pieces were the main focal point of the bouquet.

The stems were wrapped in lace.

The matron of honor carried a Carmen rose design with lace looped around the stem and with a bow tucked underneath the flower.

Carmen roses look fabulous if you are looking to carry a single flower design.

The bridesmaid carried a small posy of white roses with bear grass loops and more lace.

The groomsmen buttonholes of freesia, eustoma and wax with lace around the stems.

A couple of small buttonholes for the page boys of a single eustoma flower a sprig of wax flower.

This was the grooms buttonhole. A mix of eustoma, wax and freesia with diamante detailing and lace around the stem.