The Dower House Hotel setting of a gorgeous May wedding

Following on from yesterday's post (here) of the bridal flowers, today's post is a look at the venue flowers.

The Dower House Hotel is a fabulous place to hold a wedding and I love setting up here as the staff are all so friendly and helpful and nothing is too much trouble. It also helps that the whole place is set in fantastic surroundings, see these photos below. Who wouldn't love to get married in this space? If the weather is fine this could be where you say your vows!

The bride asked if we could decorate the arbour with a eucalyptus garland down the from two pillars as they were hoping for an outdoor ceremony.

It was quite overcast when setting up and the final decision hadn't been made but I believe they went ahead and chairs and decorations were brought out in time.

These pillars are great for decorating and look fabulous in the photos

The couple continued the foliage theme for their sweetheart table with another garland dripping off the ends and a few trailing whisps at the front.

If you cannot agree on who should be on the top table or have family issues then this is perfect. Just the two of you. Allows you to spend the meal catching your breath and relaxing together. 

Many couples say afterwards that they don't really get to chat together through the day with visiting family and friends to catch up with so this table for 2 allows you time and space to do just that.

We provided a vase for the bridal bouquet to sit in to add a pop of colour.

The guest tables were posies of the same flowers as the bridal bouquets placed in glass cubes.

The peonies would, hopefully, spring open in the heat of the venue.

The tables at The Dower House are always so well dressed. The mirrors were added by the venue as they just lift the designs once in situ.

I always love tables that use 'the less is more' attitude. Simple and classy and allows your guests room to move.

These flowers settle in the warm room and they started filling the space with their light scent, adding another dimension to your day.

These types of designs are great to double up as gifts for your very special guests. The flowers are tied together with ribbon so whether you hire or buy the vases the flowers can be given out at the end of the day.

The beautiful room at The Dower House Hotel

The room eagerly awaiting the happy couple and their guests.

I always like to take a photo or two of the view from the top table, this gives you the bride (or groom) a chance to see what you will spend the afternoon looking at. After all it is your ideas, style and hard work that has gone into planning the event.

Are you getting married at The Dower House Hotel? I have set up here many times previously see here for one example or visit 'labels' - Venue:The Dower House Hotel for more.

Having worked here previously I know what works and what doesn't and am happy to advise you on your styling and flowers so you get the most from your ideas for the day.

Or if you like these designs but are getting wed elsewhere, get in touch so we can discuss your options in more detail.

I look forward to hearing from you soon

Sandra x

Gorgeous bridal bouquets with orchid, peony and anemone

These are the gorgeous flowers from Christina's wedding in early May.

On meeting Christina had a fairly good idea of the flowers and design she wanted to create but wanted confirmation on availability. We had to switch one variety but all others were in season.

The bouquets were to be lots of foliage, eucalyptus and senecio to give a silvery look and the flowers were to be neutral, creams and white with a pop of colour with the peony.

We used cymbidium orchids, peony, eustoma and anemone.

All the bouquets had the same flower and foliage content with the bridesmaids being smaller in size.

Brides bouquet centre with the bridesmaids either side.

The flower girl carried a silver heart shaped wand with a single cymbidium orchid and foliage detail

The groom wore a double buttonhole of a single cymbidium flower and an anemone with eucalyptus and senecio foliage.

The mums wore a double orchid buttonhole with foliage

The groomsmen wore a single buttonhole of an anemone flower and eucalyptus foliage. All buttonholes had navy blue wire wrapped around the stems to compliment the suits.

If you love these designs or have a design in mind with similar flowers do book a consultation to discuss how we can help you achieve your flower creations.

Alternatively if you have no clue where to start we can help and advise you on a full array of designs to help you to narrow down the choice and colours for your special day.

We look forward to hearing from you soon

Sandra x

St Helen's Church, Willingham by Stow Flower Festival

I was asked many months ago whether I would like to take part in my local church's flower festival. Of course I jumped at the chance to support a lovely church that is still a huge part of the community.

I stuck with my logo colours of pinks, purples and creams and was given a window to create a display for.

Now our church windows are huge! So one can certainly go to town on them.

Below is 3 of the stages of the display, the full window image just doesn't work with a hobby photographer as the light is all wrong, but hopefully you will get an idea of the beautiful display.

The central portion was filled with alliums, orchid spike, gerberas, tulips and button chrysants

These tulips were a stunning colour

The left side was a declaration of LOVE

and the right was a wedding sign display, both on a bed of foliage and flowers to compliment the main portion.

I then added a foliage archway to fill this huge window and added hanging cymbidium heads for detail.

This hopefully represents my business, colours and the main wedding designs I create week in week out.

Other designs created by various ladies and gents of the church and other business.

Aegir Electronics

Arbour lea Dog Home Boarding

Cow Parsley Woodcraft

Dream Doors, Brigg

H Bates and Son. Farmers

Horsleys Retailers

J E Thurlby Funeral Directors

Long field Flowers

Pop Up Tea Room

Long fields Flowers

Sandra's Flower Studio

Woodside Pet Grooming and Cattery

Opening night was for all the sponsors and ladies and gents of the flower arranging brigade to meet up and chat and see the lovely creations that had been so lovingly produced. It was lovely to see the church full of people and buzzing with atmosphere.

When I set up there were many bodies busying about, tea being made, cake handed out and buckets and buckets of flowers and foliage.

The end result was amazing, so many great ideas transformed and really worked well with each business. Unfortunately I didn't get shots of all the displays, there were 25 businesses showcased, each one local to our wonderful village of Willingham by Stow.

The weekend was a huge success and funds raised have gone to support St Helen's Church. 

Sandra x

Commitment Free plants - Houseplant of the month - June

June 2017: Commitment Free Plants Houseplants of the Month 

The story of Commitment Free Plants

Rugged, easy to live with, and a must-have for every ‘man cave’. Commitment Free Plants not only make a man’s home more attractive, but also show instantly that the guy in question is caring enough to keep something green alive. The selection for this Premier League consists of Croton, Philodendron, Snake Plant, Umbrella Tree and Devil’s Ivy - all strong personalities the can take a knock. 

Origin 
Croton (aka Codiaeum) is derived from the Greek word ‘kroton’, which means ‘tick’ and refers to the seeds, which resemble these bugs. This handsome plant grows in Indonesia, but can also be found in many other warm holiday destinations. Croton is an evergreen shrub with variegated, very colourful leaves that are unlike any other plant. 
Philodendron grows in the tropical rainforests of South America and occurs as a bush, small tree and climbing plant with aerial roots. The name derives from the Greek and means ‘tree hugger’. This refers to its preference for growing up the giants of the forest.
Snake Plant (Sansevieria) is one of the easiest houseplant ever. The plant grows in the dry regions of southern Africa and Asia, where it has to survive in deserts. The Snake Plant does that with sturdy rhizomes from which thick upward-pointing sword-shaped leaves with succulent properties emerge.
Umbrella Tree (Schefflera) is native to the deciduous forests of New Zealand, Taiwan and Australia, where the plants can reach a height of 20 to 30 metres. It is one of the most air purifying plants, and offers an impressive green presence with eye-catching leaves which resemble a hand with a few to many fingers. 
Devil’s Ivy (Scindapsus) is a hanging climbing plant which is a member of the arum family, the Araceae, and can be identified by the spike-shaped flower/spadix with a bract. This houseplant is known as a bringer of luck. In the tropical rainforests of South-East Asia and Indonesia, Devil’s Ivy also serves as a rich source of food for lizards and other reptiles, amongst others.

What to look for when buying Commitment Free Plants

• With Commitment Free Plants the first impression is important: are the plant’s proportions right, is the foliage full and healthy, and is the plant firmly in its pot? 
• With the climbers, check the material that is being used to support the Manly Plant. A moss pole, wood or bamboo must look cared for. 
• The plant must have good roots and sufficiently hardened leaves. Leaf drop can sometimes be caused by lack of light (particularly winter) and brown leaf tips can be a sign of insufficient humidity. The plants must be free of pests and diseases. Especially look out for mealybug and scale insects.
• Most Commitment Free Plants are sensitive to cold at a temperature below 12 to 15°C - something to bear in mind when transporting them during the cold months.

Choice of range 
The range of ‘Commitment Free Plants’ is varied in terms of shape, size and colour. Various species and cultivars exist of each type, making for an impressive choice. 
In addition to many different sizes, Croton also comes in many cultivars. They are all part of the species C. variegatum, which means variegated and refers to the fantastic leaves. 
Philodendron is available both as a climber with large or small leaves, and in bush form. The leathery leaves are often green, or slightly reddish. Larger climbers sometimes have aerial roots. 
Snake Plant is available in many different sizes and shapes, from fans and interwoven specimens through to plants with painted or felt-covered tops to the leaves. The leaves are green or grey, depending on the variety. 
Umbrella Tree comes in various forms, which are mainly members of the arboricola species, which means ‘tree-like’. In the wild the Umbrella Tree can grow into a real tree. The trade offering ranges from single and branched plants in a pot through to indoor trees. All Umbrella Trees can be recognised by the hand-shaped leaves. 
Devil’s Ivy (Scindapus or Epipremnum) is known as a climbing and hanging plant with attractive green and yellow marked leaves. 

Care tips for consumers

• The more variegated the Manly Plant, the lighter the position it requires. If the leaf contains more chlorophyll, it can also be placed in partial shade. 
• Philodendron, Umbrella Tree and Devil’s Ivy cannot cope with direct sunlight. Croton and Snake Plant can cope with full sunlight, and can be placed outdoors in the summer months.
• The bigger and thicker the trunk, the easier the plant is to look after. Never allow the soil to dry completely, water at room temperature and avoid permanently soaking the soil. For the Snake Plant in particular, it’s better to give too little than too much. 
• Any yellow or ugly leaves can be removed. 
• If a Manly Plant gets too tall or is no longer looking good, it can be pruned (with the exception of Snake Plant), preferably during the darker months.
• House plant food once a month is sufficient.

Display tips for Commitment Free Plants
Their size means that Commitment Free Plants are ideally suited to a display that suggests an indoor forest. This fits with the trend of bringing living nature indoors and placing it on a pedestal in the home or office. This fits in with the colour of the year 'Greenery' , so be on trend this year with your plants.

Thank you to Thejoyofplants.co.uk. and https://www.flowercouncil.co.uk for the above information.

With Father's day on 18th June these would make excellent gifts, we are taking pre orders now to guarantee your plants.

We can source all of these plants through the season just ask us for your requirements. We can also source a wide range of pots to compliment each plant or for a striking look bright and colourful pots of all shapes and sizes. Whether for a long term display or for a one off event we can source, supply and set up so you don't have to. A care service can also be supplied if needed.

Sandra x