This posting really has been a labour of love, it's an epic posting make no mistake, it's taken me a few weeks of late nights to put together and I've enjoyed every moment.
Now settle down with a glass of wine (or a brew depending on the time of day!!), relax and enjoy the flowers, they are without doubt plentiful, they are glorious, heavenly and utterly magnificent. Prepare yourself for a plethora of beautiful people, delectable gowns, elegance and breathtaking loveliness...
I will begin this floral tale at the very start, a good while ago I was unwell and ended up in hospital, I was looked after so beautifully by some wonderful, wonderful nurses and one of my favourites was the lovely Liz, she was just the most gentle and caring person and made my stay in hospital as pleasant an experience as it's possible to be, we joked about me being back on my feet and being well enough to make Liz's daughter's wedding flowers one day, turn the clock forward seven years and here we were in my studio discussing Liz's daughter Grace's wedding flowers, I couldn't have felt more honoured or privileged, thank you Liz for allowing us to make the flowers for such a special day!!!! xxx
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Grace & Chris had prepared this beautiful mood board to inspire our designs, all of the important details were included, all of their favourite blooms were shown; White Peonies, Lily of the Valley, Hydrangeas, & Roses, an image of Grace's gorgeous gown was hidden from view in the envelope, Chris' suit was pictured, the Bridesmaid's gowns and lots more to get our creative juices flowing.
Our next meeting was over at the family's Church St Oswald's in Longton, where the Bride's parents had been married and many family services celebrated
We took some photographs and measurements and worked out what we could put where
Next on the agenda was the all important FD sample appointment, we'd created a vast array of designs for Grace, Liz & Beth (Chief Bridesmaid & Brides sister) to view
We'd made a beautiful sample Bridal bouquet of Lily of the Valley, Patience Roses, White Peonies, White Sweet Peas and Hydrangeas for Grace to try out
Team Flower Design assembled and before we knew it the fresh flowers for the wedding had arrived in and work started in earnest
The spectacular church pedestals were taking shape
Chloe making the low table designs
Shirl making the thank you hand tied bouquet to presented to the Bride's Mum
Starting work on the Bride's bouquet
Lily putting the handles on the Bridesmaid's posies
Jason & Lily moving the Church designs
The evening before the big day Jason & I headed off to Longton to deliver some fresh flowers to the family home
The Bridesmaid's had gathered and it looked like a fabulous evening lay ahead...
The very next morning bright and early Bride's Dad Richard, Jason & I were at Church...
The fresh flower gardens looked perfect outside and just softened the space perfectly
Inside this splendid church the scene was set for the ceremony
Luscious Pew end posies of White Peonies, Ranunculus, Roses, Veronica, Hydrangeas, Oregano, Peppermint, fresh Olive and Hostas, swathed in yards of silk voile dressed each alternate pew end
The huge and dramatic pedestals towered over the Altar, fresh Delphiniums, white Alliums, Stocks, Peonies, Campanulas, Roses, Amaranthus and Viburnum Opulus created tall elegant designs to frame the ceremony space perfectly
We'd placed two smaller designs on the shelf just behind the Altar
On the font a beautiful remembrance posy of fresh Lily of the Valley, white Forget Me Nots, Sweet Peas and sweet scented Alabaster Roses
Just in front of the pulpit sat a smaller arrangement of Phlox, Peonies, Dahlias and Astilbe
In the 'Lady Chapel' we placed posies of fresh Peonies, Roses, Sweet Peas and Hydrangeas
We left Church and headed off to present the Bridal bouquets at the family home, two of our fragrant Bay trees dressed with voluptuous ribbons and a smattering of fresh fragrant Phlox framed the front door
One of our super romantic floral hearts decorated the front door
Fresh fragrant Jasmine, Roses, Peonies, Hydrangeas, Dahlias and Sweet Peas formed the floral heart so perfectly
Inside the team from Flossy and Leigh were making beautiful people even more lovely
Our FD Box filled with heavenly wedding bouquets
Our beautiful Bride the completely gorgeous Grace
I showed this bevvy of beauty how to carry their bridal bouquets perfectly
Back at Church we were all ready to meet with the Bride Groom Chris and his Groom's Men, we made Chris a simple and elegant boutonniere featuring an Alabaster Rose with fresh Lily of the Valley, some well placed Ivy leaves and the stem bound in navy blue to match his jacket
Ann's pale pink corsage of 'Lovely Lydia' Rose buds, Rolled Mentha Rose Petals and tiny Hydrangea florets
Doreen's elegant corsage featured white Forget Me Nots, Love in the Mist and Bubbles Roses
The Groom's Men's Boutonnieres, all white Akito Roses framed by variegated Ivy and bound in navy blue
Chris, Grace's super handsome Bride Groom was first to have his boutonniere pinned to his lapel
Beautiful white Rose and Lily of the Valley Boutonniere
There was a break in Boutonniere pinning on activity for the boys to indulge in some libation
We resumed pinning on Boutonnieres and I made sure each one was pinned on the correct side to the correct person and that they were the right way up...
Beautifully clean and simple white Rose Boutonniere
The Bride's super proud Grandparents
Nana Ann's pink corsage looked superb on her jacket
The choir and soloists did the most beautiful job
Doreen's corsage looked perfect on her jacket
White Forget me nots
White Love in the Mist
Gorgeous Fox Gloves
White Campanulas
White Alliums
Here come the Girls...
The beautiful Bridesmaid's looked gorgeous
The Bridesmaid's Bouquets were created as smaller versions of the Bride's Bouquet
Beautiful Bouquets of White Peonies, Lily of the Valley, White Roses, Hydrangeas and Sweet Peas
The Bridesmaids were all wearing fresh Lily of the Valley and Gypsophilia in their hair
The Super glam Bride's Mum Liz was next to arrive
The stunning Bride Grace with her seriously proud Dad
The photography legends The Lawson's, Peter & Laura were recording all of the magic
Grace was ready to say 'I do in Choo'
Grace was wearing the most incredible gown by Galia Lahav from Brown's Bride in London
Gorgeous all white wedding bouquet of Peonies, Roses, Lily of the Valley and Sweet Peas
The lovely Laura Lawson...
Huge Congratulations to Grace & Chris from all of the team here at Flower Design Events
Peter Lawson photographer extrodinaire
The Bridesmaid's handed out the fresh Rose petal confetti
The celebrations moved on to the magical surroundings of Eaves Hall
Fresh flowers dressed the entrance creating a warm and fragrant welcome for the guests as they arrived back from church, Chloe & Tom had been at Eaves Hall all morning setting up our flowers for the wedding reception
Some magnificent pedestal designs greeted the guests at the entrance to Eaves Hall
Posies of fresh Peonies, Ranunculus and Sweet Peas dressed the Champagne table
Inside the dining room the scene was set for the most elegant of wedding receptions
Tall Crystal candlesticks topped with white Peonies, Stocks, Antirhinnums, Hydrangeas and Roses looked wonderful on the dining tables
Our Low Crystal Cake stands were topped with Peonies, Roses, Dahlias, Ranunculus, Phlox and Sweet Peas
The Top Table was dressed with a magnificent design of white Phalaenopsis Orchids, Roses, Peonies and Hydrangeas
Catherine from The Wedding Cake Company had created this beautiful wedding cake dressed with fresh 'Bowl of Cream' Peonies
Adam from DFC was hosting the day and provided the entertainment for the evening
Simpe posies of fresh flowers decorated the base of each of the tall table designs
Long plumes of gorgeous Phalaenopsis Orchids
Beautiful White Dahlias
Beautiful Patience Rose
The magnificent bouquet for presentation to the Bride's Mum
In the gorgeous gardens the outdoor tables were dressed with posies of fresh Peonies, Roses, Hydrangeas, Ranunculus and Sweet Peas
The Bridal Party arrived in style
It was time for us to leave the party in full swing and head off for a bite to eat, to be back in time for the evening change around, ready for the 'night do'
At 1am we were back again, the party had finished so we moved the flowers on to the terrace gave everything a really good water and left the smaller designs in boxes to make it easier to get them home
Our last job of the day was to take the huge big pedestal designs back to the family home in Longton before we could get a few hours sleep
Massive thanks to the Parker's and the Markham's what an honour it was to have been a small part in your wonderful day!!!xxx
