Is it me or does it feel like the first signs of Spring are finally in the air? I’m very much enjoying the beautiful sunshine we have had the last couple of days. Especially following all the snow we had last week! Speaking of Spring a couple of weeks ago I had the pleasure of teaching a hanging chandelier and Spring table runner one to one flower workshop or should I say two on one, as the class was indeed with two people. It was so lovely to meet Veronica and Barbara,  who had travelled from Berkshire and as far as Devon! We had such a fun filled flower day! Veronica told me how she had studied some years a go on a City and Guilds level two in Floristry. However wanted to learn the more natural and loose/organic style to arranging flowers.

She is hoping with Barbara’s assistance to create the majority of the wedding flowers, for her son Tom and Barbara’s Daughter Rachel, who are getting, this August. In our one day flower workshop we created a hanging floral chandelier and table runner. We covered the mechanics and logistics of installing these designs in the marquee along with the flowers themselves. A big thanks to Claire’s husband for building the wooden frame/arch that the chandelier hung from, it worked so well inside the studio and gave the ladies a real sense of what the finished designs could look like for the wedding.

I wanted the designs to have a fresh Spring like feel, it was nearly March after all! Whilst being romantic at the same time, the chandelier was made up of a mix of seasonal foliage’s. Including variegated pittosporum and seeded eucalyptus and the flowers included; spray roses, campanula, scabious and Guelder Rose which added a zingy fresh green tone to the design, very Spring like indeed!  Then the finishing touch were the hints of wispy blossom twigs which in my opinion finished the design off perfectly!

For the runner, I demonstrated two different methods to create this one using the more traditional method. The other, a simpler more easy way or creating a similar style. Which will save a lot of time, when setting up for the wedding in the days leading up to it. So I think based on this the ladies will probably opt for the second method which I think would be better, to make their lives easier and less stressful.

The garland was made up of a mix of seasonal foliage’s including; Mimosa, Eucalyptus, Olive and Parvi. I always think it’s nice to include a few different varieties to create interesting textures within your designs. All of these foliage’s are also fairly hardy and long lasting so will be fine out of water on the tables for a couple of days at least. For the flowers we used; a mix of two different Spray Roses, Scabious, Anemone, Campanella, Carnations and Lisianthus. Some of the varieties incorporated were the same as those used in the chandelier, to compliment the two designs. The Anemone and Lisianthus, introduced pops of colour. The hints of punchy magenta and violet popped against the pastel shades. Blending the lighter shades with hints of bolder tones beautifully for a Fresh Spring like feel.

Didn’t Veronica and Barbara do an amazing job with their creations? I was so super impressed with their work, very much looking forward to seeing their floral designs for the wedding itself, besides from the flowers there was always delicious homemade carrot cake baked by my mother in law and I can concur it went down a storm! Sadly no pictures, we were all too busy eating it to get any photographs! Next time I promise!

If you would like to spend the day with us learning a new aspect to flowers or perhaps brushing up on your floristry skills you can find more info about our one to one flower workshops over on the website. Drop us an email to book your spot, I look forward to meeting and teaching you soon.

Image Credits: Claire Graham Photography