What I've been up to in June

As June draws to a close I thought I'd give you a run down of what I've been up to this month. Its been a busy month so prepare for a lot of photos!

Unfortunately the month started on a sad note due to a funeral, but I made some lovely tributes that the family were really pleased with. They ordered a casket spray featuring white and blue flowers and even a gardenia, which featured in the gentleman's buttonhole on his wedding day. I also made two wreaths - one of red roses and one of white, orange and peach flowers.

​I then did the flowers for Shelley and Lewis' wedding, which was set in an amazingly quirky venue - the East Anglian Railway Museum. The venue had an old train carriage in it plus a load of original signs and other vintage items. I'd been really excited about this wedding because I got to use succulents in the bride and bridesmaid bouquets, which worked really well with the white and lilac flowers. I also collaborated with Lysette from The Couture Baker to flower the cake - a really delicious looking naked cake which had a salted caramel layer (my favourite!) which made me really jealous of the wedding guests who got to eat it!

It was British Flowers Week between 13 and 19 June and I was very lucky to get a place on a Jay Archer flower crown workshop, which was held at Plantpassion in Surrey. I went along with Kelly from Miss Fleur Floral Design, Sian from Flowers by Sian and Alana from Alana Sinead flowers - I met Kelly and Sian on a previous workshop and I know Alana from college, so it was great to see them all again. We were taken on a tour of Claire's flower farm and then got to make our own flower crowns from an abundance of British flowers that were on offer to us. Jay was lovely and I was really pleased with my flower crown, which I later wore out that evening! At the end of British Flowers Week I made another flower crown with flowers from my own garden. - I think I got a bit carried away because it was bigger than my head but hey, go big or go home!
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Then some really exciting news - I got my first florist van! I was really sad to say goodbye to my car because I really loved it, but the van is much more practical for my business and means I don't have to keep asking to use my parents' car to deliver to weddings! A very friendly company called Valley Graphics based in Colne Engaine added the graphics for me and now I can't get enough of driving it around!

Later that week I had my award presentation ceremony at college, held in the church in Writtle. I made some great friends on my course and some very valuable florist contacts that I can call on in the future if I need any help.

I had no time to enjoy finishing college as the next day I had another wedding on, so it was straight home to crack on with that. This one was for Sarah and Joe, and Sarah chose a really beautiful trailing, wild looking hand tied of white roses, astrantia, astilbe and eryngium, with fern, pittosporum and ivy trails. I love this bouquet - it's simply stunning. 

I've also received the professional photos from two of my previous weddings - Kayleigh and Dale from April shot by Inverve and Sabiha and Ismail from May shot by Tia Talula. Photography isn't really my strong point so I always love to see credit done to my flowers by the professionals. 

Sunday 26 June was International Lonely Bouquet Day and I joined in by leaving a bouquet of homegrown flowers in Tiptree village. It wasn't long before I received a message to say the bouquet had been picked up and it had made the recipient smile - exactly the purpose of this day! I've enjoyed this little bit of flower philanthropy so I think I might leave some more bouquets around over the summer - keep your eyes peeled if you're out and about in Tiptree! 

On a non floristry note but still flower related, I also make and sell crafted gifts. You can find my online shops on Folksy and Etsy. I've been playing around with felt a lot recently so I came up with the idea of making garlands of felt flowers with it, and so far have made daisy chains and white/pink flowers. I love a custom order so if you would like a garland in a colour of your choice please get in touch (preferably through one of my shops but by email is also fine - [email protected])

Alongside all of this I've fitted in a number of bridal consultations for weddings both this year and next. I like to ensure the workshop is tidy and make the most of my new patio, but unfortunately the weather doesn't always let me do this! The last photo is the set up I had for one of the consultations. In spite of how sunny it looks in the photo it started chucking it down literally as soon as the bride pulled up on the driveway. Typical British weather for you!

So that's June for you. Sorry it's such a long post, and well done if you've made it to the end! Next month I will strive to post more regularly.