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 choose the right flowers
On such an important day, it’s vital that you get the right choice of flowers.Here are my top tips:
1. Look through books & mags, & start making a scrapbook of pics, material swatches, favourite flowers.
2. consider your dress. if plain, add flowers with texture. If it’s a wide dress, don’t have a narrow bouquet.
3. think about the colours you’re introducing by way of bridesmaid’s dresses, waistcoats etc.
4. consider the colour scheme at your venue.
5. work out a budget for flowers.
6. Go & see a good florist. They will talk you through what would suit you, what is seasonal & at its best for your special day, how to best use your budget. They will show you photos, or make mock ups for you.
Florists are passionate about flowers – make the most of their expertise!
  To create a theme for a party, or to carry your corporate message through flowers, the colours should be given proper consideration. The theme for this party is sweet/candy. We have taken bamboo, covered half the stems with tape, & then sprayed pink.We wanted a soft, pretty look, so we used light, trailing fern and made it more soft by spraying it silver. Top tips:
1. choose 2 or 3 colours, and stick to them
2. spray paint some of the components in your display. You can just give a light spray, so there’s just a hint of colour
3. Choose flowers with varying shapes to add interest.
4. If you choose 1 colour, make sure you add texture with a variety of foliage
5. keep seed heads, such as poppies from the garden – great for spray painting or texture
6. Ask a good florist what they would recommend, and they will help you.
 Your wedding is such an important day, & there should be pleasure in both the planning and the event, as well as looking back on it for years afterwards.
I am a great believer in getting the best advice from professionals – I always consult the best I can afford for those important matters in life, and it has paid off.
Brides to be often come & see us with flower photos from magazines. It’s a very helpful starting point for a florist – to be able to see the type of flowers and the shape of bouquet that you like. But you should then be prepared to accept what the florist tells you in terms of season, availability and suitability.
A good florist will visit the church/ reception venue, ask to see swatches of bridesmaids’ dress fabric, an online photo of your wedding dress etc. , and will then advise you as to which colours and flowers are best for your special day.
We provide free consultations, visits to venues and flower plans. Call us on 020 7831 6776, or email janet@stemsfloraldesign.com for an appointment.
 You’ve received a beautiful bouquet, presented as an aquapack, you get it home, & you’re tempted to leave it in the bubble of water. DON’T!
Flowers need lots of care & attention. Firstly, remove all packaging. Find a suitable receptacle for the height of the flowers. Make sure no leaves are under the water level in the vase. If it still looks a bit sparse, chop an inch off the bottom, & it will fill the vase better.
Change the water every day – it only takes a couple of minutes. Remove any dying leaves or flowers – otherwise the whole thing will look dead. Cut a fraction off the ends every other day.
Some flowers will last longer than others. Buy a few new stems or some foliage, & change the look of your bouquet. Experiment with different colour combinations – it’s amazing what works with flowers!
 table flowers Sometimes it’s fun to make your own table display, especially in summer, for an informal lunch or dinner in the garden.
People often come in who are doing a flower arranging course, & need to buy foliage & flowers. We advise them on what to buy, what goes well together and so on.
Although so many displays are made in vases nowadays, floral foam is still invaluable. The thing I like most about it is, if used correctly, you can create wonderful angles on the flowers, & you’re not restricted by the shape of the vase.
This display is made in floral foam. My top tip is to add the foliage first. It should be so well done that there are no gaps left whatsoever. Pretend you’re not going to add any flowers, and make a perfect foliage arrangement. Then, when you come to add the flowers, you will not be tempted to add flowers just to fill gaps.
Hold flowers close to the base of the stem when adding them. This will prevent the stem breaking when inserting it into the foam. Keep flower heads above the foliage. Add flowers in a line lengthwise, then across. This will leave you with four gaps. Fill these last of all. Remember to stand back now & then & check what you’ve done.
Foliage lasts well, so discard dead flowers & reuse foliage.
 falling eggs Your shop window is a great selling point & first port of call for customers. Even when the shop is closed, you can be making an impression on passers-by.
Our opening hours are strange, due to a very early start most days, delivering flowers to The London Studios & ITV before shows go on air.We do read our emails after the shop has closed, though!
A window display should have a solid theme. We have chosen a “falling” theme for the past few months – firstly leaves & conkers, then cotton “snow” and now falling eggs. We’ve constructed a bird’s nest, & wired eggs that are tumbling from the nest. Brightly coloured polyanthus line the front of the window, & beautiful branches hang down. The base of the window is laid with grass turf, which will grow, & ensure organis change, adding interest.
 People often want to do their own flower displays, most often for special birthdays or small weddings. I understand the attraction – giving the party a personal touch, as well as saving money. But as with anything, you need guidance, as well as decent flowers & foliage, in order to make it a success.
A lady came to see me on Friday, wanting to make table displays for her Mother’s 85th birthday lunch. It became quickly apparent that what she had in mind would have been unsuitable.
I was able to give her a few tips, and I’m sure the final result will be a lot better for it!
6 top tips for this case study- ( oblong table for 17 people for 85th birthday lunch):
1. Find out table length. Allow 1 display per 2 table settings.
2. Don’t limit the width of flowers by narrow containers.
3. Add both width and height by using floral foam
4. Consider eye level for conversation across the table
5. Choose colour scheme depending on venue decor. Remember, purple draws the eye, and lime green works well in dark places.
6. Buy flowers from, & take the advice of a good florist. They will give you invaluable help, & tell you how far in advance you can prepare the flowers.
 To celebrate Valentines Day, we are offering free delivery in Holborn, and a free pussy willow heart with your order – very romantic! Place your order with us by calling 020 7831 6776, or use the online shop at http://www.stemsfloraldesign.com. Happy Valentines Day to all of you!
 Love is a gift – whether you are giving it to someone or receiving it. There’s no feeling so overwhelming as love.
Sean & I have a special love story that dates back to when I was 13, & he was 17. For me, it was love at first meeting. There was just something about him – as if he was talking directly to my soul. Two years later, both unhappy at home, we eloped to Holland. Since I was underage, Sean was convinced by his father to bring me home, and so he did. But that didn’t stop us, and over the years we would bump into one another in odd places, like a small Greek island called Syros, where there was not even an airport- then Tottenham Court Road on a busy Friday. We both did lots of travelling abroad & study, but eventually, in 1987, we decided to stay together, and have been ever since. We will be working together on Valentines Day, making sure other people get the right floral gift for their loved one. Come & see us! http://www.stemsfloraldesign.com or call 020 7831 6776
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