A long long time ago…

Posted on April 8, 2016 by lilyblossomflorist

A long long time ago I wrote my last blog post, I can’t bear to look when it was, and now the guilt has finally got to me and I’m writing another! 🙂 Oh what to write I kept thinking, fretting, biting my nails, and then, as the wedding season began I thought, this is what I should be talking about, the weddings so far, and the weddings to come!

This year feels like we’re having real ‘themes’ to our weddings, which is exciting, even if the word ‘theme’ makes it sound like a fancy dress party!

So far we’ve had a gorgeous colour scheme, Marsala (like burgundy) and blush pink, I loved the contrast of these colours together, they made a perfect combination for a winter wedding (2nd January) including berries and Skimmia foliage with sweet avalanche Roses.

We’ve had classic white and greens, very elegant and simple and then a very girly pinks and creams which was fabulous to do, these huge arrangements always have a real impact in the marquee at Crow Hill.

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Next up, to coincide with Easter weekend we had a riot of colour thanks to the help of the fabulous DAFFODIL, you could not help but smile when you looked at these arrangements, and the scent was wonderful! I loved that Vicky and Matt had chosen the contrast of the goldfish bowls so the flowers could spray out in all their glory, alongside the elegant and simple cylinder vases with flowers inside.

And then finally we’ve had the peacock wedding. Imogen and Mark (possibly more Imogen) loved the colours of the Peacock feather but wanted to keep the flowers simple, whites and greens with touches of feathers throughout looked fabulous. Crow hill did a fabulous job of incorporating the colours into the napkins and chair sashes too!

Coming up over the next few months are some absolute gems I can’t wait to share with you, a chic yellow and black calla lily wedding and a new venue for us, the beautiful Todmorden Unitarian Church

I’ll showcase a few from last year in the next blog (I promise I’ll get to it quicker this time) and I’ll keep you posted about what’s to come!!

It’s Chrissssttmmmasss…

Posted on December 9, 2015 by lilyblossomflorist

Welcome, welcome to this festive time of year, I’ve not posted for a while so thought I better get some Christmas goodness out there…

Our Christmas window has been up and shining since the beginning/middle of November, yes I know it was early but if Liberty and Bergdorf Goodman have their windows in place then I thought Marsden deserved the same..it was only decent of me to oblige!

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I wanted a sparkle window (obviously) and a more traditional window, trying to go with some pagan themes, so we have wood slices (yule log), foliage, including holly and ivy and natural mossed window frames, bringing the outside in!

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The Christmas lights are switched on, (yes, that is a toilet on the side of the Mechanics Hall) but that’s what I love about the Marsden Christmas lights, they’re different…very different, and individual.

We’ve got lots of gorgeous goodies in the shop, plants, flowers, beautiful hanging decorations for your tree or just garnish the whole house with them…I have!

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We’ll be delivering right up until Christmas Eve (whenever I write that I think, does that mean we’re delivering on Christmas Eve too, because we are, but I’m never sure how to articulate that)! We’ve got foliage, flowers, ribbons, cellophane, brown paper, tissue paper, poinsettias, silver spray, gold spray, decorations, Christmas trees, bulbs, pine cones, orange slices…the list really is endless.

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Come and see us, buy for a friend, a loved one, yourself even, and we’ll treat every customer (as always) like you’re royalty, Christmas royalty at that…if there is such a thing?!

Have a wonderful time this Christmas and Thank you for your continued support.

Rox & Pete x

Floral Archway expo…

Posted on August 24, 2015 by lilyblossomflorist

I attempted to make the headline sound like a shocking newspaper article but it looks slightly failed up there but it sums up the post so we’ll stick with it! I wanted to try and show you a run through of doing some floral arrangements, I’ve started with this archway and hopefully as this goes along I’ll get better at taking pictures and you’ll actually be able to learn something from me 🙂

This archway was used for a ceremony we did at the fabulous and wonderfully scenic Waterton Park Hotel. We got there on Saturday morning with sunshine gloriously shining down on the lake and hotel.

I prepped the archway in the shop the day before the wedding so I didn’t need to do too much once we got to the venue.

This first picture shows the archway undressed and leaning precariously against the counter…

First comes foliage, if you make your arrangement look good with only foliage then the rest will come a lot easier. You need to create your shape with the foliage using its natural form, if a piece hangs a particular way, don’t get grumpy with it (maybe I should occasionally take my own advice), use it as it hangs, take advantage of its natural shape!

Next I tend to either put some of the main bigger flowers in, like Hydrangea, this enables me to make sure they’re properly inserted into oasis and getting a good drink or I would continue making my shape with other ‘filler’ flowers.

I tend to get a bit carried away when doing such large arrangements so the next few photos are basically the finished product as stopping and starting to take photographs completely went out of my mind!

And finally, in place, at the venue.

Lanterns and Vases and Carts…oh my…

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I’ve tried and tried to get one out sooner but weddings distract me (quite right too) and then the sun comes out and of course I have to have a little sit down in it; BUT finally I’ve parked in front of the computer, in the shade of the shop and got some words together for you all.

We had a wonderful day with Liz from Elizabeth Baker Photography a couple of weeks ago, making all of these lovely props and vases we’ve got look even more fabulous with flowers and…the cat, Lily seems to get everywhere.

Details and prices will be going up on the website soon and we’ll keep adding whenever we get something new.

Lanterns, flower carts, step ladders and vases are all available to hire either with flowers or on their own for you to decorate yourself. Available for weddings, birthdays, christenings, anniversaries, or if you’re just having a fabulous party to celebrate fabulous parties, (send me an invite please). Get in touch for availability and delivery details.

Next blog post will be all about the exciting and dusty building work we’ve been having done in the shop. If you’ve been in to visit us recently you would have noticed the delightful blue tarp hanging in the shop, real boutique esque feel to it…not! Well, it’s gone and in it’s place stands an archway opening to future wedding loveliness…bear with us people and wait for the dust to settle…HA!

In the thick of it…

Posted on May 7, 2015 by lilyblossomflorist

Here we are with another blog post from the lovely village of Marsden. Mother’s day seems like a distant memory and we now seem to be zooming our way into the thick of the wedding season. So far I haven’t shone any light on the subject so am dedicating this post to all things wedding related. ‘ding dong the bells are going to chime’

We’ve had a real mixture so far this year, with the beautifulness of vintage pinks/lilacs and creams still in abundance there also seems to be a different trend creeping it’s way in through my door and wedding folder…COLOUR…in all shapes and sizes.

The busiest weekend of the year so far came at the Easter Holiday, three weddings over the weekend and what different styles for each one!

Jemma and Mark at the glorious Crow Hill wanted colour…’just lots and lots of colour…’ We discussed various centrepieces that would go with this modern look and decided on three different styles. The carnation balls were something that drew their eye when they first saw me at the wedding fair, the candelabras created some height in the marquee and goldfish bowls to finish off. LOVED every minute of this.

Next up we had Jane and Jonathan at the Mechanics Hall just down the road, a fabulous local building to decorate and dress as you please. Jane wanted pale pastel colours, a very delicate look, mood boards were sent over, bunting was lovingly crafted and the final result was gorgeous.

Finally, Emma and Tom at Durker Roods hotel. Emma came to me wanting something really natural and rustic which is unusual in the style so therefore quite exciting. We discussed using wheat for the centrepieces but eventually decided on simple jam jars with mixtures of gypsophila and limonium (that’s purple fluffy stuff to you)!

‘A whole new world…’

Posted on February 21, 2015 by lilyblossomflorist

The title, Aladdin, I thought it very fitting for the first blog of the year…

Welcome, welcome, welcome, where to begin…

So much has happened already, Valentine’s day, Spring Fair, Wedding Fair, even an actual wedding or two! In February? I hear you ask? Yup, in the good old month of February!

Wedding Fair at Crow Hill was wonderful as always, such a gorgeous place and some really good suppliers makes for a pretty fabulous and inspiring day.

Spring Fair is a chance for me to get to grips with new stock we could have in the shop (an excuse for a day out too) and to browse lots of lovely stalls at the ginormous NEC. We’ve found some fabulous pieces, all of which I’m very giddy about, for you to hire out for your wedding or party. Flower carts, wooden step ladders, who knew these things would come climbing and rolling back into fashion (see what I did there…), gorgeous birdcages and some very large lanterns. Pictures coming soon, keep a look out on our website and Facebook page, get in touch in the meantime if you have any questions!

Valentine’s day was fabulous, you old romantic lot you, the cryptic messages are one of my favourite parts and you didn’t disappoint! I myself was treated to some cheese and biscuits from our lovely local vegetable/delicatessen shop Radish, yum!! The shop was filled to the brim with love!

Wedding fever hit us at the beginning of the year, so many lovely brides getting in touch and wanting to start planning. We’ve got some absolute stunners coming up, pastel shades, bright and vibrant, classic and simple whites and greens and hopefully a few in between. We’ll keep you posted on each and every one and as a special summer treat I’ll guide you through step by step in the process of planning the flowers, from the beginning consultation to the delivery on the day. Here is a few sneaky pictures of the ones we’ve already had…

Yes, before you say anything, that bride did have fabulous tights on, looked just right with those winter walking boots!! 🙂

And next on the agenda…Mother’s Day…get the coffee and lucozade at the ready please 🙂

The preparations begin…

Posted on November 15, 2014 by lilyblossomflorist

So, here we are, our third instalment and possibly our last of the year, although I may stretch myself as we get into the thick of the festive season and send you a fabulous photo filled blog of Christmas ideas and gifts!

First up – a few events going on in the village –

24th Nov – Christmas window unveiling (I know I’m getting ahead of myself with the unveiling word but I am very excited).

25th Nov & 10th Dec – Late night shopping

6th Dec – Christmas Light switch on

17-18th Dec Flower arranging classes in the shop

We’ve been busy busy with wedding enquiries for 2015 and even a couple for 2016 (SUPER organised people). It’s so exciting meeting a new bride and groom to be and discussing their big day, their ideas and colours. This month we’ve had a wedding that was a bit different, although very on trend, we used succulent plants for the bridal and bridesmaid bouquet! Love the colours…

The last couple of weeks have been spent prepping (and fretting) about the W.I flower arrangement evening I’ve been booked in for, planning my talk, the arrangements, timing myself to make sure what I think is a good half hour of chat doesn’t actually turn into 7 minutes. In the end it turned out well although I think I may possibly have speed talked my way through it, ‘something new under the belt’ said Mum…’just before Christmas? I don’t need anymore under this belt thank you very much!!

I created four arrangements in total – a mantelpiece arrangement with two different colour schemes – Au natural and silver sparkles

I also created some table centrepieces that we’ll be doing in our flower arranging classes and that can be bought from us in the shop over the Christmas period – you’ve got to make your table look gorgeous for the big feast!! 🙂

And so now onto the windows and the preparation that comes along with Christmas, cellophane cutting, bow making, arrangement creating, decorations and glitter…everywhere, it’s only just come out of my hair from last year!

Busy bustling village…

Posted on October 18, 2014 by lilyblossomflorist

Here it is, our second instalment of our blog, you lucky lucky people!!

The last few weeks have been quiet in the shop but busy busy in the village and home life, Jazz festival, Hollywood filming across the street, Gorgeous Wedding Fair and Mums big birthday (21 again of course) all this in one week!! …phew!!

The Marsden Jazz festival was fabulous this year, the village was jam packed with people and the weather stayed good for us, which is a rare occasion in Marsden. On Saturday night we went out for a dance to Bugalu Foundation at the Mechanics Hall, to celebrate my mums birthday, it was a good night all round despite the fact that I had to get up early for the Wedding fair (I was very reserved in my alcohol consumption)!

Wedding fair prep began the week or so before. I get a brief from Rebecca at the gorgeous venue, Crow hill, situated five minutes from the shop. This fair’s brief included a Tall purple centrepiece, a simple chic white and gold arrangement, Autumunal lanterns and a Village Fete display.

For my own table, I wanted to go for an autumnal/late summer scheme, sometimes I try a different colour scheme for each arrangement but this time I very much brought the table together as a whole.

For inspiration I look through flower magazines, facebook and Pinterest (oh what an addiction that has become)! Pinterest is a fab way to create online mood boards whether it’s for your house, garden, DIY projects, weddings (the most relevant obviously but I just can’t help but gush over the whole thing) or just pictures of gorgeous celebrities, but my taste in men can be left until another blog!!

Next I set out the table to see how full it’s going to look. This time the cat got involved although…unfortunately…she didn’t make the final draft…

And so, my table consisted of the gorgeous vintage bottles I have which work with any colour scheme.

A candelabra design incorporating again the reds and vintage pinks, with berries and flowing foliage, giving it a elegant wintery feel.

My last arrangement and probably my favourite was the moss/woodland design, I’ve seen a lot of moss and succulents being used this year and I think it’s going to carry on (or at least I hope so), I love the idea of creating a mini garden and using the jam jars just incorporates another very popular design that is featured in many weddings this year, plus it gives me a way to use all the old pesto and pasta sauce jars I’ve accumulated…hoarder, me?… NEVER!

Until next time….

Last week…

Posted on September 18, 2014 by lilyblossomflorist

Well, last week was a busy one and of course in the midst of the madness I decided to start making a real effort to do the blog even if only for my own entertainment! So, here we have last week in pictures and my ramblings…

Monday – A local business wanted some arrangements for a event they had at their premises. Modern, whites and greens, fresh was the brief, we used Anthuriums, Gladioli to give height and white Roses to give a classic look, plus a few brassica (that’s ornamental cabbages to you). Three arrangements later…

Wednesday saw us going a bit wedding mad, brides and enquiries coming in left right and occasionally centre, 2015 is booking up already, which is FAB!! We’ve also been doing lots of ordering for, shall we say, ‘seasonal’ stock which is very exciting, like shopping but on a big scale, lots of glittery gorgeousness and some really lovely scented candles will be in stock soon.

Plant deliveries and re-arranging the shelves in the shop took up a couple of days, dusting, changing round, etc… We’ve gone for a more natural look as well as displaying some of our glassware (yes, we do sell the vases, we just like to make them look nice whilst they are in the shop).

Alocasia Polly, one of my FAVORITE plants, so interesting looking, thinking he may be a contender for the Halloween window!! 🙂

And of course bouquets, the daily delight of making up bouquets for the lovely customers who come in, phone up or occasionally shout through the door 🙂

Until next week… x

Our first bride…

Posted on April 24, 2014 by lilyblossomflorist

Helen was the first bride who booked with us at the shop when we opened, feels like we’ve been waiting for ever for the big day to come along but finally, last Saturday, it was here.

Helen had chosen reds,creams and gold as her colour scheme. She’d made her own brooch bouquet and so my task was to make the marquee look lovely with floral centrepieces and a bit of decoration for the door, with the help of the fabulous team at Crow Hill, we achieved it!!

We chose a combination of Red and Cream coloured Roses, lisianthus, hypericum berries and skimmia foliage with a touch of freesia to give a gorgeous scent. The heart was then transferred to the front of the top table.

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