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Its the weeeeeeeeeeeeeekend! How are you spending yours? If you are a Yorkshire bride to be, pop into the UK Wedding Show at the Harrogate International Centre today – I’ve been invited along to meet all you lovely ladies and your grooms, so please do stop to say hello. Click here for a complimentary ticket on me.
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Before you hit the road though girls, check out the pretty petals on the wedding blog this morning as I chat to Laura of Laurel Weddings about all things flora.
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Image by Lorna Roberts Photography
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How did Laurel Weddings begin?
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For as long as I can remember I have always loved creating pretty things. After first studying Art & Design, I actually stumbled across a course in Floristry and absolutely fell in love with it! I then went on to gain qualifications in Advanced Floristry and Contemporary Floral design, and I was asked to take over teaching the courses for the following year which was a great experience.
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Alongside my teaching I worked in a florist shop for about 6 years, which was fantastic and very hard to leave but I decided it was time to branch out on my own and concentrate on what I love… weddings! So Laurel Weddings was born in May 2010 and it’s been amazing. I’ve met so many lovely couples already and worked at such gorgeous venues, there’s been a few late nights here and there but definitely well worth it!
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What services does Laurel Weddings provide?
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Laurel Weddings offer a bespoke wedding design and styling service, using only the highest quality materials I will work with you to create the perfect accessories for your special day. Whether you are looking simply for your bridal bouquet and a few buttonholes, or full venue styling with large floral arrangements, table centre pieces and chair covers, each item will be tailored to suit your theme and colour scheme. At Laurel Weddings we have a whole range of glassware, table mirrors and stunning silver candelabras available to hire, along with lots of other accessories such as a large table plan tree, bird cages and aisle runners to name just a few!
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Image by Jonny Draper Photography
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Tell Brides Up North about your silk flowers. Why are these popular for weddings?
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As well as using beautiful fresh flowers I also specialize in creating unique silk wedding flowers, including teardrop and hand tied bouquets, buttonholes, corsages, floral circlets and table centre pieces. All my items are made to order especially for each client, so you can have gorgeous, bespoke designs to co-ordinate with your colour scheme.
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Silk wedding flowers have become very popular in the last few years, mainly due to the fantastic quality and variety of flowers that are now available. Lots of couples are deciding to go for silk flowers rather than fresh, and one of the main reasons seems to be because they can keep them forever as a memento of their special day. They are also a popular choice for couples getting married abroad, as it takes away the hassle of trying to organize your flowers over there, and the worry of fresh flowers possibly wilting in very warm climates.
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What floristry and event styling trends are popular for weddings in 2011?
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Vintage themed weddings have been a very popular trend this year, with lots of brides going for natural hand tied bouquets, featuring delicate pearl and lace details. For wedding flowers I would say peonies, roses, lily of the valley and hydrangea have been most popular, especially throughout spring and summer. There has been a high demand for bird cages and candelabras for venue decorations, along with urn arrangements, our popular floral cupcakes and cute willow hearts.
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Tell Brides Up North a bit about your bridal accessories?
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I was approached a few years ago by a dress designer who asked if I could create bespoke floral head pieces to co-ordinate with her wedding gowns for a cat-walk show. After the event I received several requests from brides to create a unique piece for their wedding day. Since then I have been designing a variety of different head dresses, tiaras and other accessories. Examples of these can all be seen on my website. The designs aren’t available to order directly from the website because each item is unique and made to each clients specifications, so it is best to email me your ideas and I will design your perfect accessories.
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Any really gorgeous weddings that you have styled?
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I have done so many beautiful weddings at a lot of amazing locations that it’s hard to choose! There was a particularly gorgeous wedding this year at the fabulous Stylal Lodge wedding venue that was fantastic to work on. The colour theme for the wedding was ivory, pale blue and silver. The brides favourite flower was hydrangea, so I sourced some beautiful two-tone, blue and creamy hydrangea for her which we teamed with ivory calla lilies, lily of the valley and soft blue delphinium. For the table centre pieces bride and groom wanted something with the wow factor. For this WOW factor we used stunning silver candelabras full of hydrangea and tall calla lilies, adorned with crystals and pearls. As well as the tables, I dressed the windows with ivory ribbons decorated with pearls and hydrangea and hung silver containers filled with flowers from the beams. For the ceremony area I decorated the aisle with an ivory floral patterned runner, silk petals and small silver containers with hydrangea. It was such a pleasure to work on this beautiful wedding and for such a lovely couple.
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Image by Jonny Draper Photography
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What is your favourite wedding “look”?
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I love pretty pastel colours, so I think my favourite wedding look would have to be an English country garden style. Using lots of sweet peas, roses and hydrangea, mixed with lengths of bunting, teacups, cupcakes, floral centre pieces with lots of scented candles, scattered rose petals and crystals for a little bit of sparkle.
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What celebrity wedding would you most like to have styled and what would you have suggested?
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I would have loved to style Reese Witherspoon’s wedding, her Monique Lhuillier dress was beautiful. I would have suggested a simple and elegant hand tied bouquet of blush pink Sweet Avalanche roses and white peonies, bound in a coffee coloured satin ribbon to match the sash on her gown. Then for the reception they wanted a “rustic romantic” feel, so I would be thinking of large foliage branches with fairy lights decorating beams in a country barn, with lots of lanterns. Table centre pieces featuring roses, phlox, lilac and scented stocks in shades of ivory, pale pink and peach, arranged as a relaxed hand tied displayed in glass cube vases. Other decorations could include natural raffia bows on the chairs or trailing pink and coffee coloured ribbons, trees with hanging tea lights at the entrance and scattered rose petals on the tables.
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What can a bride who books your service expect?
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When I set up Laurel Weddings I chose to focus solely on weddings, so I could offer the best service possible for my brides. It is a very personal thing to me and I feel very honoured when brides choose to book me for their special day. I always provide a friendly, professional service and use only the highest quality materials available.
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Laurel Weddings only take one booking per day so my brides know I am completely focused on their wedding. I also offer a full “On the day” service option, which means I am on hand throughout the day to pin buttonholes on for the guests, move arrangements from one place to another, look after the bouquets and arrange them in vases at your reception and to help pack your flowers away safely for you at the end of the evening.
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Once clients have booked I am always available to discuss other ideas or make any changes that may have cropped up. On the morning of the wedding I deliver all the flowers to where they need to be so you don’t have any running around to do while you should be getting ready and sipping champagne!
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Image by Lisa Gardner Photography
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Can you give Brides Up North an idea on price?
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I have a full guide price list available to view on my website, but here are a few average wedding flower prices to give you a rough idea:
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Bride’s hand tied bouquet, £70
Bridesmaid hand tied bouquet, £30
Rose buttonhole, £4
Large pedestal arrangements, £80
Table centre piece, £25
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The prices vary greatly depending on the flowers and designs you choose so I am always happy to give advice on different options to suit your theme and budget.
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Image by Lisa Gardner Photography
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Can you do a discount for Brides Up North readers?
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Laurel Weddings is offering 5% off for Brides Up North readers on all 2011-2012 orders. Just quote “Brides Up North” when you contact me.
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Why do you read Brides Up North?
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I love reading Brides Up North, there are so many great posts showcasing the latest bridal fashion and real life weddings with stunning photography.
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Image by Jonny Draper Photography
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Anything else that Brides Up North should know?
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My studio is based in the North West, in Cheshire, where I have lots of samples of bouquets, table centre pieces and accessories on display. For wedding flowers and venue styling I work mainly in Greater Manchester, Cheshire and Lancashire but will travel further a field. And for silk flowers and bridal accessories, these can be delivered throughout the UK.
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Image by Lorna Roberts Photography
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How can Brides Up North get in touch with you/ see some examples of your work/ find out more?
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To see more examples of my work please check out the website, www.laurelweddings.com, and also take a look on my facebook page.
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If you would like more information or to discuss your ideas you can contact me by email: laura.laurelweddings@gmail.com or phone: 07950 227 094
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I offer a free, no obligation consultation so please get in touch if you would like to arrange a meeting to discuss ideas for your special day.
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Brides Up North UK Wedding Blog – Images © 2011 Laurel Weddings or as credited
Laurel Weddings is a Brides Up North Featured Supplier
Contact Brides Up North to submit your business as a Featured Supplier
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