We’ve met Brides Up North Featured Supplier Hazel of Love To Marry here on these pretty pages before, whilst celebrating her award winning wedding planning business, but today she’s back to tell you all about a really rather lovely addition to her skillset over on her brand new website. Is there nothing this girl can’t do?
Welcome back Hazel – tell us about your new range of fabric bouquets? What made you diversify into bridal accessories?
I love planning weddings and being able to be part of the day but even though I am a big part of the couples’ day I offer a service that not all couples require. A wedding planner is classed as a luxury (although for some couples it should be essential!) but all brides want to hold something walking down the aisle and I mentioned before I’m a creative person and so can use that creativity to make something that’s a keepsake for brides, bridesmaids and even the wedding party as I make fabric and faux flower buttonholes, corsages and pomanders. And it turns out that I’m pretty good at it!
Tell us a little about how the fabric bouquets are designed and made?
I offer three styles of bouquets. Foam rose and brooch bouquets – made with foam flowers, jewellery and other embellishments, for example, lace, pearl pins, feathers and feather butterflies. These are simple, lightweight and very pretty and can be made of almost any colour or combination of colours. I can also make pomanders in the same style which are great for leaving the brides hands free.
Then there are silk flower bouquets. Silk flowers are very realistic looking these days and these can be made into hand-tied posies and again be adorned with ribbons, lace and jewellery and be made of any variety of flowers and foliage.
Then there are the fabric and brooch bouquets. These are boho or rustic in style. The flowers are hand made using satins, silks and lace and adorned with brooches. They can also be made in any colour combination to suit.
Can you make bespoke designs?
Yes. Some brides give me photos of the look of their wedding with fabrics and colours and I make bouquets to match.
Where do you look for inspiration?
A lot of my designs come from someone asking me for something in particular. For example I started making fans and flower girl wands because I was asked if I could make them. I get inspiration from many sources – seeing a fresh flower bouquet and wondering if it can be made using silk flowers, or seeing a bridal gown and designing a bouquet to go with it.
What bridal accessory trends have been popular in 2012 and what trends do you see emerging in 2013 and beyond?
Fresh flowers will always be popular and they smell lovely, but a lot of brides are wanting keepsakes and so button and brooch bouquets are becoming more popular. Vintage is still holding strong and having vintage pieces of jewellery either as it is or made into a bouquet or head dress has been popular. Vintage will still be going strong but some brides like the unusual and hopefully quirky and bright coloured accessories will be popular. The ‘natural’ look is also emerging and the use of recycled items.
Can you give Brides Up North an idea on price? Can you do a discount for Brides Up North readers?
Bespoke brides’ bouquets start from £70 and bridesmaids from £25. I offer free postage on orders over £100 and a 10% discount for larger orders. Brides Up North Readers can get complimentary mother-of-the-bride and mother-of-the-groom corsages and a free bridesmaid bouquet or pomander if ordering three or more bouquets. Quote Brides Up North when ordering.
What can Brides Up North expect when they use your service?
I want my clients to be happy and so I will keep you updated with how your order is coming along and send you photos of items as I make them so they won’t be a surprise when they arrive and you know you’ll be happy with the order when it does arrive.
With my wedding planning you’ll get attention to detail and a calm presence on the day to make sure you have a relaxed and happy day with your family and friends.
What is your current favourite design and why?
I love the bridal pomander. It looks beautiful, its light, can be made in any colour and adorned with pearl strings and brooches and is also very practical as it sits over the brides wrist and leaves the hands free for holding a glass of champagne in one hand and new husband in the other.
I’ve also started making extra large pomanders that are perfect for hanging from beams, marquees or even standing in large vases.
Do you make pieces that would be appropriate for Bridesmaids or Flower girls? What would you recommend?
For flower girls I make pomanders out of cotton flowers that I make myself with buttons in the middle. I use 5 or 6 different fabrics in each pomander to give a girly and vintage feel to the pomanders. They are very light and so perfect for little ones. They come in three sizes and with matching hair slides and make a lovely keepsake. I can do wands and pomanders in foam and silk flowers too.
For bridesmaids I make smaller versions of the brides bouquet and can also do wrist corsages and peacock feather fans.
How are your products packaged? Do they make good gifts?
The fabric pomanders and buttonholes come in acetate boxes so make lovely gifts. If the bouquets are being posted I make sure I wrap them well as you never know how carefully the carrier takes care of the packages. But under the bubble wrap they will be wrapped in tissue paper and can be provided in a gift box if requested
Is this your dream career?
I think being in the wedding industry is a fabulous career and having a successful business is my goal.
There isn’t much time to relax in the Walshaw household with two little boys and I find making my bouquets and pomanders relaxing. Other than that I like reading and watching TV or catching up on much missed sleep!
What are your “best things” in life?
My family and dancing. My two boys are brilliant! My 7 year old is history and Lego obsessed and talks for England and my youngest is 10 months and is the happiest contented baby in the world. I’m very lucky. I’m also a belly dancer and have recently been performing in a Middle Eastern Folkloric show in Birmingham and Liverpool which will be coming to Leeds and Manchester in November. Just to make my life extra busy!
Tell us about your recent North Of England Wedding Award?
I won The North of England Wedding Award for Customer Service 2012 Yorkshire for Wedding Services. I’m very proud of this achievement and though it was for my wedding planning services my customer service is the same for the bouquet side of my business too. I always aim to make sure my clients and customers are happy with the service and products I provide. So whether it’s full wedding planning, event styling, a bouquet or just a buttonhole – you will always get Excellent customer service.
How can Brides Up North get in touch with you or find out more?
For wedding planning and event styling services I can be contacted on enquiries@lovetomarry.co.uk; for bouquets and faux floral arrangements and accessories then please email info@bespokefabricbouquets.co.uk or visit www.bespokefabricbouquets.co.uk where I have a gallery of recent designs.
Brides Up North UK Wedding Blog – Images © 2013 Love To Marry
Love To Marry is a Brides Up North Featured Supplier and this is a sponsored post
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