image by Gav Harrison Photography
This morning on the blog we’re super excited to introduce you to another of our fabulous Featured Suppliers, welcome Emily of BlossEm.
This lovely Yorkshire florist just can’t get enough of weddings, so much so that she converted her initial flower shop into a dedicated wedding studio to focus solely on creating stunning arrangements for couples’ big days.
For Emily,
wedding flowers
provide so much more than pretty, as she carefully selects blooms that will suit the season and styling of a wedding whilst bringing fragrance, colour and texture to the proceedings.To explain more about her passion, we’ll hand over the blog reins to Emily…
image by Chris Stevenson
How did you get into floristry?
emily says:
At 18-years-old after college, I deferred my university place to study textiles and embroidery and travelled around the world for 12 months. On my return I enrolled onto a floristry course and the rest is history!Design was always my passion and floristry allowed me to practice this in a much more natural way. I continued studying floristry up to C&G Level 4 and opened my shop a few days before my 21st birthday. I’m also qualified to teach floristry and I was the tutor at Wakefield College for a few years.
image by S6 Photography
Why wedding floristry specifically?
After my first baby was born I took some time out and focused on a passion of mine – wedding designs. This worked well for me as it allowed me to spend more time on each of my weddings. I had no other distractions. It worked so well in fact I never opened my shop back up, using the premises as a wedding studio.
I also just love weddings – I love couples in love and I love how a wedding makes people feel. It’s a magical experience for everyone involved.
What is your favourite thing about being a florist?
So many things…the change of seasons, when the blossom begins to bloom, when the autumn leaves begin to fall.
The impact that blooms can create, from colours to fragrance, every room feels better with fresh flowers.
Meeting new and working with so many different couples, listening to stories and being allowed into their special days – I could go on!
How can flowers transform a wedding day?
Flowers bring all the elements together in a wedding. The colour, style and texture will complement the bride’s dress and bridesmaid’s dresses. The venue flowers should work with the surroundings as complementing the scenery around will no doubt enhance a reception room. Details and props can be added to reflect the couple’s personality and bring the whole look together.
What can couples expect from a consultation with you?
I like to see as much as possible to get a feel for the couple. Ideas, fabrics, stories – anything that shows the personality and style the couple are aiming for. From there we can discuss flower choices, the designs and budget. The couple can see my portfolio of previous weddings and testimonials and we can drink tea and eat biscuits. I can then create a tailor made quote for each couple. I don’t do packages as I find they don’t work for my brides and they don’t work for me – everything is individual.
What advice do you offer to brides and grooms that aren’t too clued-up on flowers?
Let your florist guide you – trust them, after all that’s what you are paying them for. Stick with seasonal flowers where possible and work with designs to complement your dress and venue. Oh, and have fun exploring new blooms!
As well as colour, what other elements should a bride and groom take into consideration when choosing their wedding flowers?
The season of the wedding is always important, after all if you are having a winter wedding but are dreaming of garden Peonies you need to re-think!
image by Andy Gaines Photography
Are there any particular flowers, colours or arrangements proving popular with couples at the moment?
Woodland, enchanted forest, boho-chic – basically bringing the outdoors in is very on trend right now. Brides are becoming less afraid of foliage and are happy to have very loose, romantic and natural styles and designs.
Tell us about what type of wedding you would like in terms of your flower choices
Every time I leave a wedding I’ve set up I think to myself that’s my ideal wedding, then a few weeks later I think exactly the same at another! I love the change of seasons and constantly go from a spring wedding to a winter wedding, and then I think a summer wedding would be great! One of my favourite all time flowers is Nigella, which is available during May, I also love Ranunculus and Anemones. And Peonies of course. Oh and Delphiniums…
What can a couple who book you expect from you on the wedding day?
From the initial consultation to the delivery and set up the morning of the wedding, it will be me you will deal with. All emails and meetings will be held with me, all designs will be made by me. I believe brides need to feel calm and as relaxed as possible in the run up to the big day and I will be on hand to ensure all runs perfectly.
What would you say to couple who are worried about the price of fresh flowers?
Work with your florist and trust their judgement, choose uncomplicated designs and stick with seasonal favourites. Cut back on designs that aren’t necessary and opt for a design that will wow!
image by Gav Harrison Photography
How can Brides Up North readers get in touch with you or see more examples of your work?
On my newly re-designed website at www.blossem.co.uk as well as my Facebook page, Instagram and Twitter.
