Laura Coleman Flowers

There was a day, some time back in August

2011-11-21T10:00:00.000Z

There was a Room. There were poison bottles. They contained water and flower food. And flowers. There was no actual poison.....thank goodness. The bride loved them. I used the macro mode to the best of my ability. There were dahlia. There being dahlia means it's always going to be a good day.

She was all white and demure. Her girls were an explosion of colour. I liked the black gloss tables and the runners of poison bottles.

I love colour. I am also a little bit in love with Strictly Come Dancing. Is it going to be the first ever all Jordan final? Answers on a postcard, or if you really want to impress, on a glitterball please.

Laura x

Classic Christmas....Woodland and Kitchen Garden to follow

2011-11-17T12:25:00.000Z

Daisies in December, well, August actually

2011-11-07T16:16:00.000Z

The days of wearing nice frocks in the studio are gone. Thermals all the way, underneath a woollen dress and a nice hat. Pink tights too. I simply can't bring myself to wear fleeces. A ski jacket on occassion, but not fleeces.

This wedding was at Browsholme Hall. In August. I'm catching up. The pro shots were done by Jonny Draper. The ones below are those that I took. Amateur, but then I claim no photographic ability. Flowers are my thing, I leave the photography to those that know what SLR means.

There's even one of me. Chief Arch Manager took that one. He was visiting for the weekend. He was referred to as 'A Dish' I believe. Can't take him anywhere.

I have a favourite Waltz song. A Daisy in December. It's magical. You should give it a listen over a cup of tea and a Choco Liebniz.

Laura x

When I am older I'm going to wear pearls every day

2011-11-02T16:50:00.000Z

When I was nineteen I went to Disneyland in Florida. We went to Epcot. It must have been built in the 1970's I suppose. The concept was a futuristic view of the World. One of the scenes was a child having a conversation with a parent through a television screen. The parent was on the other side of the World saying goodnight. I remember thinking this was the saddest thing I'd ever seen. We're there now, but I digress, I'm a florist, not a philosopher. I'm not all that bothered on whether or not the tree makes a noise when nobody sees it fall.

However, I do occassionaly mull over the future. This photoshoot with 'the most amazing hire company' made be think about what I'll be like when I'm older.

"I'll wear pearls everyday and be thouroughly eccentric" was the only thing that crossed my mind. Not much different from how I am now. I really should wear the pearls that I own, don't know why I don't.

Anyway, today's entry is all about the pearls. It's a wonder that the 'most amazing hire company' ever got that teapot back.

Laura x

Garbo, hay bales and a trolley in Chester

2011-11-01T14:41:00.002Z

It has long been a known fact that it is impossible to split ones self in two. I've tried. It usually ends badly. For those that are proper hands on people in their companies, the ones that don't do so well at letting go and passing things on, you'll understand that finding someone who you know you can totally trust with your company values is a bit like finding a piece of Welsh Gold on the number 43 bus to Picadilly Gardens.

My Welsh Gold comes in the shape of Eleanor. (When I type her name I say Ellee - Ay - Knorr in my head so as not to forget the a.) For those that were lucky enough to meet her in Chester, she's a total trooper. She heaved the hay bale, wine crates, easels, scrumpy jars, books, flowers, wreaths, a dress and naturally four bridal bouquets and a frame into the Guildhall in Chester for a day of meeting brides, grooms and the photographers (darling).

I think she did a grand job, the stall looked fabulous. Garbo was a great hit. By chance, Lucy wore it the following weekend (not this sample dress, her own one that she ordered from a bridal shop in Yorkshire I believe.) Her wedding featured dahlias, craspedia, chocolate cosmos, chillis, gourds, physalis, oak, carthamus.....and a ton of other things including rosehips. All colour touched with black and white ribbon. Oh, and a soft top Morris Minor as a wedding car.

Enjoy seeing what Eleanor did in Chester. Round of applause to the Welsh Gold if you please.

Laura x

Floral swoon at The Monastery Wedding Fayre

2011-10-31T13:04:00.004Z

This was the fayre where I wore bright blue suede peep toe heels with bows on the front. They played Move Like Jagger during the catwalk show and Eleanor was in Chester.

I promised a scented stand, I delivered. There were Norma Jean roses and Tuberose. Swoon.

We featured Harriet. She's a new kid on the block at Charlotte Balbier. Would look wonderful on the red carpet at the Oscars in my opinion.

Brides were met (and grooms). I ate Twirl bites. They come in a resealable bag, not a necessity when I'm the consumer.

If we met you there on the day you'll have seen my new porfolio. Fancy eh?

Hope you enjoy the pictures.

Laura x

A great deal of colour and a recommendation about Bop Local

2011-10-18T13:14:00.003+01:00

The straw bale is back.  I went to Northwich yesterday to collect it. Eleanor put it in the back of the car. She is the strongest size 8 I've ever met. She then made peanut butter on toast and a hot cup of tea and we chatted about the world of dance, husbands, ribbon and america. It was an excellent morning.

We did two wedding fayres at the weekend. More about them soon.   Any bride who met Garbo and loved it must wear flowers in their hair. I insist upon it.

For this wedding I had to lie on the floor to take some of the pictures. I've given up on fancy angled shots, mine just look like I've taken it after one to many glasses of Pimms. So, macro it is, although I've made a new discovery. I can change the ISO. Pointless really. No idea what it means or does.

The wedding was a riot of colour. A bride. Five bridesmaids. A groom. A big party. The bride made a recommendation that I'd like Bop Local.   My pal Rach goes. She's going to be a bridesmaid for the sixth time soon. These two facts are entirely unrelated. Both true.

Tablecentres were all planted. Heather, cyclamen and ivy. In trugs and pots that I painted myself. Mainly Dulux, though there's a Crown in there too I think.

Laura x

Hay bales in Chester and paintwork in The Monastery

2011-10-14T21:19:00.002+01:00

All in a weekend. Yep, we've been busy today preparing for Sunday when you'll be able to come a see what we're all about. I shan't be splitting myself in two, that would be gory. I leave that to the people who write movies that make you jump. I'll be at The Monastery and in Chester, you'll get the opportunity to meet the lovely Eleanor.

Both schemes will be different. At The Monastery (my great friend Katy took the picture of the ballerina you see below) we'll be going all rustic reds and ivories (including scented roses....sniffing them on the day is encouraged) inspired by the original paintwork at the alter. In Chester, we've gone for a barn dance feel. There's even going to be a hay bale. Expect a riot of autumn oranges mixed with cheery colour, dahlias (one of my favourites), wicker hearts and twiggy wreaths. Some of the things on the stand are for sale, but that would be telling.

Not sure what I'm going to do with a hay bale come Monday morning. This is a mystery that I'm sure will be more solvable that trying to fathom why Steps are reforming. Answers on a postcard please.

Laura x

Chester Guildhall
Watergate Street
Chester
CH1 2LA
11pm-4pm Entry £4 on the Door

Oh how I love Mimosa, but my oh my does it make me sneeze

2011-10-10T15:13:00.000+01:00

Lilies do it too. Make me sneeze I mean. Even florists aren't immune you see. Got to get in there quick, whip the stamen out and hope for the best. I once knew a landlady who was the most excellent chef at The Rising Sun pub in Cornwall. She was allergic to shellfish. I could never bring myself to order the scallops, it just didn't seem right. The scampi was however, most excellent.

This week I've gone back in time. To a time when the sun shone and mimosa was available. I love the stuff. I've got to blog this months weddings soon, I'll catch up. Don't fear.

In other news. Strictly is back. It's been two weeks of full on glitter. I've been obsessed. My dance teacher went the first one. Jealous. She had to wear heels, in a heatwave, with no mobile phone. I was having a barbeque after the weddings were done.

Another one of lifes mysteries. When did the man from Maroon 5 get all cool? (Am I allowed to say cool? Am I now to old for that? What is the modern equivalent? Answers on a postcard please). He used to be 'that nice boy' in that song that was on repeat in the dormitories at school. Amazing how a repeat button can be overused.

Either way. The new man brings us an excellent cha cha tune.

Laura x

In the times before rain, I helped build a garden....

2011-09-08T20:49:00.004+01:00

I'm not Lynn Anderson, and neither did I promise a rose garden. What we did do is make things flower. Trade secrets on how we produced an allium from a lily, and delphi and gladi in full bloom so early on in the year shall remain a secret. (Well, otherwise life would have no mysteries, and Midsommer frankly wouldn't be the same would it?)

Anyway. This isn't Midsommer - good job, or I'd have no neighbours left I suppose - nor was it actually summer when we worked on the set for the latest Cooperative adverts showing Blighty in full sun, but the results that the team finally produced are worthy of an RHS medal, I'm sure you'll agree.

They constructed this garden out of a patch of grass, alot of plants (to which we added anything you see that's in flower), a great deal of rather large lighting fixtures, non permanent fencing and handsome man who put the fence panels up. Sadly, no picture of said handsome man although I do know he's from round here and his brother lives in London.

Flowers for the table were also needed. "We'd like vintage style soft garden flowers in six of these* if that's OK?" "No problem at all. In those*? How lovely. Consider it done."

Setting up behind the scenes is a great deal of fun. You meet the actors. You work with a fab team who are brilliant at giving you a detailed brief, you work to it and deliver, and then they say nice things about you.....and you work again, on the new ads that will be ASOS in a few weeks time.

Anyway, here's a few behind the scenes pics I took.

Mighty proud, that, I am.

Laura x

*Cath Kidston multicoloured glasses

A little while ago now white met blue

2011-09-06T19:40:00.000+01:00

Well, actually, for this wedding red met red. Mr is a Manchester United Fan, Mrs is a Liverpool Fan. Apparently, they don't speak of the game, it's far too complicated. Thank goodness for multiple televisions in ones home.

The blog, at this current time in no way represents flower seasonality. You can't get brodea now. You can get cornflower. Just. Anthurium are an AYR (all year round for those in the know) and the Liverpool fans favourite. Mr Manchester United didn't want one for his buttonhole. Can't blame him really, bit massive. Cornflower sufficed, and looks most marvellous.

I'm catching up. You'll see this when I feature mimosa next week. Sunflowers will eventually make it on the blog when the snow is falling.

Anyway. Here's what the blue and white wedding looked like. Anthurrium meets vintage. Red wed red. Dare one mention City or Everton?

Laura x

When we, Louise Ellen Designs and And The Dish Ran Away With the Spoon do weddings.......

2011-09-01T20:14:00.002+01:00

....magic happens.

What better way to showcase the floral impact we have on weddings than this.

Big thanks to Mr and Mrs Elliott for letting us feature it. Stationery by the star of the show (aka Mrs Elliott), cake by And the Dish Ran Away With The Spoon, wow to the amazing Willington Hall, and a HUGE amount of praise to the people that created this marvel, MGH Productions.

Congratulations John and Eleanor. Most beautiful this is.

Let them eat cake, arrange blooms and be merry....

2011-08-17T16:56:00.000+01:00

This post features cornflowers. It's been a while. There's been weddings, a class, a giant teapot, an award, a missed opportunity to wear my Vivien of Holloway dress, lots of meetings, many slices of cake and a great big 'welcome home' to the hubbie from hospital. In true style, we celebrated with fish and chips. Sometimes healthy green beans and a griddled bit of salmon just won't do.

Big hugs to all my brides. You have been marvellous. Seemingly all bridezillas choose to use other florists.

Two ads featuring our blooms are on the telly. They're filming more today. Fancy.

I must thank the master baker at And the Dish Ran Away with the Spoon. She is the queen of cake. She is also the queen of hearts (a nice one, not the 'Orrrf with their heads' version that features in the Alice books and films). We took residence in her shop to start the first in our series of 'Classes for the Florally Curious'. Photos were kindly taken by the lovely Rebecca Harvey who created blooms to be proud of.

Here's the lowdown of when the dish met up with the bloom.

Laura x

An example of what was created. Vintage Blooms Inspired by Baking. Kilner jars featured.

Flowers on the cake counter. All wrapped up and ready to go in brown paper.

Something wonderful about the buds of a British Larkspur.

The class in pinnies, engrossed in conditioning and handing out flowers to each other. A interactive class this most certainly is.

Ellie looks at home with the roses. They match her top.

British Cornflowers featured among others including Hot Diadeem roses.

Me to class: "Red Velvet Cupcake anyone?"

Class to me: "It's your's I think....."

Me to class: "Oh, so it's mine. Are you sure? Fab, I'll keep it for the hubbie."

A little while later after the class was finished.

Florist arrives at hospital to visit hubbie. Walks into room smiling. Hands over cupcake in a box tied with blue ribbon.

Me to hubbie: "This is for you."

Hubbie opens box. Florist walks to put handbag down on windowsill. Returns to give hubbie a kiss.

Hubbie to me: "Thanks, that was lovely. Made me feel alot better. Needed that. Are they available on prescription?"

Me demonstrating how to achieve the finishing touches. I have a double chin. Not one of the photogenic sorts.

Here's one we made earlier.

Fancy close up shot of limonium among other things.

A beautiful British Larkspur. A great bloom for an evening of larking about with flowers. Do you see what I did there?

Can't wait for the next one! x

Soft pink vintage flowers and a blast from the past

2011-06-21T14:04:00.002+01:00

This week the rain has been playing havoc with my cycling plans. I've had the bike all done up. It's got a new chain. The seat remains uncomfortable, but there is nothing to be done. It's one of those mountain bike ones. It's bright blue. It's functional. Sadly, it is not a classic, vintage style, black, slim framed, 'designed for ladies wearing nice dresses' one with a basket on the front for your shopping. That is the bike of my dreams. If the weather improves, I'll keep you posted on the journeys of the magical mountain bike. Until then, flowers it is. Not bad really.

Today is brought to you by the letter V. V is for vintage. It is also brought to you by the letter P. The letter P is for Peonies (British ones - their nearly done now), Pink and Pedestal. More on this below.

Christines wedding was lovely. All blousy flowers with lots of lovely textures. The peonies opened perfectly (there's another P) and the weather was warm. Christine needed it to be that way for her lovely floaty Jenny Packham number.

Here's her wedding in the final (well almost) Letter P - Pictures.

Laura x

Very magical light. I rather like it. Feels a bit creative.

An urn of blooms that look simply magical. Hazel and honeysuckle feature.

Delphinium. Always provides glamourous height. The floral equivalent of Laboutins.

Flowers on film.......my old mate Bradders getting all the detail in.

I'm going to try my hand at Sweet Pea growing. Success will be blogged, lack of success will be erm......not mentioned and politely glossed over.

Pretty bridesmaids bouquet. Love it when a British Peony does you this proud.

The Jenny Packham dress was a cracker. So are these flowers. I wanted to hug it. Best not. They're pretty delicate blooms.

For the final P. Perfect.

As seen on TV......

2011-06-15T10:47:00.001+01:00

It must be most peculiar to be an actor, an actress, a TV star or starlett. When you're sat on the sofa of an evening, quietly minding your own business, following the evolution of an injunction storm on Twitter and tucking into a low fat salad. There you are. On ITV. In all your finery. Dressed up to the nines. Proud as punch. It's all a little surreal wouldn't you say?

The closest we've ever got to this is when we were on the BBC's Beat The Boss. The other times are when our flowers feature on the Beeb and in The Times in the hands of the odd famous cyclist or two. Our flowers were the Charlotte Balbier facebook page profile pic the other day. The most recent viewing was in a Cooperative Food advert during Corrie.

I may not be one for eating salads. But if this is fame, I'm happy with our lot.

Here's a few examples of the blooms on tour.

Laura x

What Katy did next......

2011-06-06T11:23:00.002+01:00

This weekend has been filled with delights. There were flowers (naturally), there was the removal of the Christmas tree from the garden, the power washer was unpacked from its box and there was a great deal of excitement about the fact that the poppies are in bloom. We now have a new Union Jack door doormat in pinks, blues and yellows, the wall at the front is Raspberry Bellini and the one at the back is some funny name from the Dulux collection. I've renovated a piece of furniture with a lick of paint and a few polka dots to boot. I've not told the Mother in Law yet....it used to be her piece of furniture, I don't think she'll want it back now.

Sam's Chophouse served a great bitter shandy. I wore high heeled shoes on Friday night and Saturday night. I didn't on Sunday night, but I did wear a black and white neckscarf.

Now to Katy. She's afterall what the blog is about today. I'm envious of her ballet pumps. She has two pairs that she wears. They are flat and pretty and apparently available from Topshop. She wears them when she's photographing weddings. She probably wears them in the garden when teaching Sophie about the plants. She may not, potentially, she more of a 'bare feet in the garden' type of girl.

I digress.

Here's a few more pictures of the photoshoot in the Northern Quarter. It was shot by Katy Lunsford. She's ever so clever. Images were first seen on Love My Dress. Here's a link to that spectacular blog entry.

Enjoy the newly seen images....there are more to follow.

Laura x

Team for this included me on blooms, Katy on the camera, Charlotte on the dresses, Nicola on the charms, Ailsa on the styling, Charlie on the lippy, Fred on the cakes,

A wedding south of Macclesfield and a car called Coral

2011-05-31T16:34:00.003+01:00

I do love the spirit of a bank holiday. Everyone's excited. The weather is a hot topic. I start to be concerned for the welfare of those sleeping under canvas during a thunder storm and I get a trip to Conwy.

For those that are in the know, I'm originally from sunny Hampshire. Southampton was the nearest big place to go shopping and it's fairly near Stonehenge I suppose. My family all live that way. It means that when they holiday, they come to Wales. Me and the hubbie were invited on the holiday. We wedged in a three day break between weddings. It rained. Alot. We don't care about these things. Rain just means that we barbequed under an umbrella, kept the farmhouse warm with a roaring log fire, put on raincoats to take my Aunts dog for a walk, went to a lot of lovely country pubs, ate out at the Groes Inn and stayed in and played Scrabble. It's my new favourite game. 24 was my highest score in one go. Not bad.

It occured to me in the car on the way home that I'd not written about the wedding near Bristol. It was a lovely one indeed. I decamped to my Nanny and Grandad's house and worked from the workshop in the barn. It was lovely. Water vessels were posher than when I'm here. The floral pottery jugs are lucky to still be in my Grandmother's possession.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the World my cousin Daisy bought a car. It's new name is Coral.

Laura x

The brides friend handpainted each of the teapots. As a thank you gift, the bride gave me Brimstone. It's in my kitchen.

Tea pots brimming. I love tea. I love flowers. I love teapots.

Close up of the bouquets. Anenome, pittosporum and double price tulips to name but a few.


A pretty welcome to a beautiful church. The verger really liked this one. I exchanged some tulips for the heating to be put on. It was super cold in the Church!

Learning to dance and a rather large number of tulips

2011-05-24T10:01:00.002+01:00

Today I've managed to take a little bit of time out. We take breaks at funny times us florists.

Most would consider a break to be sitting down with a cup of hot chocolate whilst doing the crossword, time out to walk the dog or wandering round the Trafford Centre. But as I've run out of hot chocolate, can never achieve much on the Times crossword, don't have a dog and I view clothes shopping as a chore that must be got through in order to reap the benefits (much like weeding your patio I suppose) I took a couple of hours off to go and learn a new foxtrot and revise the quickstep and the waltz. I do this in readiness for my exams.

Exams - yes exams. Mad - yes mad. But we all like a little challenge I suppose?

We all love it when Len says 'Severrrrn' don't we? Fingers crossed.

On the way back it occured to me that I'd not blogged the wedding of the tulips. This was a treat indeed. Siobhan was a fab bride. So much fun. She wore red converse under the posh frock. Very, very cool. She's a teacher of English and used to send me letters. On her quote I used elaborate language. She gave me top marks.

I miss her.

Here's the day of tulips taken by me, a photographer that never will be.

Enjoy!

Laura x

1950's wedding dresses invite you to the fayre with bunting and colour

2011-05-18T11:32:00.000+01:00

There was no way that we were going to a wedding fayre in April without bunting. Not on your nelly. I made it myself. I was pretty proud of it really. It's now on proud display in a cake shop in Manchester. They took a shine to it, I thought it was a shame to put it in a box for storage. It's theirs now.

As usual, there was no 6ft trestle table on our stand. They really should only ever be used for white elephant stalls at village WI events. I love those. Treasure troves for purchasing vessels that make for quirky vases. Egg cups are a recent favourite.

The stand was focussed on three things. A stunning 1950's inspired dress from the incredibly gorgeous Charlotte Balbier collection, a serious injection of colour and a macaroon tower from the English Rose Bakery. I am most definately partial to a macaroon or two.

I met some lovely brides on the day - can't wait to do their weddings. One is having a mass of sweet peas, heavenly.

On board for this little day trip of colourful wonders was the English Rose Bakery, Louise Ellen Designs, Charlotte Balbier, Silver Sixpence and my own personal collection of shoes - not for sale I'm afraid.

Hope you enjoy the pictures, even if they do feature me with a poppy in my hair.

Laura x

The most colourful of bouquets. Perfect companion to a Pimms I say.

A close up of a Charlotte Balbier accessory. It's my favourite. I may wear it next time.

The stunning Sweet Pea dress by Charlotte Balbier. Love the cinched in waist. I had a lady enquire about whether she thought you could Lindy Hop in it. Don't see why not.

Wild and wonderful. No cheese wedge orderly carnations and chrysanthymum to be seen. Thank goodness. PS yes, that whopper in the centre is a single rose. It's a biggun - you've got to be big and blousy for the 50's vintage vibe.

The mood board with stationery created by Louise Ellen Designs. Her hubbie to be came up with the table name. He's rather clever. Does and excellent jive. I think it's his favourite. We call him 'The King' of jive. I'm sure he'd like that.

The stand in all it's colourful glory.

Me, with a poppy in my hair putting the final touches to the stand.

The jaunty angles are improving. Even if photography is not my strong point, I like to think I have a go. Now, that's a good attitude, wouldn't you say?

Blossom branches, limonium, stocks, roses and loads of other blooms in here. Anyone else think the light looks a bit like a full moon?

The anenome's were a hit with a little girl who gave an audibly cheeky giggle, picked it up and started running off with a large grin on her face. Happy customer I say. Was incredibly funny.

I let her Mum run after her. I had four inch heels on. Good call wouldn't you say?

After the pillow fiasco, this little florist went to market.

2011-05-16T14:06:00.001+01:00

Today started off in a very strange way. I awoke very cross with the hubbie.

Me to hubbie: "Phillip (he only get's called that when he is in a great deal of trouble), you must take the pillows back to the Travelodge in Liverpool, they'll called the police."

Hubbie to me: "What are you on about? We haven't been to a Travelodge since 2007 and we've never been to Liverpool together."

He had a point.

I decided to get up and go to the flower market. I bought peonies and some alchemilla mollis among other things. He's off the hook.

The pictures below have nothing to do with the above. They are to do with Ollie and Nicki - AKA Mr and Mrs Cottam. They got married and had a party at The Monastery in Manchester. Their video is a corker. So were the blooms. Link to their proper photo's on Tom's Blog is here.

At their final meeting before they wed, I had tea, Nicki had an orange juice, Ollie had a pint. That's my kind of meeting.

Any one else feeling a bit chilly? I do wish the rain would subside.

Laura x

Finally, the post about the egg.........

2011-05-09T14:16:00.000+01:00

It's been a busy few weeks in the studio. The peonies were a hit. Especially the red ones. Kate and Wills tied the knot - that was very exciting. My attempt at a Victoria Sponge was a disaster. Phill still ate a slice, but that's because he loves me.

We've done a bit of DIY. The sun was shining and we had a day off together for the first time since we got back from the US of A. We put the blinds up in the bathroom and bedroom. They are ever so nice. White wooden ones, just in time for summer. The fabric I bought from Laura Ashleyfor the curtains a year ago still remains on the roll. I really must get round to doing that curtain making class.

A couple of weeks ago we opened the 'chicken and egg' debate. First we introduced you to it with all the background, then we revealed that the chicken arrived first. Now it's time to show you the egg.

Here's a few pictures of the egg at the rather beautiful Alderley Edge Hotel. It was of course, unpacked from it's nest of straw on the morning of the wedding by the resident hens.

Enjoy!

Laura x

Stunning candelabra decorated with a sold mass of gorgeous roses, peonies and hydrangea. Phill did a sterling job of getting these in the flowermobile. Well done hubbie.

The egg. Smelled amazing, looked amazing. I hadn't had any breakfast. Licking the egg was not allowed. Shame. I settled for a Bailey's one when I got home.

Our glassware bought on a shopping trip to London makes an appearance. The shopping trip also involved afternoon tea at Fortnum and Mason. That's my type of shopping trip.

About a third of the types of roses we used for the wedding. The peonies were corkers.

Top table decoration. This was massive. Rambo made an appearance as you can see.

The resident hens unpack the egg. What you can't see is the audience of chefs, the floral team and staff watching the sp'egg'tacular alternative to the wedding cake being set up.

Steven and Heather, you definately win the prize for originality on this one.

This ones all about the Best of British - scented of course

2011-04-29T08:47:00.001+01:00

Today it is the day that is sparking lovely memories for me. All my family around me, the arrival of Sara my lovely make up artist, getting giddy when Jill the photographer (who gave us biscuits on an antique china plate when we first met her) pulled up on the driveway, the girls heading off with Mum and the future Mum in Law to the hairdressers, Tom and Dad doing last minute flower deliveries, opening my wedding gift from my husband to be - a stunning, timeless brooch I pinned to my dress, my brother rehearsing his ready. Bill my future father in law opening a bottle of bubbly.

The relief that you've done it. You've ticked it all off the list. It's here.

You're about to do the easiest thing in the World. Marry the man you've loved for years.

That's it really. It's that simple. That's what it's about. I was so very lucky to have done this all in December.

Today Kate and William will be saying the easiest thing they've ever said to each other and to celebrate, we worked with the incredibly passionate cake makers extraordinares - And the Dish Ran Away With the Spoon - to decorate their shop with a cacophony of red white and blue British blooms. You can enjoy a full on afternoon tea there all day today - get down to the shop and celebrate in style xxx

A stunning wreath of scilla aka Cornish Bluebells, Sweet William (naturally), delphinium and foliages from my garden. No white Sweet William arrived - I wonder it it's somewhere else?

Delphi in close up.

Sweet William - not strictly red, but we'll let it go.

Bluebells. Cornish and lovely. All the flowers are from a nursery in Cornwall. Found out yesterday that one of their growers has supplied Lily of the Valley for the big day today. Nice to know these flowers shared the same home as some of the Royal blooms.

Euphorbia from my garden. Saw bucket loads of this being taken into the Abbey in an article online. It wasn't from my garden. Bigger one, down South supplied it, think it might have been one of the Queens patches of green.

All ready to be served with a right Royal Scone at 'And the Dish Ran Away with the Spoon'

The stocks smelt amazing and were HUGE. So were the snap dragons.

Have a fab day and if you get the chance, do pop in to see the stocks!

Today is all about the chicken and the Church blooms

2011-04-27T10:33:00.001+01:00

Yesterday we introduced you to the blooms that featured in an Easter wedding. Today is about showing you what we did with them. Beautiful, yes very beautiful indeed.

Rambo the hydrangea features in the pedestals alongside Sweet Avalanche rose and a myriad of other blooms. They first met in the studio. It was love at first sight. They went to the wedding in style. They ended up at the bar together. Who knows what happened after that, it was the last time I saw them. I like to imagine that they are now romantically finishing their days in the new Mother in Laws house. I'm sure that Steven and Heather* will let me know.

The chicken refers to the barbeque. We had marinated chicken that night. It therefore came before the egg. Well, it did for me as I didn't have a scotch egg. Phill did. I ate a sausage roll to keep me going.

Enjoy the read, and any guesses on when or how the egg may feature are welcomed.

Laura x

When candelabra dress up, they look like this.

In close up. Stocks with a lot of lovely roses.

Phlox in a marriage with waxflower.

Stocks, phlox and a very beautiful stained glass window. James was ever such a nice vicar. So helpful. Sat and had a good chat with us about blooms and the world whilst we were creating these flowers.

An arch and the candelabra for a wedding on the sunniest of days.

Clever fancy shot with lighting effect. I'd love to say I planned it. It was entirely by chance that it works.

Close up of the roses in the arch. There's a peony, and a stock. I was giddy with excitement about it.

Stand back and admire. Then you can have a sausage roll.

Another episode of The 'Arches'. Full to the brim with David Austin roses and about seven other sorts.

The pedestal and the coat of arms. This Church had lots of them. It also had a private balcony. Very posh.

One of two gorgeous pedestals. No 'wedge of cheese' circa 1980's carnation displays here. No, no, no. Natural finish for a pretty country Church.

Hydrangea plants outside the Church with two pedestal featuring the floral love story.

Cheeky 'round the corner' snapshop of the bridesmaids. I forgot to take pictures of the bouquets before they left for the day. Silly me!

Any guesses on the egg?

*Heather is a not a flower that is part of a fictional love story. She was the bride. A real one. Lovely floral name. I am a great fan of floral names. She got married on Saturday to Steven and is now officially Mrs Morris. Rambo Hydrangea and Sweet Avalanche featured at their wedding. It is these flowers that I have romantically given a new love story to. Talking of Morris, my Corsa has an alter ego that it is a Morris Minor traveller. Maybe one day it will become a reality. On another note, Morris is my Grandad's middle name.

What came first - the chicken or the egg?

2011-04-26T11:10:00.001+01:00

The weekend was filled with blooms. Some of them scented, some of them not. All were beautiful. I had 1.5 days off over Easter. I spent it with the hubbie on Sunday afternoon and a sunny Monday. My Dad came to stay on Friday and Saturday as there was an arch involved and he's an engineer. We ate alot and cranked open the barbeque.

The weather kept up with the flowers. The sun shone at the right time and it wasn't too hot. Thank goodness really, I have it on good authority that a hot day in one of those posh suits is a melter.

There were (among other things) David Austin roses (gasp), about nine other types of rose (ooooh), phlox (smile), waxflower (jump of joy), larkspur (clap hands like a seal), stocks (long sniff), hydrangea (swoon), peonies (faint) and a box of scotch eggs to keep us going (yum).

We've split the blog entry up. We had to. The profound question above will be answered in part three.

Heady hydrangea. I think I'll rename it. It's official name is something like 'Rambo' or 'Hulk'. I don't like to recall it, it's quite innappropriate.

Larkspur to Candleford. I'm currently reading a similarly named book. It was recommended to me by my Grandmother. She's lent me her copy. It has a polka dot front cover.

David Austen rose. If it could speak I'm sure it's first words would be 'No, I am not a peony.'

Mimi Eden. I like the name. Makes me think of 'Allo 'Allo.

Stocks in close up. Smelt amazing in the Church. More about that on the next entry. A chicken may feature. It may not. Any guesses on the egg yet?

Avalanche in close up. To the rear, a lot of blooms. I've got pics of them all but I need to stitch the images together as I couldn't get them in one shot.

Coronation Street and calla lilies on a pillar

2011-04-20T13:58:00.001+01:00

OK, it's warm. Very warm. Even in Manchester where according to popular public opinion it always rains. Some like it hot. Florists like it cool. I like it when I can wear pink satin peep toes without the fear of water damage. I don't ask for a great deal. Well, maybe for a spot of choccy every now and again. Easy now I've sussed the hubbie's hiding place for the Cadbury's Chocolate Buttons and the Kit Kats.

Whilst I blog, I'm listening to the radio. Just heard a song that each time it's played I think of Miss Pickering, a fellow florist that often mentions music on her blog. Here's a link to the song reminder. She has a Hound. He should be on TV.

Those in the know will note that some of the blooms featured in these shots by David Lake Photography were not taken yesterday. However, there's a roof terrace involved and given the weather, it seems a good time to show you these pics of Great John Street Hotel in Manchester. Bronwen invited me to do the shoot. She mentioned that there would be tea available and a biscuit. I said yes.

Enjoy the pictures!

Laura x

View from the roof terrace. Bouquet not always included in view. I would have liked to have been wearing SJP type shoes on the shoot. I wasn't. I was black flat boots that day.

I would like pink chairs in the house. Mr C doesn't agree.

Fancy wide angle shot. I can't do this on my trusty little snapper.

I forgot the mirror. Never mind. Mirror needed.

Very lovely. Wish that black candlestick was mine. Would look cracking on the fireplace. The silver floor standing one is far too big for that purpose. Shame.

Mirror mirror on the wall, who is the pinkest vase of all?

Bouquet on the fireplace. As you do.

I heart thee lovely steel berry.

I can see the corner shop. I got a bit overexcited. I took five photos. They were all the same. Except in this one there was a man pointing at a brick wall. Made it a bit more interesting I suppose?

Giddy over gloriosa and a bouquet destined for the airport

2011-04-05T15:43:00.003+01:00

Today has been a fantastic day. It started with me getting excited about the height of the delphiniums. That's pretty much all it takes for me to get giddy. Well, they were ever so lovely, they got bought. It followed all the joys and scents of Mother's Day. What a lovely time we had creating bouquets. Stock and narcissi scent surrounded weekend. A good weekend indeed.

I then went into the garden to harvest tree branches in bud for the cake shop - more about that tomorrow. Then a bridal meeting - chance for more giddyness - that was indeed a delight. Then, I had to reign it in a little as I had to pick up cupcakes and a lack of focus would have meant a second visit to replace the ones that I ate. Luckily, they are still gift wrapped are ready for a very special delivery. I can't say any more - they may read this blog.

David picked up his flowers on the way to the airport. Hope his girlfriend got back safely after nine weeks apart. Blimey. Now, flowers on the way to the airport.....I wonder? Anyway, let's move on, I don't like to wonder too much. Giddy mood you see.

The crescendo of uber giddyness which resulted in actual hand clapping (bit like a seal) was down to the lovely wedding photographer, Katy Lunsford. She just sent me these shots of two bouquets and a buttonhole I exhibited at Great John Street. She really is clever. Very, very, very clever.

Big thanks to Katy (who can be found at www.katylunsford.com BTW) and enjoy the read.

Laura x

A handtied design of gloriosa, cherry brandy (yum), freesia (Union Jack bearing ones), tulips (yellow ones are British, very gorgeous) and grand prix, not the racing type, the floral ones....nestled among others.

Trailing gloriosa. I know, they're very unusual and incredibly beautiful. They look fab. I love them. Pricey. Worth it. Enough said.

Clever Katy has positioned these flowers on the most interesting of backdrops, right outside the hotel. Photographers have a knack of doing this. Me, it's in front of a shrub, or not at all. That's is why I'm a florist and most certainly happy to leave photography to those that know best.

Glory, glory gloriosa! Glory, glory gloriosa! Glory, glory gloriosa! Cherry Brandy Rose*

If you are a red and live in Manchester, you may be able to sing along to this. If you are a blue, we'll need a different tune. Best not mention this post the the hubbie - it definately won't work with Carter/Cash. May therefore need a new tune to sing along to. Answers on that fancy pre-lined manuscript paper (scanned if you please) to laura@lauracolemanflowers.co.uk.

Pretty In Pink (and teal - but teal flowers don't exist, so pink it is) for a sunny spring wedding

2011-03-28T14:44:00.005+01:00

Over the weekend it was pretty chilly. Well, it was sunny on Friday and then it got chilly. After we delivered the weekends weddings we wandered down to the West Didsbury Markets. We ate our way round it. Cheese. A biscuit. A hot sausage. We bought a bright green member of the brassica family. We're going to have it tomorrow with a gammon steak.

Here is a blog entry on one of our weddings. We'll save the other ones for another day. Huge congratulations to Lindsay and Jonathon. We were going to take some other pictures of tulips, we didn't - explanation below.*

It's quite a long entry as Ailsa in the cake shop has now shown me a magical button on my camera that makes close up looks better. I'm a florist, not a photographer - this button really was a revelation and I was most excited to share the knowledge with the Mr. He already knew about it. Never mind.

Anyway, here's some photos of the most scented wedding of the year so far. Stocks, sweet peas - my new favourite for the moment, freesia, ranunculus,nerinne, gloriosa, panicum and eucalyptus.

Enjoy!

Laura x

Panicum in close up. It looks like fireworks here. I do love fireworks. Not in bridal work though. Fireworks on a wedding day could either be beautiful, or taken another way, could be a bit Jerry Springer.

Nerinne. Fab flower. Much under rated. I adore it. I think I may thread some of it onto wires and wear it in my hair tomorrow.

The scented ones are top centre, top left, bottom left. The ones that people confuse with peonies are bottom right.

Today in the close up section. Oh I do love that button on the camera. Ranunculus. So very pretty. So pretty indeed.

Fancy shot. Close up of nerinne with freesia to the background. Clever.

A freesia. They were not keen on the cold. They, like me needed a hot water bottle in the studio.

The stunning bridal bouquet with trailing gloriosa. I need to think about my backdrops. I may well have found the button, but my picture simply doesn't do this justice. The brides draw dropped when she saw it. "I love it, I love it, I love it!" followed shortly afterwards.

Gloriosa and nerinne buttonhole. The grasses look smashing here.

A bridesmaids bouquet of scented delight. All wrapped up with pretty teal ribbon. So pretty. The teal would look rather lovely in the living room. That may take alot of persuasion.

*The other photos were going to be of tulips - but I gave them to Darcey. I am well informed that they are doing very well on her bedroom windowsill. On another note, Sophie - aged 2 and a bit from Manchester (I checked with the bride when I saw her on Saturday at The Midland Hotel) and you'll be pleased to hear that the yellow rose you took a fancy to is yours, she said that you can have it. Please feel free to collect from the studio when you're done at nursery for the day.

Flowers in the cake shop: The polka dots and the daffodils

2011-03-24T20:10:00.001Z

Today we took daffs to the cake shop. We also bought some shiny ribbon. It had dots on. We (and Johnny Cash*) were thrilled.

Now ideally I'd have put the daffs in milk bottles, but sadly in these times, my milk doesn't come from a nice glass bottle with a tin foil lid, it comes from a practical bottle that simply wouldn't do for the daffodils.

I feel that the loss of the milk bottle is something I may have to address. It's a bit like when they changed Fairy Liquid bottles and home made space rockets were never the same again.

To console myself at the loss of milk bottles and hand crafted space rockets of old I took a picture of the polka daffs in their home for the week. Here they are. If you pop in to the Sweet Tooth Cupcakery in the Northern Quarter in Manchester do say hello to Johnny C for me. If you're lucky he might sing one of my favourite songs of all time.

Enjoy the pics!

Laura x

*Jonny Cash is one of the STC cupcakes. A very nice cake with an Oreo in it. Charlie told me that this morning. Every day is a school day.

The Blooms at Great John Street. A Great Day at the Fayre.......

2011-03-21T14:55:00.007Z

Yesterday was an indeed an adventure. All packed up and ready to go in the morning. Many a bloom. A dress. Cupcakes. Macaroons. Shoes. Candles. Stationery. A Frame. One husband. Me. (Oh, and a scotch egg and a sausage roll in case I got peckish.)

That was us, all set to go. We arrived excited as a pair of bees on the first day that they discovered nectar at the gorgeous Great John Street Hotel in Manchester for a very wonderful wedding fayre.

Unloading caused a stir. "Is she Mary Poppins?", I could see people thinking. Well, I'm a florist and the flowermobile was more like the magic bag in the film. The only thing we seemed not to have was a brolly with a talking parrot on it. (For those too young or who think I'm barking, please see the scene here.)

Well, I'm not Mary Poppins, but I am a proud florist, and this is what we shared with over 200 people who came to see the show. (Minus the carpet bag and the brolly.)

Laura x

Here's what came out of the carpet bag. Featuring a stunning Charlotte Balbier 'Daisy' dress and gorgeous accessories, the stationery designs of Louise Ellen, cupcakes by the Sweet Tooth Cupcakery NQ, macaroons by the English Rose Bakery, shoes from my wardrobe and flowers by yours truly (that's me, Laura from Laura Coleman Flowers all on display at Great John Street Hotel, Manchester.

The bouquet on the large candelabra. My what a balancing act. We pulled it off. It contained orchids, anenome, stocks, ammi, guelder rose, phlox and roses. Very scented, very lovely.

Our inspiration boards with all the texture and detail we work with when we meet a bride. The stationery was styled and hand design by by lovely Louise Ellen. I do love her work. I get all excited when it arrives.

Eat me. OK. Done deal.

A fabulous bouquet. Even if we do say so ourselves.

Stage left featuring loads of different rose varieties, gloriosa rothchildsana (v. fancy name), tulips, freesia, grevillia (prettier than the name sounds, we promise) eucalyptus and anenome.

Gorgeous accessories from the incredible Charlotte Balbier. I had people diving round the corner coming to see the lovely 'Daisy' dress. I think it's gorgeous. So does my cousin, but she's called Daisy so she's biased.

Stage right. A competition and my professional portfolio.

These incredible cupcakes smelt as good as the stocks behind them in the candelabra. These were made by the Sweet Tooth Cupcakery NQ. Elvis, they didn't exit the building. No-surey! The were snaffled by the GJS team. They deserved it though.

This is Bronwen (aka Mrs Wood) to those that know. She's from Great John Street Hotel and manages all of the weddings. Yes. All of them. Busy job I'd say. She smiles.....alot. I've also discovered she likes cupcakes. Always nice to know!

A close up of the delectable macaroons made by the English Rose Bakery. They make really fab favours with these in bags and boxes tied up with gorgeous ribbon. Yummy and pretty I say. Yummy and pretty indeed.

Me. And the pretty things on the left are our table displays. Phill, who took the picture likes the way I look too, but he has to say that, we're married and it was in the contract. (Alongside some handy advise from James Jordan that dancing should be a part of all marriages. It's true, but then he's married to Ola. Enough said)

Experimenting with jaunty angles. I think I'll work on it.

Buttonholes featuring cherry brandy roses, grand prix roses, gloriosa, orchids, tulips and freesia. A four year old who visited us yesterday was very partial to the yellow ones. She was wearing pink. I think we have discovered the future in floral talent.

Flowers, cupcakes and macaroons for the sweetest of Mothers Days

2011-03-15T22:33:00.000Z

Ta daaaaa!

Here they are - gorgeous pictures of this years Mothers Day collection.

Brought to you by me - that's Laura at Laura Coleman Flowers, and because I can't bake and these guys are frankly brilliant at it, we've brought in the Sweet Tooth Cupcakery in the Northern Quarter and the English Rose Bakery to offer you the best of the best in the Manchester floristry and baking world.

They'll be available online (*little dance of joy * - it will be the first time we've done sales online) from tomorrow. We'll update this blog with links and all that razamatazz in the morning, and from then you can also call to place an order.

So terribly exciting!

Well, I did promise pictures and here they are (alongside a bit of babble on what we've got on offer this year)

Laura xxx

Stunning rose bouquet containing long stemmed yellow roses, pink phlox, agapanthus (they're the blue ones) white anthirrinum and eucalyptus. Colours that remind you of, well, cupcakes and macroons. Funny that.

Ces orchidées sont terriblement chic et élégant. On peut de fantaisie juste à regarder les tout en sirotant un macaron et de boire une tasse de thé chaud anglais Petit Déjeuner. Je suis sûr que votre mère serait d'accord. Translated from English in Google Translate as I don't speak a word of French. Roughly translates as 'These orchids would look smashing on Mum's table while she drinks a cup of tea and eats a macaroon'***.

Our spring bouquet of tulips, white stocks, blue hyacinth (these are shown in bud here, but wait until these bad boys bloom, they're amazing), narcissus, eucalyptus and pittosporum. Flanked by yummy 1, yummy 2, yummy 3 and yummy 4. (They'll never go in that box, you're right, the gift box they come in is bigger than that) Tin not included in the price although it is on display in the shop and likes receiving visits and/or compliments.

Twelve gorgeous macaroons meets spring bouquet. They met at the Castle Pub on Oldham Street in Manchester for the first time this week. It was a perfect match. The tea cup agreed although he can't be bought. These delectable delights are part of the collection for Mums what love macaroons.

Rose bouquet and a hunky cupcake. These will be available in 4's or 8's. Lining eight up and putting them in the picture was tricky. Very tricky, I ate two of them, and six would have given no reflection of what's really on offer. The cupcakes come in boxes of four. One box for Mum, flowers for the Mother in Law....now....what to do with the other box of cupcakes?

Can you resist?

Laura x

***PS For those that want to know what I put into Google Translate - here's the original copy :-) 'These orchids are terribly posh and elegant. One may fancy just staring at them whilst sipping a macaroon and drinking a cup of hot English Breakast Tea. I'm sure your Mother would agree.'

Flowers in the cake shop: The teapot and the hyacinth

2011-03-15T11:10:00.000Z

Yesterday's blog entry went by the wayside. I was busy as a bee working on flowers for our 2011 Mothers Day Collection including taking pics of them in the Sweet Tooth Cupcakery (big thanks to Ailsa by the way) in the Northern Quarter and then heading to the kitchens of the English Rose Bakery to take even more lovely shots.

Whilst at said photo session in the Sweet Tooth Cupcakery I dropped off their flowers for them.

Here they are.

Feel free to pop into the cake shop to view the blooms and while you're there, I can strongly recommend their Willy Wonka. Take a visit to see what I mean.

Enjoy the read.

Laura x

The inside track on flowers for the cycling!

2011-03-07T11:12:00.004Z

It is always great fun working on the World Track Cycling Championships - we've done it for a few years now but it always fills me with excitement. It takes you over - who's going to be representing Team Sky and team GB, will they get to the podium, will the man I see on my Bran Flakes be holding the bouquets I've so lovingly created and will I be as horse from cheering as I was last year when I go and see it all live?

This year it all started with a dress. Yes, a dress. The super glamourous frocks that the medal and flower bearers wear on the podium. British Cycling's brand conscious events team had hand selected the dress to compliment the branding of the event and new website and worked with me to make sure it all tied in - literally, we did tie it in, choosing ribbon that perfectly complimented the outfits and using a completely red palette across all the flowers to make sure they stood out on the television and on the tables. Yes, alongside decorating the VIP suites in the M.E.N Arena, the velodrome is one of the biggest venues we've ever put our flowers in!

So, with this in mind we used incredible red roses in the bouquets, red tulips on the VIP tables and roses, tulips and seasonal flowers for the displays. All perfectly arranged and proudly put in place and checked during daily deliveries. Here's some behind the scenes shots (and a few moments of starstruck floral pride!)

Enjoy the read!

Laura x

A photo of some of the lovely flowers, although this shows only a small percentage of what I used! The roses were gorgeous. Used loads of them in the bouquets. Cyclists who had forgotten Valentines Day needed to pedal pretty hard for their gorgeous red blooms!

A small detail in a giant venue. Two tulips in a little bowl. Very stylish and simple yet affective on a smart VIP poseur table.

The VIP entrance with two stunning displays and a very helpful lady with a walky talky. I am a tad jealous that she had a walky talky. Childhood dream to own one.

Yes, the velodrome is massive! This is taken from across the track, which is yes, very steep - I've pootled round it on a bike with no brakes. I would never go so far to say I've cycled on it and certainly not raced! Anyway, raced or not, I have decorated it - these tables gave an amazing view.

A snap of a few of the flowers we used to create the displays, gorgeous red hypericum berries and amazing strelizia leaves. They were huge!

One of the VIP arrangments that we designed to reflect the circular movement of the velodrome.

A few of the medallist bouquets all packed and set to go to the velodrome.

On the podium with flowers on the giant screen.

Sir Chris Hoy after winning a gold medal - well done to the chap on my Bran Flakes box, well done indeed! Now, you have to look super close, but if you concentrate and focus, you can see a large leaf and a rose poking out the back of his backpack.

Proud, yes, very proud.

Laura x

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I heart thee anenome. Jo and James marry at Samlesbury Hall

2011-03-02T16:47:00.001Z

The lovely Jo married James at Samlesbury Hall, one of the prettiest and romantic venues in all of the North of England. This wedding started with a love of colour. Jo is a graphic designer and had lovingly created her invites in tones of pink, purples and greens. This and a love of anenomes (and who can blame her) was our starting point.

We've posted a few pictures of her bouquet alongside the flowers before we started crafting them into beautiful wedding items. Don't worry, this wasn't a giant bouquet created from the mass of blooms you'll see below. We also styled and created bridesmaids bouquets, buttonholes and top table decorations too, it's just that I don't have pictures of them to show you. Hopefully the former Miss Beecroft (I know, I had to share her maiden name, it's just too nice a name to leave it unsaid) will send us some pictures of them taking their vows so we can see the gorgeous blooms in situ.

Hope you enjoy the pictures and the read.

Laura x

Tulips, steelberries, freesia, anenome, lilac and veronica. A delightful selection indeed.

A close up of the stunning pink anenomes we used across the bridal party flowers.

Freesia, lilac, steelberries and veronica. The freeia was stunning and smelled lovely. Gorgeous in the buttonholes.

Jo's gorgeous bouquet including ivory I harvested from my garden because the colour worked brilliantly, as well as pretty eucalyptus parvifola and cineria. I really have the best job don't I?

Congratulations to Jo and James xxx

Tasnim's Mehndi - pretty in pink, green and yellow

2011-02-28T19:18:00.000Z

Every now and again you get a chance to work on something wonderful. These few delicate items were commissioned for Tasnim's Mehndi party and were a joy to create. Pink, yellow and lime green all delivered in a nice big white box for her to enjoy.

My photography is not to be desired, I can hear cries of horror that things of such prettiness can be photographed against the cold dark background of a slate floor, however, focus on the lovely blooms and maybe one day I'll improve my photography skills! Until then, I have a list of excellent photographers I am happy to recommend, like my baking, my 'through the lens' skills are not likely to improve in the near future.

Enjoy the pics!

Laura x

To see the wedding of Tasnim and Mohammed, see this link.

A very fine wedding, a very fine wedding indeed

2011-02-28T14:15:00.016Z

I first met the lovely Lucy and her Mum on a rainy day in Didsbury so meeting them to talk about the ideas they had in mind for Lucy's hot pink and lime green wedding cheered the day incredibly. We got very excited talking about cocktail vases, hot pink calla and slices of lime and that was before she even showed me her stunning one shouldered wedding dress that was more Bond girl elegance than ever before seen!

So there it was, a rainy day and a cocktail inspired wedding dress, a florists day was cheered indeed! Lucy loved the combination of bright flowers and details that we worked on together. Gloriosa rothschildsana, stunning calla lilies, hot pink gerbera, celosia, nerine bowdenii, cymbidium orchids, lime green chrysanthymum, bupleurpum, lilies and astilbe all made an appearance at the Manchester Hilton on Deansgate for what was a truly spectacular wedding.

Now, I'm no photographer, butI thought I'd share a a few pics of the beautiful brights that made Lucy and Simon have a day that was definately not shaken, but certainly caused a stir!

A huge congratulations to them both.

Laura x

A stunning bridal bouquet of bright pink flowers for a hot pink and lime green 'cocktail' inspired wedding at The Manchester Hilton.

Bright green chrysanthymum made beautiful buttonholes. Hot pink ribbon and pins set of the detail for the day.

Loose set flowers in the wedding party colours set into cocktail vases lined with slices of fresh lime.

Each of the places on the top table had a cocktail glass with floating orchid heads and a candle in it to carry the theme through right to the smallest detail.

Lucy chose cube vases of flowers from across her day to feature on the top table in a pallette of pinks and greens with bright ribbon wrapped around the vases. A modern twist on the traditional long and low arrangement that added lots of colour for a perfect day.

Bridal whites and striking arrangements for Neil and Susan

2010-10-04T12:37:00.006+01:00

I met with Susan and Neil to talk about their wedding after I was recommended to them by Susans colleague, whose wedding I had done a few months earlier. I absolutely loved the meeting over a hot cup of tea in West Didsbury. Using Susan's love of roses, Neil's creative marketing background and the mocha colour scheme, putting together the concept for their wedding was great fun. Stunning akito and spray roses set with salal and seasonal hosta leaves were used to create the bridal party flowers. The evening reception at Manchester Airports Radisson SAS led us to the Concorde and runway inspired tall white gladioli arrangements set with individual lights onto mirrors.

Neil and Susan sent me a lovely note afterwards saying 'Thank you very much for all your help with the flowers for our wedding. I know we pretty much left it all to you, but that's because we knew we could rely on you and you didn't let us down - they were amazing!' Here's some pics and big congratulations to Mr and Mrs Angelinetta xxx

Susan's elegant bouquet of roses, spray roses, salal and hosta leaves and striking seasonal gladioli in white set in metre high vases.

Individual lights placed into the water in the vases gave a glow reminiscent of the anticipation of take off on the way to a fantastic holiday.

Another view of the room, only a few of the tables are shown here!

Elegant vintage pinks for Nina and Curt

2010-09-27T10:48:00.008+01:00

Nina and Curt married in May, with Nina carrying a stunning vintage inspired bouquet in shades of pink and Curt wearing an elegant Sweet Avalanche rose buttonhole to tie in with the bridal bouquet. Nina's four bridesmaids carried stunning bouquets of ivory and white roses and seasonal flowers.

Meeting with Nina was lovely, she showed me lots of things that she loved, in particular the very delicate David Austin Roses that we used in her bouquet, across the bridal party, in the candelabra and on the registrar table which was a blousy grouping of stunning roses, phlox and delicate gypsophila.

It was fantastic to work on their beautiful wedding and I'm delighted to share it with you. Big congratulations to Nina and Curt xx

Nina's gorgeous bouquet reflected the pretty Cherry Blossom trees that were in flower at the time. They were almost like confetti falling specially for the day!

A beautiful, cascading long and low design containing Sweet Avalanche roses, David Austin Roses and stocks among other lovely flowers.

We visited the Palace Hotel in advance of the wedding to measure up their candelabra to decorate them on Nina's behalf. They do look fabulous in their gorgeous flowers!

A close up of the registrar long and low which looks amazing and works perfectly with the vintage inspiration. I think I may try an grow a David Austin Rose in my garden! x

Tolu and Michael's stunning Monastery wedding

2010-09-06T11:29:00.007+01:00

Tolu and Michael married at the incredibly beautiful Gorton Monastery in Manchester on a crisp sunny day at Easter. I wasn't really blogging regularly at the time so I'm delighted to share this stunning wedding with you. The Monastery offers such a fabulous space to work with and height was the order of the day! Tolu loved simple which seasonal flowers, grouped together for a chic effect, so I was delighted that she loved her bouquet of peonies, ranunculus and avalanche roses as much as I did. A huge congratulations to Tolu and Micheal on their marriage xxx

Tolu's bouquet of seasonal white peonies, gorgeous ranunclus and ranunculus buds with avalanche roses.

A circlet for the little flower girl created using ivory rose buds.

Tall arrangements of lilies (one of Tolu's favourity flowers) in metre high vases. The ribbon was selected to tie the wedding colours in and matched the colours in the stationery that was designed and hand created by Tolu's sister. Mirrors were put into place to reflect the incredible ceiling in the building.

The beautiful chair covers were put into place by Chapman Holmes who also did all the catering and event management. The smell of my food made my mouth water! The team were an absolute pleasure to work with on the day.

The wedding ceremony was set up with two huge displays of lilies - absolutely gorgeous!

Amy and Darren get married with 'Love in a mist'

2010-08-30T12:36:00.005+01:00

I am absolutely delighted to share with you some of the pictures that the lovely Mr and Mrs Pennington sent me of their wedding last year. The flowers, bride and groom look absolutely beautiful. Amy carried a sweeping bouquet of stunning blue and white flowers which included one of my childhood favourites, Love in a Mist (Nigella) which used to grow in the lanes where my Grandparents lived. Set with roses, hydrangea and lisanthus, this stunning bouquet worked beautifully alongside her sisters bridesmaids bouquets and the rose and nigella buttonholes.

The photographs of Amy and Darren were taken by the very talented Heather of www.heathercapture.co.uk.

It's lovely to stay in touch with the couples that you work with. Congratulations to you both. xx

Cheeky smiles from the sisters!

A close up of the lovely flowers from the day.

A top table arrangment of stunning blue and white delphinium. Absolutely gorgeous!

Striking purple and lime at Laura and Andy's zesty and glamourous wedding

2010-08-03T21:54:00.007+01:00

Meeting with Laura for the first time at her Mums house was lovely. We had a hot cup of tea and I met the family hound, very cute! Laura had a picture of her stunning diamond white dress and one of her bridesmaids dresses which was a beautiful rich deep purple. Laura, her Mum and I talked through her venue and the sort of look she wanted to achieve, and settled on a striking colour scheme of purple, ivory and zesty lime green which were perfect for the scorching hot day in July this year.

The elegant Tudor room where Laura and Andy became Mr and Mrs Butler was decorated with a simple arrangement of giant allium, lime green chrysanthemum, gladioli, Bells of Ireland and contemporary foliage.

The top table was decorated with small vases of mixed flowers and a hanging ribbon backdrop of kermit chrysanthemum, singapore and stunning vanda orchids.

A trio of vases containing mixed flowers with tea lights for natural candlelight.

Each table centrepiece used the same glassware layout set with striking cube candles. The flowers were used differently across each table with flowers including allium, trachelium, vanda orchids, lisianthus, chrysanthemum and roses.

This stunning contemporary arrangement welcomed the guests to the evening reception. Giant alliums take centre stage on this one!

A table centrepiece of stunning flowers.

Gorgeous flowers done on a grand scale.

The pretty cake decorated with a little grouping of purple flowers.

I didn't take pics of Laura's amazing bouquet (silly me!) so hopefully she'll send them across when the snaps come through. Can't wait to see them xx

Tasnim and Mo celebrate their wedding in traditional style

2010-08-03T20:04:00.011+01:00

I had such an amazing time putting together Tasnim and Mohammed's wedding flowers. As a couple, they were great fun to work with, and had THE most romantic story on how they met, never did they think that a mistaken parking space allocation could lead to a wedding! Flowers were an incredibly important part of the day. Tasnim wanted her bouquet to 'sparkle from afar' so a stunning collection of roses were set with tiara diamante so that it dazzled. Their stage was set with an amazing 10ft wide by 4ft deep floral display and simple yet effective glassware and floating flowers reflected the light of 100's of candles in front of over 500 guests.

Can't wait to see their wedding pics!

Laura xx

Tasnim's stunning collection of fresh roses and sparkling diamante.

A stunning 10ft wide backdrop of flowers for a fabulous couple.

One of the garlands created for the ceremony using fresh roses and diamante. I've seen Mohammeds sister since, she's pressing the flowers from one of them as a keepsake of the wedding :-)

The room (well, a section of it!) all set up with low, contempory glassware and candles. I'll put more photos showing the room from one side to the other on www.facebook.com/lauracolemanflowers.

What a fabulous wedding! x

Grace's wedding with romantic reds

2010-08-03T19:46:00.006+01:00

Grace met with me about a year before her wedding to talk through her wedding flowers. As a true romantic, classic red roses were her flowers of choice for incorporating into her stunning, tear drop style bouquet. Having her reception at Whitworth Art Gallery, it was important to Grace that her colours worked with the incredible 'wallpaper' art installation. Here are the amazing results! The cocktail vases with dahlia and exotic foliage really look the part!

Enjoy the pics!

Laura xx

Cocktail vases standing tall against the fabulous art installation designed to complement the beautiful of grand prix, el toro and red spray roses set with lime green hypericum, striking white calla, soft ruscus and nephrolepsis.

An overhead view from the viewing gallery at the Whitworth Art Gallery, Manchester. The wallpaper is the biggest piece of art I've ever seen!

Simple and elegant roses floating in bowls with grasses for the extra detail.

Cheerful dahlia and seasonal foliage.

The wallpaper provides a unique backdrop for a cheeful wedding xx

Angela and Robbies beautiful vintage wedding

2010-08-03T19:06:00.005+01:00

Angela and Robbie married on 16 July 2010 at a stunning, vintage inspired wedding. Meeting Angela for the first time took place in the middle of the Peak District in a local pub, where we sat and chatted through her ideas for the day. She'd just commissioned her lovely drop waist dress and she had a love of flowers, a fantastic starting point that resulted in a lovely new hobby for me, collecting vintage glassware and tea sets. With colours inspired by Liberty fabric, the flowers complimented their day perfectly. Huge congratulations to the happy couple.

Laura x

Tanacetum, mimi eden roses, sweet avalanche roses en masse, beautiful!

A collection of stunning roses bound with Liberty fabric, vintage style lace and a lifetime keepsake, a gorgeous vintage brooch.

A tea party of the most glamourous kind.

Tea pots and milk jugs mixed with Angela's Grandmothers tea set on the 'High Tea' table xx

When Ed, the florists brother got wed!!!

2009-11-13T11:51:00.014Z

Seriously, writing this blog entry is tricky......mainly because when I look at the pics, it makes me well up for a good old blub and a smile, because it was one of the best days of my life.

Being a florist is the best job in the world. I get to meet lovely people, work with the most beautiful flowers, and help brides create a day that is so very special to them. It is also a great job, because when your little brother decides to marry the love of his life, you get to give them a wedding present which will be such a lovely part of their day.

Edward and Cathryn (aka 'Mr and Mrs Hall!) met through a friend, a few years ago and I knew is was serious when Ed phoned one day and said 'Sis, I've met this girl'. That was it, those few words, and I knew he'd fallen head over heels. When they got engaged it was no surprise and no sooner had I said 'Congratulations', I asked if they would like their flowers as their wedding present. Thankfully, they said yes, and here are the results!

Laura Coleman Flowers feature in CBBCs 'Beat The Boss'

2009-11-08T13:52:00.014Z

Laura was very pleased to feature on CBBCs 'Beat The Boss' programme alongside team mates Sandy Lindsay (left in below pic), Founder of Tangerine PR and Jon Leach (centre), Founder and Chief Executive of Winning Pitch. It was a great experience to be involved in, and the 'Big Shots' team won against the 'Bright Sparks' team made up of three youngsters who gave us a real run for our money!

Creating a fashion show for kids was the brief given to us by Saira Khan, and then off we went to fashion college to learn how to spot trends, choreograph a catwalk show and create a mood board. We then interviewed kids to make sure we weren't a mile off the mark with our 'High School Reinvented' theme. The Trafford Centre was our next destination, hitting the high street to identify clothes and meeting the Chief Executive, Events Manager and choreographer to sell in our ideas............

........then that was it. Out of our hands, our fashion show was being created and the next time the team met, it was live on stage!!! Here are some pictures from the show......I look very serious in the first few shots, it's me putting on my 'competitive business' face.......very difficult when you've got the giggles!!

Hope you enjoy!

Laura xx