Soft pink vintage flowers and a blast from the past

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.

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

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?

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

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!

Elegant vintage pinks for Nina and Curt

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