Wedding Bouquets 'I do!'

At The White Orchid, we are constantly asked if we do weddings and if we have any samples of the type of bouquets we make. I often think that brides should do a little homework by searching out the florists who reflect the style they like and then go see them.

Of course, by all means, bring some cut-outs from magazines, a mood board of the look you are aiming for and the flowers you like to incorporate. Otherwise, let the florist come up with some suggestions to suit both your preferences and budget.

The seasons should also be considered as the availability of certain varieties of flowers are never guaranteed. Prices vary too.

So, do check out the florist's website or blog, have your pictures in a folder, fabric samples and a good idea of what you are looking for before you even start to choose a florist. Budgets are important and most florists will work something out for you if you are flexible enough.

Enjoy your search!

The launch of a Wedding Cake Website.

The wedding market is definitely the place to be if you are a florist, a cake maker,a fashion designer, an events organiser and a milliner to name a few.

My friend, Krishanthi Armitt, has recently launched her website, www.cakesbykrishanthi.co.uk, and in the preparations, has asked me to arrange some flowers to accompany her cakes for a photo-shoot.

Her PR agent, Jo Kent at www.somethingbluepr.co.uk, co-ordinated the shoot and even took the photos herself. I am impressed by the look of the whole set-up and most of all, how my flowers complement Krishanthi's cakes.

Her cakes are not only beautiful and modern, but delicious without being too sickly sweet. I am very envious of her as she can enjoy her work and eat it!

Marvel at these photos and check us out!

Be mine! All my love. XOXO

With every bouquet comes a message. Although the bouquet says a lot, the handwritten message adds an indescribable element to the beautiful experience of receiving flowers. In Victorian times, admirers chose specific flowers to convey their feelings and this was well documented in books like 'The Language of Flowers'. Roses represented love, azaleas - romance, dianthus or carnations - pure and deep love, narcissus - desire, white lilac - first emotions of love, and purple viola, you occupy my thoughts.

Modern day bouquets generally contain flowers which 'speak' but the personal expression of the sender is still very much a necessity - who they are from and why.

Some of the messages we have to write range from the funny, serious, unexpected, to the weird. Our job is to write them in our best handwriting to conjure up the romance of a bygone era when there was no texting, emailing or tweeting.

What are your floral messages like? Do share!

What is love?

February 14th. A date which haunts and a date which brings back lots of memories - good, bad and ugly!

Remember the first boy or girl you set eyes on when you were at school? Remember the first letters you wrote to declare your feelings... remember your first time you held hands and felt a sense of excitement coursing through your veins, the first time you went out and spent ages doing your hair and smelling lovely. remember?

The world seems a thousand times more beautiful when you have someone to think about and someone who fancies you... Everything else seems to simply melt away. Life suddenly becomes an adventure and every gesture seems to denote some meaning.

Why do these feelings erode with growing up and having to live life in the real world? I say they never go away when you know where to look...

Recapture those moments. Make a date, get your hair done, put on your favourite dress and ask for... an armful of flowers! Not forgetting the chocolates and champagne.

Have a great night out and stare at the stars, but most of all, don't forget to hold hands.

Long live love!