I cannot believe it is a year since British Flower Week in 2016.  It is truly fabulous to know that there are growers out there who provide the most wonderful British flowers.  There should be more.

Every year New Covent Garden run a campaign to promote British Growers and indeed British florists who then go on to showcase their talent.  It is worth a visit to the web site just to look at the stunning creations.

There are a few local growers I visit during the Summer months who can provide the most lovely sweet peas, dahlias, and peonies.. Also some fabulous roses can be found too.   It is worth seeking them out.

Enjoy your flowers in the garden.

I am a big Chelsea Flower Show fan - and this year looks like being an absolute delight.

Unfortunately I cannot go this year - the wedding season has taken over my diary - but I do know 
someone who is going for the first time this year and her excitement is infectious.

Having been a number of times now you forget just how amazing visiting Chelsea Flower Show can be.
Certainly the weather this year is going to be stunning.  

Chelsea buzzes from the moment you go through the gates and there is a temptation to run in all directions
to pack everything in, but trust me, take your time,  Perhaps target a few things you really want to see - one
of mine being the Great Pavilion where you will find the most wonderful displays of flowers.

The show gardens are a wonder which always leave me with the question "how did they do
that in such a short space of time"

It can be a bit odd when you see Joe Swift or Nicky Chapman wondering round the grounds followed by
a camera crew moving to the next shoot for TV.  

Top tips:  wear comfortable shoes, take layers and a wear a hat if hot.  Remember to keep hydrated, sit down
and take in the atmosphere. for a while.  The loo's are fab by the way and there are plenty of them.!

​Enjoy!  

I had the privilege of providing wedding flowers for the most delightful bride, her groom and their families.  
Having delivered them locally they were then transported all the way to Cambridge.  

The bride was so pleased with her gorgeous bespoke bouquet and I have to admit she looked completely
stunning.  So happy and relaxed.

I received a lovely e-mail from the brides Mum thanking me, as the flowers had exceeded their expectations
and had received many compliments.  

It was a complete pleasure.  

It is such a beautiful day - the sun is shining, the garden is springing into action and soon it will be a case
of trying to catch up with all the jobs you have to do.

I was asked to create an Easter wreath for The Ice Cream Parlour in Lavenham run by Jane Hadley.  It is such a
beautiful shop to pop in for an ice cream, coffee, hot chocolate, milk shake and some little treats too.  So what
better than to use real duck, and quail eggs with lovely foliage and pussy willow.  It looks really fabulous on
the door.  Inside I created two Easter hoops which hang in the main windows and finally a rather delicate garland
which again hangs from the main beam. covered with pretty eggs.

Finally we decided to use some lovely structural green budding foliage, with pussy willow, for some
vases and adorn the branches with the cutest eggs.  All in all The Parlour is now set for the Easter Holidays.  

If you would like a bespoke Easter wreath - you can always phone me or e-mail me and I will do best to 
create something special for you.

Meeting with brides, be it with their Mum's, future husbands, bridesmaids, or all of these together is the
start of their journey into the world of flowers.

Having found out where the wedding is taking place, then it is time to look at those wonderful photo's they
have captured from the internet, with the occasional glance at a magazine. 

Perspective is a good thing to have when looking at these photos of loveliness..  A simple urn vase with unctuous
flowers and foliage might look completely stunning and can be recreated, but sometimes it is worth noting
just how big these arrangements are and if they will fit in your venue and more importantly within your
budget.  Also if you are going to get the best from these arrangements, can they be transported from the
church/ceremony venue to be utilised at the reception.

If there is no budget constraint and flowers are your thing, then go for it, but if you have set a budget that
realistically is not going to provide you with endless flowers, and garlands and flower chandeliers, then speak 
with your florist, who will, I am sure, try and guide you toward a design that will fit within an achievable budget
for you.

Flowers with large headed blooms, be it blousy garden roses, hydrangea, and peonies are going to be costly, as 
will out of season flowers - Spring blooms in August.  So check that the flowers you have seen on that
internet site are going to be available at the time of your wedding, and again your florist should be able to
advise you on this.

When you do receive your quote from your florist, please remember that they have to include their design
and research time, set up and break down at the venue, preparation of all materials, and payment for extra staff
needed for your big day,  So best not to look at the cost of a bouquet of flowers you would buy seasonally,
as a guide, as there is quite a bit more involved in preparing your wedding flowers.  

Florists have early mornings and very late nights - indeed really early mornings! - to have your
flowers ready for you.  It is a pleasure and an honour to do so.

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It is soon going to be the time of year when expectations are high with the approach of St. Valentine's Day which this year falls on a Tuesday.  
Whether you love it, hate it, or find it all a bit cheesy, there will be no getting away from all the adverts from those wonderful stores that offer a dine in for two meal, to restaurants who try to entice you to book a table for two, or for those more adventurous folk who will cook an amazing meal with accompanying wines followed possibly by a special proposal involving a beautiful blue box with a white ribbon (know where I am going with this!)
Whatever you decide to do - personally the best Valentine's card I received from my other half was hand made with a simple crafted red heart on the front - go with your heart (excuse the pun).
If you need flowers, then I have selected to provide the very classic red rose bouquets made with gorgeous luxury red roses and then three other bouquets which I personally would have no problem in accepting for a gorgeous Valentine's present.
Wherever you decide to buy your flowers from, if you can pre-order your preferred bouquet then your chosen florist will be sure to provide you with the best that are available.  Leaving it to the last moment might mean disappointment and a dash to the supermarket in the hope that they will have some bouquets left.  
If you need your flowers delivered to a hotel or restaurant then just let me know.  I have provided this service before during the day and it does give an extra wow factor.
Good luck to all those Valentine's - have a really super day.

Some lovely ladies attended my first Christmas Wreath Workshop at Number Ten, Lady Street, Lavenha.m.

The Gallery Lounge, which is upstairs at Number Ten, was ideal for an intimate and informative evening on how to make a traditional wreath, from basing with moss to adding green foliage and then the real fun part, wiring various items to add to their rather lovely wreaths, including whether to bow or not to bow!  There were a few "Blue Peter" moments!

It is always amazing to see the end results, as everyones was completely different, with a lot of oohs and ahhs as the finished wreaths were held up for inspection.

How lovely it is to see these now hung on their doors for Christmas.  Well done all.

Same time next year?  Although I think there could be a session on garlands too!!

Thank you for coming.  Thank you to Jo at Number Ten for letting me use the Gallery Lounge..

A very Merry Christmas to you all.

Christmas wreaths are a very personal thing it seems.  You can either go full out with a bauble extravaganza or lots of glitz with lights - battery operated - or traditional pine with cinnamon sticks with cones and a big ribbon finish.

If you have never made a Christmas Wreath I have to say it is not as daunting as it seems.  The Christmas Wreath Workshops being held at Number Ten on Wednesday 7th December in the evening and Wednesday 14th December in the afternoon and evening, will give you the opportunity to find out how to construct a wreath and add foliage and then you will each be given a pre-prepared wreath to add your own finishes which will include, holly, cones, oranges, apple slices, cinnamon sticks and all those other Christmas Trimmings that will be available.  Then finishing with a beautiful bow..

Why not bring a friend or two to make it a pre Christmas treat.  There are up to ten places available for each session.
A glass of wine on arrival.  All materials and equipment included.  £55 per person.  

To book just give me a call on 07779 017923 or 01787 248082 or you can e-mail me on enquiry@wendybfloraldesigns.co.uk

I have been busy buying scrummy ribbon, cinnamon sticks, orange slices, lemons, oranges, cones and all the other items that can go on a Christmas Wreath.  
If you fancy making your own to hang on your door then I will be at Number Ten upstairs in The Gallery Lounge on Wednesday 7th December in the evening, and Wednesday 14th in the afternoon and evening.  
There will be a glass of wine - or a soft beverage - on your arrival.  All materials and equipment are provided - including a snazzy apron!
Up to ten people per session - so there will be lots of elbow room.  
I will demonstrate how to base a wreath, and add foliage and then it will be over to you to add all those bits and pieces to make these your own - which is the fun part.
You can book your place by going to The Christmas Workshop page and click the button on the appropriate day and time slot, or you can phone me on 07779 017923 or e-mail me at enquiry@wendybfloraldesigns.co.uk.

I have just returned from a wonderfully relaxing holiday.  We all need to re-charge our batteries, and after a week of warm sunshine, wonderful food and lounging by a pool I feel ready for the lead up to, dare I say it, Christmas!!

Thoughts are turning to Christmas floral decorations, both for tables and wreaths to hang on your door., and I shall soon be ordering dried oranges, limes, cinnamon sticks and pine cones to adorn these.

Now is a good time to seek out places that run wreath making courses - I attended a fab one some years ago at
Ickworth House near Bury St Edmunds.  I have to admit to loving the process of making a wreath from scratch, basing
a wire ring, choosing different varieties of evergreen foliage to cover this and then adding those final touches which can make a wreath personal to you, then the all important ribbon.  Wonderful.

If you would like to run a wreath making party then let me know.  I think a maximum of six people is great.  I can provide all the materials and you will need to allow a minimum of a couple of hours.  So maybe start at 7.00 p.m. and finish at 9.00.  Mulled wine and mince pies to keep you going.  Get in touch for further details.  

In the meantime, I shall be running two wreath making course in Lavenham on Wednesday 14th December - one in the afternoon and one evening.  The price will be £55.00 per person.  I will show you how to base a wreath, add foliage and then decorate so you get to take home your very own personalised wreath to hang on your door just in time for Christmas.   Venue to be announced.  In the meantime, let me know if you would like to attend.  Mob:  07779 017923 or 01787 248082

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