The Bloom Shack

I was reminded today that this time last year I had already started making Autumn wreaths. I can’t quite bring myself to move into autumn just yet, I would rather embrace the last of the summer flowers especially with this stunning weather at the moment.

In the meantime, I thought you might be interested to see my spring wreath which has been on my door since the middle of February!!
I will always endeavour to use materials that will dry rather than die giving you a wreath that will dry naturally in situ and last for months if you want it to! I think I actually prefer it as it is now than when I first made it!

Autumn wreaths will be coming soon, I promise and I’m happy to take pre orders now. If you’d like one, just drop me a message.

For Megan. I do love a bouquet with a hint of blue 💙

This beauty was made when I probably should have been clearing up and putting the kettle on after a weekend of autumn wreath making.
I had enough material left
to make one more wreath and this is it!!
If you’d like it (£50) please let me know - if not I will be very happy to have it on my door for the next couple of months! ❤️

Autumnal vibes in the workshop today.

Goodness me, what an absolutely incredible, emotional, awe inspiring day we have just witnessed.
A moment in history and a truly fitting tribute to our wonderful Queen.
Amongst the pomp and ceremony I loved the simplicity of the floral wreath on her coffin - garden gathered flowers and foliage from Buckingham Palace, Clarence House and Highgrove - simple, symbolic and sustainable. Did anyone else spot the stowaway spider amongst the flowers?
As for the eight pallbearers from the Grenadier Guards - I hope those boys have got their boots off and their feet up tonight - what a truly remarkable job they did, with the eyes of the world on them, they were absolutely flawless!

This time last week I had the absolute pleasure of creating wedding flowers for Sian-Marie Collins and Robs big day. The venue is stunning, the sun was shining and my beautiful couple had a very clear idea of how they wanted their day to look ……. and boy did they pull it off! They worked so hard to achieve the day they wanted and I’m so happy to have played a small part in helping them bring everything together. Congratulations ❤️

Timeless, elegant and very much on trend with a bouquet of long stemmed white roses for and when they tied the knot at Marylebone Registry Office recently.
Simply beautiful ❤️

BRIDESMAIDS
The dictionary definition:
“A bridesmaid is a woman or a girl who helps and accompanies a bride on her wedding day.”
But we all know they are much, much more than that!
How many do you have and who do you choose? Probably one of the most important decisions a bride will make when planning her big day!
Then the fun really starts……! So many decisions to make!
What colour will they wear?
Will their dresses be identical or different styles?
Will their bouquets be a smaller version of the bridal bouquet or something completely different?
The choices are endless!
All very different……all very special! ❤️

Valentine’s Day orders are open!
I will be offering natural, hand tied bouquets full of seasonal blooms, roses (not red ones though!) and an abundance of gorgeous foliage all handmade with love by me!
Prices from £40 with free local delivery within a 5 mile radius of AL1
Looking forward to spreading the love ❤️
Julia xx

Limited edition heart wreaths available in the run up to Valentine’s Day.
Long lasting, using flowers and foliage that will dry rather than die.
These will only be available for a short time so don’t miss out if you’d like one - they were hugely popular last year.
Prices from £35

Table scapes …….. what are you planning for your wedding?
Simply beautiful foliage garlands, bud vases, candles and votives along with gorgeous glassware and cutlery supplied by on long trestle tables at the stunning .
Elegant, understated but beautifully effective ❤️

It’s a wrap!
The last of the bespoke Christmas wreaths are going out today.
Thank you so much to everyone who has ordered from me or attended one of our workshops - I’m hugely thankful for all of your support.
My poor hands are in need of some serious care and attention and grateful for some time to recover - until the spring wreath making starts anyway!
Time to clear up The Shack and get ready for some beautiful festive flowers next week.
Have a lovely weekend everyone! X

Something for the boys.

I’m not going to deny that the extra hour in bed this morning was very much appreciated after a night out with friends yesterday! That said, I’m not a big fan of the long dark nights and shorter daylight hours that are to come and the rain this morning certainly isn’t helping!
Time to look back over some of the wonderful things I was involved in back in the summer when instagram was completely forgotten about as life was just too busy to keep up with social media as well!
Such a fabulous day back in August, working with a group of extremely talented people on this photo shoot
Using all locally grown seasonal flowers, it was such an honour and a pleasure to be part of this creative experience.

Flower Farmers



Florists

flowers.kl


Wedding dresslyons.bridal

Hair/makeup


Photographer


Models



Helpers

NEW DATE ADDED!!
Due to an overwhelming demand we are delighted to announce another date for our Christmas wreath workshops. Come and join us at The Green Man in Sandridge on Thursday 9th December for another evening of festive fun and creativity.

I’m so happy, after last year’s disappointment to be able to offer Christmas wreath workshops again this year.
I’d love you to join us at The Green Man in Sandridge on Thursday 25th November for an evening of festive fun and creativity!
Everything will be provided and Kerrie and I will guide you through the process of making your very own moss based luxury Christmas wreath.
A glass of Prosecco and some delicious pizza slices (vegetarian options available) are included in the price. Spaces are limited so don’t delay!
DM or email [email protected]
to secure your place.

Classic n**e, blush and ivory with an abundance of foliage for and her beautiful maids ❤️

No words can describe this moment. The anticipation of the bride seeing her bouquet for the first time and then knowing from her reaction that you have absolutely delivered everything she dreamt of.
Handing my beautiful daughter her bridal bouquet is a moment I will treasure forever ❤️

Just a small selection of some of the autumnal wreaths that have gone out this week. ❤️

For Louise………on the day, when after two previous postponements, she and Joseph were finally married back in August. ❤️

Throwback to a long hot day in July (yes, there were a couple) spent with these two lovely ladies Kerrie and Alison wiring and taping literally hundreds of individual stems to create eight beautiful, delicate flower crowns.
With a woodland setting for the wedding, these were just perfect for the bride and her seven little bridesmaids.

I absolutely loved this colour combination for Karen and Paul’s wedding earlier this month.
Some brides have very definite ideas on what they want in terms of their wedding flowers, others don’t - either is fine, I’m here to help!
To be given a free reign is both exciting and nerve wracking. A huge compliment and a huge responsibility!
I loved how these turned out……..and more importantly, so did they! ❤️

I’m not going to lie - I had many doubts about whether doing my daughter’s wedding flowers was a good idea - it seemed ridiculous not to but I also wanted to enjoy the run up to the wedding and just revel in being a very proud Mother of the Bride.
I couldn’t have even contemplated it without Richard fetching and carrying and making copious amounts of tea (and occasionally wine)! - he even managed a trip to the flower wholesalers and came home with everything on his list!
Or without my lovely flowery friends - Kerrie for her constant help, hard work, support and encouragement in the weeks leading up to the wedding and on the day itself - I couldn’t have done it without her and Alison who looked after all the bouquets the night before the wedding and transported them to the venue at a ridiculously early hour on the day as well as helping with the final set up, enabling me to enjoy a bit of pampering with and the bridesmaids.
We had a nervous few days wondering if the worldwide shortage of n**e and blush roses would affect our expected flower delivery - fortunately it didn’t!
30 degree heat in September - really!?!?!
As well as unseasonably high temperatures to contend with we had to move the operation from The Shack to the garage when we ran out of room. Boxes of garlanding went temporarily missing in transit and only arrived a few hours before we left for the venue and the air conditioning broke …. so stress levels were quite high! That said, I have wonderful suppliers who I trust completely and who would never let me down.
Any regrets - none at all!
Would I do it again - in a heartbeat!
It was just the most perfect day in every way.
When the bride (who just happens to be your daughter) says
“Thank you so much for giving me my dream wedding” you know you’ve done a good job! ❤️

All weddings are special….of course they are. Creating flowers for a wedding is always special…..it’s a big responsibility and always an honour to be asked.
But when the bride is your own beautiful daughter, both the wedding and the flowers take on a whole new meaning!
This time last week we had the most perfect day celebrating and partying long into the night and I’d love to be doing it all again today.
I’ll let these beautiful pictures speak for themselves and will share later the behind the scenes shots of how the florals all came together. It was quite a week!!!

Wow …….. what a busy, busy summer it’s been!
I’m not always great at keeping up with my social media stuff at the best of times but with my feet barely touching the ground for the last few months, I’m very conscious that I haven’t updated my grid for a while!
Finally with a few days downtime on the horizon, I’ve got no excuses!
Watch this space to see what I’ve been up to!

Today marks the start of British Flower Week.
Those of you who regularly order from The Bloom Shack will know I’m a huge fan of locally grown seasonal flowers and use them wherever and whenever I can! If you’re ordering flowers this week, I can promise your bouquet will reflect and celebrate everything that is wonderful about British flowers - you won’t be disappointed!

So excited to be receiving my first (of many) buckets of flowers of the season from my favourite local grower this week.
I love not knowing entirely what I’ll be getting - it will be whatever is ready to be picked that day - you don’t get more seasonal than that!
If you’ve ordered flowers this week or would like to order some, you’re in for a real treat - beautiful, seasonal, locally grown flowers - what’s not to love?! 💕
Flower wraps from £15
Hand tied bouquets from £25
DM to order. Available for delivery or collection from Friday.