A look back at September

September, you were brief but beautiful and busy. I don't know where you went! How did a whole month pass in the blink of an eye?

The month started with making sample bouquets and arrangements entirely from the stunning and vibrant range of warm colours growing in my garden. The pinky-orange echinacea at the centre-bottom of this bouquet is new to my garden this year and I love its blend of colours.

At this time of year my dahlias, cosmos and grasses are still going strong, and my zinnias are looking better than ever. I love the changing colour of hydrangea as they fade into autumnul hues, and there are so many pretty and sculptural seed heads around to add texture and interest.

Last week I got the opportunity to spend two days at a venue I hadn't been to before, Oldberrow House, a Victorian manor set in the countryside near Henley-in-Arden.

Philip James Photography

On Saturday I was exhibiting at the Inspired Brides wedding fair, where I met lots of lovely couples and lots of top local suppliers. As with many of my designs, the inspiration for my stand came from the natural bounty of the season, combining berry-toned blooms with hints of purple and golden foliage just on the turn, and the metallic warmth of copper.

After an early start collecting fresh blooms from the wholesaler for my second project on Monday (more on that to follow), it was off to Oldberrow to set up. I had the pleasure of being in a gorgeous wooden pole marquee provided by Boutique Marquees.

I created a scaled-down version of a floral backdrop by threading individual flowers and hanging them from a copper pipe, interspersed with geometric copper decorations and framed by a foliage garland. This kind of backdrop can look stunning behind a top table, and can also be the perfect background to frame a couple when you take your vows in a civil ceremony setting. It can even be moved around the venue between ceremony and reception, so if you're looking for something a bit different, something simple yet effective, it's an option well worth considering.

It was lovely meeting so many engaged couples and their friends and family. I love finding out about people's wedding and their vision for it; every single one is unique in some way or other and your flowers can be a big part of the statement of the atmosphere you want to create for your and your guests.

My favorite moment of the day was when a bride said she'd been inspired to raid her fiancé (a plumber)'s work supplies for copper pipe to get creative with!

New business cards on my stand; d'you like them?

Anyway, on Monday I was back at Oldberrow House for a styled shoot with a whole team of brilliant suppliers, coordinated by Martina from Wonderful Events and Clare from Boutique Marquees. The official images are top-secret at the moment as they're out on submission to a weddings blog, but here's a sneaky peek at one of the bridal bouquets.

September was a beautiful month, here's hoping for more of the same from October please!

#FloralDesign #Weddingfair #OldberrowHouse #Styledshoot