Wiltshire


<p>Whether you want to wow with your wedding flowers, create an Insta-worthy dinner table or just fancy treating yourself, Adele Miller and Gemma Ward of <a href="https://figandbramble.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fig &amp; Bramble</a> share their floral tips and tricks…</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/01/Fig-Bramble-Gemma-and-Adele.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-32504" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/01/Fig-Bramble-Gemma-and-Adele.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/01/Fig-Bramble-Gemma-and-Adele-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/01/Fig-Bramble-Gemma-and-Adele-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/01/Fig-Bramble-Gemma-and-Adele-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/01/Fig-Bramble-Gemma-and-Adele-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>When it comes to petal power, talented eco-florists Adele Miller and Gemma Ward certainly know a thing or two. They joined forces to create <a href="https://wilts.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/fig-bramble-nr-salisbury/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">F</a><a href="https://wilts.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/fig-bramble-nr-salisbury/">ig &amp; Bramble</a> last year, and are impressing clients across Wiltshire and Hampshire with their seasonal, British blooms. From bridal bouquets to statement arrangements and fabulously festive wreaths, this award-winning duo certainly know how to say it with flowers. Here they give Muddy the lowdown on everything from wedding trends, to how to make fresh bouquets last longer and why carnations are finally cool again&#8230;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-let-s-talk-wedding-flowers-what-will-be-big-news-for-brides-this-year"><strong>Let’s talk wedding flowers. What will be big news for brides this year?</strong></h2>



<p>After the pandemic there was a real desire for colour – people came out of it with a bang. Now though, we’re still using ripples of colour but in a more muted way. We’re seeing many more neutrals and pastels, with pops of vibrant shades like orange. For weddings, romantic whites never go it of fashion – they always look elegant. We’re also seeing a new desire for flowers in coffee and toffee shades. &nbsp;</p>



<p>Flower arches continue to&nbsp;be very popular,&nbsp;because they are so enduringly&nbsp;romantic and frame photos wonderfully. We&#8217;ve also seen an increasing&nbsp;trend for long&nbsp;runners of low-placed flowers along banqueting&nbsp;tables for&nbsp;a&nbsp;welcoming but flower-heavy look.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/01/Fig-Bramble-wedding-resized-1-1000x667.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-32511" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/01/Fig-Bramble-wedding-resized-1-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/01/Fig-Bramble-wedding-resized-1-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/01/Fig-Bramble-wedding-resized-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/01/Fig-Bramble-wedding-resized-1-788x525.jpg 788w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/01/Fig-Bramble-wedding-resized-1.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-are-roses-still-the-most-popular-choice-for-bouquets"><strong>Are roses still the most popular choice for bouquets?</strong></h2>



<p>Roses still tend to carry wedding flowers, partly because they offer such an enormous colour palette. Ranunculus is becoming incredibly popular too &#8211; most brides hadn’t heard of it five years ago, but it’s now a big feature at spring weddings. Carnations are also making a comeback. You can get amazing varieties, and they look <em>very</em> different to what you might see in a supermarket. If you’re having a big statement piece, like an archway or big bouquets, they are a great way to add pops of colour. They work really hard for their price, and they come in a huge colour variation too.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-have-any-flowers-had-their-day"><strong>Have any flowers had their day?</strong></h2>



<p>The trend for dry flowers seems to be passing, but we’re now using more fresh grasses to add texture. At Fig &amp; Bramble we specialise in sustainable floristry, and we are getting so many more requests for British or locally grown flowers than we did a few years ago. Couples come to us partly because of our ethos, but also because that inspires our cottage garden style too.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-about-at-home-are-you-seeing-people-use-flowers-more-there-too"><strong>What about at home, are you seeing people use flowers more there too?</strong></h2>



<p>People have really re-engaged with nature since the pandemic, and they feel more in touch with the seasons. We’re now really seeing them wanting to bring that into their home décor. Wreaths are a great example – the concept of having something seasonal on your door is becoming more and more of a thing. Our Christmas wreath workshops were a sell-out, but we also ran pumpkin flower workshops last autumn and we’re increasingly seeing spring wreaths too. Tablescaping is also becoming really popular.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-so-what-s-the-secret-to-creating-an-insta-worthy-table"><strong>So, what’s the secret to creating an Insta-worthy table?</strong></h2>



<p>If you’re doing it yourself, keep it really simple with bud vases scattered across varying heights. You don’t need to spend lots of money to make an impact – try using foliage from the garden, such as holly with berries, firs or rosemary. In the summer, sweet-smelling sweet peas are easy to grow, and you can keep on cutting them. We always recommend using garden herbs too, because they add a lovely fragrance. If you have willow trees, strip off the leaves and use the twisted sticks to add movement. Max it all out with some beautiful tapered candles, which come in every colour you can imagine. Add in cotton napkins and a table runner to vary the textures.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/01/Fig-and-Bramble-vans-resized-1000x667.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-32512" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/01/Fig-and-Bramble-vans-resized-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/01/Fig-and-Bramble-vans-resized-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/01/Fig-and-Bramble-vans-resized-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/01/Fig-and-Bramble-vans-resized-788x525.jpg 788w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/01/Fig-and-Bramble-vans-resized.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-when-it-comes-to-wedding-venues-have-you-worked-anywhere-unusual"><strong>When it comes to wedding venues, have you worked anywhere unusual?</strong></h2>



<p>Our most fun wedding venue was Paulton&#8217;s Park, in the New Forest. It was so unique creating flower installations with the rollercoasters thundering behind us! We also put a tick on our bucket list when we first worked for Avington Park, a beautiful stately home near Winchester. We are now their recommended suppliers.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-s-the-most-out-there-floral-request-you-ve-ever-had"><strong>What’s the most out-there floral request you’ve ever had?</strong></h2>



<p>We recently made a giant horse necklace, for an equestrian photoshoot. It was 2m long, and dotted with foliage, ferns, rose hips, bracken and berries. It looked fantastic. Brides often ask us to make floral dog collars for their weddings too, which we love. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-we-have-to-ask-is-there-a-way-we-can-make-cut-flowers-last-longer-at-home"><strong>We have to ask, is there a way we can make cut flowers last longer at home?</strong></h2>



<p>If you receive a bouquet, take the flowers out of the packaging and cut all the stems at a 45° angle. It’s all about increasing the surface area, so the stem can take up as much water as possible. Avoid putting the bouquet near a radiator or a windowsill, where the light will shine on it. Don’t put it next to fresh fruit either, because the fruit emits a gas that makes the flowers die quicker!</p>



<p>Keep your vase clean and change the water every two to three days; it makes a massive difference. Try putting a splash of lemon juice and a spoonful of sugar in the clean water too – it’s important to feed the flowers, because they will only last as long as they have a food source. All bouquets have a few showy flowers that won’t last as long, so the key is to pull those out when they&nbsp;die,&nbsp;and keep your arrangement going in a reduced form.&nbsp;Also, remember that flowers bought from a florist are high quality and will have been properly conditioned and cared for. As a result, they will last longer than supermarket flowers.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/01/Fig-Bramble-flower-arch-resized-1-1000x667.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-32514" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/01/Fig-Bramble-flower-arch-resized-1-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/01/Fig-Bramble-flower-arch-resized-1-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/01/Fig-Bramble-flower-arch-resized-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/01/Fig-Bramble-flower-arch-resized-1-788x525.jpg 788w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/01/Fig-Bramble-flower-arch-resized-1.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-finally-what-would-be-your-top-advice-for-brides-who-are-thinking-about-their-wedding-flowers"><strong>Finally, what would be your top advice for brides who are thinking about their wedding flowers?</strong></h2>



<p>Personalisation is so important. Choose what fits your style, the time of year and the venue &#8211; don&#8217;t get caught up on the mad world of social media. Not all the ideas you see are practical, or friendly to a regular budget. Consider the season too, because opting for seasonal flowers makes an enormous difference to the quality and cost of the flower. In years to come when you look back at the photos, it places your wedding into a particular period of time. These were the beautiful flowers that were growing when you married, and isn&#8217;t that wonderful?</p>



<p>Try to remember too that flowers are far more than an &#8216;add-on&#8217; at a wedding. It is hard to describe the visceral emotional reaction we get from brides and their families when we deliver the bridal bouquet, and couples repeatedly tell us that they had so many lovely comments from guests on both the look and scent of the flowers. &nbsp;</p>


Blooming marvellous! Wedding flower trends for 2024

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