Christmas comes but once a year

What has been going on in my small florist business lately?

CHRISTMAS at The George Hotel

As part of my small florist business Flowers in Rye, I have the privilege of not only providing wedding and event flowers but also supplying weekly flower arrangements to The George in Rye Hotel. Situated in the heart of the town on the bustling High Street, this historic and recently refurbished hotel holds a special place within the Rye Community. It plays a central role in the festive activities organised by the town in the lead-up to Christmas.

Preparing for the holiday season at The George is a meticulous process that requires careful thought, purchasing and planning. As early as August, amidst the flurry of weddings and other events, we begin to allocate any spare minute to think about the hotel’s Christmas decorations. This year, our preparations physically started on the 13th November.

The goal was to have the majority of the decorations, particularly those visible from the front of the hotel in place by 18th November. This date held significance as Rye hosted an official charity Christmas light switching-on event, with the town crier, local celebrities, choirs and late-night shopping adding to the atmosphere.

From carefully selecting the colour schemes to curating and making our own original Christmas installations, every detail was considered to create a cosy and enchanting atmosphere in the hotel’s reception and bar areas. The decorations were designed to compliment the hotel’s luxurious and historic charm whilst infusing it with a touch of Christmas magic.

Decorating the hotel for Christmas presented its challenges, particularly when it came to handling the massive 18 ft+ tree. With 6000 lights to be secured and unfavourable weather conditions, including days of pouring rain and gales, the task seemed daunting. However, we accomplished it with the assistance of the maintenance team at the George and a skilled local farmer who lifted the tree to the balcony. I am immensely grateful for their support, this being my first year in charge of project ‘Christmas Tree’, it has become a noteworthy topic of conversation among the hotel staff.

Christmas garland and decorations at the George in Rye

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Ethereal dried natural christmas wreaths
dried flower christmas wreaths by Alex Ball
beautiful dried flower christmas garland made by Alex Ball from Flowers in Rye

This year we decided to enhance the hotel’s entrance by creating a stunning large green garland using blue spruce, eucalyptus, ivy, and matching fairy lights as the tree above. This not only adds a festive touch but also a beautiful backdrop for couples getting married during the Christmas season. To construct the arch, I repurposed a homemade freestanding structure that was originally used for a floral wedding arch back in May. As with all my installations, I prioritize sustainability and avoid using floral foam. Blue spruce is an excellent choice as it can withstand being out of water for an extended period, given the moisture in the air this year, I haven’t been too concerned about its longevity.

Going inside, last year I made 4 double sided wreaths for the windows out of gypsophila they dried beautifully and I was able to store them for a whole year, just enhancing them with a bit of ethereal painted asparagus fern, peeled honesty, and copper wired lights.

The Snug area features a magnificent red woodburner, which makes using a natural green garland impractical due to the warmth it generates. Since this area is popular amongst guests, I opted to create a dried garland for the mantlepiece, cohesive with the wreaths it incorporates larch, Limonium, honesty, eucalyptus, and other dried elements from the garden. To add a warm and inviting ambiance, I adorned it with warm white copper lights. This completes phase one of the decorations.

Phase two, involved sorting all the other decorations stored in the depths of the George cellars, three Christmas trees, umteen boxes of lights, baubles, and garlands. I am lucky to have access to an old local pear orchard, I always had the bar area in mind for this product, to replace the slightly tired autumnal ceiling installation from the previous year. It is the perfect replacement covered in fairy lights, dried allium heads, and rusted metal snowflakes for a twinkly festive feel. On the two large window sills looking out to the courtyard, I placed mossy balls, storm lanterns, cones, and glass candle holders.

Another favored seating area in the bar is in front of yet another large wood burner, which has a year-round fireplace installation on it, which gets updated as the seasons progress.

In phase three of the hotel’s Christmas decorations, I embarked on transforming various areas to create a festive ambiance, the hall was festooned with natural larch branches, and the reception area needed a tree, ensuring it became a captivating focal point for guests. However, my personal favorite this year is the restaurant installation, building on last year’s decorations, I repurposed large gypsophila balls that were previously hung individually between the lanterns. This time I grouped them to form a cloud display, to enhance the visual impact I incorporated different-sized mirror balls and lights resulting in a funky and eye-catching display.

Lastly, I dedicated attention to the Ballroom, where I erected an enormous tree, ready to enchant guests attending Christmas weddings. Additionally, I adorned the adjacent Long Room, Green Room, and Staircases with tasteful light decorations.

Overall, I’m pleased with the results, the aim always being to create a captivating atmosphere throughout the hotel, ensuring a memorable event for all the guests.

If you have a pub, hotel or house that you would like to dress for Christmas or an event please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Natural hanging installation in the bar area at the George Hotel in Rye, made by Alex Ball from Flowers in Rye
Hanging christmas installation in the bar at the George Hotel made by Alex Ball from Flowers in Rye
stunning installation of gypsophila ballls, mirror balls and lights in the restaurant at the George Hotel in Rye, made by Alex Ball from flowers in Rye
The George Hotel all lit up for Christmas, installed and curated by Alex Ball from Flowers in Rye
A happy bride who has the beautiful backdrop of the garland on the front of the George Hotel in Rye for her special day, wedding bouquet and garland made by Alex Ball from Flowers in Rye

Using potted plants in your Floral wedding Arrangements

Have you thought of having potted living plants at your wedding reception instead of cut wedding Flowers?

an example of using potted plants for your wedding flower table centrepieces

Incorporating plants into your wedding floral displays is a wonderful way to add depth, texture, and visual interest to your arrangements. Plants can add a natural, earthy element to your wedding décor and can create a sense of harmony and balance. Here are some tips for using plants with your wedding floral displays:

potted wedding flowers at wedding reception
  1. Choose the right plants: Select plants that complement the other flowers in your arrangements and work well with your wedding theme and color palette. Some popular choices for wedding plants include succulents, ferns, ivy, and eucalyptus.

  2. Mix and match: Combine plants with other flowers to create unique and interesting arrangements. Mixing different textures and colors can add depth and visual interest to your displays.

  3. Consider using potted plants: Using potted plants can be a great way to incorporate plants into your wedding décor. You can use them as centrepieces or as part of your ceremony décor, and guests can even take them home as favours. Potted herbs have been very popular in the last couple of years, ie lavender, thyme, mints and rosemary and are also aromatic.

  4. Use plants to create focal points: Plants can be used to create beautiful focal points throughout your wedding venue. For example, you could create a stunning hanging plant installation or use potted plants to line the aisle or decorate the altar.

  5. Work with a professional: If you're not sure how to incorporate plants into your wedding floral displays, work with a professional florist or wedding planner. They can help you choose the right plants and create beautiful arrangements that complement your wedding style and theme.






Delightful Dahlias - The resurgence of using Dahlias in your Wedding Flowers

When it comes to choosing flowers for your wedding, dahlias have made a fashionable comeback. These versatile and stunning blooms have regained popularity in recent years, adorning wedding bouquets and arrangements with their vibrant colours, unique shapes, and captivating textures. In this blog post we explore the reasons behind the resurgence of dahlias, discuss the best varieties for weddings, and provide tips on how they should be conditioned.

Pastel shades of dahlias and roses for a September wedding

Once considered old fashioned, dahlias have experienced a revival in the wedding industry just as they have in gardens. One of the reasons could well be that they are fairly easy for most to grow and a popular crop for flower farmers, and as they don’t travel particularly well, they are far better if sourced locally from mid summer right through to autumn.

Dahlia popularity can be attributed to their wide range of hues, from soft pastels to bold bright and vibrant shades, making them ideal for complimenting various wedding colour palettes. Furthermore dahlias offer an impressive variety of shapes, including pompoms, cactus, water-lillies and dinner plates, allowing for the endless creative possibilities in bouquets and arrangements. As couples seek unique and personalised wedding experiences, dahlias have become a go to choice for adding a touch of exquisite beauty and charm to their special day.

Tropical themed bouquet

Some of my favourite dahlias for weddings include the following;

Cafe au Lait, renowned for its blush tones, they are exceptionally versatile complementing both rustic and elegant wedding themes although can often be large and awkward in a bouquet so at its best in big arrangements.

Labyrinth a very striking and decorative bloom of coral and dusky pink, its a very flashy dahlia and look wonderful with both lighter shades and more venetian and autumnal palettes.

After Dusk is a very reliable water lily shaped dahlia in a rich crimson

Dahlia After Dusk

Small world is a wonderful pale mini pom pom dahlia, which are perfect in buttonholes or bouquets paired with other pale and white dahlias.

small dahlias ideal wedding flowers

There are so many new varieties being released every year, but I really would recommend sourcing them from a local grower as they really don’t like to be packaged and transported out of water, but are fantastic cut flowers if cut fresh and conditioned properly.

Locally grown dahlias.

Dahlias have made a stylish comeback in the world of wedding flowers, so if you are getting married in August through to the autumn, dahlias will be in abundance until the first frosts.

Dahlias come in many shapes, sizes and shades.

Don't let the ladies on the church flower rota do your wedding flowers!!

Church wedding flowers can be stunning, but be aware…………..

CHURCH FLOWERS

You might regret letting the church ladies do your wedding flowers.

A bit harsh maybe but navigating the church flower rota can often prove to be challenging. You may have your heart set on getting married in a beautiful church surrounded by loved ones, but if there are family connections or friendships with the ladies on the church flower rota, it can be difficult to assert your own preferences without causing any offence or upset.

You will be surprised to hear how many times I have been asked if I mind NOT doing the church flowers, and to be honest I don't mind, many brides these day choose not to have many flowers in the church and if they do, they generally want them repurposed and moved to the reception where they can be used and appreciated for longer, something the flower Church rota ladies are not keen on.


It's important to be cautious about having the ladies from the Church Rota handle your Church wedding flowers, and there are often several reasons why you may go for this option, it may work out slightly cheaper, however while there are certainly talented and experienced women who may be eager to create beautiful floral arrangements for your special day, there are also many who may be less familiar with modern trends and the preferences of young brides. Additionally, as volunteers, these ladies may not always be available in the days leading up to your wedding or may have limited availability due to other commitments.


It's also worth noting that as a professional florist, it's our job to work closely with you to create arrangements that reflect your personal style and budget. While you may not have a lot of experience with flowers yourself, our expertise can help guide you towards the right choices for your wedding. On the other hand, church flower ladies may not be as flexible or willing to accommodate your preferences, and may rely on basic, generic arrangements using long-lasting flowers like roses, lilies, and carnations, usually wanting them left in situ for the forthcoming church services.

I once worked with a bride who had  agreed to let the church flower ladies handle her church wedding flowers, after a recommendation from the vicar. However, as we got closer to the big day, she became increasingly anxious about their plans and felt railroaded by their insistence on filling every inch of the church with pink flowers including 100 carnation buttonholes for the congregation. The ladies may have gone above and beyond in providing wedding flowers, but unfortunately, due to time constraints, the flowers did not look their best on the actual wedding day and weren’t cohesive with the bridal party or reception flowers.

While it's understandable that some brides may want to save money by relying on church volunteers, it's important to remember that your wedding photos will last a lifetime, and having high-quality, customised floral arrangements can make a big difference in creating a memorable and beautiful day. If you do choose to work with church flower ladies, consider providing them with the flowers and designs you want to ensure everyone is on the same page. And if you do hire a professional florist, rest assured that we have the knowledge, skill, and creativity to help make your wedding day truly special.

I'm really not saying don't use the church flowers ladies if that is what suits you, the lead up to a wedding can be very stressful for all involved and that's before things go wrong such as harsh weather conditions etc, it's more that you should be aware of the potential pitfalls in doing so.






If you are having a church wedding and are looking for wedding flowers in Sussex and Kent please fill in the form below to check my availability 






Wedding flower trends for 2023

When it comes to wedding flowers, I am frequently asked about the latest trends. However, I believe that knowing your personal style and preferences is more important than following trends. Many brides have limited knowledge about flowers and turn to platforms like Pinterest and Instagram to gather inspiration for their big day. As a florist, I appreciate it when a potential client shares their Pinterest board with me as it helps me understand their preferences better. Although I may have seen some of the images before, having an idea of what the client likes is a significant advantage. In some cases, I may not even meet the bride in person, and our communication would be limited to phone calls, FaceTime or email, or through a wedding planner. As a specialist in natural and sustainable floristry, I cater to brides who share my style. Here are some potential wedding flower trends for 2023:

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What does it mean to be a sustainable florist? Buzz Word or belief?

Sustainability has become a crucial concept in our modern world, it is one of those ‘Buzz’ words that is deemed fashionable by some and essential by others. It's clear that we must all take steps to become more sustainable in our daily lives.

However, achieving sustainability requires education and awareness, not only by the supplier but mostly by the consumer, as they are not always aware of how unsustainable traditional floristry methods can be. I have always considered myself sustainable, of course I am going to be, I was brought up and live in the country and have access to land on which I can forage and grow, a privilege that not all florists can boast, nor many brides, to be honest. Most of my weddings cater for couples that are getting married in beautiful venues in the the vicinity of Rye, East Sussex, with its vast marshes and beautiful beaches, even more reason to try and lessen the impact of environmental pollution. Sustainability is not instant, and I hold my hands up, I was not always as sustainable as I thought I was, it has taken a lot of trial and error, re educating and research, it can be testing but by no means impossible.

I have always preferred to use my own foliage and cut flowers from my garden, however as bookings increased and my growing patch couldn’t take any more, I had to go the wholesaler as a necessity rather than actually wanting to. Believe me I found it so much harder ordering stems than going out and cutting what I needed. Nowadays there is much more awareness, through organisations such as flowersfromthefarm, there are local growers popping up all over the place now, supplying fantastic blooms throughout the summer, one that I use regularly is orchardfarmflowers, and many wholesalers are now stocking Britsh grown flowers as a must too.

Sustainable wedding arch, that was easily repurposed to an entrance for the receptions.

As a sustainable florist, I am committed to reducing the environmental impact of the floral industry by using eco-friendly practices and materials. I prioritize local sourcing, seasonal availability, and reducing waste in all aspects of my work.

I strive to use natural mechanics like chicken wire or reusable mechanics like floral frogs instead of floral foam, which is incredibly damaging to the environment. I also use reusable or compostable materials for floral arrangements such as vases, ribbon, and packaging, and work with my clients to donate leftover flowers to local charities, gift them to guests or compost them.

As a sustainable florist, I believe that beauty and sustainability can coexist, and I am committed to creating stunning floral arrangements while reducing the impact on the environment.

I believe sustainability is an essential consideration for florists, their clients and anyone in the wedding industry. By making conscious choices and seeking out sustainable alternatives, we can reduce our impact on the environment while creating beautiful and memorable events for our clients.

In summary, if you are a bride looking to book a florist for a wedding, there are several things that brides can consider to ensure that they are choosing a florist who is committed to sustainability and not just declaring it.

  1. Use of sustainable materials: Ask the florist about their use of sustainable materials, such as locally grown flowers, floral foam alternatives, and reusable mechanics like floral frogs. A sustainable florist should be able to offer eco-friendly options and explain why they are better for the environment.

  2. Reduce waste: Ask the florist about their waste management practices. Do they compost leftover flowers or donate them to local charities? I like to repurpose my arrangements when ever possible, by using arrangements from the ceremony, and moving them to the reception, this also reduces the cost.

  3. Avoid single-use plastics: Ask the florist if they avoid single-use plastics, especially floral foam. These items are not biodegradable and contribute to environmental pollution.

  4. Local sourcing: Look for a florist who sources flowers from local growers to reduce transportation emissions and support local businesses. Locally grown flowers also tend to be fresher and have a lower carbon footprint.

  5. Reduce transportation emissions: Consider choosing a florist who is located near the wedding venue to reduce transportation emissions.

  6. Consider seasonality: Ask the florist about the seasonal availability of flowers and how they work with what's in season. By using seasonal flowers, brides can reduce the carbon footprint of their wedding and support local growers.

By asking these questions and considering sustainability when booking a florist, brides can make a positive impact on the environment while still having beautiful and memorable floral arrangements for their special day.

Of course it is not always possible to implement every single part of the above suggestions but if we all make small adjustments together can make a huge difference overall.

I really hope this is helpful and if you are looking for a sustainable florist please do not hesitate to scroll to the bottom of the page and submit the enquiry form.