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Royal wedding 2011 – Flower updates

April 29, 2011 by admin Leave a Comment

Thousands of flowers, many of them British flowers, are seen by a global audience at the wedding of Prince William to Kate Middleton at Westminster Abbey.

During the event we provided a live blog service updating this website with details of flowers and designs we spot, and our thoughts on themes and designs.

Here is our archive of the day now recorded in history as - Friday 29 April 2011 – The day Prince William married Kate Middleton and they became the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

Royal wedding 2011 – archive

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 13.32
The majestic Lancaster bomber flanked by a Hurricane and Spitfire are followed closely by four modern jet aircraft. William and Catherine go back into the palace for some well earned lunch.

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 13.28
A fly past from the Battle of Britain Memorial team. The young pages and bridesmaids point out to the aircraft. Prince William and Catherine take their first public kiss.

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 13.25
#Prince William and Catherine appear on the balcony of Buckingham palace. Wild cheers from the crowd. The couple smiling, looking very relaxed and at ease.

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 13.16
#Prince William’s RAF colleagues said the wedding was quite surreal but a wonderful experience to which they were proud to be invited.

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 13.13
Floral designer #Shane Connolly has proved that British grown, seasonal flowers can be classical and elegant and that the use of growing plants is just as effective as cut blooms.

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 13.06
Apart from the large trees, the flowers in Westminster abbey were mainly centred on the Altar and altar area. Very elegant, stunningly natural and a real tribute to the designer Shane Connolly and the Ladies of NAFAS.

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 12.45
The Cornish lily of the valley has featured strongly in the #bouquets, hair adornments, button holes and Abbey arrangements.

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 12.40
Crowds outside Buckingham Palace now await the balcony appearance of #William and Catherine. Behind the scenes, the royal photographer is busy photographing royal dignitaries and state guests.

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 12.27
The royal couple arrive at# Buckingham Palace to the strains of the national anthem. Her sister Phillipa and the bridesmaids arrive closely behind.

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 12.14
Her Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh leave in the Scottish state coach.

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 12.12
Prince William and his new wife are now escorted in 1902 state Landau carriage for their journey back to Buckingham palace.

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 12.10
#William and Catherine emerge to cheers from the crowd and the bells of the Abbey as the horses pull up the open top Landau coach.

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 12.07
The newly married #royal couple leave #Westminster Abbey. William and Catherine exit under the high gothic arch, softened by the foliage of trees.

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 12.00
#The Royal wedding 2011 is almost concluded and has truly been a stunning and fitting celebration. Not overshadowed with pomp and circumstance but infused with ageless class that befits a future King and Queen.

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 11.54
#Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge leave to the site of the shrine of Edward the Confessor to sign the three registers.

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 11.47
#Rw2011. The royal couple kneel for prayer, her satin train falling in neat folds on the pink stones of the Cosmati pavement.

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 11.46
Hydrangeas and jasmine surround the altar candles. The foliage of solomon’s seal setting the backdrop, Their delicate white blooms falling like pearl earrings.

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 11.41
The 8 trees lining the Aisle remove harshness and formality from the structure. The couple listen to “Ubi Caritas et Amor”, a particular favourite of theirs, sung by the #Westminster Abbey choir.

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 11.35
#The Westminster Abbey choir sing a beautiful rendition of “This is the day”. The Royal couple exchange knowing glances.

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 11.27
#Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge now sit to the right of the alter, side by side, under a magnificent display of white beam and blossom.

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 11.26
#James Middleton, Catherine’s brother has a delicate spray of lily of the valley in his buttonhole as he gives the Psalm.

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 11.24
#Royal wedding flowers are gentle and understated. Sprays of blossom hang delicately interspersed with white lilac, magnolia. Catherine’s sister carries a small spray of lily of the valley in her hair.

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 11.20
#The Royal Wedding 2011. Prince William and Catherine Middleton are now man and wife. Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 11.18
#William and Catherine look relaxed as they exchange vows. Williams cheeky grin evident as he manages not to “fluff” his lines.

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 11.15
Standing at the altar on the recently restored Cosmati pavement, the couple are surrounded by sprays of blooms which do not detract from the natural grandeur of the Abbey.

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 11.11
# Now alongside her prince, the congregation sing “Guide me O thou great redeemer”. Catherine’s veil is now back revealing the Halo tiara.

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 11.08
#Catherine proceeds down the Aisle with her father to join HRH Prince William of Wales. Her small posy of white flowers held in the right hand.

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 11.02
#Kate Middleton arrives at Westminster Abbey to a huge cheer from the crowd. The Chantilly lace top adorns a Sarah Burton gown of ivory and white satin with a train measuring 2.7m. The Queen’s 1936 Halo diamond tiara carries a waist length veil.

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 10.57
Kate’s sister wears a stunning white tailored dress as she enters the Abey with the bridesmaids.

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 10.54
#Catherine’s delicate veil sits on an understated tiara. She wears her hair down and waves happily at the crowd

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 10.53
#RW2011 #Kate Middleton leaves the hotel. The top of the dress a delicate simple neckline of lace. Lilly of the valley adorn the small bouquet

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 10.50
The state trumpeters of the Household Cavalry mark the arrival of her Majesty the Queen at Westminster Abbey

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 10.45
The young bridesmaids leave the hotel. Circlets of white flowers adorn their hair. They carry white posies. Their white dresses are enhanced by pale lemon sashes with bows tied at the back.

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 10.42
The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh leave Buckingham Palace. Her Royal Highness in primrose yellow

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 10.39
The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall leave Clarence House. The Duchess of Cornwall in pale Eau De Nil.

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 10.37
Many of the ladie’s outfits are pale colours. grey, steel blue, beige and pink.

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 10.36
Prince Andrew travels with his daughters Beatrice and Eugene

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 10.33
Carol Middleton arrives at the Abbey wearing a Katherine Walker sleek tailored dress of powder grey pearly blue.

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 10.29
Mini coaches leave Buckingham palace with some members of the Royal family including Duke and Duchess of Gloucester

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 10.25
The brides mother, Carol Middleton and her brother James leave for Westminster Abbey

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 10.20
Prince William enters Westminster Abbey and looks fairly relaxed as he greets clergy

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 10.18
Prince Harry is wearing his uniform as Captain of the Household Cavalry of the Blues and Royals. Bells of Westminster Abbey now ring out

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 10.13
#Prince William and Prince Harry leave Clarence House. Prince William in his uniform as Colonel of the Irish Guards.

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 10.03
#Royal Wedding – Crowds are gathering at the Goring Hotel where Catherine will depart in the Rolls Royce Phantom in about three quarters of an hour.

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 09.48
Richard Ward and James Price of the Richard Ward salon will be doing the hair of Kate Middleton and her family and have been at the Goring hotel since 6.30 this morning.

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 09.40
The floral decorations inside the Abbey are soft and tasteful. Branches of blossom, lilac and magnolia grace the ancient pillars and altar candles.

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 09.29
#Buckingham Palace have announced that Willam and Kate will be given the titles of Duke and Duchess of Cambridge

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 09.25
The Archbishop of Canterbury says he feels #William & Kate are a sensible couple and it his his endeavour today to make it a very personal day for them both.

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 09.22
Pink and violet seems to be dominating the fashions and hats are outdoing fascinators.

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 09.20
The main west doors of the abbey are flanked by two large urns flowing with branches of blossom and white beam.

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 09.18
David and Victoria Beckham are now entering Westminster Abbey. Victoria dressed in Charcoal black.

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 09.15
The ancient Cosmati pavement at the altar of the Abbey has been restored and is on full view.

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 09.11
The Cornish Lily of the valley decorates the top of the planters containing the 8 trees down the aisle.

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 09.08
The front of the Goring hotel is decorated with planters of white and pink flowers. The Rolls Royce has just pulled up outside.

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 09.07
#RW2011 the Rolls Royce that will carry Kate to the Abbey is now on it’s way to the hotel. So far the car is not decorated

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 09.01
Big Ben chimes 9.00 and thousands of members of the crowd are waving blow up plastic daffodils, the Welsh national flower

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 08.57
Branches of white blossom adorn the altar of Westminster Abbey

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 08.13
NAFAS members helped with the floral arrangements in the Abbey earlier this week

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 08.09
Thousands of people have started to gather along the route the cars will take ahead of the big event

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 08.08
Not long to go now before the wedding gets underway and the doors open on Westminster Abbey.

Filed Under: Features, Royal Wedding 2011 Tagged With: 29 April, Altar Area, Balcony, Battle Of Britain, Blooms, Bridesmaids, Buckingham Palace, Button Holes, Duke And Duchess, Floral Designer, Global Audience, Growing Plants, Jet Aircraft, Kate Middleton, Lancaster Bomber, Lily Of The Valley, Liveblog, Prince William, Raf, Real Tribute, Royal Wedding, Seasonal Flowers, Shane Connolly, Spitfire, Wedding Flower, Wedding Flowers, Westminster Abbey

Royal wedding flowers hint at theme?

April 28, 2011 by admin Leave a Comment

Could a woodland theme be on the cards for the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton?

Hawthorn signifies the Celtic start of summer

A tree lined avenue and flowers such as lily of the valley, could point to a woodland theme for the royal wedding.

Lily of the valley combined with lilac blossom is a possible link to the ancient festival of Beltane for the couple.

Traditional British flowers and trees are set to transform Westminster Abbey into a woodland glade.

So is Princess Catherine going to favour a circlet of flowers instead of a royal tiara and will the wedding dress feature Celtic influence?

Welsh gold

We already know that armfulls of fragrant blossoms and seasonal flowers will adorn Westminster Abbey and the likelihood of the lily of the valley being in Catherine’s bouquet is now quite high.

According to the Clogau website, a spokeswoman at the Palace has confirmed that The Queen has donated a family supply of Welsh gold to crown jeweller, Harry Collins, to create Catherine’s wedding band.

With flowers being brought in from the Duchy of Cornwall, the ring from Wales…could this point to a Scottish dress designer? This would then make the wedding a truly national spectacle.

Whilst Royal pageantry will play a huge part, it does seem that William and Catherine will be making the most of their special day…. we have only a few hours to find out how the pieces fit together!

More information

William and Catherine choose British, seasonal flowers.

Filed Under: Features, News, Royal Wedding 2011 Tagged With: Beltane, Blossoms, Bouquet, Celtic Influence, Circlet, Clogau, Dress Designer, Duchy Of Cornwall, Favour, Fragrant Blossoms, Gold Flowers, Individuality, Kate Middleton, Likelihood, Lilac, Lily Of The Valley, Nbsp, Pagan Festival, Pagan Theme, Prestigious Event, Prince William, Prince William And Kate, Prince William And Kate Middleton, Princess Catherine, Royal Pageantry, Royal Protocol, Royal Wedding, Scottish Dress, Seasonal Flowers, Theme Wedding, Tiara, Trees, Wedding Dress, Wedding Flowers, Wedding Rings, Wedding Theme, Welsh Gold, Westminster Abbey, William And Kate, Woodland Glade, Woodland Theme

NAFAS Royal wedding flowers honour

April 27, 2011 by admin Leave a Comment

NAFAS, the National Association of Flower Arrangement Societies, is absolutely delighted to have been invited to be part of the “Team” arranging flowers for the wedding of Prince William and Miss Catherine Middleton taking place this Friday 29 April 2011 at Westminster Abbey.

The flowers have been designed by a leading florist, Shane Connolly and the “Team” will be executing these designs.

NAFAS members are no strangers to decking out Westminster Abbey in stunning floral arrangements and the members involved are their four National Officers, Pat Martin, Norma Dobney, Wendy Davis and Sue Brinton; a past National Officer, Dorothy Irvin and the NAFAS Westminster Abbey Co-ordinator, Jane Rowton-Lee.

NAFAS has been arranging flowers in Westminster Abbey for many years and recently decorated the Abbey for the Commonwealth Observance Service, which was attended by HM the Queen and HRH Prince Phillip. They alsosaid they felt very privileged to decorate the Abbey for the Papal visit by Pope Benedict XVI, in September 2010.

NAFAS is an educational charity dedicated to promoting the artistic use of plant material in all its forms. It comprises of 21 Areas, over 1200 flower clubs and around 70,000 members from all over Great Britain and Northern Ireland. NAFAS is affiliated to the RHS and the World Association of Flower Arrangers.

More information

NAFAS – National Association of Flower Arrangement Societies website.

British Cut Flowers – William and Catherine choose British, seasonal flowers

Amazon.co.uk Widgets

Filed Under: News, Royal Wedding 2011 Tagged With: Abbey Co, Arranging Flowers, Benedict Xvi, Co Ordinator, Educational Charity, Flower Arrangement Societies, Flower Arrangers, Flower Clubs, Hrh Prince Phillip, Miss Catherine, Papal Visit, Pope Benedict, Pope Benedict Xvi, Rowton, Seasonal Flowers, Shane Connolly, Stunning Floral Arrangements, Wedding Flowers, Wendy Davis, Westminster Abbey

Royal Wedding Flowers

January 27, 2011 by admin Leave a Comment

Where better to show off British grown flowers than at a royal wedding in front of a global audience of tens of millions of people.

It is hoped that UK grown seasonal flowers will be found in the wedding bouquet and in Westminster Abbey.

During this period of economic austerity, choosing British grown flowers would not only keep costs down but give a much needed boost to the British flower growing industry.

Seasonal British flowers

The exquisite perfume and jasmine like blooms make the Hyacinth a perfect wedding flower

With the wedding on the 29th April, British growers will have an abundance of blooms for dressing the Abbey, Kate’s Bouquet and the reception venue.

Flowers likely to be in season are; Allium, Anenome, Antirrhinum, Bluebell, Calla Lilies, Columbine, Cow Parsley, Delphinium, Eucalyptus, Freesia, Fritillaries, Hyacinth, Iris, Larkspur, Lilies, Lily of the Valley, Magnolia, Narcissi, Ranunculus, Rosemary, Scabious, Sweet Peas, Tulips, veronica, Viburnum and Violets.

Current fashion trends in pale violet and dusky pinks, will blend well with creams and white to compliment Kate’s colouring, giving a classic romantic feel.

Royal wedding dress

Of course, Kate Middleton’s wedding dress will dictate the style and type of flowers she carries.

With rumours surrounding well respected British couture designer Bruce Oldfield, a favorite of Princess Diana and Daniella Issa Helayel, who designed Catherine’s classic but modern blue engagement dress.

Rumours aside, a bride has the prerogative of keeping her wedding day dress a secret and for that matter, her flowers too but if a British dress designer is in the fray then let’s hope British flowers will be too.

The flowers could possibly be linked to family connections or memories. The Duchy of Cornwall, and the Principality of Wales could be a token to Prince William’s family links. Other flowers may be symbolic of the colours found in Kenya, where William and Kate became engaged.

A lovely, personal touch would be to use some flowers from Prince Charles’ own Highgrove gardens.

Chelsea Flower Show

With the Chelsea Flower show only days after the Royal wedding, many designers will be desperate to get some inkling of what the wedding flowers will be.

Gardening follows trends and the royal flowers are likely to have an impact on our garden design and the types of flowers we grow next season.

Westminster Abbey

Since 960AD, Westminster Abbey has had close links with the British Monarchy and it came as no surprise that the wedding of the future King William to Catherine Middleton will be held in this wonderful Gothic building.

Announcements from St James’s Palace have confirmed that the Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr John Hall, will conduct the service at Westminster Abbey on 29 April 2011 and the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend and Right Honourable Dr Rowan Williams, will marry Prince William and Miss Middleton.

The address will be given by the Bishop of London, the Right Reverend and Right Honourable Richard Chartres.

The statement also confirmed that the wedding service will begin at 11am.

Westminster Abbey itself is no stranger to stunning flower displays. In 2010 the Abbey played host to the NAFAS “Rejoice” Festival of Flowers.

Cosmati pavement

This will also be the first year that the newly restored Medieval Cosmati pavement in front of the altar will be visible. The muted pinks reflected in the stonework may have some influence over Kate’s choice of flowers.

The Middleton family operate a successful party planning business and no doubt it will be strange to be at the other end of an event.

Are you involved in the Royal wedding?

If you are involved in dressing the Abbey or making the wedding flowers, we would be keen to hear from you before or after the wedding. Are you using British Flowers?

More information

HRH Prince William of Wales and Catherine Middleton – Updates on the royal wedding.

Westminster Abbey - Keep up to date with events, including the Royal Wedding.

Filed Under: Design, Features, Royal Wedding 2011 Tagged With: Bluebells, British Monarchy, Calla Lilies, Columbines, Couture Designer, Cow Parsley, Current Fashion Trends, Daniella Issa Helayel, Duchy Of Cornwall, Economic Austerity, Flower Show, Grown Flowers, Hyacinths, Imapct, Kate Middleton, Lily Of The Valley, Perogative, Princess Diana, Ranunculus, Reception Venue, Royal Wedding, Seasonal Flowers, Type Of Flowers, Types Of Flowers, Viburnum, Wedding Bouquet, Wedding Flowers, Westminster Abbey, William And Kate

World Cup Flowers

June 12, 2010 by admin Leave a Comment

Many florists are getting into the football spirit and producing window displays featuring World Cup themes.

Vandella Flowers in Carlisle is one such high street florist.

Vandella Flowers of Carlisle

They have produced three large window displays at their store in Carlisle, Cumbria.

With an England theme limiting the designers to white and red, the colours of St. George, the challenge of producing a display was no doubt quite hard.

Sadly they may have had to resort to some non British cut flowers to pull the task off.

Limited colour pallet

With Scotland, Ireland and Wales not in the World Cup the British florist is somewhat stuck with two colours to work with.

Carnations are the staple of the flower designer providing a multitude of colours.

Here are a few ideas for seasonal flowers to populate your display

World Cup floral display with England theme

England colour scheme – red and white

Carnations – red and white
Roses – red and white
Poppies – red and white
Daisy family including agyranthemum
Ranunculus – red and white
Lilly – including Lily of the Valley, Asian Lily,
Red fruits including the strawberry would work for a short duration table display.
Cow parsley in abundance from British hedgerows is an ideal white bulk flower to fill out any display.
Japanese Iris and Iris Germanica can be garden grown and provides structure and architecture.
Pieris – new leaf growth on this shrub is often in shades of red.

Share your designs

Have you produced a World Cup themed display for your window or maybe produced an exhibit for a local horticultural show?

You may have gone really wild and produced displays for all 32 teams.

Let us know about it, via the contact us form, so we can feature a gallery of your designs and plant lists over the next few weeks.

Filed Under: Features, Showcase Tagged With: Argyranthemum, British Hedgerows, Carlisle Cumbria, Cow Parsley, Cut Flowers, Daisy Family, England, Flower Designer, football, Iris Germanica, Japanese Iris, Leaf Growth, Lily Of The Valley, No Doubt, Ranunculus, Red And White Roses, Scotland Ireland, Seasonal Flowers, Street Florist, Structure And Architecture, Vandella, White Daisy, White Lilly, Window Displays, World Cup

Royal wedding 2011 – Flower updates

Royal wedding 2011 – archive

Royal wedding flowers hint at theme?

Welsh gold

NAFAS Royal wedding flowers honour

Royal Wedding Flowers

Seasonal British flowers

Royal wedding dress

Chelsea Flower Show

Westminster Abbey

Cosmati pavement

Are you involved in the Royal wedding?

World Cup Flowers

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Lily of the valley suppliers

Growing lily of the valley

Plant of the month – Eryngium

Plant of the month – Crocosmia

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