Sunshine Coast florist Archives | The Bride's Tree

Pinboard Love: Magnolia Grove Flowers

Sally Townsend — Wed, 23 Mar 2016 13:34:57 +0000

Who doesn’t want to say goodbye to the working week and jump into the Easter long weekend with some pretty posies? I see no hands, so I’ll proceed.

Magnolia Grove is a team of highly experienced and super professional Sunshine Coast wedding florists. Every week they are creating wedding flowers for brides and grooms beyond their wildest dreams.

Take a peek through their pinboard gallery to gain some floral inspiration for your wedding. Personally, I can’t go past the gorgeous floral anklets for a beach wedding. Divine!

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Behind the Scenes: Wedding Day with Florist Willow Bud

admin — Thu, 23 Apr 2015 19:00:00 +0000

Sandi Shankster, owner Willow Bud, has her own little secret garden, and runs a well-oiled machine with her wedding floristry business. Business is blooming, you might say… boom tish. We followed Sandi around like an annoying little sister and hounded her with questions on a busy wedding day morning to find out just what it’s like to work behind-the-scenes providing all the pretty. Photos by Simon J Coulson.

Sandi, what does a busy wedding day morning look like in the Willow Bud studio?

On this particular day we had four weddings on, three of the four weddings had ceremony and reception flowers as well as the bridal party flowers.

How do you prepare for a busy weekend of weddings throughout the week?

When we prepare the weddings for a busy week ahead we work on time schedules and run sheets created by us to run smoothly with other suppliers, such as wedding decorators and photographers so that we arrive on time for the stylist and that we deliver the flowers so that that the photographer can capture the brides look on her face when she sees her flowers for the first time. We also condition all of the flowers, make sure that we have enough bouquet boxes, keep the work vehicles tidy and make sure that we have enough vases and vessels!

How many weddings will you work on on a typical wedding Saturday?

There is no such thing as a typical weekend for us! Occasionally we will even take a Saturday off (such a rare luxury) if we have some big week day weddings. We can work on up to 10 weddings in one week, but if there is just one amazing wedding with floral hanging structures and time consuming reception flowers then we will focus on the one wedding and just enjoy the day of being at the one place at the one time.

How do you keep track of your tasks on a wedding day morning?

We keep track of the days tasks by me stepping up and being the boss instead of being my staffs friend and delegate jobs to each team member. We have our run sheets which tells us where we need to be at what time and what flowers are for what bride and although it looks chaotic in these photos it is actually quite organised!

Do you have the toughest hands in town from stripping flower stems?

I don’t think that I do have the toughest hands from stripping roses! One of the best things about my job is that as a wedding only florist we don’t do big stints at Valentines day stripping roses like a typical retail florist would. We do strip a lot of roses though week to week and I do have a love/hate relationship with David Austin roses at times!

Which takes longer – the construction of the arrangements or the clean up afterwards?

The prepping and construction of the arrangements in a typical week take from Wednesday morning until Saturday afternoon (when the final reception pieces are complete) and then it takes one staff member one full day of cleaning. There is a lot of cleaning that goes on from bleaching vases and buckets, cleaning out the fridge, mopping the floors, sterilizing equipment, washing the cars inside and out, prepping boxes, button hole boards, doing tip runs and making sure our props are clean and shiny!

What are some of the little things you do that set your bouquets apart?

I really do believe that our bridal bouquets are truly special because each bouquet is uniquely designed for each one of our brides. This itself is not a first in the wedding florist world, and is not unique to our service, however we also like to find unique foliage, berries, and cottage garden flowers that are not commercially gown. I also personally visit local flower, succulent and foliage growers on a weekly basis to hand pick the perfect treasure for my client. I like to use home grown treasures from my garden, like scented geranium, rosemary, citrus and basil flower. I think with this attention-to-detail, respect for our local environment, and our creative flair, you can tell a ‘Willow Bud design’ from another florists’ work.

What’s the best part of a wedding day for you as a florist?

Hands down the most amazing part of my job is when I deliver the flowers to my client- the bride to be that I got to know over the past 6-12 months- and see her reaction when she sees her bouquet for the first time. Nothing beats it! Every time I feel the same emotions of happiness, excitement and joy, I get goosebumps and when my bride cries, I usually cry too! Just ask the photographers, hair and make up ladies- I am the most passionate sook on the coast!

The second most amazing part of my job is when my team and I create a one of a kind flower feature and after all of the planning, physical hard work and worry if it will work or not it comes to life and it is even more amazing in real life then what it was in my mind! The sense of team work and achievement is quite overwhelming after a massive day and when we are deliriously exhausted it would not be uncommon for us to do a silly happy dance after our work is done!

What inspires you?

So many things inspire me as a floral designer. My daughter, Willow, is my number one source of inspiration, she is so beautiful and happy and sees the positives, even on a rainy day! I love to take in my surroundings and take in the beauty that is a part of the Sunshine Coast. I am drawn to Old World architecture, art, cottage gardens, antiques, fashion, home grown veggies, ponies, puppies and chickens. Old Queenslanders, vintage lace, other floral designers and of course love itself!

Where are some of your fave wedding locations to adorn with your creations?

We are very fortunate and blessed to regularly work at our favorite wedding locations, such as Flaxton Gardens, Yandina Station and Spicers Clovelly Estate, just to name a few. These would have to be my favorite venues because they each have their own distinct style and character to build on, they each have bars and hanging structures to decorate with flowers and they each have the most amazing staff and owners to have a laugh with every time I am there!

Describe your ultimate bridal bouquet.

My ultimate bouquet would be ridiculously over sized, loose and gardenesque with sweet peas, ranunculus, feathered tulips, hydrangea, peonies, olive leaf, herbs, berries and jasmine with silk ribbons trailing! If only all of these flowers were in season at the same time!

Photography // Simon J Coulson

Locations // Willow Bud Studio + Yandina Station

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Pin Board: Floral Lovin’

admin — Wed, 11 Feb 2015 19:00:00 +0000

Who’s in the mood for some floral lovin’? Meeeeee!

Today I have a very delicious little treat for you – a whole pin board full of Ginger Lily & Rose Floral Studio creations. I just love each and every little bloomin’ morsel, don’t you? Well, you will once you’ve clicked the link to check them out, trust me.

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Styled Shoot: Forest Wedding Inspiration

admin — Mon, 08 Sep 2014 19:00:00 +0000

Get ready, get set for some insanely pretty bridal inspiration. This styled shoot is the result of the creative genius of a bunch of some of our fave Sunshine Coast wedding professionals, who never cease to amaze us with their talents.

The location was The Sanctuary at Forest Glen, which offers a plethora of pretty spots, perfect for bridal photographic loveliness. Such as these here photos by Tara Lee Photography.

A loose braid laced with wildflowers for a sweet woodland bridal vibe

An unstructured bridal bouquet in pinks and reds has a whimsical charm. Love this prettiness by Willow Bud

A groom always looks dapper in a bow tie and suspenders! This handsome fella was dressed by Suits Direct

It’s all in the eyes with this soft smokey bridal makeup look

The Dream Team

Photography: Tara Lee Photography

Venue: Forest Sanctuary Venue

Dress: Marilyn Crystelle

Suit: Suits Direct

Flowers: Willow Bud

Hair: Hair 4 Brides

Make up: Makeup 4 Brides

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Some Beautiful Bridal Bouquets | Wedding Bloom Inpsiration for Your Sunshine Coast Wedding

admin — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 19:00:00 +0000

Beautiful fresh flowers intricately sculpted to perfection is something you will hopefully experience on your wedding day. A bridal bouquet is an accessory you will have but once, and it will be your constant companion on your special day. It can be a reflection of your personal style, the theme of your wedding, the surroundings or location, or the season.

On her travels, Sunshine Coast wedding photographer, Andrea Sproxton, happens upons some of the most gorgeous blooms in the biz. Here she shares some of her most recentlhy photographed florals from the talents of the best Sunshine Coast florists.

Left – Flowers by Blooms of Noosa, Right – Flowers by Willow Bud

Left – Flowers by A Sculpted Leaf, Right – Flowers by Blooms of Noosa

Above flowers by Green and Bloom

Still have questions about wedding flowers? Read up on our Wedding Flowers FAQs, find more inspiration for wedding flower arrangements, and grab your FREE Download to help with your wedding flower budget and checklist.

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Best of the Best Bouquet Inspiration

admin — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 19:00:00 +0000

It will be your constant companion on your wedding day, so your wedding bouquet should be something you adore almost as much as your bridal gown, at least as much as you love your shoes, perhaps even cradled and adored like you would your first born child. Too far? Yeah, I always do that… I go too far…

I’m sorry, I just really love beautiful flowers! And these amazing bouquets I am sharing with you today are so super beautiful, they all feature in Volume 4 of The Bride’s Tree free online bridal magazine. Throughout the three real Sunshine Coast weddings and two incredible styled shoots also held here on the Sunshine Coast, we have some seriously stunning florals on show.

Take a peek at these, and then of course I know you will be ready and raring to drool over the rest of the pretty little details to be found in our magazine, so go take another – or a first – look at those, too!

Clockwise from top left: Pretty lilac bouquet by Willow Bud, Photo by Marion Jonkers Photography; Pastel roses bouquet by Flax Flowers, Photo by Melanie McNiven Photography; Unstructured romantic pink bouquet by Ginger Lily & Rose Floral Studio, Photo by Andrea Sproxton Photography; Peonies and Baby’s Breath Bouquets by Mondo Floral Design, Photo by Chesterton Smith Photography; Structured bouquet of roses by Mondo Floral Design, Photo by Calli B Photography

Wedding Flowers Guide

We’ve answered all your pressing questions in our Wedding Flowers FAQs where you’ll also find a handy free download to help you plan your wedding flowers budget, and there are more galleries of bridal blooms to help inspire your wedding floral arrangements.

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Fashion and Flowers

admin — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 09:00:00 +0000

When we get together a team to work on our photo shoots for Volume 3 of The Bride's Tree free online bridal magazine, we make sure we're only working with the best of the best Sunshine Coast wedding professionals. Our couture fashion shoot at Twin Waters Golf Club was no exception.

Take a peek at the incredible designs by Judy Copley Bridal, each created as one-off pieces and part of Judy's collection of some of the most amazing dresses we have ever laid eyes on.

Of course no bride is complete without a beautiful bouquet. When it comes to photo shoots, why have one bouquet when you can have four amazing bouquets by Sunshine Coast florist, Ginger Lily & Rose Floral Design. They are such delicate, perfect creations, you can't help but adore them.

Our gorgeous model's makeup was by Sally Townsend Makeup Artistry, and her hair was prettied up by Taryn Smith Hair Artistry. Enjoy these beautiful images by Sunshine Coast wedding photographer, Matt Rowe Photography.

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Just in case you missed it…

admin — Sat, 10 Nov 2012 19:00:00 +0000

It has been yet another beautiful week on the Sunshine Coast, which is without a doubt living up to its name. It is no wonder this is the most popular time of year to be married here. The sun has been shining, our beaches are sparkling with white sand and blue waters, air is so clear, the view from the hinterland is endless.

We have also had a wonderful week at The Bride's Tree HQ, as we have found ourselves terribly inspired by all of the amazing Sunshine Coast wedding professionals once again.

Monday we kicked off with one of our faves… Alan Hughes Photography never disappoints with his amazing wedding photos, and this particular lot featured a creative wedding colour palette we simply adore.

Tuesday was all about bridal beauty as we shared some of the stunning photos by Matt Rowe Photography that didn't make it into our latest The Bride's Tree free online bridal magazine. These images show just how clever some of our local Sunshine Coast makeup artists and hair stylists are.

We amped up the pretty yet again on Wednesday with some bridal bouquet inspiration with florals by Blooms of Noosa.

Thursday was really exciting as we broke news that you could win $1,500 cash to spend on your wedding! And you can still get in the running, so get onto it!

Continuing the week of pretty, on Friday we brought to your attention the amazing work of Sunshine Coast makeup artist, KJ Artistry, so you could be inspired by our gallery of her amazing work.

Yesterday's Photo of the Week featured a ring-bearing owl – so awesome!

Have a beautiful Sunday, lovely Sunshine Coast brides!

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Bouquet Inspiration

admin — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 09:00:00 +0000

There's nothing like a bit of floral pretty on a splendid Wednesday. For your viewing pleasure, here is some bouquet inspiration from one of the best Sunshine Coast florists. How do we know how brilliant Blooms of Noosa is? Well, because we have worked with the terribly talented Rebecca and Lucinda a couple of times now, and she never ceases to amaze us with her creative flair and eye for perfection.

Our latest shoot with gahmayzing florals from Blooms of Noosa can be seen upon the pretty, pretty pages of the latest The Bride's Tree free online bridal magazine. Rebecca and Lucinda put together the blooms for our Mexican Fiesta wedding shoot, which is nothing short of amazing from start to finish.

The bouquets below are just a small selection from the incredible work Blooms of Noosa do, and will give you some great ideas for your own bridal bouquet. The images below were photographed by the lovely Lindy Photography.

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Divine Florals

admin — Sun, 28 Oct 2012 09:00:00 +0000

Ever spend a brief Saturday moment around 3:00pm in wonder as to what kind of pretty the brides of the Sunshine Coast are having? Not just me, surely? Well, here is a bit of forementioned pretty one lucky Sunshine Coast bride was delivered on her wedding day morning. Gorgeous flowers by the amazing Julia from Ginger Lily & Rose Floral Design.

Aren't these roses just to die for! We happen to know that Miss Julia scours the flower markets (often in the early hours!) with her discerning eye for extreme perfection and nothing less. She then spends hours meticulously constructing her arrangements, and lovingly wiring each and every flower, making sure her brides experience bouquets that are still standing at the end of the night. Oh, this is of course assuming your single gal pals don't trample it in a scramble to catch it!

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