Sunshine Coast Wedding Florist Archives | The Bride's Tree

Meet Nat Evans | Sunshine Coast Wedding Florist

Sally Townsend — Tue, 11 Jul 2017 12:08:44 +0000

Here at The Bride’s Tree HQ there is zero chance we could conjure up any more love for Sunshine Coast wedding florist, Nat Evans, business owner and florist at Heavenly Blooms. We already love her to the brim.

We caught up with Nat to get the goss on being flown to New York City to create wedding flowers, how her brides become like family, and the way her flowers are spreading hope and loveliness across the Sunshine Coast to those who need it most.

Photos by Terri Hanlon Photography

Nat, tell us about how you repurpose flowers from weddings where the couple don’t have any further use for them.

I have started recently repurposing wedding from my brides and grooms. These are often couples from interstate or those going directly on their honeymoons so they can’t keep their wedding flowers, or maybe they have a cause close to heart. In these cases I will take their flowers to others to appreciate them.

I was inspired by Repeat Roses, an organisation in the U.S. doing this on a huge scale. It means that charities, hospitals, nursing homes receive fresh flowers and they are enjoyed for weeks after the wedding. It’s so lovely and beautiful.

Who are the people that receive the flowers?

I have developed partnerships with a few local businesses, such as Meals on Wheels, nursing homes, care facilities for people with mental illnesses; and it’s proven to be really effective. The flowers are even used in therapy sessions.

I am now about to launch a program for troubled teens with an organisation teaching them life skills. I’m going to be teaching them to arrange a bunch of flowers to brighten up their home.

What are their reactions like when they see you coming in with your beautiful flowers?

It makes people cry mostly – that’s one of the most common reactions. Happy tears. It always makes me cry, I get quite emotional. You can’t even imagine how it makes people feel, it really brightens their day and affects them so much.

Have you found brides are really responsive to this concept?

Yes, very much so. I would say probably 80% of my brides are taking me up on the offer. Brides even seem to be quite clued up with repurposing their flowers from ceremony to reception, which I was quite surprised by. They are then really happy for them to be repurposed a third time.

Have any of them wanted to be involved in the process themselves?

Yes. I had one bride whose sister had suicided. She came and helped me rearrange the flowers and came to the hospital with me the day after her wedding to hand them over to the mental health ward. She said it was one of the best parts of her wedding.

Couples are excited to be part of it. They tend to want to have large say in where their flowers go. Last weekend’s bride took all her flowers on to her grandfather’s grave.

For me it’s really great to see them after and hear all about the best parts of their wedding day. As a florist, you don’t usually get to talk to them so soon after the wedding, so it was really nice.

Why do you think flowers touch people’s hearts so much?

I just think everybody has a flower than invoke’s a memory, especially in nursing homes. The older generation really understand the importance of flowers in the home and have a close connection with flowers as women.

The women in the nursing homes will tell you about their flower memories – it’s a sensory thing, a particular flower makes them think about a specific time in their life.

My grandmother always picked flowers for her table. We’d come in for lunch and there Something from garden to make the house look nice.

That isn’t so common anymore. We lost along the way, but it’s coming back through in the younger generation again now. Fresh flowers bring life to a home, they are so homely, and lots of younger women are getting into this with wild bunches of flowers now, having them in their homes.

Fresh flowers are so important. They make people feel hopeful and happy; flowers cheer people up.

Being around so many beautiful blooms in your shop in Eumundi must be a dream! What’s it like?

I feel really lucky I get to work with such beautiful things all day every day. There is not a day I don’t feel lucky to be a florist and I don’t take it for granted. I’m like a kid in a candy shop. I thought it might have subsided after 26 years, but it hasn’t. I’m lucky, really lucky.

What’s the best part of being involved in someone’s wedding day?

There’s lots of amazing parts. My first fave is meeting brides. I have to send emails, and I do it, but I love meeting my brides in person. I always spend way too long talking to them, getting to know them and being part of the excitement. I love feeling excited with them. I’m addicted to that feeling.

Second fave part is arriving on the day to the bride and being able to hand over the bouquet we spent so long dreaming up together. Pretty much every time we have a squeal and I have a tear. I always cry!

There’s not many jobs in the world where you get to be part of somoneone’s most important day. It’s pretty amazing. You tend to become part of the family and end up doing the sister or brother’s wedding as well. Then I get to see them again and meet the new baby or see pictures of the house they just bought. I love that.

What’s a memorable bride reaction to receiving the bouquet you can recall?

Oh, I have a great one. A couple of years ago I had a bride, who was just mad about flowers. She had been to every workshop I’d ever held. She calls me whenever she comes back to town and gets me to make her a flower crown just because.

So when I turned up on her wedding day after sending her a text that I was one my way. By the time I got there she was out on driveway, running to meet me at the van. She ripped open the door and jumped in to smell flowers. She was just squealing!

After the wedding she slept in the flower crown. She continued to wear it the following day and was sending me texts with her selfies wearing it on their road trip to their honeymoon! She even sent one on the plane!

What has been a surprising part of the job?

How much I love it. I always had a shop or have been working in flower shop. I also did a lot of corporate work. Normally I didn’t love doing wedding flowers when I was working in a shop. I started doing weddings purely by accident from working the markets and after a series of events.

10 years ago if you had told me I’d become a wedding florist I would have laughed. My idea of weddings was dealing with white rose bouquets and bridezillas, but I think we’ve been fortunate as the industry has taken a turn.

Now I get to work with an open-ended palette. Sometimes I’ll be working and I have to pinch myself when I’m arranging a chandelier dripping with flowers. There is so much scope for imagination in wedding florals now.

Tell us about how you ended up working on a wedding in New York?

It’s like a dream. I just landed in right place at right time. I met this crazy amazing girl, who had faith in my ability to hop on plane and make flowers in a place I hadn’t before.

We met through a friend at Christmas last year, and we got to talking and hit it off. After we met a second time at a dinner, she invited me to New York to do her wedding flowers.

The next day I text her saying, “Now that you don’t have four ciders under your belt, are you sure you want me to do your wedding flowers?” She replied saying, ” Yes, I’m dead serious. I love the way you make flowers, I haven’t seen anything like it.”

From there, it’s been so easy. We’ve had a few conversations, but she trusts me to create something amazing. It was funny, I put together a mood board, and she couldn’t believe it – the Pinterest board she already created was almost identical.

How are you going to approach creating flowers in a place you’ve never been to before?

It helps that the bride is really laid back, she’s hired a van to collect flowers from market and I will go straight from the plane to the flower market when I land. I’ll shop till I drop, take it all back to our apartment and start making flowers immediately. My son is coming along to be my assistant!

I buy what’s beautiful on the day. I don’t believe in pre-organised blooms down to every flower. Crazy to some, but I touch and choose most beautiful on the day.

This is the kind of thing that drives me. I love the element of the unknown. I live for this – bring it on, baby.

Thank you for supporting our A-list Vendors…

Learn more about Terri Hanlon Photography + Heavenly Blooms

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Winter Beach Weddings in Noosa

Sally Townsend — Fri, 05 Aug 2016 13:15:28 +0000

A lot of people might tell you that beach weddings are for summer only. Those people have not been to a wedding in Noosa in winter, so they just don’t know, my friends.

We love the idea of a winter wedding in Noosa so much, we created a beach wedding styled shoot in one of our fave Noosa locations to help you imagine your own special winter wedding day on the beach. The shoot appears in our magazine, which is completely free for you to view.

Of course any season is the right season for a wedding in Noosa, and it’s one of the most popular wedding locations not only on the Sunshine Coast, but in the whole of Australia. Being super popular for destination weddings, the Noosa area is home to some seriously incredible venues and the best of the best wedding vendors, who create the most beautiful weddings week in and week out.

How amazing is this natural floral arch thick with foliage by Noosa wedding florist, Heavenly Blooms! Oh, and can we all take a moment to appreciate that bouquet?

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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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Flowers at Tiffany’s

admin — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 19:00:00 +0000

The flowers at Tiffany’s are always to-die-for. Tiffany’s Flowers is a boutique florist that designs exclusively for Weddings at Tiffany’s and selected off-site weddings. They know their environment, venue and region like the backs of their hands and so their floral designs are always on point.

Recently Weddings at Tiffany’s hosted an Open Day, and showcased some of their work so those in person could see first-hand the way stunning flowers take the already incredible Maleny wedding venue to next level dream wedding location.

Images by Jennifer Oliphant Photographer

View the rest of the gallery

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Pinboard: Woods and Bloom

admin — Thu, 18 Jun 2015 12:04:20 +0000

There is nothing conventional about florist Catherine of Woods & Bloom. Her floral concepts come from a creative place most of us have not been granted access to. She is truly in a league of her own when it comes to wedding flowers.

This is one of those times when I audibly “squee!” at the realisation that this genius lives and works right here on the Sunshine Coast. We are so spoilt in this beautiful bit of Earth!

Take a squizz through Woods & Bloom’s pinboard full of amazing wedding floral arrangements from show-stopping head pieces to breathtaking bouquets and all that other good flowery stuff.

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Sandi Shankster: My Fave Floral Centrepieces

admin — Thu, 12 Mar 2015 19:00:00 +0000

In all their diversity, we still each have our favourite types of flowers and floral arrangements. So what about the experts who work with blooms up to their elbows day in and day out? One such star of her field, Sunshine Coast wedding florist Sandi Shankster of Willow Bud, shared with us four of her fave wedding table centrepieces from the past year.

1. The centrepiece doesn’t always have to be on the table. Another way to achieve floral styling and space on the table is to have an overhead floral feature. Image by Dreamlife Photograhy.

2. Luxurious and opulent thick floral runner with cascading foliage and fragrant flowers for the bridal table makes the perfect bridal table. Photo by White Images.

3. Rustic timber boxes are a beautiful way to add country charm to your wedding. The boxes are quite versatile and with the right foliage and flowers they also look beautiful for a chic beach side look or a native Australian theme. Image by Alyce and Collette Photographers, styling Style Le Aisle.

4. Another rustic timber box arrangement, but with fresh white and peach florals it creates an entirely different look and feel. Image by Alan Hughes Photography.

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9 Ways to Wear a Floral Wreath for your Wedding

admin — Tue, 20 Jan 2015 19:00:00 +0000

You know, I’m quite fond of the floral-wreath-sporting bride. It’s a pretty alternative to the more traditional hair adornments, such as a veil or other hair piece that’s just swell.

There is something romantic about the fact that it will live and die with your wedding day. There will never be another piece like it. It’s unique to you and your special day.

The other thing I love about the floral wreath is how versatile it is. For example, here are nine very different ways to wear a floral wreath. All of these delicate beauties were lovingly created by the talented Natalie from Heavenly Blooms.

The wreath above is a classic circular wreath worn high at the front with robust deep red blooms, and lower at the back.

Another classic circular wreath, this time worn square atop the crown of the head, so the powder pink roses and billy buttons run across the forehead. This is a very bohemian style.

A very fresh young take on the floral wreath, worn like a headband with ribbons to fasten around the base of the neck. Off to the side, this works perfectly with the relaxed or messy asymmetrical bun hair style.

This one I LOVE for a funky beach wedding – dainty blooms fastened in the back with ribbon and twine.

A mix of colours and textures with berries, tight perfect roses, and just a few wisps of foliage = divine.

Who doesn’t love a flowergirl with a few blooms and sprigs prettying up her curls?

Dressing your bridesmaids in a similar to your own gown calls for something special to help you stand out. A floral wreath will surely do the trick. I love how this one matches with the bouquets.

Can. Not. Stop looking at that one perfect bloom on the side, and the way the petals blend down. Dreamy!

Lots of colour! Can’t go past it.

Confession: I have a long history with floral wreaths. When I was a little girl of nine I wore one when my sister and I were flowergirls at our cousin’s wedding. All that baby’s breath and those ribbons – I really felt like a princess!

PS. I’m the blond with the somewhat full dark forehead caterpillars. Thank God I discovered brow shaping just a few years later!

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Styled Shoot: Egyptian Bridal Inspiration

admin — Mon, 15 Dec 2014 19:00:00 +0000

Well this is more than a little exciting. We have never seen anything like this inspirational styled bridal shoot, it is so very unique. A bunch of uber talented Sunshine Coast wedding professionals got together to create an Egyptian-inspired bridal shoot!

From the dress to the accessories and makeup by the talented Tasleema Nigh, it’s a glamourous Cleopatra-esque look we are loving like crazy. The bouquet by Ginger Lily & Rose Floral Studio screams opulence, as you would expect of an Egyptian goddess, with an oversized statement bloom and peacock feathers.

Please feel free to drool over these images by Bonnie Jenkins, as we sure have!

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Photographer: Bonnie Jenkins

Florals: Ginger Lily & Rose Floral Studio

Make-up: Tasleema Nigh

Hair: Honeycomb Hair

Stationery: One Print Wonders

Styling: Obella Designs

Models: Daniela & Dave

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Wedding Trend: Table of Flowers

admin — Thu, 04 Dec 2014 19:00:00 +0000

Lots of flowers in many and varying vases and bowls makes a seriously impressive centrepiece for your wedding reception. Guests will enjoy mingling amongst it, and it can give a sense of grandeur without even being terribly expensive. Here are some tips to successfully pull off this floral wedding trend.

Pick a Colour Theme

We love the fresh white and lush green look, but you can also utilise colour. Just make sure you have chosen colours that blend well and that will be represented fairly evenly across the whole table.

Work in Tiers

Basically, the tallest blooms should be at the back, and the shortest at the front – it’s not rocket science! The idea is that you should work with the idea that the view of the flowers front on should appear full and lush. From the side, rows should be evenly spaced. This is a 360 degree feature.

Symmetry is Key

You want the same height levels from one side to the other, and the same kinds of flowers represented on either side, too. Try starting from the middle of each rowand working your way out, adding to each side as you go.

Keep Costs Low

It may first seem as though a table full of flowers is an unaffordable luxury, but in actuality it’s very simple to pull it off very inexpensively. Because they are all arranged very close together, you can choose quite cheap blooms, and you can even use simple foliage to fill it out. Sunshine Coast florist, Twig & Blossom, who put together this table even artistically placed leaves, which cost virtually nothing, in bowls in this particular feature table.

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The above images were taken by Chesterton Smith Photography for The Bride’s Tree free online magazine July 2013 edition.

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Real Wedding: Madeleine & Corey in Maleny

admin — Tue, 18 Nov 2014 19:00:00 +0000

On a typically beautiful day in Maleny, Madeleine and Corey got hitched. Their dream Sunshine Coast hinterland wedding was all about having a fun and enjoyable atmosphere with a hint of vintage charm. The lovely couple commissioned the likes of some of The Bride’s Tree’s fave wedding professionals to ensure they had an amazing wedding day.

This is evident in the images below by Sunshine Coast wedding photographer, Andrea Sproxton Photography. Madeleine’s pink and lilac bridal bouquet was a sweet vintage posy by Willow Bud.

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Madeleine was a classically beautiful bride

On my wedding day it was very overcast however it didn’t rain and it just started to clear up as I walked down the aisle which was just perfect.

We left our photographer, Andrea Sproxton, to choose the locations though we went to three different locations a stones throw from our Maleny venue. All very beautiful.

The weather and location were stunning-couldn’t have asked for nicer weather. Maleny is just beautiful at that time of year.

I popped a button on my wedding dress as it was too tight, and after the photos when I leaned down to put my shoes on it popped right off! I would recommend advising your dress maker when your wedding is two months before it is so you don’t end up getting your dress the day prior like me!

We decided to have a lamb and seared tuna entrée followed by chicken risotto and a beef dish. Desert we served the wedding cake as otherwise it just goes to waste!

Wedding Secrets Revealed

Biggest splurge: My wedding dress was more than I wished to spend at $2500 otherwise the catering was the most expensive part!

Best money-saver: I was able to get the wedding cake included in my package which saved a lot of money. Besides that I think my florist was very reasonable for the quality provided.

Bridal gown: Gowns of Elegance

Accessories: Butterfly Silver

Shoes: Zu shoes Chermside

Bridesmaid dresses: Forever New

Bridesmaids’ accessories: Lovisa

Groom and Groomsmens’ suit and shoes: Connor

Rings: My ring – Diamonds International, Corey’s ring – Michael Hill Jewellers

DIY: The menus, name place cards, wedding invitations and bonbonnieres

Number of guests: 70

Wedding budget: $24,000

A-list Vendors

Photographer: Andrea Sproxton Photography

Florist: Willow Bud

Makeup Artist: Makeup 4 Brides / Hair Stylist: Hair 4 Brides / Bombonnieres: Handmade truffles from Chocolate Country Maleny / Entertainment: Rockin U Wild DJ’S / Celebrant: Darienne Davis / Venue and Wedding Night Accommodation: House of Laurels

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