Garden parties are the best kind of event to do flowers for, and also the most unforgiving. The sun is out, the table is long, and the flowers are going to be looked at from every angle for several hours. Here is what we have learned from doing this through a number of summers.
Keep the arrangements low ¶
The most common mistake with table flowers is height. A tall arrangement on a long table blocks conversation and forces guests to lean around it. For outdoor tables, we almost always work low and wide: a terracotta pot or a shallow vessel with flowers that spread outward rather than upward. The arrangement should be something guests can see over without thinking about it.
Choose flowers that open in the heat ¶
Some flowers close in direct sunlight. Tulips, for example, are not a good choice for a July garden party. Dahlias, on the other hand, are at their best in summer heat. Zinnias hold up well. Lisianthus is reliable. Sweet peas are beautiful but they will wilt faster than dahlias in a warm afternoon, so they are better for morning events or shaded tables.
Think about water ¶
Flowers in a garden party setting are often not in much water. A low terracotta pot does not hold a lot of volume. We always condition the stems overnight before an event, which means they are fully hydrated before they go into the arrangement. For events longer than four hours in full sun, we sometimes add a small amount of water to the vessel mid-afternoon if we are on site.
Order with enough lead time ¶
For summer events, we ask for at least three weeks' notice for smaller gatherings and six weeks for anything with more than four or five arrangements. July and August book up faster than any other time of year. If you have a date in mind, the best thing to do is get in touch early, even if the details are not finalised. We can hold a provisional date while you confirm numbers.
What to do with the flowers after ¶
Terracotta pots can go straight into the garden. Ceramic vessels can be returned to the studio for a £5 credit. Kraft paper wrapping is compostable. We try to make sure nothing from an event ends up in a bin that could have gone elsewhere.
If you are planning a garden party this summer and want to talk through the flowers, the best way to start is to get in touch by email. We are happy to have a conversation before anything is decided.