Over the years of working in the wedding industry, I have come to realise that some of my favourite parts are the ‘behind the scenes’, the true getting to know the people behind a business, and this is what we hope to do with this series called A Day In The Life. Today we are up in Scotland with Cath from Blue Poppy, reminiscing about those hot summer days when the flower beds are bursting with colour.

If you’d like to see behind the scenes on some of our other recommended suppliers, then do check out the full A Day In The Life series so far, which includes fellow flower farmer florists Tammy from Wild Bunch, Natalya and Fiona from PYRUS, and Becca and Maz from The Garden Gate Flower Company.

So it’s over to Catherine to share her day in the life at Blue Poppy…

A coastal cutting garden

Last August, at the height of summer, the fantastic Chris and Gillian from The Curries came to document an afternoon with us. Looking back over the winter, we had time to reflect on what Chris and Gillian – seeing the garden for the first time – were able to capture.

Blue Poppy is myself, Catherine (florist), my mum Ann (gardener) and Frida (our old Jack Russell who patrols the garden and scares off anything likely to nibble seedlings). We run a florist farmer business from a small holding on the east coast of Scotland.

Garden and foraged materials

We grow flowers over 2 acres of gardens, mainly for weddings and events. Although we can source flowers on request, nothing makes us happier than receiving an email from a bride who loves our work and trusts us completely to use the best of the season. It is the wispy foliage trails and garden flowers which make an arrangement come to life. We are hugely lucky with our brides. They understand the appreciate the work involved in growing flowers and reap the rewards. There is nothing better than garden or foraged materials. They add a natural beauty that is unsurpassed.

Hard work behind the scenes

From March to November our feet barely touch the ground. With weddings most weekends, we are up before sunrise and work long after sunset creating arrangements and transforming venues. As I create, my mum looks after the gardens. Although the photos depict the beauty of the end product, there has been years of hard work to create this wild flower haven (the first trees and shrubs were planted over 30 years ago). During the spring and summer, days pass quickly watering, tying up stems, creating wind breaks, sheltering delicate blooms from the elements, keeping ahead of the weather and doing the never-ending task of dead-heading. However, the hard work is worth it.

Rare varieties of flowers for unique designs

It is wonderful to be able to step outside the studio door and walk (sometimes run in the height of wedding season) around the garden paths to find that ‘something’ needed to bring an arrangement to another level of beauty; to not be restricted. As we focus on growing the rarest varieties of flowers it allows to create authentic and unique designs. As every year and season differs, it’s quite incredible to think the combination of flowers used in a bride’s bouquet may never come about on the same day again. That is what makes our flowers truly unique.

Seasonal changes

My favourite flower and season constantly changes. The first sweet pea in July is always one of the most exciting moments – the scent of a few stems can fill a room. As the summer fades, the autumn light softens and the pace of the garden slows. You have the time to enjoy every moment and have to work a little harder to find those gems. Even, after 4 years of using the gardens for materials, I sometimes come across a new flower or foliage. Naturally, the first thing I do is cut it and try it in a vase.

Big thanks to Chris and Gillian – The Curries – for coming to visit us.

Blue Poppy is one of our recommended suppliers on The Natural Wedding Company directory so do go and check them out and if you’re a bride-to-be add them to your list of favourites by clicking the ‘heart’ icon next to their listing.

Images: The Curries