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Announcing the winner of the Catkin Flowers competition to win a place on the cut flower growing and arranging workshop

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It’s been lovely announcing all these lucky winner’s over the past few weeks, but today’s competition winner is particular exciting because I’ll get to meet them!  Myself and Rachel from Catkin Flowers have collaborated to put on an exclusive TNWC cut flower growing and arranging course, and one lucky person is winning a free place.

Rachel found it incredibly difficult to select a winner from all the lovely entries, but if you did enter and aren’t the lucky winner who’s name is below, you can still join us for the course.  Shortly I will be posting details of how you can book your discounted place on this exclusive course, where you’ll get to learn about how to start a cutting garden and how to arrange with cut flowers.

A huge congratulations to Nik – we will be in touch about your free place on the course and look forward to meeting you.  Rachel loved that Nik wanted to learn how to grow cut flowers to give to her family and friends, and that she could see the benefits of cutting garden to local wildlife – hopefully after coming on the workshop Nik will be able to get growing!

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Vintage jelly moulds become chic clay tealight holders in the hands of potter Tom Gloster

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vintage jelly mould tealights by Tom Gloster

I told you I had some beautiful finds and inspiration to share with you – just think I’ve been keeping these things to myself all this time!  Aren’t I terrible?  When I spotted these stunning handmade jelly mould tealights it was love at first sight and I will be most definitely treating myself to a couple in the near future.

They are handmade in clay by potter Tom Gloster in his workshop garden shed in Wales, where he also runs a charming looking coffee and craft shop called Pethau Melys with textile designer Myfanwy Griffiths.  When I saw them I instantly got in touch with Tom to find out more about these endearing little tealights.

Pethau Melys

Tom told me how the jelly mould tealights came about.  “I like to find things that have one use and change the use by making them out of clay.  The jelly molds are a line of work that have been inspired from vintage metal jelly moulds, which I found when helping my mum.  

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Make your own natural spring wreath by finding inspiration in the hedgerows

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spring hawthorn wreath

Regular readers will know that on Sunday it was the TNWC 5th birthday party, which was held at my house with 11 lovely guests – all readers of the website and blog.  I made a number of items for the party, which I hope to share with you, but to start with I wanted to share this natural hedgerow wreath I created.  All the photos are taken on my phone so nothing fancy!

My hedgerow wreath was created using hawthorn cuttings, mostly green ones, but I managed to find a few with the pretty white blossom already out.  Before I go any further I must say I wouldn’t recommend you to use hawthorn, even though it is so beautiful and so seasonal at the moment.  Why?  Because it droops incredibly quickly – more on that below.

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Last minute preparations for The Natural Wedding Company’s birthday party tomorrow

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Paper party straws

I know it’s rather late to be posting, but I just wanted to share a few words and pictures on this very exciting night.  Tomorrow is my 5th birthday party – no, not myself, but for The Natural Wedding Company.  If you’re a regular reader you’ll know that during March we celebrated 5 years since the website launched with loads of wonderful offers and competitions, if this is your first visit then welcome!

Spring flowers from Blossom Chorlton

Tomorrow I have 11 lovely guests – all readers of The Natural Wedding Company blog and girls who have used the directory to help plan their wedding.  Some of them are brides-to-be in the midst of planning their weddings, others like myself are recently married – one only just got married yesterday!

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DIY tutorial to create your own wedding pomander ball using herbs and seasonal flowers from Jay Archer Floral Deisgn

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Jay Archer wedding flower pomander ball

I’ve got some lovely blog posts lined up for you, from real weddings to creative ‘how to’ guides – and today I’ve got a fantastic DIY tutorial created especially for you by Jay of Jay Archer Floral Design.  Jay has created this beautiful floral pomander ball using homegrown muscari and garden herbs, along side pretty white ranunculus.

So here’s over to Jay:

The pomander ball has been traditionally carried by flower girls and bridesmaids. However, a bride may also carry a pomander ball as a modern replacement to a traditional bouquet.  Making your own pomander ball is really quite easy.  Maybe spend an afternoon practising one with your Mum, friends and bridesmaids over a glass of vino or cup of char.

You could make a pomander from almost any flower; hydrangea florets, spray roses & rose buds and dahlia are just some examples. I would opt for smaller, more rounded flowers to give a better shape. 

Jay Archer DIY pomander flower ball

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A jug of English grown white tulips and branches of delicate blossom for a pretty spring wedding

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White tulips and blossom from Green and Gorgeous Flowers

It is lovely to be able to share some inspiration from one of the businesses listed on The Natural Wedding Company directory this afternoon.  This beautiful spring arrangement of white tulips and branches of blossom was put together by the lovely Green and Gorgeous, and I think just captures this time of year.

If I was getting married now, I would have jugs of these white tulips and blossom everywhere – such a simple combination but artfully arranged by Green and Gorgeous – and all seasonal and English grown, can you really get any better than that?

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Announcing the winners of the Silver Sixpence in Her Shoe competition for a place on the “Made By You” bridal workshop

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Silver Sixpence in Her Shoe

More winners on the blog today, and not just one, but five!  A huge thank you is in order for the lovely Nicola of Silver Sixpence in Her Shoe who ran this fabulous competition for five of my readers to win a place on her up-coming “Made By You” DIY bridal workshop.

If you entered this competition but don’t find your name below, don’t despair!  Nicola still has a few places left on this fantastic workshop to create your own headpiece, which is being held in Manchester on Thursday 3rd May 2012 from 7pm – 10pm.  Places cost £50 and is inclusive of all sewing materials, pot of tea, piece of homemade cake and of course your “Made by You” creation.

So without further ado, the winners of the Silver Sixpence competition are…

Congratulations to all five of you!  In order to secure your place on the workshop, please drop Nicola an email at nicolawellard@hotmail.co.uk to confirm your place, including your name, telephone and email address.

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Have yourself the beautiful and natural beach wedding you’ve always dreamed of with Beach Weddings Bournemouth

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Beach Weddings Bournemouth natural beach wedding venue

There’s been a bit of a media hubub about this latest wedding venue that I get to introduce you to, but no wonder – they are the first licensed wedding venue in the UK to allow beach weddings! Beach Weddings Bournemouth is a very exciting new wedding venue, allowing you to get married on the beach, and for the first time legally.

Beach Weddings Bournemouth wedding on the beach

Never, ever before this could you legally marry on a beach in the UK, but Beach Weddings Bournemouth have changed all that.  Imagine a beautiful and natural wedding, where you don’t need to fuss about decorating the venue when you have a stunning seascape with waves lapping at the shore and a sandy beach stretching out before you.

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