Signature style

I love designing a floral scheme for a wedding, meeting couples for their consultations looking at their initial ideas and elevating this into something that’s theirs and theirs alone. Most of the time couples choose me because they’ve seen a piece of my work and they love it. However, every so often I meet a couple who asks me to create something completely opposite to what I usually do.

It’s made me realise that a common mistake out there are couples not realizing that like photographers, florists have their own signature styles too. When booking a photographer, you’re doing so because you like their work, their style of editing and composition or how they use lighting in their images.

It’s also the same for florists. If you look carefully at florists’ galleries, Instagram feed and other social media- the more they post the more you will see each of them have their own individual style.

Now don’t get me wrong a good florist is able to mimic different styles and designs- it’s something we often do when we freelance for each other. But it’s not as easy as it seems and I’ll admit working with your opposite style can be un-enjoyable. Us florists are your typical creatives; we’re doing this job because we like to express through flowers and when you tell us you want the opposite to what we do it begins to feel restrictive.

I will honestly put my hands up and say my best work happens when I get a couple who are relaxed about flower type, love my style and don’t mind what flowers go into the selection. It’s enjoyable, I don’t worry that about them liking what I’m creating and I’m not holding myself back, so you get the very best from me. If you’re phoning me a week before your wedding to discuss the exact shade of blue in your bouquet and how there only needs to be a 15% ratio of it in their compared to other flowers, you’re going to give me performance anxiety.

My signature style is for those who like their flowers, textured, dramatic, abundant and untamed.

Hibiscus & Hodge was designed to offer something a little bit different. We work on a bespoke basis to ensure that every wedding we design is completely different and reflects you as a couple. However, like all florists we do have our own unique signature style that we incorporate into our design work. So, if you are after more natural floral design here is what we describe as the Hibiscus & Hodge signature style.

Wild/ loose/ untamed – It’s our belief that flowers aren’t made to be contained. Flowers grow in the wild. They are chaotic they twist they turn they move in the wind. We love this. We try to artfully create the effect of your flowers looking like they have just been gathered. (Though I will admit that this takes a bit more work than it looks)

Kathrine Yiannaki Photogrpahy

Abundant- We don’t care what anyone says more is more. We like to fill our bouquets, arrangements and displays to the brim. More flowers, more textures a variety of greenery and filler flowers. A mix of dried and fresh flowers. We personally can’t bear seeing a display you can see through. Also, if you’re paying for flowers we believe they should be noticed by your guests, admired in your photos and used at every opportunity for a good wedding selfie.

Textured. -  This is what we feel makes our displays that little bit more wow. Variety! We are not the one type of flower and foliage florists. In our arrangements you find odd little bits, florals you definitely haven’t seen before, foraged finds and a mix of things that neither of us probably had planned but that is guaranteed to look good.

Dramatic- We love creating flower drama!  Our consultation service is there to provide you with a scheme for your wedding or event that is authentically you, giving us the opportunity to create something unique whether that be through colour, flower choices, design or whatever. There are no rules when it comes to floral design and we are happy to come up with something new bold and exciting!

Flowers are a form of decoration at your wedding and it’s my opinion that if you are decorating a venue with flowers then your flowers need to be noticed. Otherwise why have you paid for something your guests are going to bypass – you have just wasted your money? I love it when I hear feedback from couples saying everyone kept commenting on the floral arrangements, people kept coming over for a closer look at my bouquet to see what was in it etc.  This means your money was well spent on flowers. 

I’m also big on proportions. If you’re having an installation, make sure its impactful and make sure it fits the required space appropriately.  I cannot bear seeing tiny hoops up on big marquee ceilings, thin bands of greenery on archways, it’s not impactful, it’s not noticed and it won’t be seen in your pictures. The best installations are the ones where after you’ve had your photos your guests are taking selfies under it because it looks so good or they want a quick snap with the blushing bride under it. That’s also value for money.

You might be reading this and nodding, if so brilliant, I’m the florist for you. However, you might be reading this and disagreeing with me! That’s ok to because out there is another florist who has the same vision as you and a different one to me. So, I urge you before you get in contact with a florist and start sharing pinterest boards of what you want have a check and think about if it matches their style- are your images loose is their style tight. Are there only a few flower types, do they use a variety?  But most importantly do you like what’s on their social media feeds and gallery?