Interview With: Heidi Baker

Company Name: The Flower Studio

Website: www.flowerstudio.im

Location: St Johns, Isle of Man

How did The Flower Studio get started and how long has the business been going?

I opened the Flower Studio about a year after I graduated from Writtle College in Chelmsford with my Foundation Degree in Professional Floristry and Degree (Hons) in Horticulture.  Whilst I was studying at college I was really lucky to work in 2 top London florists, so when I returned to the Isle of Man I decided I wanted to open a shop that reflected the styles I had grown to love while working in London.  The shop has now been open since March 2009 and is getting busier all the time.

Is it just you or do you have a team?

I work full time (i.e. 7 days a week!) and I have 2 part time florists, 1 part time driver and a couple of freelance drivers and florists that help me out at peak periods such as Valentines Day, Christmas and Mothers Day.  My family are also great at stepping in, and love helping me dress a big venue for a wedding!

Where is The Flower Studio based, do you have a shop? Which areas of the UK do you cover?

We are based in St Johns on the Isle of Man and deliver all over the Island directly from the shop.  We are also a Premier Interflora Member, so people can order gifts through us to go worldwide.  As far as wedding flowers go, if someone off the Island wanted to use us for their wedding, I would never say no, but obviously there would be expenses costed in with the flowers.  A friend of mine is getting married abroad in a couple of years time and she has said she might bring me along with her to do her flowers!

What type of flowers can you provide for a wedding?

We provide whatever the bride wants!  I love being creative and if the bride asks for something really different and unique I see it as an exciting challenge.  Even if their heart is set on having a simple posy of roses, I always try and add something to the bouquet to make it personal to them – such as a family brooch or a bespoke collar… one bride asked me to hide an old photo of her Grandmother who had recently passed away… no-one else could really see it, but it meant so much to the Bride.

What sets The Flower Studio apart from other wedding florists?

Something I am really passionate about is the environmental aspect of the floristry industry.  We are a member of Fair Flowers Fair Plants, and I try and source as many of my materials as possible from growers who operate under labels such as this, as that means there has been as little environmental impact as possible and the workers have been treated and paid fairly.  We also recycle all our card, paper and plastic waste, and the green waste from the shop goes onto my compost heap, which I am hoping will contribute to some flowers that I am planning to grow myself next year.  We also use local growers from the Isle of Man for seasonal flowers such as Dahlias, Chrysanthemums and Gladioli.

What has the trend been for wedding flowers in 2010 and what do you think will be the trend for 2011?

Purple was a very popular colour in 2010, which I loved as it is one of my favourites!  Vintage shabby chic is a trend that was popular in 2010, which I think will carry on in 2011 judging by the consultations I have done so far.  Also because everyone has tightened their belts a bit recently, more brides are going for the DIY approach, so they buy the flowers off us and arrange them themselves.  To fit in with this we offer a Wedding Flowers workshop for brides-to-be to come along to and pick up the basics and a few tricks of the trade.

Does The Flower Studio have a specialist floral area?

I love working with natural materials such as twigs, leaves, wool and moss, to create bouquets and displays that are really earthy and rustic. I also enjoy creating designs with coloured wire and other contemporary materials.  I think our specialist area is that we like to push the boundaries a bit and be unique.

What are your top tips for choosing wedding flowers?

• Set a budget before you speak to your florist. This will let them know from the start what kind of displays to suggest to you.
• Choose your dress first. Again, the style of your dress will help the florist suggest designs for your flowers.
• Photos/Mood Board. Keep a record of any photos or styles that you like together or create a mood board.  A lot of brides start off with one idea and then this idea changes three or four times before final decisions are made… by this time, you might have forgotten something really amazing that you saw right back when you first got engaged.
• Don’t let other people make up your mind for you!! Whether it is your mum, your maid of honour, or even your florist… if your heart is set on having something, you shouldn’t be made to feel like you are having to compromise!  Obviously seasons can play a part in what flowers you have, so having a wedding in October and wanting spring flowers might be a bit tricky to pull off, but a good florist should always be able to suggest suitable alternatives.

Do you have a favourite floral arrangement that you have made?

I have so many favourites!  One was a large shower bouquet made with cottage garden flowers and lots of pretty trailing flowers (a lot of them grown locally). I fell in love with it so much while I was making it I wanted to keep it myself!  So many of the guests have been in to the shop since saying it was the most beautiful bouquet they have seen too!  I got a lovely email from the bride saying it was exactly what she had pictured for her wedding bouquet since she was a little girl!  I can’t wait to get a copy of the official photos!  We also got asked to make a wedding bouquet for a film due out next year called Decoy Bride (starring David Tennant and Kelly McDonald), and not only did I love the bouquet but got extremely excited about the fact that my work was going to be on the silver screen!

What is your favourite flower?

That would be impossible to choose!  It changes with the seasons:  Spring, I love the scent of Narcissi and Hyacinth; Summer,  I am a sucker for big blowsy Hydrangeas and Delphiniums; Autumn, the colours are fantastic, large bronze Chrysanthemums mixed with natural foliage such as oak or beech and Winter, Amaryllis, Pussy Willow and of course all the Christmas foliage such as pine, and holly!

Where can I find out more about The Flower Studio?

We have a website www.flowerstudio.im and also a Facebook page to which we are adding things on a daily basis www.facebook.com/pages/The-Flower-Studio/167854235450

Visit The Flower Studio‘s supplier page on The Wedding Community