SPARROW AND ROSE / SEASONAL AND ROMANTIC / DELICIOU(S) AND A(R)ID
Glasgow based wedding florist Lisa from Sparrow and Rose is one of our longest serving members of TWC, but her style is anything but outdated. Her bold, blousy, unapologetic arrangements are full of texture and foliage and feelings, resulting in installations that tell a story. We sat down with her to discuss her approach to wedding floristry, her inspiration, and why you need her on your wedding day with a cable tie between her teeth.
WHO ARE YOU + WHERE ARE YOU BASED?
I’m Lisa. I make everything in my private studio in Finnieston, Glasgow and on location at events all over Scotland (and further afield if you have the big bucks to fly me somewhere awesome)
DESCRIBE YOUR WORKPLACE.
My studio is in a tucked away industrial space in Finnieston, full of light, plants and Bonjovi tunes
WHERE/HOW DID IT ALL BEGIN?
I’ve always been a florist but set out on my own in 2010. I’ve been working solely on flowers and styling for weddings/events and moaning about how sore my back is ever since.
FAVOURITE WORK TO DATE?
ffs. Who knows? Here are a few photos of pieces I love..
WHO/WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
Texture – cactus gardens, the desert, beaches, Scottish native hillside flora..
I spend a couple of months in Australia ever year and the textures and colours there have heavily influenced my work. I love the dusty bush landscape, eucalyptus forests and salty sand dune shrubs..lots of rusty browns, ochres and greens.
I’m inspired by my wedding couples – their vibe, their style, the venue and season they have chosen and why.
DESCRIBE YOUR TYPICAL DAY.
Each wedding is a well organised collaboration so lots of chats about colours, textures and the couples main intentions for their day are the starting point..I spend a LOT of time at my computer with my old boxer dog sleeping on my feet..
If it’s go time for a wedding then I’m holed up in the studio making pretty solidly for 2 to 3 days in the run up then on location the day of..mostly up a ladder holding a branch and cable ties between my teeth.
I’m interrupted several times a day by my boyfriend asking me what I want for dinner.
WHERE’S YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE TO GO?
After a wedding my favourite place to go is my bed.
My boyfriend and I LOVE to fly places to eat seafood so that’s pretty much my favourite thing. In Glasgow we’ll always head to Crabshak for oysters and beers.
Arran is my favourite place. We go there to switch off, hike and forage for wild food. The canteen on the ferry does the best chips.
I’m also obsessed with music so gigs and musicians keep me happy.
FAVOURITE WEDDING VENUE?
Somewhere that makes the most of the awesome Scottish light gets me going. I love subtle, understated and well designed venues where the atmosphere and view is given top billing and the flowers are there to compliment and not overtake. The Scottish islands do this sort of venue very well.
Saying that, I still love working on the occasional country house floral extravaganza!
TRENDS YOU HOPE TO SEE THIS SEASON
I get a real kick out of clients who aren’t fazed by trends and who want their day to fully reflect them as a couple.
If you hold your wedding reception in your local pub or favourite restaurant because being relaxed, having amazing food, quality booze and good music is your priority then you are my dream client and we should definitely work together.
BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE BEEN GIVEN
You get what you pay for
