Hello from Ruth!
Photography by Emily Scotney Photography
I'm Ruth, I live in rural Dorset with my husband Leigh, our son, and two dogs, Lola and Bonnie. We are two years into a fairly big home and garden renovation project which keeps us busy. One of the first things we have achieved is building a flower shed at the top of the garden which has been invaluable this year - I'm incredibly grateful for Leigh building it for me!
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Anyone who has ever known me, will know that I am and always have been slightly obsessed by everything flowers...
I grew up growing our own veg and flowers, and this has stuck with me and if anything the satisfaction from growing your own has just got stronger. I was always going out to the garden and picking anything I could to bring the joy inside.
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After my own wedding in 2019, I was completely inspired by the flowers and brought every single one home with me - I clung onto them for as long as they would last and even dried some hydrangeas that I later made into a wreath which I still cherish.
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During the Covid pandemic, I decided to take my floristry to the next level offering sympathy flowers, wedding and event flowers and everything in between. I count myself extremely lucky and I haven't looked back since!
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For a few years now I have been learning different techniques and trying to work in the most sustainable way, using reusable materials where possible. I use a mixture of flowers in my designs, including my own home grown flowers as well as British flowers from local flower farmers. Unfortunately not all weddings and designs can be created with solely British flowers, so we also use our trusty Dutch wholesalers.
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Despite my love for all things flowers, this isn't my full time job. I work in the NHS as an Occupational Therapy Apprentice, and am now in year 3 of a 4 year degree. I have a passion for this as well; enabling people to live in their own homes as comfortably as possible, and keeping them doing the things they love. My ultimate goal once I qualify as an Occupational Therapist is to continue doing this, as well as my floristry part time, and if the two could ever merge it would be a dream!! ​
Supplier Recommendations
I am lucky enough to work with some amazing & talented people who are too good not to share! Ask me about them and the work we do together or visit their websites and socials to get in touch. Here are some recommendations based on my experience with these talented humans!
Sarah Grace Photography
Sarah is so talented - not much needs to be said here as I feel her photos speak for themselves. She has a real flair for being non-intrusive, relaxed and friendly, with a passion to do your big day complete justice. I have known Sarah for years now and watching her develop her business has been wonderful, and you'll see her popping up on my socials as I did her wedding flowers in 2022 at the gorgeous Bake Barn. She is also an OT for the NHS so again has a heart of gold!
https://www.sarahgrace-photography.co.uk/​​​​
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Top It Off Design & Hire
Victoria and Jake have the most amazing props that are really versatile and add that 'wow' factor to your wedding. They can suit different budgets, personalise everything to your colour scheme and give you so many styling options. Victoria and I have become really good friends having small growing businesses together and are definitely each others' go to for girl power business chats!
https://www.topitoffdesign.com/
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Chetterwood Flowers
Chetterwood Flowers in the Tarrant valley in Dorset is owned by the lovely Marney, who is brilliant and this is where I source of the majority of the British blooms I use in my designs. Marney grows a huge range of flowers and foliage which thrive in the summer seasons and also offers DIY wedding flowers. I actually work with Marney for some of her DIY couples that want to create their venue decorations themselves, but would prefer to have a professional bridal bouquet, bridesmaids bouquets and/or buttonholes. If this is something you have thought about (it seems to be becoming very popular!) it is well worth getting in touch.
https://www.chetterwoodflowerfarm.co.uk/
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Emily Scotney Photography
Emily is another wonderful human I met in the NHS world (maybe there's a theme here?!). Emily has recently expanded her photography work and although does offer weddings, also does family, maternity and business shoots. You'll see most of the pictures of me are by the talented lady herself.
