When asking friends what my first post should be on this little blooming blog, they all replied something along the lines of ‘Surely it should be your story’ or ‘Just write about yourself’. And frankly, I couldn’t think of anything worse.

It’s not that I’m a particularly private person - everyone knows I love to chat - but talking about me, my life, and how Lily&Liz came to exist just ain’t the happiest of tales. However, if I want this space to be what I have in mind, an open space for collaborators to talk, and for you, dear reader, to talk too, I guess I need to get used to vulnerability. I got away with the actual first post not being on this topic, but it seems I can’t avoid it forever!

So it’s nice to meet you, my name is Hannah, and here’s a little bit about me.

My childhood was an extremely happy, flowery and free one. My mum was a biologist and teacher, taking me and my brother on many a day trip to National Trust gardens, pointing out plants and bugs to her often disinterested children. My dad is from Somerset, and the wonder of visiting family there, going on long walks over rolling hills, never lost it’s charm, and I still walk wherever I can now. Just swap the hills for the streets of South London, and you get the idea.

Creativity was definitely in my veins, and it took many different forms. Work experience as a photographer at Glastonbury Festival persuaded me that Documentary Photography was the right path for University. Following that, I was a Gallery Assistant, then a Art’s Consultant, then a Photo Agent (not to mention many other straining internships and part time jobs along the way). None felt completely right for me, but all were good enough.

And then my Mum died, and my world turned upside down for a while. I won’t go into details, but after fighting an illness that morphed, grew and changed over the course of 10 or so years, her death was still unexpected and devastating. For most of 2016, I was unlike myself, making crazy decisions and wrong turns, hitting the brink of despair many times and wondering what was happening with my life, until I made one choice that was right.

I signed up for a floristry course. Everyone thought I had totally lost it, and was clinging to anything that felt new and exciting to stay sane. But I knew I had stumbled across something good for me mentally and physically, even if it turned out I was rubbish at it. An old job had a perfect opening to take me back part time, so I could still earn money to fund me travelling between Berkshire and London 3 days a week - things were looking up.

And then 6 months of cut hands, tears and shockingly early mornings later, I realised I wasn’t rubbish at this floristry malarky at all. I was actually alright, and more than that, I LOVED IT.

And that’s where Lily&Liz began.

A bit more about us and who we are - the name came from my love of Lisianthus (I even have one tattooed on my arm) and then the Lily part came cos it just sounded catchy - HA! We have grown from one or two weddings to meeting many amazing couples, and it’s so lovely to be a part of their story. Our main passion is weddings, and making our bride and groom’s day beautiful. We source stunning seasonal flowers, and we make them into however you imagine them to be - from little dreams to big, we can make it happen! We also dabble in floral installations for events, and have been known to lead a workshop or two. We work out of both South London and a little village in Berkshire, but am willing (and wanting) to travel. And we are absolutely crazy in love with what we do.

And apart from flowers, other things I’m a big fan of with are (in no particular order):
- Coffee. As soon as I wake up please. I’ll take mine V60 style, with semi-skimmed milk and vanilla if it’s not too much trouble.
- Glastonbury. Have been 5 times (and counting). Helps it’s in the motherland, full of cider and the music ain’t bad either.
- Tattoos. Previously mentioned. Have 8 and no, there are no current plans for anymore - but never say never.
- Murder/Crime Documentaries. If there’s a TV show based around Ted Bundy, I’ve probably already seen it.
- Pancakes. Some seriously crispy bacon, and a drizzle of maple syrup please. If this could arrive with coffee, ideal, if not, I can settle for Prosecco.

That’s all for now folks, thanks for taking the time to read down this far - stay tuned as next week we begin Floriography, Wedding Trends AND A FLORAL QUIZ!

Lily & Liz - A Backstory