Fresh floral design for any occasion
May proves a stitch in time can make all the difference in the nuptial world
Her wedding florist grandmother may have planted the seed, but it was fate that took care of the rest.
A goldsmith by profession, wedding florist Sarah May said it was the move to coastal town Chintsa three years ago which gave rise to her business.
Knowing several wedding venue owners from in and around East London, May said she was asked on several occasions to help out with the flower arrangements for weddings.
She loved it, going from merely arranging the bride's bouquet, to setting up both the table décor and later the entire venue.
According to May it was in June 2018 when, assisting a bride to set up her tables, she realised there were no adequate napkins to use. She made a call to her wedding photographer friend, quickly laid out some flowers on a flat surface, got them photographed and printed onto some fabric.
That was how the Sarah May Floral Collection was born.
The collection – with different ranges named Maggie, Nora, Cheryl, Lynne, Faye, Ella, Alice and Joscelyne after her female relatives – features a variety of flowers which include hydrangeas, proteas, sea holly plus a combination of dry flowers too.
Starting with napkins, tablecloths and table runners printed onto pure cotton designed to make each bride's day look spectacular, May said her collection has since grown to include bags, cushions, aprons, oven gloves and even a headboard.
Initially marketed via social media, May said her floral collection has literally exploded with the demand currently so high, she and her local seamstress are struggling to keep up.
“It exploded like crazy. It took off like you can't believe. I have not been out of work since the first day I posted my florals on Facebook,” May said.
“Floral linen is not my invention, it’s not a new concept at all. I know of a business in Cape Town which offers this exact service. The only difference here is that this is my take on it which brings something unique to the table.”
The floral collection features different colour hues which range from vivid blue, delicate pink to warm variants of brown and orange. Though weddings are the initial inspiration behind the linen, they can be used for any occasion.
“I try to keep them quite bridal because ultimately that’s where I’m going with this but these can be used to spruce up any occasion.
“With this collection I'm trying to introduce something new to the country which will hopefully shake things up a bit. I'm trying to move people away from traditional and boring to something new and hopefully exciting,” she said.
Ready-made items are available via preorder, but May also takes custom work.
The napkins, table runners and tablecloths are hired out country-wide. To add to her collection May is currently working on a new range, which will feature a variety of indigenous plants. “These will feature succulents and palms and it will be coming out soon.”