I Heart Buttons

The months are disappearing so quickly we’ve hardly got time to stop and smell the flowers, however we’re doing just that with our Misfit of the Month feature for December. This month we’re finding out a bit more about leading button bouquet company I Heart Buttons.

Shabby Chic Bouquet (Chris Cowley, Isle of Wight Wedding Photographer)

Can you tell us a little bit about who you are and where you’re from?

I’m Lesa, originally from London and moved to Ryde on the beautiful Isle of Wight in 2010. Having been a legal secretary in London for more years than I care to remember, we moved to the Isle of Wight to leave the rat race and bring up our little family near the sea.  

Where does this love of buttons come from?

I always remember my mum’s button tin, especially a set of buttons with small little flowers on them. I was mesmerised and the love of buttons has never really left me, although it was sort of forgotten until 2011.

Vintage Nautical Inspired Button Bouquet (Julie Siddi Photography)

You don't just use buttons though do you?

No, my products have evolved over the years and I use paper flowers, jewellery, and now door knobs!  I love them all as each material gives you such a different product. I am enjoying seeing all the different styles of door knobs appearing but think the buttons will always be my favourite though.

Carnival Paper Flower Bouquet (Chris Cowley, Isle of Wight Wedding Photographer)

Where do you get your inspiration?

Usually it is from a brooch, jewellery piece, button or can be a piece of material. When I see the item, I can envisage the colours/styles that would match it and then off I go.

Do you have a favourite style?

My shabby chic bouquets are very popular. I love working with this design as you can incorporate so many pretty things into the bouquet; hearts, flowers, lace, stars.  But now and again I get a request for something different, more recently a hot pink/turquoise bouquet incorporating animal/zebra print and a big cat brooch. It was so exciting seeing all the buttons together and how to fit them in without it looking “too much”. I couldn’t wait to start putting it together and was ever so pleased with the final outcome – as was the bride :)

Animal Print Bouquet (Mark Smith Photography)

What can customers expect from your work?

I want my bride to have her breath taken away when she sees her finished bouquet. Having now created these alternative bouquets for four years I have perfected my technique and only use the highest quality materials. All my bouquets are shaped by hand, I do not use (nor recommend) oasis/Styrofoam balls, sieves or pipe cleaners! My bouquets are built to last and after the wedding day they become spectacular centrepieces in the home or can be passed down to loved ones. My bouquets are finished to the highest standard both on the front and the underside, and I try to use vintage buttons/materials wherever possible. I work closely with my brides to ensure they are involved every step of the way and I send them lots of progress photos throughout the build. I have a studio here in Ryde where I work from and some brides like to come over and visit and they can choose the brooch/buttons etc from my stash so they get a real feel for how it will look!

Steampunk Bouquet (Jenny Owens Photography)

Without giving away your secrets can you tell us a bit about the processes involved in making your beautiful bouquets?

First off I have to choose the buttons I will use and then share this with the bride. She can then see what she likes and perhaps which she would like more of and then I begin to wire the stems up. Again, more photos are sent to the bride. I can then start to assemble the bouquet and shape by hand. Finally adding a collar (if wanted) and ribbon the stems up. It is a very lengthy process and my large bouquets can contain 500+ buttons, it is a labour of love but worth it to see the final result.

Forest Frill Bureau Bouquet (Pippa Brown Photography)

From your experience, do you think more people are moving away from traditional bouquets in favour of more interesting ones like yours?

Yes, mainly because they can be kept and treasured. I introduced my “Aisle Be With You” bouquet earlier this year, where a photo frame is attached to the front and a photo of a loved one is inserted so they can be with you on the day and walk with you down the aisle. These are popular as then you have a unique photo centrepiece to display. Also, as they can be themed, these are popular with brides who are having perhaps polka dots as a theme, or snowflakes, Alice in Wonderland etc.

Aisle be With You Bouquet (Steve Bridgwood Photography)

Can you tell us about some of the more unusual projects you've worked on?

Not so much unusual but I also create quirky buttonholes/corsages and the grooms love to get involved and help me create their buttonholes. I recently had an airline pilot ask me to create themed buttonholes and have also had a computer engineer and lorry driver ask me to create them personalised buttonholes. The groom isn’t left out at all when it comes to my products!

An assortment of buttonholes

With Christmas just around the corner, can you tell us whether you have anything planned? Do you make festive items?

To be honest, I am so busy with the bouquets/buttonholes I rarely get a chance to create anything else, but I recently made a button star wand for a flower girl. My facebook likers asked if it could be made into a Christmas Star Tree Topper so one evening I gave it a go. I would love to have the time to create loads of different buttony items for different occasions but bouquets/buttonholes take up nearly all of my time.

What are you working on at the moment then?

My new Bureau Bouquets are becoming a popular choice for brides and I am currently working on a couple of new designs to showcase at The National Wedding Show along with matching buttonholes.

Love Heart Bureau Bouquet (Pippa Brown Photography)

What do you feel makes I Heart Buttons stand out from the crowd?

I would say my unique designs and the quality of my work. My bouquets are beautifully shaped and put together. My buttonholes finished off perfectly. I always strive to be different and I am always coming up with new ideas and materials to add into my work. My work is featured regularly in Brides Magazine and other bridal publications and I am about to exhibit for the second time at The National Wedding Show at Olympia, London 21-22 Feb 2015. I also have a studio here in Ryde where brides can visit me and really get involved with helping to create their bouquet.

Brit Chic Bouque (Binky Nixon Photography)

Finally, can you tell us what you find most satisfying about your job?

When the bride sees her finished bouquet. I have had tears, broken nails (excitement of getting into the parcel) and some wanting to kiss me ;) I just love seeing or hearing how they reacted! And then seeing photos from the wedding day really finishes it off – seeing how the bouquets/buttonholes tied in with the theme and of course the bride’s dress. I just love it all! I am very lucky to do something I enjoy and love so much.

Thanks for talking to us Lesa and please keep doing what you’re doing!

Find more amazing bouquets from I Heart Buttons in the following places: