MEET CIRIAN-MARIE BEDDOES OWNER OF BRAMBLE BEES FLORIST Tell us about your background – how did you become a florist? After three years of quite a complicated medical experience, I changed my 25-year career as a registered dietitian to embark on this new, exciting, and rewarding career path as an independent florist. I walked past a vacant shop building on Dickens Heath and made the decision there and then to follow a more creative path hence Bramble Bees Florist. I sourced the funding and opened the shop two days before the first lockdown in October 2020. We managed to keep trading through the various restrictions by offering ‘Petals from the Pavement’ so no direct customer contact and have since adapted to sell ice cream, dog treats and garden tools as well as our fabulous flowers. We’re an independent florist and gift shop, and we deliver our beautiful bouquets throughout Dickens Heath, Shirley, Solihull, and Birmingham, and we can often offer same-day delivery. I have superb staff; Naomi and my daughter Ella are always on hand to offer their expertise and ensure my job is a wonderful, creative and fun environment to work in. What should couples expect when booking your services? We offer our couples and their extended bridal party a free consultation over a cup of tea, where we will go through all of the details for your big day. You’re welcome to bring your partner, bridesmaids, or family with you to see if we’re the right fit for your wedding. It’s important that you feel connected to your florist and are excited to work with them, so we leave the decision completely up to you and there’s no pressure to book. We offer a set price for our flowers, so you know what you’re paying up front, but if you’re looking for a specific flower that’s not readily available, there may be an extra cost. What’s your favourite wedding arrangement that you’ve made and why? All our bouquets are hand-tied, and I love it when they feature peonies, veronicas, roses or alstroemeria pearls. How long before the wedding should couples book? We can cater for weddings booked years in advance but can also accommodate last-minute bookings. I’d say three months is ideal as we always have flowers arriving in the store. As long as we have the staff available to create your flowers and transport them, we’ll try our best to meet your needs. What’s your favourite part of the job? I love meeting the happy couple before the wedding and getting to see the love and excitement between them. It’s a wonderful feeling knowing we get to be a part of their love story. I also love delivering the flowers and seeing the bride’s reaction. It’s so emotional seeing them get excited and looking forward to the day ahead, and we adore getting a card in the post after the wedding telling us all about how the day went. Do you have any top tips for couples looking for a florist? Make sure they have a website and are keeping it up-to-date and check out their reviews to see what previous couples thought of their services. Meet the florist face-to-face if possible, and don’t be afraid to say it isn’t going to work if you don’t feel a good connection with them. You need to build a relationship with your florist; it’s such an important day in your life and you need to make sure you trust the person helping bring your dream flowers to life. Solihull 01218 036 822 bramble@bramblebeesflorist.co.uk www.bramblebeesflorist.co.uk MEET HEATHER AMOR FROM THE FLOWER KITCHEN FLORIST Tell us about your background – how did you become a florist? I came to floristry after working for years in the jewellery industry, it was creative but unsatisfactory, so I took my chance after I had my first daughter and enrolled in a floristry course for fun at my local college when I was on maternity leave. It was a release from the everyday humdrum, and I was hooked almost immediately. What should couples expect when booking your services? Attention to detail, friendly communication, and spectacular flowers! What’s your favourite wedding arrangement that you’ve made and why? I love making arrangements in milk churns, pedestal arrangements and archways – there is so much scope for texture and colour, which I adore, and the final impact can be breathtaking! How long before the wedding should couples book? Usually, my couples book a year in advance; I find that can be quite manageable and not too long to wait until the big day. What’s your favourite part of the job? Talking to the bride, meeting her expectations, and handing over the bridal bouquet. Usually, there isn’t a dry eye in the house! Do you have any top tips for couples looking for a florist? Go with your heart; if a florist’s style speaks to you, book them as soon as you can. Staffordshire 08458 920 775 heather@theflowerkitchen.florist www.theflowerkitchen.florist www.mollygeorgiaphotography.com www.mollygeorgiaphotography.com 48
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