MEET CAROLINE STOKES FROM PALM & PEONY FLOWERS Tell us about your background – how did you become a florist? I have a design degree, but once I left university, I missed creative work, so I took a course in floristry, which snowballed into doing specialist wedding courses and workshops, and now, eight years later, I’m a fully-fledged wedding flowers expert! What should couples expect when booking your services? You can expect a kind and friendly service where I will guide you through your design choices and show you the flowers that will work with your colour scheme and how to make the most from your budget. We will spend time together having a consultation, from which I will create a proposal for you with your bespoke quote and vision board. If necessary, we can have a venue visit, and on your big day, I will deliver and set up all of your flowers, working with your other suppliers to create your floral vision! What’s your favourite wedding arrangement that you’ve made and why? I am obsessed with a table centrepiece I created recently for the most fun wedding! My couple had chosen a yurt venue where they had a festival-style wedding, and the view through the opening to the yurt perfectly framed the central top table and the view up to the incredible ceiling of the yurt. I created a huge, tall centrepiece full of red and blush flowers that was just perfectly placed to be seen as soon as you stepped into the yurt. How long before the wedding should couples book? Ideally, 12-18 months, but I have couples book me with just a few months before their wedding, so it’s always worth checking to see if I’m available! What’s your favourite part of the job? Without a doubt, it’s the moment I hand over a bridal bouquet. This is quite often the first moment of the day when it sinks in that you are a bride! It can be a really special and emotional moment where the months of planning lead to you receiving your beautiful bouquet, and I feel so privileged to be a part of it. Do you have any top tips for couples looking for a florist? Know your budget! It’s typical to spend 10-15 per cent of your overall budget on your flowers, so factor that in before contacting a potential florist. Knowing how much you’d like to spend can help your florist explain how to get the most out of your money! Trust your florist; we are the experts and know what will work and what will look amazing! Warwickshire 07540 141 302 info@palmandpeonyflowers.co.uk www.palmandpeonyflowers.co.uk MEET CHLOË EYERS FROM HONESTY FLOWERS Tell us about your background – how did you become a florist? I’m a flower farmer and I started my business back in October 2020. I’ve always enjoyed growing and arranging flowers, so after a big move out of London with my family, it felt like the right time to pursue a career in something I’ve always loved to do. What should couples expect when booking your services? Our wedding collections offer an easy and stress-free way to pick your flowers. With three different-sized packages to choose from, there’s something to fit everyone’s budget. Using fresh seasonal flowers, grown on our field in Henley-in-Arden, the flowers reflect the time of year and are picked for a colour scheme. We also offer a bespoke service for a small number of weddings throughout the growing season, from April to October. For both services, it all starts with a quick email to confirm your wedding date and then a chat to discuss your day in more detail. What’s your favourite wedding arrangement that you’ve made and why? It has to be the bridal bouquet. Weddings are busy, and with so much going on for the couple, things can be a bit of a blur. It all stops when you hand over the bridal bouquet. There’s nothing more satisfying for a florist than hearing the squeals of delight and seeing the happiness on a bride’s face when she receives her flowers. How long before the wedding should couples book? For a bespoke wedding, 12 months is ideal. This gives me time to incorporate the couple’s preferences in terms of colours and flower types into my growing schedule for the coming season. What’s your favourite part of the job? My favourite part of the job is curating the flowers, selecting the best flowers and foliage, and making something beautiful for my clients. Do you have any top tips for couples looking for a florist? My top tip would be to take a little bit of time to get to know your florist. It’s important to understand their style and how they work, not just whether they can deliver within your budget. Warwickshire chloe@honestyflowers.co.uk www.honestyflowers.co.uk www.simplybyarrangement.co.uk www.simplybyarrangement.co.uk www.karencatchpole.com www.angla-paul.com FLOWERS 49
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