MEET CLARE ASHCROFT FROM THE FLOWER FARM Tell us about your background – how did you become a florist? I have been a florist ever since I did my school placement at a flower shop. At the time, I wanted to be a vet, but I couldn’t get a placement, so the school placed me in a florist shop. It was something I had never really considered as a job, but I loved every second of that placement and have never looked back. What should couples expect when booking your services? As well as being a wedding florist, we grow a lot of the flowers that we use. This allows us access to more unusual seasonal blooms and flowers often too delicate to import, like beautiful scented blousy roses, sweet peas, and forking larkspur. If you’re looking for natural, bespoke flowers, then we are your florist. No two of our bouquets are ever the same. What’s your favourite wedding arrangement that you’ve made and why? We have been doing weddings for more than 15 years, so it’s tricky to choose. We do like a big open arch, an arrangement that looks as though it’s grown there, flowers with a beautiful scent, different flower varieties, and lots of movement and texture. How long before the wedding should couples book? We are currently taking bookings up until the end of 2025. Ideally, we suggest booking 12 months in advance, but if we have availability, we are able to take bookings up to a month before. What’s your favourite part of the job? Seeing the bride’s face when we pass her the bouquet, she sniffs the beautiful scent and admires the delicate blooms. Nothing beats making someone very happy. Do you have any top tips for couples looking for a florist? Go with recommendations. Have you been to a wedding and thought I liked those flowers? Find out who did it, and get in touch. Head over to their website to get a feel for their business and look at their photos. Does their style match what you want? Have you fallen in love with their vibe? Find out if they are a qualified florist and if they have oodles of experience; read their reviews on social media and Google. Try to build up a good idea of how the business operates. Don’t worry too much about distance; don’t think you need to use the nearest florist, as most will happily travel for you. We will head out all over the North West, and we have even ventured over to Yorkshire! If you are considering a one-person operation, check that they have a backup plan if they become ill or have some sort of emergency on your wedding day. Let them know as much detail as you can and give a rough idea of your budget, as this all has an impact on whether they are able to say yes to your enquiry or not. Be wary of florists who talk but don’t listen. Make sure they have listened to what you want; it’s your special day, and you should be able to have what you want. Do not be pushed into having a certain style because it’s fashionable or easy to mass produce. Don’t be shy about saying what you particularly dislike or cannot stand and wouldn’t choose in a million years; it’s just as important as talking about what you love. Lancashire 07780 950 537 clare@theflowerfarm.co.uk www.theflowerfarm.co.uk www.emmabillsborough.com FLOWERS 59
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