Welcome back to our blog series in which we chat to other style-focussed contemporary creatives to find out all about their small businesses and the people behind them.
We started with bespoke wedding stationery business Retro Press, and next up we have Holly from Flowers From The Glade.
Flowers From The Glade is a sustainable, seasonal florist, with a focus on British-grown flowers. Holly started her lovely Bristol-based small business in March 2022, and it has since grown to offer wedding flowers, funeral flowers and workshops, alongside her gorgeous hand-tied bouquets.
How Jacks and Holly met is a sweet story. Jacks walks her lovely dog Hector every morning through two parks on the way to the workshop. In Cotham Park, there’s a Roam Wild Coffee van, at which Jacks stops for an espresso and a chat before a day’s work.
When Holly was just starting out as a florist, she sold her flowers from the coffee van. Being female Bristol-based independent business owners, Jacks felt compelled to share Holly’s Instagram content to help spread the joy.
Since those beginnings, Lucy from Roam Wild has opened a bricks and mortar coffee shop at 91a Whiteladies Road, which she shares with the amazing cake maker 404 Bakes, and Holly holds flower arranging workshops there.
Here’s how Holly started her small business, her top tips for wedding flowers, and what’s next for Flowers From The Glade.
1. Why did you start Flowers From The Glade?
I have always had a passion for flowers and flower arranging. I grew up surrounded by plants and flowers, helping my mum with her horticultural ventures and going to garden shows. It was really the only way forward for me.
Everybody loves flowers, and I really enjoy making someone’s day beautiful. Whether it be a wedding, funeral or any other occasion, flowers can say and mean so much.
I really try to tailor flowers to the couple/individual, with a focus on sustainability and getting people involved as much as possible.
For me personally, I need to be surrounded by nature. It is a form of therapy using natural materials and being creative.
2. How did you come up with the name of your small business?
Flowers From The Glade is meant in a few ways. The “Glade” is a hint towards the wild, whimsical style of floristry, as well as my love of woodland weddings.
Recently it has become quite literal, as I have started to grow my own flowers with the intention of using them within my work.
3. What is your personal favourite floristry service, and why?
I love installation work – creating magical settings by enhancing an outdoor venue, or bringing nature in. I find this to be the most captivating work I do, as it can consume the entire space.
4. Who helped you on your small business journey, and how?
I have to shout out the Bath Flower School. Saffy and Verity gave me the confidence and boost I needed to fully jump into pursuing my dream. I took their professional floristry course and would absolutely recommend them to anyone.
They’ve continued to support me since the course, and have created an amazing community of other florists and flower farmers, who are a great source of advice and ideas.
5. What’s your favourite floral trend for 2023 weddings?
My favourite floral trend of 2023 is bright and naturalistic wedding flowers. Hot pops of colour and a romantic style are becoming more popular with couples who want to express themselves, without being limited by a pastel colour palette.
6. What’s your top tip for floral wedding bouquets?
Go seasonal whenever possible. This is the best and most economical way to get the most out of your wedding flowers, and you’re also able to make the most out of the British growing season.
Spring floral highlights include tulips and ranunculus, then moving into the summer season with peonies and scented garden roses, before the dahlias arrive as a staple for autumn weddings.
7. What’s the best greenery to use for wedding venue decorations?
I love to use different textures of foliage – this adds depth and structure to both your bridal flowers and any installations at the wedding venue.
I am particularly fond of evergreen and variegated foliage, particularly pittosporum, which is very versatile due to all the different varieties.
8. Share a tip for helping couples make the most of your wedding floristry services
Don’t be afraid to make suggestions – I offer a totally bespoke wedding service, so the flowers are tailored specifically to you. If you have some crazy, extravagant idea, let me know as I would love to bring it to life.
Equally if you just want a small elegant bridal bouquet, I can totally do that too.
9. What’s a lovely thing you are looking forward to over the next 12 months of running Flowers From The Glade?
Reaping the rewards of my first year growing cut flowers.
10. As recommended by you
We asked Holly to recommend a couple of podcasts, blogs, or Instagram accounts that she’d recommend to other small business owners…
@bareflowerfarm
Although it’s geared towards other flower farmers, Jessie from Bare Flower Farm takes you with her on her growing journey whilst creating super helpful, detailed business content. She also has a YouTube channel packed with advice.
@spark_social
Lou from Spark Social is a Bristol-based social media expert, and her Instagram is always full of useful tips and tricks.
You can find Holly and her beautiful floral work over on the Flowers From The Glade website, with lots of regular updates on her Instagram and Facebook Page too.
