Blackfriars Priory (Photography: The Lemon House Photography)

Louise Pritchard is a talented florist based in Gloucestershire. We have been lucky enough to work with her on the lead up to Blackfriars weddings and were delighted to have the opportunity to collaborate with her at our Wedding Experience Day in March last year.

Let’s find out a little bit more about Louise.

TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOU AND YOUR BUSINESS.
I’m based in Gloucestershire and have been successfully running for 5 years. Country & Formal Flowers offers a hands on, personal, floral design service. I also offer venue dressing including chair covers, chair sashes and props. Working closely with you, I take the time to understand your taste, style and the look you’re wanting to achieve. I also take the time to closely match the flowers, chair sashes and table decor with your chosen colour scheme. Every one of your arrangements will be completely unique and personal to you.

WHAT THREE WORDS WOULD YOU USE TO DESCRIBE YOUR BUSINESS?
Bespoke. Visionary. Dependable.

WHATS YOUR BIGGEST BUSINESS HIGHLIGHT TO DATE?
Winning Best Florist for Gloucestershire 3 counties wedding awards 2018 and being nominated for The Sweet Beginnings Special Touches Award 2021.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE?
My style will always be guided by what my client wants me to achieve.

WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR INSPIRATION FROM FOR YOUR FLORAL DESIGNS?
I get some of my inspiration from just walking around the garden. Looking at the flowers, grasses and foliage, cutting them and putting them together. I am also part of florists groups where we all share ideas and inspiration.

ON THE LEAD UP TO A WEDDING, WHAT IS YOUR TYPICAL SCHEDULE?
I love catching up with my couples, not just to go over things before the big day but to see if I can help with anything else.

If I’m using home grown flowers they will be cut, conditioned, placed into clean buckets with fresh water and put into a cool room for 24 hours before being arranged into beautiful bouquets. If placing an order with my wholesales this is done in advance - On the day of collection I will strip all unwanted foliage off from the flowers, thorns if it’s roses, re-cut them and again put them into clean buckets with fresh water.

Depending on how big or small my wedding is there are still a couple of days of prep, then setting up at the venue and collecting my props the following day.

On the morning of the wedding I love to take the bridal party flowers to them. So many times I’ve had tears from the bride, happy tears I might add. This is when I know I’ve done my best, given my all to achieve the look/style my bride wanted.

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVOURITE FLOWERS CURRENTLY IN SEASON?
I’m a sucker for peonies, old fashioned roses, sunflowers, sweet peas. The list goes on.

IF YOU WERE GIVEN FREE REINS TO DESIGN A BRIDAL BOUQUET, WHAT COMBINATION OF FLOWERS AND COLOURS WOULD YOU CHOOSE?
I love a cascading bouquet with the loose, flowing, natural look. Again I would use peonies, roses, sweet peas, foliage and soft grasses with some gorgeous soft flowing ribbon attached.

WHAT FLORAL TRENDS ARE CURRENTLY BIG RIGHT NOW?
I have found the biggest trend to be “British Flowers” - meadowesque, natural looking flowers.

WHAT TOP TIPS WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE ORGANISING THEIR EVENT OR WEDDING?

Start planning early
Set a budget
Take out insurance
Book your venue and your suppliers
Write up your guest list.

Louise has recently been nominated for the Florist category and The Sweet Beginnings Special Touches Award in the next Matrimony Awards representing Gloucestershire. Join us in wishing her luck for the awards in 2021.

Website - https://www.louisepritchard.co.uk/
Facebook - @LouisePritchardFlowers/
Instagram - @louisepritchardflowers
Twitter - @LouisePritcha71

Supplier Spotlight - Louise Pritchard Formal & Country Flowers