This picture taken by Emma Davies Photography back in 2015 was from my very first harvest of British Flowers that I grew……..

2019 was an amazing year for us here at Urban Flower Farmer - we were crazy busy and worked with some of the most amazing couples. Most people who now get in touch with us for their wedding flowers have a few things in common, the main one being that they are interested in making their special day a bit moire eco friendly. They love that we grow and use British flowers. They love the we re-use, re-cycle or compost pretty much everything within our business and for those in the know they love the we use NO FLORAL FOAM and haven’t done so for several years now. We made the decision a few years ago that we were going green, and we weren't just talking about our foliage. We meant everything from the recycled Kraft paper that we wrap our bouquets in to the twine that goes into the compost bins to the sticky tape that can go into to recycling because its not plastic but made of gummed paper! We still have a way to go (an electric van is my top priority but they are soooo expensive!) and this year I want to purchase a shredder so that all out green waste that we can’t put on the compost can be shredded and we can put on the paths to suppress the weeds (which seem to thrive everywhere I look). Another of my goals is to get better at helping other like minded businesses where we can. Earlier this year we donated loads of left over (but perfectly good) foliage to a local social enterprise business who make up flowers for those who can’t afford them and who work with disadvantaged people or the elderly doing all things flowers and I want to try to donate to them on a more regular basis. When we clear a wedding there is often a ton of foliage that’s perfectly good for a couplle more weeks so if it can be used for the greater good then thats only a good thing right?

Beautiful home grown Dahlias were the stars of this Bridal Bouquet. Photo by Caroline Opacic Photography…….

Picking Tulips at our current cutting Patch. It’s surprising how much we can cut from a relatively small space. Photo by Olivia De Sousa

Another thing my gorgeous couples have in common is the the are all super nice people! That may sound a strange thing to say but I have heard many a tale of nightmare couples form fellow florists, but everyone who works with us is always really nice - I put this down to being committed to being kind to our planet - that means you have gotta be nice right? Or maybe it’s just my niceness that attracts niceness! Who knows but it so great to work with people who get you and most importantly trust you…..at the end of the day you are spending lots of money on one of the most important days of your life so the most important thing is to like and trust your suppliers as well as loving their work.

Quirky Buttonholes with home grown Dahlias and Rudbeckia. Photo by Caroline Opacic Photography……

So here are a few Top Tips for more sustainable wedding flowers…..if you have any of your own to add please feel free to add a comment below, we would love to hear from you.

Choose seasonal blooms from a local supplier. You can find UK growers by searching on The Flowers From The Farm website. We have been members of this amazing network for many years now and it has growers and florists from all over the UK who work with and grow local flowers.
Ask your florist if they use floral foam. This is one of the biggest polluters in our industry. Every day tons of it gets dumped into our landfill and seeps into our waterways. It breaks down into micro plastics and basically stays in the atmosphere forever. Don’t be fooled by there newer ‘Eco/bio’ foam - its only very slightly better and it is still a big polluter. By asking for foam free floristry you will help to educate the florists out there for the greater good, letting them know that you want to be kinder to the planet.
Use recycled containers such as jam jars, old vases (I love an eclectic mix of containers), even old tin cans that have been weathered can look great in the right atmosphere. Why not use planted containers that can go on to live in your garden, on your window ledge etc. Herbs are a great option - they look pretty, smell great and you can eat them afterwards! A win win all round.
Be flexible in the flowers that you use. If you are getting married in September but have your heart set on Anemones its just not going to happen. Embrace the seasons, trust your florist to advise you on whats available for your big day and don’t get stuck on using certain varieties. Sure, get a good idea of what you might have but work with what Mother Nature decides to provide at that particular time……your florist will work with your style and colour palette but if that one flower is not available for whatever reason there will always be another two the does the job equally well if not better.
Re-purpose flowers thought the day. So during your ceremony say you have some amazing floor scapes down the aisle. Post ceremony ask the venue or your florist to move them to the top table to create one long meadow scape. It looks totally stunning and although its not the lowest costing item, you have used it twice during the day and used it all day and you have created the wow factor your guests will remember always and also made a wonderful photo opportunity, which lets face it photos last forever (and your photographer will love you for creating that magic for them to capture in your pictures)!
If you are on a budget sit down and make a list of where the most important places are throughout the day ands what means most to you. Is it your bouquet (yes always), the ceremony room (yes m maybe b ut how long are you and your guests there)? The reception tables (well you sit and look at them for a good few hours)? What will your guest remember and what will make them gasp and talk for days, weeks or even years after? It could be that amazing arch you married under that was re-purposed for an oh so posh photo booth later on. Your florist should be able to help you decide and priorities with you.
Most importantly remember that spending a fortune is not the be all and end all to your day. You are marrying the person you love. You are spending the day (hopefully) with all the people who are most important to you. That is what counts so if you can’t afford that incredible arch then let it go…..be content with your wonderful bouquet, your husband to be and your loved ones all around you.
My final and most important bit of advice is to enjoy it! A wedding should be a joyous occasion - if its getting too stressful then step back, breath and go with what feels right for you. Not what your mate had at their wedding, not what Great Aunt Agatha wants but what you want, love and feel comfortable with. Trust me its up there as pone of the best days of your life so make sure its what you and your partner want. Have a great day x

How To Rock Sustainable Wedding Flowers ........