What does it mean to be a sustainable florist? Buzz Word or belief?
Sustainability has become a crucial concept in our modern world, it is one of those ‘Buzz’ words that is deemed fashionable by some and essential by others. It's clear that we must all take steps to become more sustainable in our daily lives.
However, achieving sustainability requires education and awareness, not only by the supplier but mostly by the consumer, as they are not always aware of how unsustainable traditional floristry methods can be. I have always considered myself sustainable, of course I am going to be, I was brought up and live in the country and have access to land on which I can forage and grow, a privilege that not all florists can boast, nor many brides, to be honest. Most of my weddings cater for couples that are getting married in beautiful venues in the the vicinity of Rye, East Sussex, with its vast marshes and beautiful beaches, even more reason to try and lessen the impact of environmental pollution. Sustainability is not instant, and I hold my hands up, I was not always as sustainable as I thought I was, it has taken a lot of trial and error, re educating and research, it can be testing but by no means impossible.
I have always preferred to use my own foliage and cut flowers from my garden, however as bookings increased and my growing patch couldn’t take any more, I had to go the wholesaler as a necessity rather than actually wanting to. Believe me I found it so much harder ordering stems than going out and cutting what I needed. Nowadays there is much more awareness, through organisations such as flowersfromthefarm, there are local growers popping up all over the place now, supplying fantastic blooms throughout the summer, one that I use regularly is orchardfarmflowers, and many wholesalers are now stocking Britsh grown flowers as a must too.
Sustainable wedding arch, that was easily repurposed to an entrance for the receptions.
As a sustainable florist, I am committed to reducing the environmental impact of the floral industry by using eco-friendly practices and materials. I prioritize local sourcing, seasonal availability, and reducing waste in all aspects of my work.
I strive to use natural mechanics like chicken wire or reusable mechanics like floral frogs instead of floral foam, which is incredibly damaging to the environment. I also use reusable or compostable materials for floral arrangements such as vases, ribbon, and packaging, and work with my clients to donate leftover flowers to local charities, gift them to guests or compost them.
As a sustainable florist, I believe that beauty and sustainability can coexist, and I am committed to creating stunning floral arrangements while reducing the impact on the environment.
I believe sustainability is an essential consideration for florists, their clients and anyone in the wedding industry. By making conscious choices and seeking out sustainable alternatives, we can reduce our impact on the environment while creating beautiful and memorable events for our clients.
In summary, if you are a bride looking to book a florist for a wedding, there are several things that brides can consider to ensure that they are choosing a florist who is committed to sustainability and not just declaring it.
Use of sustainable materials: Ask the florist about their use of sustainable materials, such as locally grown flowers, floral foam alternatives, and reusable mechanics like floral frogs. A sustainable florist should be able to offer eco-friendly options and explain why they are better for the environment.
Reduce waste: Ask the florist about their waste management practices. Do they compost leftover flowers or donate them to local charities? I like to repurpose my arrangements when ever possible, by using arrangements from the ceremony, and moving them to the reception, this also reduces the cost.
Avoid single-use plastics: Ask the florist if they avoid single-use plastics, especially floral foam. These items are not biodegradable and contribute to environmental pollution.
Local sourcing: Look for a florist who sources flowers from local growers to reduce transportation emissions and support local businesses. Locally grown flowers also tend to be fresher and have a lower carbon footprint.
Reduce transportation emissions: Consider choosing a florist who is located near the wedding venue to reduce transportation emissions.
Consider seasonality: Ask the florist about the seasonal availability of flowers and how they work with what's in season. By using seasonal flowers, brides can reduce the carbon footprint of their wedding and support local growers.
By asking these questions and considering sustainability when booking a florist, brides can make a positive impact on the environment while still having beautiful and memorable floral arrangements for their special day.
Of course it is not always possible to implement every single part of the above suggestions but if we all make small adjustments together can make a huge difference overall.
I really hope this is helpful and if you are looking for a sustainable florist please do not hesitate to scroll to the bottom of the page and submit the enquiry form.