Meet the florist behind Pippa Middleton’s wedding

We ask clients to bring any visual points of reference that they have such as the dress material, photos of things they like and layouts of rooms/venues.

Then I ask them to choose a few words that describe how they would like their guests to feel at their wedding. These can be predictable (which isn’t a bad thing) or sometimes they can be really surprising. Romantic, chic, elegant, sexy, informal, fun, sophisticated, classic and cool are some of the regular things couples will say. We have also had raunchy, eccentric, ‘off the wall’ and ‘Victorian gothic’ too, but these are not so common.

After we have our list of words I sketch a picture of the Bride in her dress (complete with hair design etc) with her bouquet. This element of the process is really reassuring as a Bride can see straightaway if what I am suggesting will work with the dress that they have spent a lot of time and money choosing, and if I am understanding what their vision is.

We then work through the ceremony and reception designs, using the sketch and the relevant words as a guide. That first stage of the process takes an hour from start to finish, and is followed by an in-depth quotation.

What would you say are the most popular flowers being chosen by brides this summer?

Every summer Peonies are the most requested, and there are some absolutely gorgeous new colours available now. They are incredibly glamorous and they smell really fresh. Also popular are Sweet Peas, Lily of the Valley, Jasmine, Stephanotis and Garden Roses because they smell divine and they look soft and natural.

Country varieties such as Campanula, Astilbe, Stocks, Alchemilla Mollis, delphinium, Foxgloves, Hollyhocks and Green Bell are popular, as a slightly vintage look is still on-trend.

How would you suggest a groom approach their boutonnieres?

No man I have ever met wants a garden on their lapel, so keep it small. It is normal to take flowers from the Bridal bouquet and incorporate them into buttonhole designs, but anything goes really as long as it isn’t too big or heavy. Think of the photos in 20 years time – you will not want to look like a clown.

Can you share your insights on what you think will be popular/in fashion for 2018 weddings?

Simple, elegant and natural. Small is beautiful, with ‘My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding’ bouquets that drown the Bride becoming a thing of the past. Brides are looking for the perfect combination of something ‘natural' but ‘impressive’ - which can be very difficult to achieve.

Weddings are all about the personal aspect - can you share with us which flowers you had at your own wedding?

My wedding involved 15 people (3 of whom were my stepchildren!), in a registry office in Devon, followed by supper on our boat in Dartmouth. Our honeymoon was walking along the beach in Thurlestone for a couple of hours. I didn't have a bouquet, just lovely flowers in my hair and a corsage full of Oberon Freesia. When we recently bought an old farmhouse in Catalonia, we walked into the courtyard of the one that is now our home and it was filled with Oberon Freesia… may aswell have put our money down there and then. Some fragrances never leave you which is why I always try and incorporate scented flowers into the bridal bouquets I design.

Do you think the wedding industry is changing?

The wedding industry is changing enormously. All product areas have experts and cowboys, and the latter don’t last long now as social media can oust them in a matter of moments…there is no hiding if you have created a disaster

Looking at pictures of other people’s weddings is always a good way to see what you like and dislike – often the latter is as important to me as the former! Pinterest, YouTube, Instagram, wedding blogs, websites and apps such as Bridebook.co.uk are all invaluable tools for brides.

However, wedding flowers, in my opinion, cannot and should not be booked online. You have to see the flowers and notice the subtle differences in colour – nature does not adhere to Pantone references and I would suggest that every Bride looks at the flowers in person, matching the colours to materials if this is an important consideration.