A Day in the Life of a Florist.

Available at Lily Blossom

The expert florists at Lily Blossom in East Molesey, describe why the humble craft of floristry, is far from the ‘daily grind’. 

“It’s like giving colour to your words. Flowers have their own language” says Nicholas, Lily Blossom Florist’s business owner, sifting delicately through the flower market’s morning offerings, “And the words they express can heal, let someone know you love them, celebrate successes, and wish good luck. They encapsulate the essence of so many life events; they can sometimes say what words can’t. And they last a while. So your message lasts too.”

A customer's 'Thank you' note 2014

Available at Lily Blossom

Nicholas explains, that when his florists get a phone call from a partner in the proverbial dog house, a blushing future bride, or a mourner who has lost a treasured loved one, the first role of a florist is to lend an empathetic ear. Choosing the right flowers for the current wedding trend, or season, is important, certainly. But understanding the customer’s situation is the most important thing:

Available at Lily Blossom

“If we understand what is happening for the customer, and a little about how they are feeling, we can help them to express with flowers, what they want to say, within their budget. Some customers say this is a little cathartic. Especially when it comes to funeral and sympathy flowers.”

Knowledge of floral symbolism is what can set the passionate florist apart from those who simply view the craft as a day job. So too does design, and knowledge of current trends. Both these skills are equally important when designing floral displays for weddings. After all, your wedding day, is one of the most emotional days of your life, and the most photographed, making flowers a key aesthetic in your wedding.

The quality of fresh blooms, is paramount, and will immediately, and visually, differentiate the leading florist from the less quality ones. As Nicholas says, and any woman will tell you, she can tell a petrol station bunch of carnations, from a hand-tied boutique florist’s bouquet.

 

Design by Lily Blossom 

But what of the practical side, of becoming a florist? What skills are needed, and how do you take the first steps to realizing such a career?

“The first skill a florist needs is creativity. You must be able to combine flowers to form beautiful displays, taking into account colour, texture, height, fragrance, and often symbolism. With weddings especially, we like to help our brides-to-be, to develop their own ideas, no matter how vague, to produce something unique and special for each bride.”

Buttonhole Available at Lily Blossom

Nicholas points out, that although his florists want to work with a bride-to-be, or any customer, to develop their ideas, it is just as important, to let the customer know, if they feel something will not work visually:

“Your wedding day is an extremely important day. The last thing we want to do, is have you walk away with a bouquet that will not help you and your venue to look at your very best, even if we have to (delicately) explain that a part of your idea will not work in practice.” 

Design by Lily Blossom for Ben & Joo's Wedding 2014

Design by Lily Blossom for Ben & Joo's Wedding 2014

In this way then, an expert florist will safely guide you towards the most beautiful floral products obtainable within your budget. To achieve this, people skills are a must, as is tact and diplomacy.

One the more practical side, a florist’s day begins very early. The staff at Lily Blossom Florist begin their day at 8am, when they check the inbox for orders that have come in from the Internet. They begin crafting these orders from Lily Blossom’s bounty of beautiful blooms, and the London florist usually opens at 9am.

“The benefits of the job far outweigh the cons” says Nicholas, “the morning starts are not too early. There’s bags of room for creativity, plenty of contact with lovely people. It can be done on a part-time basis quite easily, and you’re surrounded by the gorgeous scent and sizzling colours of beautiful flowers every day!”

Rose & Aspidistra Cross
Available at Lily Blossom

 Not the best career choice for Hay Fever sufferers then! But with the average florist earning between £16000 and £25000 a year, a chance for a good work-life balance, and opportunities to show off your artistic flair, Floristry is a valid career choice. A common way to start a career in floristry is to get a job in a florists, and learn on the job. However, if you would like to train first, you have a few choices: floristry apprenticeships are available, as are B Tech National Diplomas in floristry, throughout the UK. See the National Careers Service website for more details.