Spotlight on Flowermug

Today our spotlight is shining on Flowermug – a creative, sustainable florist working in Scotland.

Jenny is a florist with a flower garden by the sea in Ayrshire, who loves to find inspiration in the changing seasons and surrounding landscapes.

Known for her gorgeous seasonal flowers and foliages, along with lots of wonderful aromas, movement and joy, Jenny brings a beautiful energy to everything she does. And she also has an exciting new chapter (or two!) beginning soon…

Tell us more about you. How did you get into wedding floristry?

One of the very first weddings I created flowers for when I was a trainee florist, was my older brother Ben’s. It felt so special to be able to provide flowers for Ben and Amy and create something for their special day. It was well over 10 years ago now, but I still remember all the details… chatting through with them what they wanted, sourcing the flowers.

The bouquet was full of roses of antique shades, with lavender, with oval pearl headed pins fixing cream satin ribbon. And we created foliage garlands, to curl around slim pillars in the theatre where they had their reception. It was such a hot summer’s day; I remember the heat and the challenge of keeping the flowers as fresh as possible.

I caught the wedding joy and it has never left, it sounds corny but I LOVE love – in all its forms. But also, not just the joy of wedding flowers, not only the beauty of it all, but the mechanics and work of what goes on behind the scenes, the problem solving, and doing a great job for the couple.

Working in retail shops when I was training part-time at college gave me a great footing and focus on what I feel is important. I can really focus on that in my own business, which has been able to grow and evolve sustainably, supporting itself gradually. I’ve been able to adapt and respond to opportunities that have come my way – it’s exciting. I set out to create my own business with my own creative freedom, business aims and values.

What do you love most about your work?

The people. I love working and getting to know my couples and I am so grateful that they put their trust and faith in my work and skills. Also, I love making connections with other suppliers and industry folk. I meet so many different people and no week is the same.

I find great satisfaction in what I’ve created and remind myself regularly how lucky I am that I get to earn a living, working with beautiful materials, that I turn not only into something tangible, but that also provides memories that live on forever. I have my grandparents’ wedding photo from the 1950s hanging in my office and look at the flowers that someone created for them. It is such a privilege to know that in say, 2072, someone may be looking at an old photo with a bouquet or buttonholes that I made.

To me, feeling successful is being proud of your achievements, however large or small someone else may view them to be, and also enjoying your downtime.

Who, or what, inspires you?

I love the challenge of creating something completely unique with something that almost 100% of people have at their wedding – flowers. The possibilities are endless so it means I’m never short of inspiration. With each wedding, the people and the place give me a lot of inspiration. Even if it is not clear at first, with consideration most people have a personal connection to flowers, and I love exploring this with people to find those special, sometimes quiet connections. For me, it is about responding to all the dimensions of the occasion and the people involved, this brings into view another dimension and quality of the occasion.

As I try to work as much as I can with truly seasonal, locally grown materials, these also inform a lot of my work. As each season turns, the colours, shapes and forms of materials also turn. Sometimes it can be thought you are limited with seasonal flowers, I think the opposite; they provide so much variety and inspiration. Occasionally I have been called a fickle florist; as each new season ripens, it becomes my favourite – I try to be really in the moment with what is surrounding me – the seasons, the flowers, the people, and the landscape. In Scotland – we have so many wonderful landscapes – rugged coasts, windy beaches, ever-changing colours in the sky, wonderful cityscapes.

In terms of whom – as above, the people I work with are a great inspiration. Thinking about this wider, the wonderful industry community in Scotland is also motivational. And on a personal note, my mum inspires me. My family and friends, especially my mum, have always been incredibly supportive of my business. And she is one of the hardest working, generous, giving people I know. If I can get through a day having completed half of the work she does in a day – I know I am doing okay.

Where do you see yourself in five years time?

I have never made a five-year plan. But some existing changes are on the cards; I am training to be a life celebrant currently, and am really excited to be exploring even more of the processes of important markers and events in life. It sounds airy fairy and dreamy – but I imagine myself up the side of one of Scotland’s glorious munros, wind in my hair, conducting a marriage ceremony, whilst also having provided Scottish grown florals to the couple, free from harmful chemicals, and where the whole supply chain has been considered.

I want to get to the stage in the near future where I utilise my local resources to create my own small scale environmentally sound supply chain, continuing my commitment to sustainable practices – lessening dependence on mass produced flower supplies, showcasing the best of Scottish and British grown flowers, grown without harsh and unnecessary chemicals, and eliminating single-use plastics.

Tell us a secret…

I am planning my own wedding this year, so I am very excited to see the wedding planning journey from the other side.

On a day off, we’ll find you where?

My ideal day off – After an early cold-water or sea swim, I will go out for or cook a tasty breakfast. And then spend time with my wee nephew (he is a big fan of a living room disco or a picnic in the park) or friends and their wee people.

After a big wedding or event, a daytime nap may be in order too. Perhaps an evening walk to the shore with Alister, my partner, and something tasty for dinner. Food and loved ones basically. Or if it’s a lazy day – I do love a Midsomer Murders episode on the sofa, with a bread based snack.

 

What Flowermug’s couples say:

“I can’t even describe just how pleased we are at the job Jenny did for our wedding. She doesn’t just create a look, but creates an entire atmosphere. It was like she jumped into my brain and put together exactly what I had in mind, and everyone commented on how amazing the venue looked/how fantastic my bouquet was. Not only did it look amazing, but Jenny was wonderful to work with, and went above and beyond to help us before and on the day itself. Thank you so much Jenny!!

“Flowermug did the flowers for my wedding and Jenny went above and beyond! In the run up to the wedding she was always available to discuss ideas and practicalities. Jenny had loads of ideas that we hadn’t even thought of. On the day the flowers were stunning and the centerpiece of the whole day. She and her team worked for the whole weekend to transform the farm. I can’t recommend her highly enough.

“Jenny did a stunning job on our wedding flowers and was such a lovely warm friendly person to work with. There is zero I would have changed. Everybody was astonished at the absolute beauty she created. Somehow I knew just by talking to her that magic would happen, and it did. Thanks so much Jenny.”

 

Obsessed with Flowermug’s stunning, sustainable floral creations? Yep, us too! To see more of Jenny’s work head on over to her website.