Event Florist – Josephine McGaughey

What qualifications & training have you done?

I initially trained as a Theatre Set Designer, then completed a BA Hons in Creative Arts.
In 2009 I retrained at Pencoed Floristry College and gained Level 2 City & Guilds.
I completed a 12 Week Advanced Wedding Course at Neath Port Talbot College in the autumn of 2009.
I am a member of the British Florist Association and abide by their codes.

What trends are around at the moment?

There are lots of different trends in vogue at the moment.
Vintage is very popular, looking back to the fifties, forties and even thirties using vintage glasses and pastel coloured flowers like hydrangea, peonies and roses.
Alternatively hot vibrant contrasting colours like pinks, oranges mixed with lime are very in as well.
Another popular trend is to use a single type of flower in a bouquet, usually to form a dome.  And then carry that idea through using unusual items for vases like cans or oversized teapots and mix them up.
Or have a completely eclectic mix of flowers that contrast colours & texture. You can also incorporate old fashioned jewellery and bits & bobs, buttons and such.
You can do whatever you want to do.

When is the best time to book a consultation?
Everyone is different but the sooner you can book a consultation the better. The ideal time is when you have confirmed your venue and wedding date.

What do we need to bring to the Consultation to get the best out of it?
A picture or sketch of your wedding dress, bridesmaid’s dresses, and colour swatches
If you are having flowers in your hair a picture or a sketch of your hairstyle.
A Scrapbook of your wedding ideas that you have collected.

How long does a consultation take to do?
The consultation will take a minimum of half an hour but it is usually needs an hour to cover all the details fully.

When and where do the consultations take place?
We are flexible and like to work wherever you are comfortable. Ideally we could meet at the Venue or we can come directly to you. We are available in the evenings and at the weekend if that is more suitable for you.

Are we obliged to use you if we have had a consultation?
No not at all but of course we would like you to.

Should I speak to other Florists?
Yes it is a good idea to speak to at least three florists if you can. You can get an idea of the range of services, costs and find the right person who works well with you and your ideas.

Will you be working on my flowers on my Wedding Day?
Yes we only accept one wedding per day so that we can give it our full attention.

Do you offer any other services such as chair covers, hire of vases, trees?
Yes we hire a variety of items such as vases, pedestals, candelabra, topiary trees, vintage tea-sets, but we do not offer the chair cover service.

How long do you have to wait for a quotation?
We send out quotations within a week of your full consultation.

What does the quotation include?
The quotation will be an itemised list of all the flower arrangements discussed and will include delivery & set up times and costs.

When do you need to confirm and Book the Wedding Date and how much does this cost?
Ideally as soon as possible after you have had your quotation as some dates fill up very quickly.
We ask for a £50 non-refundable Booking Fee to secure your Wedding Date. This will be taken off the final bill.
*Please note it is a non-refundable booking fee so if you change the date or cancel then you will not be refunded.

What happens if my key flower is unavailable on the day?
Occasionally this can happen due to unforeseen circumstances.
We would discuss an alternative with you that would be in keeping with the original design and cost.

When do we need to pay?
We ask for full payment four weeks prior to the Wedding Date.

What is your Privacy Code?
We always treat your personal information with respect & any information given to us is protected by our privacy policy. We never give out email addresses to any third parties.