Flowers are a love of mine – the smells, the colour, the shapes – and being able to create ‘art’ by fashioning them into beautiful loose arrangements is a pleasure. So to see Jennie of Merci Bouquet surrounded by blooms with a flower crown in her hair makes me smile. Her natural affinity with nature and flowers is obvious and I think Jennie says it all when she says, “My passion is creating beauty through flowers and making life that little bit more beautiful for everyone, flowers are food for the soul”. And that philosophy is, I think, reflected in her ‘flower bombing’ and beautiful loose designs with a touch of whimsy.
When did you decide on floristry as a career?
It was a career change after spending time in the not-for-profit sector, which I loved! But for health reasons I had to choose a different career path. I grew up on a farm, so I knew that I wanted something that was close to nature. I also have a creative background, so it just seemed natural.
Who or what influences you in your floral design?
Other floral designers! I love Instagram for seeing what everyone is doing all over the world, plus it’s fantastic for making friends. There is some serious talent out there that makes me constantly want to be a better designer and seek out the ‘what next’. Also like most florists, the flower markets gets my heart racing and my mind swirling with ideas, it truly is the highlight of my day.
Image by PM Photo
What is the best piece of business advice you’ve ever received?
From the first florist to ever give me a break, the very talented Les Waterhouse. He said to always say ‘yes’ and then figure it out, otherwise how else do you grow if you don’t challenge and constantly push yourself. I have so much fun creating out of the box designs – I seek them out as much as possible.
Do you have a ‘signature’ look or do you let the flowers of the day from the markets, dictate the type of arrangements you make?
A bit of both, I definitely have a signature style that is very natural, unpretentious, organic and lush, but part of that is because I let the flowers talk to me and I work with them. You can’t fight Mother Nature.
When a bride approaches you about her flowers – what is the process you go through with her to decide on her flowers and bouquet design?
First up I insist on a meeting, I will not provide a quote without meeting her. It’s the only way to make sure I understand her vision, plus we both need to click with each other. I ask her all about her wedding and I mean that, I want to know all the details so I have the big picture of what she wants. These days with social media most brides come to you with many photos and it’s my job to decipher and pinpoint exactly what will fit and suit the day. It’s a creative process, so there’s often a lot of too-ing and fro-ing.
Image by PM Photo
What time frame should brides give their florists to prepare the design and flowers for the wedding?
To make sure that you secure the florist you want, I recommend approaching them no later than 6 months out. I’m already starting to book weddings in 2015.
Do you see any incoming trends for Spring?
There is a big return to flowers being showcased for their natural beauty with designs reminiscent of the Dutch still life artists. They’re designs that are beautiful, rich and decadent in either crystal or metal vessels.
In regards to flower types, peonies and David Austin roses are still the most popular for their soft fluffiness. Although, I’m finding more brides are appreciating flowers for their different textures and tones, preferring these bouquets over ones that are all one type. Loose bouquets are also popular rather than a structured bouquet, a lot of what I do is very organic. Pastels are the preferred colour palette, and sometimes with a pop of a more vibrant colour. Also hessian and twine handles are a big trend in this area.
I encourage my brides to personalize their bouquets if it’s with a photo, brooch or piece of fabric, I think it’s important the wedding represents the Bride and Groom and what matters most to them.
Image by Angelica Peady Photography
You’ve just moved your shop to a new location in Camden? What do you love about your new location?
I have a large window to a small garden of lush green bushes and trees. It also has plenty of natural light, this is so important to me! I need to see the sky and have sunlight. I want my space to feel calm and inviting, so customers can come in and immediately feel relaxed so they can bring their creative side out. I think I’ve achieved this.
Image by Thomas Stewart Wedding Photography
What do you love about Camden (NSW)?
Camden is a fabulous place to have the shop and I feel very much at home. It’s a wonderful community here, I feel embraced by everyone. It’s also a great location for destination brides to the Southern Highlands. I LOVE doing weddings there, my heart sings every time I go there.
Any favourite coffee shops around Camden?
Squeeze & Grind is a favourite and right next door. They also have amazing fresh juices that I rely on when I feel I could be coming down with a cold. Dean is the owner and he makes me a special brew that on the heat level – I call it Atomic, but it works! Another fantastic place is Michelle’s Patisserie, every time I go there the owner Gavin remembers exactly how I have my coffee. They do an amazing amount of work for the local community and charity, Gavin’s wife Elaine is an inspiration – she’s non stop!
If I could give a gift to anyone it would be……..
Lots of flowers to everyone! Honestly! It’s amazing what giving flowers does to the giver and receiver. I often ‘flowerbomb’ Camden by either randomly choosing a local person to give a bunch of flowers to or by leaving bunches of flowers in a public space for people to take. I was inspired by The Lonely Bouquet initiative, it’s an international movement with florists leaving a bouquet somewhere with a note asking to be adopted. I took it up a notch and usually leave around 10 and I’ve also had emails back from the recipients telling me the story of what they did with their ‘lonely bouquet’, incredibly touching. There is a lot of truth to the phrase ‘flower power’.
Image by Tea Lily Photography
Thank you Jennie for sharing your world of flowers with us. I especially loved your story about ‘the lonely bouquet initiative’ – what a wonderful way to add cheer to someone’s day! To find out more about Merci Bouquet visit the website. Or visit Jennie’s shop in Camden Village Court, 180 Argyle Street, Camden, NSW.
Headshot of Jennie taken by Kylie Lyons from Handprint Photography
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