The first was a small, intimate celebration, created entirely with silk flowers. The bride’s bouquet, the flower girl’s bouquet, and the groom’s buttonhole were all designed in a wildflower meadow style—natural, relaxed, and full of movement, as though they had been freshly gathered from a sunlit field. It was soft, joyful, and effortlessly beautiful. A perfect reminder of just how magical silk flowers can be.

The second wedding was something altogether different—larger, fuller, flowers everywhere you looked. A real statement.

This one was a mix of fresh and silk flowers… and it reminded me exactly why I’ve chosen to step away from fresh floristry. Because as beautiful as fresh flowers are, they are unpredictable.

The cost is high. The quality can vary. And sometimes, no matter what you do, they simply don’t behave the way you need them to. The peonies said it all.

Requested by my lovely friend Ruth—her favourite flower, perfectly in season, ideal for her bridal bouquet. And yet, they stayed tightly closed, like little bullets. I tried everything, but they refused to bloom into that soft, romantic fullness we all hope for.

And in that moment, I was reminded of something important: You can’t control fresh flowers. But you can control the experience you give your clients. And that’s where silk flowers truly shine.

They are reliable, consistent, and allow me to create bold, abundant, breathtaking designs—without the stress, without the uncertainty, and without compromise. After more than 30 years in floristry, May brought me a very clear decision.

I am fully embracing my role as the Botanical Silk Flower Queen. This is where my work feels aligned. This is where I can create freely, confidently, and beautifully. There is, however, one final chapter still to come.

In August, I will be creating a “peaches and cream” wedding using fresh flowers—soft, romantic, and timeless. And that will be my last. My final fresh flower wedding. A chapter closing, not with regret, but with certainty.

Because I know exactly where my strengths lie, and where I can give my clients the very best of me. That said, May still gave me a moment of pure floral drama. I created the most incredible shower bouquet—large, expressive, and full of personality. The whole look felt like something straight out of Bridgerton—elegant, romantic, and just a little bit extravagant.

And interestingly, even those productions use both—fresh flowers for close-up detail, and silk flowers for the larger, impactful displays. So truly… if it’s good enough for them, it’s more than good enough for my Botanical Brides. As May comes to a close, I feel grateful—for the love, the lessons, and the clarity it has brought me.

If you’re a bride dreaming of something beautiful, stress-free, and truly unforgettable, silk flowers might be exactly what you’re looking for—and I would absolutely love to create something for you. Here’s to June, and all that it may bring.

And remember: Never stop learning. Never stop evolving. And never stop being unapologetically you. Cerus x