(image credit Magda Lukas)

I initially met Lorraine on Instagram but met for the first time on our Barrow House Photo shoot and shared a lovely creative day with a wonderful team of wedding suppliers

Nature inspires me. Be it a walk in the woods or on one of our beautiful beaches in County Kerry. From fallen leaves on the ground in autumn to the seasonal changes in light and colours every season brings something new. I am a keen gardener and the joy of the first snowdrops and daffodils in spring to the bare branches in mid winter my floral design is influenced by the beauty that surrounds us.

Having always loved nature, flowers and gardening it was my ambition from a young age to work as a floral designer…I tried other careers and ran a montessori school for several years after getting married but the flowers always called to me.  I decided after reaching a significant birthday to follow my dream and started training in Dublin and London as a florist. In 2007 I started Best of Buds and my dream came true as it grew into a viable award winning  wedding flowers business. I took a break a couple of years ago due to family commitments and got a regular 9 to 5 job but missed the creativity and buzz I got working with flowers and being self employed. I decided to bite the bullet and launched Holly and Willow in July 2020 and haven’t looked back!

There are so many things I adore about my job that it’s hard to pinpoint just one. Being creative and every day bringing something new spurs me on. Opening deliveries of pretty flowers is like Christmas morning and feedback from my customers brings me great joy and job satisfaction. There have been some challenges changing to e-commerce but they are hurdles I have had to cross! I get great support from my family and friends and reconnecting with other creatives from the wedding suppliers world has been a tonic!

I take great care with every order and only use the best quality flowers…there have been many flowers dumped as I wouldn’t put my business name to them. I pride myself on customer service and wish for every one of my customers to have a happy experience shopping with me. Each of my wedding flowers and wreaths are handcrafted and usually no two are the same so customers are buying pieces crafted with love.