Blooming Bold at 40: A Decade of Flowers, Family & Friendship
Ten years ago, I turned 40 — and opened the doors to my very own flower shop.
I had a four-month-old baby in my arms, two gorgeous kids aged 10 and 7 at my side, and a dream that had been growing quietly inside me for years. It wasn’t the easiest time to take a leap — I had three little ones depending on me — but with the unwavering support of my family, I decided it was now or never.
I named the shop after my baby daughter Lily, combine it with Bloom and Lily Bloom florist was born — a symbol of new life, fresh beginnings, and the hope I felt in that moment. Looking back now, that decision marked the beginning of something so much bigger than I ever imagined.
A Florist Since 17, A Business Owner at 40
Flowers have been part of my life since I was 17. I’ve always loved how they speak when words fall short — how they can celebrate, comfort, and connect. Over the years, I’d worked for others, learning everything I could about the craft and the industry. But turning 40 sparked something in me. It was time to back myself and build something of my own.
I didn’t do it alone. My family was by my side — not just emotionally, but practically. With their help, I was able to work while knowing my little uns were loved and cared for. My older two — just 10 and 7 at the time — were watching too. And I hope they saw a mum who took a risk, followed her passion, and built something from the ground up.
The People Who Helped Me Bloom
This journey hasn’t been a solo act.
I’ve been incredibly lucky to work with some amazing staff over the years — each one bringing their own flair, dedication, and heart to the shop. Some were with me for a season, others are still with me today. They’ve worked through countless wedding seasons, crazy Valentine's Days, Mothers days and Crazy Christmases, and the daily hustle of a busy flower shop.
To my staff — past and present — thank you. You’ve been more than employees. You’ve been part of this shop’s story, and part of mine.
Weddings, Milestones & Lifelong Customers
One of the most unexpected joys of this journey has been the relationships I've built with my customers.
I’ve created wedding flowers for couples who now return for anniversary bouquets, baby showers, and even flowers for their children's birthdays. Some of those couples have become regulars, and many have become friends.
I have loyal customers who have supported me from day one — who walk through the door like it’s their second home, who trust me to get it right for the most important moments in their lives. You’ve celebrated with me, encouraged me, and grown with me. Your loyalty means the world.
This shop has never been just about flowers. It’s about people. It’s about connection, community, and being part of someone’s story — over and over again.
Ten Years On
Today, I have three beautiful children — all growing up fast, a shop that’s still blooming. staff I’m proud to work beside.
My husband who’s been my foundation from day one — quietly supporting me through the chaos and cheering me on through the wins, giving his opinion when sometimes NOT appreciated but gave it nontheless. I wouldnt be without it.
Ten years ago, I took the leap. I was 40, nervous but determined. Now, I stand here a decade later — grateful, humbled, and proud.
So here’s to:
🌸 My kids & husband — who’ve grown alongside the shop, and who inspire me every day
🌸 My staff — the beating heart behind the flowers
🌸 My wedding couples — whose love stories I’ve been lucky to witness
🌸 My loyal customers — who’ve become friends and family
🌸 And my family — whose love, endless unpaid jobs and support, you all made this possible.
Thank you for being part of this journey. For walking through the doors, trusting me with your moments, and helping this little dream bloom into something truly beautiful.
Here’s to the next chapter — and the flowers still to come. 💐
With love and flowering creations Debbie xx
Why Wedding flowers cost more than your average Shop Bouquet ?
Why Are Wedding Flowers more Expensive?
Here is my honest answer as a florist & Wedding designer @ Lily Bloom Florist.
As a Wedding florist, one of the most common questions I hear from couples is:
“Why do wedding flowers cost so much more than a regular bouquet?”
It’s a completely fair question. Wedding florals often come with a bigger price tag — and it’s not just about the flowers themselves. There’s an incredible amount of behind-the-scenes work that most people don’t see.
In this post, I’ll walk you through exactly what goes into your wedding flowers — and why the investment is worth every penny.
Premium top grade flowers
Weddings call for the very best quality flowers — ones that are vibrant, fresh, and in peak condition for your big day., we can choose ripeness, grading etc.
We always use premium graded flowers or when specified specialty blooms (like peonies, orchids, or garden roses), which are more expensive.
Many flowers are seasonal and must be imported to meet design needs, especially out of season.
To ensure perfection, we order more than needed and hand-select only the best stems for your arrangements.
This means less waste for you — and flawless florals in every photo.
Custom Design Work
Unlike standard floral arrangements, Wedding flowers are 100% customized to match your style, theme, colors, and venue.
We spend hours creating mood boards, design plans, and proposals tailored to your vision.
Every bouquet, centerpiece, and floral installation is hand-crafted with intention and artistic care.
No two weddings are the same — and that uniqueness takes time and talent.
You're not just paying for flowers — you're paying for floral artistry.
Time & Labor Behind the Scenes
A single wedding can take 20–60+ hours of work from start to finish. This includes:
Consultation calls and design prep.
Ordering, processing, and conditioning flowers.
Creating arrangements (often over 2–3 days).
Day-of delivery, setup, and teardown.
Plus, we often work early mornings and late nights to make sure everything is perfect — and on time.
Logistics, Rentals & Day-Of Execution
Weddings require much more than flower arranging. There’s a logistical side that includes:
Transporting delicate flowers in controlled conditions
Setting up at multiple venues (ceremony, reception, etc.), repurpose florals for venue is now almost 100 % being untilized
Providing vases, candles, floral foam, arch structures, urns, and lots more , for recollection, washing sterizlied again for the next upcoming Wedding.
These logistics are complex — and we handle them all so you don’t have to.
You’re Hiring Professionals — Not Just Buying Flowers
Weddings are high-stakes events, and there’s no room for error. You’re paying for:
Experience, skill, and design expertise
Calm, reliable execution under pressure
Flexibility for last-minute changes or weather issues
Seamless coordination with planners, venues, and other vendors
In short: you’re hiring a floral design team — not just buying blooms.
My Final Thoughts & offer of advice
Wedding flowers are an investment in beauty, ambiance, and emotion. They transform spaces, elevate your photos, and create unforgettable moments. The cost reflects not only the flowers themselves, but the time, skill, care, and service that go into every stem.
So when you invest in wedding florals, know that you're getting far more than “just flowers” — you're getting a dedicated team, professional artistry, and peace of mind on one of the most important days of your life.
For us of course we are biased, but those photos are the ones you will have forever, those flowers will feature in each and everyone.
Be honest with your florist about what you’re comfortable spending — we’re here to help guide you, not judge you. Our first relaxed consult is just brief, a friendly get to know chat, and if you feel our costs doesn't fit yours, thats no issue,
As a wedding florist, I put my heart and energy into every couple’s day. To do that sustainably — and give you the high level of service, attention, and quality your wedding deserves — I set a minimum spend for full-service weddings. My goal is never to push couples to spend more than they need, I am here to guide and advise and if it works for both of us and you love our work as much as we do , then its a perfect fit.
Your wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime event. My minimum ensures I can deliver not just beautiful flowers, but a smooth, enjoyable experience — from your first email to your final bouquet.
Much love and creative wishes
Debbie xx
Lily Bloom Florist
Demonstrating at Bloom 2025, Phoenix Park, Dublin
A Flower Demo with Debbie Kelly,
Sponsored by Viaflor
Hey To all flower lovers ..flower enthusiasts and visitors to Bloom 2025
I’m Debbie Kelly of Lily Bloom Florist in Wexford, and I’m delighted to be contributing to this fantastic forum, IOF, and to have the amazing opportunity to showcase at Bloom 2025 this year with all the other amazing fellow florist designers.
We as a group are so passionate about keeping our very important skill set in the focal limelight of our clients, In a world of fast fashion / fast-paced retail and mass-produced everything, the art of floristry along with our skill set is at risk of being overlooked—and that’s something we can’t afford to let happen.We are a lot more than flower sellers, we are designers, Artists, we are storytellers, comfort-givers, and joy-bringers. We share with people the celebration of life’s most beautiful moments when words can't say enough and navigate its hardest ones, a quiet but powerful gesture.
This year at Bloom I will create a hand-crafted Fresh Flower bouquet with the perfect spiral set for a perfect vase display using a selection of gorgeous, fresh blooms, with an emphasis on styling techniques, balance, and professional florist know-how. Whether you're just starting out or you're a seasoned designer looking for a fresh perspective, I’ll be sharing tips you can use in your everyday floristry and shop displays.
Here’s what we’ll cover:
Flower prep & hydration: Conditioning and Care, the foundation for longevity and vibrancy.
Styling mechanics: Using hidden techniques for structure and support without floral foam.
Design balance: Working with colour, height, and texture for visual impact.
Florist hacks: Tricks I use every day to speed up workflow while maintaining quality.
Finishing touches: How to elevate a simple vase arrangement into something truly show stopping.
All the while, hoping our Audience can enjoy the feeling Nature has to give in colour, style, atmosphere enhancing our environment space.
So looking forward to seeing you all at Bloom 2025
Debbie Kelly
Lily Bloom florist Wexford
4th March 2025
Location: Lily Bloom Florist, Custom house quay, Wexford town.
Job Type: Part time/ Covering 3 to 4 days.
About Us:
Lily Bloom Florist is a vibrant and friendly flower shop, dedicated to delivering beautiful flowers to our customers. We are looking for a reliable and friendly Flower Shop Driver to join our team!
Job Responsibilities:
- Safely drive the delivery van to deliver flowers to customers, businesses, and event venues, Funeral homes, Church services etc
- Ensure timely and professional deliveries while handling flowers with care.
- Provide excellent customer service when making deliveries, with excellent speaking English.
- Assist in the shop on certain days with general tasks such as unpacking deliveries, organizing stock, or helping with light customer service.
- Keep the delivery van clean and maintained, reporting any issues.
Requirements:
- A valid driver’s license with a clean driving record.
- Confident Driver.
- Excellent English.
- Aged between 25 to 65 for Insurance purpose.
- Ability to lift and carry flowers arrangements and Displays.
- A polite and professional attitude when dealing with customers.
- Basic knowledge of the local area and good navigation skills, knowledge of Google maps.
- Willingness to help in the shop when needed.
Benefits:
- Flexible work options, Part time hours
- Friendly and supportive team environment.
- Opportunity to work in a creative and beautiful setting.
- Staff discounts on flowers and gifts.
🌸 Join us and be part of a team that brings smiles to people every day! 🌸
📩 How to Apply:
If you’re interested, send your application to http://lilybloomflorist.ie/contact with your details.
Or visit our shop at Custom house quay, Wexford, y35v2wx to apply in person.
No time wasters. Only apply if genuinely interested.
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