Sophie Neal

"The course has opened a lot of doors and opportunities, I’m really enjoying it. We attended Fleur Ex, competed at Harrogate Spring Flower Show and I’ve connected with so many other florists.

My Harrogate Spring Flower Show design competed in the ‘Spring Meadow’ class. I wanted my design to capture the shift from the end of winter to the beginning of spring. I used dried and fresh plant materials, and used texture, form and light to evoke the promises of spring. I really enjoyed researching, coming up with ideas and creating the final piece. To get third place was a great achievement.

This course really aided me when it came to setting up my own business. I set up Pretty Wild Flower Shop in 2022, originally working with artificial flowers before transitioning to fresh flowers in 2024. I created bouquets for all sorts of occasions, mainly wedding and funerals, as well as holding workshops to teach others how to create beautiful arrangements. In the future I hope to create floristry arrangements for exhibit and large-scale events.

I’d definitely recommend this course to others. The opportunities you get from it are endless. It’s not only increased my skills and knowledge, but also my confidence."