A series featuring talented wedding vendors with incredible values collated during the Lockdown. Created to inspire, intrigue and showcase how truly amazing New Zealand small businesses and their founders are. (Make sure you read to the bottom to see the Lockdown checklist making us all giggle).
Next up is Marayke Bouma from Bloomsday - a talented, mindful and fellow sustainable florist in Auckland.
Photo Credit Memories by Alena
Why sustainable floristry?
I’ve always been passionate about the environment. To me, it’s a #1 problem because even our actions here in NZ can impact people all over the globe. Our health, both physical and mental, is so closely linked with the health of our environment. I could go on and on! I have a BSc in Environmental Science and Conservation so I’m a huge nerd about this stuff, but bringing it together with a creative pursuit is the absolute dream:
Hence, sustainable floristry.
Our health, both physical and mental, is so closely linked with the health of our environment.
What are the most important swap outs or changes you’ve made to be more eco friendly?
I bloody love combining the art of floristry with my sustainability values. From compostable wrapping on everyday bouquets, rather than that awful plastic mesh, to working with local growers and aiming for completely plastic-free systems, I believe there’s huge potential in the industry to frickin’ nail it on all fronts. With more and more growers moving to paper wrapping rather than plastic, and more and more amazing florists innovating new foam-free installation methods (praise be to youtube!) - we’re on the right track.
Photo Credit Larosa Wedding Photographer
Biggest challenges you face being sustainable in your business?
One of the biggest challenges about championing sustainability in my business is communicating that to my customers. The floristry world is such a mysterious one from the outside, with minimal idea of the process from the growers to the customer’s vase. So explaining how I’m different to other florists can be tricky, especially without feeling super repetitive. This is definitely something I need to work on! Educating my clients and communicating my passion at the same time.
The floristry world is such a mysterious one from the outside, with minimal idea of the process from the growers to the customer’s vase.
Any tips on having a more eco friendly wedding?
My biggest tips for a more eco-friendly wedding are working with local growers as much as possible, and learning as much as possible about foam-free and plastic-free installations. Cutting out the plastic packaging, transport, and using seasonal flowers makes a huge difference, and going into the design phase confident with techniques removes the temptation to take the wasteful shortcuts. (Again, thank heck for YouTube!)
Cutting out the plastic packaging, transport, and using seasonal flowers makes a huge difference...
Are you delivering at the moment?
At the moment I’m doing contactless deliveries (YAY!) and keeping all my fingers and toes crossed for the move to allowing larger group gatherings. With my main focus on every day flower deliveries (hello sustainability goals of delivery by electric car!), it’s been secretly nice to have a kind of forced break.
When I’m you're floralling...
When I can fit it in, I’m an absolute adventure-chaser. I love a cheeky bit of whitewater, climbing big mountains, mountain biking, and even a spot of paragliding when the wind is good. On the flipside, I love a good stay-at-home movie night and some wholesome domestic activities like sewing or making pasta.
What have you learnt along the way?
SO MUCH!! Here are a few gems:
A fulfilling career is an absolute game-changer.
Always bring snacks.
Trust your gut and say no when you need to!
Mindset and personal growth work reflects positively on your business
Dream bloody BIG girl.
Thanks so much Marayke.
Gorgeous eco friendly blooms. Honestly it's such a breath of fresh air to see more people in our industry taking sustainably seriously. The more we do, the more "normal" it will be, and easier for all of us to access the materials and local blooms we need to support sustainability. When I am not available on a requested date, I always send clients Marayke's way.
See below for the Lockdown Checklist - how many have you done??
