A florist from Powys is celebrating after reaching the finals of the Florist of the Year competition at the Welsh Wedding Awards which showcases the very best in the industry.
Hollie Hulme, who runs Hollie’s Floral Design in Llanidloes, will now face other professional florists who know how to make any wedding flourish at a glamorous awards ceremony in Cardiff tonight (Wednesday, February 15).
Hollie, who’s from Churchstoke, has been running her China Street business for three years after finally taking the brave decision to start her lifelong passion as a business during the middle of the pandemic and she hasn’t looked back.
“I’ve always had a passion for floristry,” she said. “On leaving school I worked part time in the florist shop in Newtown then life got in the way, and I still wasn’t a florist. After I had my second son I thought now is the time to do it.
“I wanted families to connect together again so I was doing doorstep deliveries. I started off in my kitchen then my then-partner’s garage and then last March I opened a shop in Llanidloes.
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"It’s the best move I’ve made. It’s been a journey, but it’s been a good one, sometimes bad. I lost my mum in my first year of floristry and it was one of the most difficult things to deal with.”
The Welsh Wedding Awards put the spotlight on top specialists and establishments that have gone above and beyond in the sector, and celebrate their achievements.
They aim to recognise and reward those within the wedding industry that work towards making the big day as perfect as possible, caterers, decorators and florists, that all know how to make any wedding flourish.
Hollie said: “I couldn’t believe it. One of my brides nominated me and I didn’t think anything of it. But when I received the email that I’d reached the final I literally couldn’t believe my eyes.
“It’s been brilliant. I got to know the lovely people of Llanidloes through doing the market, and in Montgomery.
“I came where I was needed most. It’s the best decision I’ve ever made. It was the scariest because I’m going from having no overheads to having overheads. It’s frightening but it’s the best thing ever. The people in Llanidloes have so far happy and supportive of having a florist back in town after not having one for quite a long time. It’s been lovely.
“Even if I don’t win, I’m proud of making the final.”
Gareth Morgan, Llanidloes councillor and one of Hollie's many customers, congratulated the local businesswoman on becoming a finalist and shared his hopes that she, along with eight other Llanidloes businesses, bring back a trophy home tonight.
“It’s nice to see her doing well and I hope she gets a good result,” Cllr Morgan said.
“She’s been here a year and she came and filled a vacuum. Hollie came along and started her business, and everyone is thrilled to have her. We want to encourage her as much as possible.”
Powys finalists
Wedding Boutique of the Year: Wedding Belles At Laura’s (Llanidloes), Castle Brides (Lower Aston, near Churchstoke), Dressed to Impress (Brecon, and Brecon Bridal Boutique (Brecon).
Wedding Venue of the Year: Barn at Brynich (Brecon), Plas Dinam Country House (Llandinam), Peterstone Court (Brecon), Three Wells Hotel (Llandrindod Wells), The Elephant & Castle Hotel (Newtown), Glyngynwydd Wedding Barn and Cottages (Llanidloes) and Sugar Loaf Barn (Brecon).
Florist of the Year: Centre Of Attention (Brecon), Bloomers (Newtown), Cloud 9 Events (Brecon), Flowers By Becca Jane (Brecon), Hollie’s Floral Design (Llanidloes), Sian Davies Floristry (Rhayader), Brecon Blooms (Brecon) and Emma Jane Floral Design (Forden).
Cake Designer of the Year: The Cake Box (Llandrindod Wells), Katie’s Bakes (Brecon), St Mary’s Bakery (Brecon), The Tasteful Cake Company (Brecon), Love at First Bake (Brecon) and Appleblossom Wedding & Celebration Cakes (Llandinam)
Hair & Makeup Specialists of the Year: Vanity Tales Makeup (Brecon), PrettyBowMakeup (Brecon), Braid and Blush (Brecon), and Katie Elizabeth MUA (Llanidloes).
Stationery Supplier of the Year: White Flamingo (Llanidloes)
Wedding Accessories Provider of the Year: Love Fascinators (Llanidloes)
Wedding Specialist Supplier of the Year: Acacia Marquees (Hay-on-Wye)
Local Wedding Exhibition of the Year: Castle Brides (Lower Aston, near Churchstoke)
Romantic Wedding Venue of the Year: Quaint Country Weddings Venue (Welshpool)
Wedding DJ of the Year: Evolution Roadshow/Entertainment (Newtown)
Outstanding Supplier of the Year: Love Fascinators (Llanidloes)
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