Wales


<p>Based out of a home studio in Pontcanna with her four legged assistant, Dora, at her side, Nina Parker has quickly become the most bookable florist in the capital. Previously a mid-wife, she started her floristry business in September 2023, with a signature style of highly textured, considered and elegant flower pairings, and use of locally sourced, seasonal stems, and it&#8217;s a <em>leetle</em> bit of an understatement to say that it&#8217;s going well! <a href="https://www.ninaisobelflorals.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nina Isobel Florals</a> has teamed up with some seriously impressive names over the last year, including Japanese Skincare brand Tatcha and Louis Vuitton, along with her expansive list of wedding clients. </p>



<p>So basically, what Nina doesn&#8217;t know about flowers ain&#8217;t worth knowing. Lucky us then, because we&#8217;ve grabbed her between consultations to get her top tips on floristy trends, her favourite flowers and how to nail the perfect bouquet.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1500" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2026/02/Fleur-Challis.png" alt="Nina Isobel Florals Fleur Challis" class="wp-image-4706" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2026/02/Fleur-Challis.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2026/02/Fleur-Challis-200x300.png 200w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2026/02/Fleur-Challis-683x1024.png 683w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2026/02/Fleur-Challis-768x1152.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Fleur Challis</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-from-delivering-babies-to-delivering-blooms-what-prompted-the-switch">From delivering babies to delivering blooms – what prompted the switch?</h2>



<p>I came into floristry after a career change from my job as a midwife. Although I loved my career, I was craving a more creative outlet, and floristry has really been that for me. I qualified as a midwife three months before the Covid pandemic hit, and it was quite literally sink or swim. I felt completely burnt out and needed to leave to protect myself from becoming really stressed and unwell. Thankfully flowers have really healed me in many ways!</p>



<p>I used to help out a local flower farmer and wedding florist in my teens, and it stayed as a hobby for years. It took a friend telling me you need to do this as a business to actually bite the bullet.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-be-honest-have-you-felt-the-need-to-pinch-yourself-yet">Be honest.. have you felt the need to pinch yourself yet?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2026/02/Nina-Isobel-Florals-1.png" alt="Nina Isobel Florals" class="wp-image-4716" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2026/02/Nina-Isobel-Florals-1.png 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2026/02/Nina-Isobel-Florals-1-300x200.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2026/02/Nina-Isobel-Florals-1-1024x683.png 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2026/02/Nina-Isobel-Florals-1-768x512.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Nina Isobel Florals</figcaption></figure>



<p>I think every wedding I&#8217;ve ever done has been a pinch-me moment really, and I&#8217;m so grateful for the couples that put their trust in me. But, I think some real standout moments have been working with brands like Tatcha when they launched in Sephora, and also providing flowers for a VIP brand ambassador of Louis Vuitton. That was a a pretty big deal.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-are-the-floral-trends-you-re-seeing-for-2026">What are the floral trends you&#8217;re seeing for 2026?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2026/02/Rosie-May-Kelly.png" alt="Nina Isobel Florals Rosie May Kelly" class="wp-image-4712" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2026/02/Rosie-May-Kelly.png 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2026/02/Rosie-May-Kelly-300x200.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2026/02/Rosie-May-Kelly-1024x683.png 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2026/02/Rosie-May-Kelly-768x512.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Rosie May Kelly</figcaption></figure>



<p>We’re seeing people wanting much more sculptural and artful style florals now, and embracing more of the weird and wonderful floral varieties we have available to us. At the end of last year, we saw a big trend in brides wanting to be creative and manipulate flowers in a way no one’s really seen before. We saw bridal bouquets being made and worn to almost act as a “handbag” over their arm &#8211; essentially they&#8217;re &#8216;wearable&#8217; florals. Manipulating flowers with wire to be worn as head bands and corsages in a really modern take is definitely something I’m seeing more of, with florists like <a href="https://www.passionflowersue.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Passionflower Sue</a> really shaping the way. </p>



<p></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-are-the-biggest-mistakes-people-make-with-their-flowers">What are the biggest mistakes people make with their flowers?</h2>



<p>I&#8217;d say one of the main issues is not paying attention to the seasons. Flowers are naturally seasonal, and certain blooms simply aren’t available at different times of the year. When people try to source out-of-season flowers, often from abroad, they&#8217;re often poorer quality, more expensive, and have a much larger environmental footprint. Also, they&#8217;re missing out on some incredible local varieties that are growing right on their doorstep. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-you-re-putting-together-your-dream-bouquet-what-s-in-it">You&#8217;re putting together your dream bouquet. What&#8217;s in it?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1500" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2026/02/Rosie-May-Kelly-1.png" alt="Nina Isobel Florals Rosie May Kelly" class="wp-image-4708" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2026/02/Rosie-May-Kelly-1.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2026/02/Rosie-May-Kelly-1-200x300.png 200w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2026/02/Rosie-May-Kelly-1-683x1024.png 683w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2026/02/Rosie-May-Kelly-1-768x1152.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Rosie May Kelly</figcaption></figure>



<p>If you go to a local flower farmer, they have the beautiful, unusual varieties with lovely different shapes and wiggly stems you won’t find in your local supermarket aisle! Things like poppies and ranunculus are really fun, along with different varieties of violas, and I love using sweet pea vines to create interesting shapes in my arrangements. Some local flower farmers to Cardiff that I adore and use often are <a href="https://www.wildandwelsh.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wild &amp; Welsh Flower Farm</a>, and <a href="https://www.flowersfromthefarm.co.uk/members/riverview-flower-farm/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Riverview Flower Farm</a>.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-any-flowers-that-have-had-their-day">Any flowers that have had their day?</h2>



<p>I don’t think any varieties in particular are overrated &#8211; it&#8217;s just that varieties come in and out of fashion (hello gerberas and carnations!). I think forcing flowers that are out of season is overrated really and we should be paying attention to what’s growing around us.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1500" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2026/02/Nina-Isobel-Florals.png" alt="Nina Isobel Florals" class="wp-image-4715" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2026/02/Nina-Isobel-Florals.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2026/02/Nina-Isobel-Florals-200x300.png 200w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2026/02/Nina-Isobel-Florals-683x1024.png 683w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2026/02/Nina-Isobel-Florals-768x1152.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Nina Isobel Florals</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-so-what-looks-amazing-but-doesn-t-break-the-bank">So, what looks amazing but doesn&#8217;t break the bank?</h2>



<p>I think gorgeous spring tulips are the best for this! There’s so many different varieties and colours, and I love reflexing the petals &#8211; gently rolling or peeling the petals backward from the base to create a full, bloom-like appearance &#8211; to make them even more interesting.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-if-you-could-share-three-tips-for-creating-a-perfect-at-home-bouquet-what-would-they-be">If you could share three tips for creating a perfect at home bouquet, what would they be?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1500" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2026/02/Rosie-May-Kelly-2.png" alt="Nina Isobel Florals Rosie May Kelly" class="wp-image-4710" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2026/02/Rosie-May-Kelly-2.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2026/02/Rosie-May-Kelly-2-200x300.png 200w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2026/02/Rosie-May-Kelly-2-683x1024.png 683w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2026/02/Rosie-May-Kelly-2-768x1152.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Rosie May Kelly</figcaption></figure>



<p>The first and probably most important thing is prepping properly. Trim the stems, strip any leaves that sit below the waterline, and change the water every other day. It sounds basic, but it makes such a difference to how your bouquet looks and lasts. </p>



<p>Then, remember that your flower choices are important. Try and get a good variety of different textures and shapes, a few main focal flowers and then some fluffier filler flowers.</p>



<p>Finally, don’t over complicate it! Choose flowers that you are drawn to and love, and pair it with some lovely foliage and you’ll have a lovely bouquet for your home.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-should-we-organise-our-stems-in-a-vase">How should we organise our stems in a vase?</h2>



<p>I think the best way as a beginner is fill the vase first with lots of lovely foliage, whether that be from the garden or from a shop. Then add in those filler flowers we said about to fluff it up. Then go in with you main focal flowers last so you can place them exactly where you want them and where they will be most seen.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-spill-it-what-s-next-for-nina-isobel-florals">Spill it. What’s next for Nina Isobel Florals?</h2>



<p>We’ve recently rebranded <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ninaisobelflorals/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nina Isobel Florals</a>, which has given us a much clearer and more intentional vision for the business and how we want to work going forward. We’re really refining our approach and focusing solely on seasonal weddings and events, which feels much more aligned with what we love and do best. Our 2027 diary has just opened, and we’re taking on more bespoke and design-led bookings. There&#8217;s lots planned! </p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-in-the-mood-for-more">IN THE MOOD FOR MORE?</h2>



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Cardiff’s chicest florist – and 5 tips you can learn from her

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