A New Chapter for British Grown Sustainable Wedding Flowers in Surrey & Sussex
How Made with Grace is Supporting Local Growers & Sharing More Seasonal Blooms
British grown flowers have always held a very special place in my floristry work. Their delicateness, their movement, their fragrance, their fleetingness.. they really do have unrivaled beauty. The fact that they are nurtured in our own soil, shaped by our weather and nourishing to our local land and wildlife..I could go on and on. They offer a beautiful tenderness on our planet and great delight to those that experience them.
Supporting British growers and the every growing British flower movement has long been a core commitment within the floral studio here, both for the environmental benefits and for the desire to share their unrivalled beauty and character with our clients for their weddings, events, spaces and special occasions.
For the 2026 season, there’s an exciting development in motion here in Surrey that will make it more achievable to gather and share even more exceptional British grown blooms with you. A collaborative network of flower growers across Surrey, Sussex and Kent are joining into a hub, where there will be a central local location for which us florists can source the very special, lovingly nurtured stems.
In this post I’ll be diving into more about The Gatwick Flower Hut, the benefits and beauty of using British grown flowers and sharing images from visits to the wonderful local flower farms over the years.
Why Will This Make a Difference? The Logistics Challenge of Using British Grown Flowers
As a florist deeply committed to working with seasonal British blooms wherever possible, one of the biggest challenges has always been logistics.
Unlike ordering from a single international wholesaler, sourcing British flowers traditionally involves:
Contacting multiple independent growers
Coordinating availability and quantities
Scheduling collection times
Driving between several farms across several counties
Working within very tight timelines to ensure peak freshness
It can easily take an entire day simply to collect flowers and when you’re working with live product that needs to be incorporated into designs at their absolute best, that time pressure can be limiting.
Despite this, I have always strived to support British growers wherever possible. The demand for British grown flowers continues to exceed supply, and while it is not yet feasible to fulfil every wedding entirely with locally grown stems due to the typical larger scale of events MWG serves, the intention has always been to source as much as possible.
With the development of this new hub this will be hugely beneficial in shaving time, miles and resources off the sourcing element of the floral design process.
Why Supporting British Flowers Matters
The movement towards a more sustainable floristry industry continues to gain momentum across the UK, and artisan flower farmers are at the heart of that shift.
Most flowers sold commercially are imported, commonly distributed via the international flower market in Holland. While this allows for year-round availability and volume, it also comes with:
Increased carbon footprint due to transportation
Heavy chemical and pesticide use in some cases
Excess plastic packaging
Less connection to local ecology
Choosing British-grown flowers offers -
Lower Environmental Impact
Reduced transport miles mean a smaller carbon footprint.
Support for Local Land & Businesses
You are directly investing in independent farms and regenerative growing practices within your own region.
Exceptional Quality & Delicacy
British flowers are often more nuanced in tone and movement. Many varieties are too delicate for the international market and therefore uniquely available through local growers.
Harmony with the Season
Seasonal flowers reflect the time of year of your celebration. Cosmos in summer. Dahlias in early autumn. Sweet peas in late spring. These natural markers become emotional touchpoints in years to come.
And wildlife loves it too. Local cutting gardens are alive with bees, insects and natural pest control such as ladybirds, small ecosystems thriving alongside the blooms.
What This Means for Your Event and Wedding Flowers
With the introduction of The Flower Hub Gatwick, incorporating British-grown flowers into weddings across Surrey and Sussex becomes even more achievable.
It means:
Greater access to specialist seasonal varieties
Increased flexibility when designing bespoke palettes
More efficient logistics during busy wedding weeks
The ability to support a broader community of growers
When we discuss your wedding florals, we will always explore what is in season at the time of your celebration. You’ll receive realistic guidance on availability and quality, along with a visual and written outline of seasonal favourites.
Of course, working with British flowers means embracing the unpredictability of nature. Weather remains the ultimate decision maker. But placing trust in your florist and the growing community associated with them allows for a truly special floral design experience, arrangements and backdrops of your occasion, photographs and memories.
Sustainability is a core value here at Made with Grace. You can learn more about how we source and craft consciously on our dedicated sustainability website page here.
A Collective Step Towards a Kinder Industry
Seeing initiatives like The Flower Hub Gatwick emerge is incredibly encouraging. It signals collaboration over competition, community over convenience and seasonality over standardisation.
The joy and brilliance of British-grown flowers extends beyond the aesthetic, it supports individuals, families, independent businesses, land, pollinators and a more conscious way of celebrating.
I’m so excited for the season ahead and all the blooms to come.
Made with Grace Wedding & Event Floral Services in Surrey, Sussex & Kent
If you’re planning a wedding or event in Surrey, Sussex or Kent and value seasonal, sustainably sourced floral design, I would love to explore what’s possible for your celebration! To explore more about MWG Wedding Flowers click here.
At Made with Grace two wedding and event services are offered - a full bespoke floral design experience whereby we craft and manage all the elements and logistics of the florals of the event, or a studio-curated seasonal selection menu for those who wish for the MWG signature style in a beautifully simplified form.
For a peep in the polytunnel from the visit to Smallfield Flower Farm where I learnt more of the new hub in motion and could see hundreds of happy seedlings gearing up for their season have a look over on instagram here.
Frequently Asked Questions About British Grown Wedding Flowers
Are British grown wedding flowers more sustainable?
Yes. They travel fewer miles, often use fewer chemicals and reduce reliance on imported blooms with higher carbon footprints.
Can I have fully British-grown flowers for my wedding?
This depends on the season and availability. Wherever possible I prioritise sourcing from trusted local growers.
Will I know what’s in season for my wedding date?
Absolutely. Seasonal availability is discussed during consultation and included in your design proposal so expectations are clear and realistic.
