About Me - Cardiff Wedding Florist
Anne-Marie, Cardiff wedding florist - Petal Power. Image by Timea Danci Photography
Hello, I am Anne-Marie, you can call me Anne, and this is my story of how I became a Cardiff wedding florist.
Flowers were always important to me; one of my first memories is running through the woodlands near where I lived gathering a bunch of wild bluebells to give to my mother. I believe flowers are magical; they lift us up and help to make us happy. When I created Petal Power and started my venture as a Cardiff wedding florist, I wanted to share this magic with others and to love every day at work.
Why I became a Cardiff wedding florist
My own journey into wedding flower design started over 19 years ago when I created the flowers for my own wedding day. When searching for a florist for my big day I spoke to a few local florists. Not one of them made me feel special, or seemed excited to be a part of my wedding day. I felt deflated. I loved flowers and they were important to me; this part of the planning process was supposed to be fun!
I have always been a creative person; I took A Level Art and Design and toyed with the idea of degree level but I thought English and History would suit me more! I know, crazy. So, I signed up to an evening class and everything slotted into place. This is what I was meant to be doing as a career, a Cardiff wedding florist. I made the flowers for my own wedding day and then went onto further training. I never looked back.
Cardiff wedding florist Anne-Marie pinning on the grooms buttonhole. Image by Sophie Collins Photography
Why choose Petal Power?
Over the past 17 years I have had the honour of creating the wedding flowers for over 400 amazing couples who have trusted me to deliver their vision in the many wonderful wedding venues in South Wales and occasionally across the bridge. All those years of experience and knowledge I bring to your wedding day. I have never forgotten why I started out; so I strive to make every one of my couples feel special. It is really important for me to connect with my couples, I want to know them, understand what sets them alight. That’s why I take the time to get to meet with them and have a good chat. I don’t do wedding packages or copy and paste weddings. All my weddings are individual and as unique as each one of my couples are. If you are looking for a South Wales and Cardiff wedding florist who will listen to your ideas and will create your dream flowers, here I am.
I think we should all take some personal responsibility towards the urgent environmental issues of our time and as a florist I set an example by arranging without the use of single-use plastic or floral foam (wherever possible); furthermore I up-cycle, re-use and re-cycle, and wrap all bouquets in brown or unbleached paper.
Powered by my personality and passion to offer individual and bespoke floral design with stunning flowers and no compromises; Petal Power has grown from strength to strength gaining a great reputation and award nominations. There is never a dull moment being a florist. I am privy to many of life’s memorable occasions and it is a real privilege to be a part of these important moments. I believe this calls for a very personal approach which Petal Power is renowned for; just ask one of my brides. There is nothing better than seeing everything come together perfectly on the big day. I truly love my job.
“Anne-Marie bought our vision for a jewel toned wedding to life with the most beautiful flowers ever! I cried when I saw them and just couldn’t stop smiling.
Nothing was to much bother for her, and it was so lovely to have a florist that was so relaxed (she definitely had a calming effect on me) 😊.
My friends are still talking about the stunning hanging flower curtain that you arranged. One word: Perfection!
Diolch yn fawr / Thank you for everything!”
Cardiff wedding florist in action
“Where do I begin, Anne-Marie was amazing from start to finish!
Not only was she incredibly flexible and helpful when it came to deciding what we needed for our day, but made adjustments for us almost right up to our day.
She was happy to accommodate multiple meetings with us as we actually lived around 4 hours away from where our wedding was, and always tried her best to fit us in when we was already in the area.
Not only was her help leading up to the wedding unbelievable, her final work was jaw dropping. The style I was after wasn’t her usual style but she executed my vision perfectly and I was head over heels with my bouquet! And not only was all the flowers for our bridal party perfect, the settings she had done on our banqueting tables can only be described as magical.
When I walked into out reception I was literally breathless with how beautiful it looked in there, and Anne-Marie was no small part in making it happen!
If I was to ever recommended anyone to use a florist I don’t think I could recommend her enough in a thousand life times!!”
A little more about me
When I am not ‘playing’ with flowers I am a busy mum to two wonderful children and wife to my gorgeous husband. My favourite thing is to walk in the woodlands close to where I live, I can feel the stress leave my shoulders as I walk amongst the trees. In recent years.
I have found a new love of exercise, hello Covid and the nation’s favourite PE teacher. I drink far too much tea and eat chocolate every day - only a little bit. I love to dance and still have the moves, if I say so myself. Would you believe I even did the caterpillar on my wedding day, in my wedding dress?
On the weekend I like to have a glass of red wine or two whilst watching a movie. I absolutely love musicals and can sing along to all of West Side Story and fancy myself as a Welsh Anita.
I am also a Beaver Leader in my village Scout Troop. I say I do this as a penance for my sins but really it’s a lot of fun and of course it’s great to volunteer for the good of my community.
Inclusivity Section
I love to work with couples of all sexual orientations, genders, backgrounds, races and abilities - Petal Power is all about the love. All voices are appreciated and well served regardless of race, religion or sexual orientation.
What are you waiting for? If you are looking for your South Wales and Cardiff wedding florist, I would love to hear from you. Get in touch today for a free consultation.
Can’t wait to meet you! ENQUIRE NOW
Anne-Marie Merlini (the face behind the pretty flowers) xoxo
Anne-Marie, Cardiff wedding florist creating an arch