Our Story
Hello!
My name is Natalie and I am “The Foraging Florist” - a wedding and events Florist based in Portadown.
Horticulture runs deep within my family and since I was little, I have always been surrounded by lovers of the outdoors, flowers and plants.
Do you remember what career you dreamed of when you were a kid? Well, mine was a Florist! I’ve always been quite creative and I spent a lot of time in both of my Granny’s gardens; which were laden with trees and flowers - perfect for foraging and making daisy crowns and little posies.
My Auntie Christine also played a fundamental role in my chosen career and path in life. She was a Gardener at Ballywalter Park for over 20 years. The same park that my Grandfather was a Grounds Keeper in years previous. My Auntie was extremely passionate about Horticulture and Nature and she would often take me to work with her. She would show me all the incredible array of flowers and plants and let me help her care for them; I was fascinated by her knowledge.
Despite telling everyone how I wanted to be a Florist, as I got older, I was unsure on how to actually pursue my dream career. I studied and worked in the Education sector for several years and I loved it, however, I forgot about passion and my love for all things flowers. When my Auntie sadly passed, a lovely local Florist made a beautiful floral tribute for her funeral using flowers that my Auntie had grown in the Park. The floral arrangement was perfect, it evoked her passion and colourful personality. Seeing this creation reignited my dream that I had pushed to the back of my mind.
It took me a few years to build up the courage to leave my job in Education, follow my dreams, and become a Florist. I’ve never looked back and I truly love what I do. It’s a privilege to forage for wild flowers and foliage, showcase my creativity, and create unique designs that reflect the vision, desire and personality of every one of my customers.
Love, Natalie (The Foraging Florist).