2023 has proven to be a bustling and eventful year, to say the least! Brimming with laughter and adventure, the farm has been a hub of activity. While the weather hasn't always been on our side, the show must go on – and indeed, it did! Thanks to the unwavering commitment and hard work of our fantastic team, 2023 stands out as a record year for Shropshire Petals.
Now, let's delve into why this year has been nothing short of blooming marvellous!
Shropshire Petal Fields
We couldn't skip talking about this first, especially after the heart-wrenching decision to forgo the event last year. Opening our gates to the public this year has been truly spectacular. Over the course of the 10 days in August, we were thrilled to welcome more than 10,000 visitors to the farm. Stepping back and watching everyone delight in the flowers, sharing the same joy that we feel year after year, was absolutely wonderful!
The success was so remarkable that we're already planning to open again in 2024. The flower field near Newport, Shropshire, will be accessible late July to early August 2024, with specific dates announced closer to the time.
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Award Winning Wedding Confetti
Award-winning, again! None of this would have been possible without our incredible team. As you're well aware, we take our commitment to customer service very seriously here at Shropshire Petals. So, when we found out we were finalists for the Guides for Brides Customer Service Awards, we were over the moon! The amazingly talented team at Guides for Brides organised a fantastic event, and we were truly honoured to be a part of it. For a detailed account, feel free to revisit our blog from earlier this year.
For the third consecutive year, we've proudly received the Platinum Trusted Service Award from Feefo – and it's all thanks to you, our wonderful customers, for your votes!
And there's more good news! We're thrilled to share that we've also secured a spot as a regional finalist in The Wedding Industry Awards, where we received the Highly Commended award in the Special Touch Category.
We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you, our fantastic customers. Without your support, these fantastic awards would not have been possible. A big thank you once again!
Television Debut!
Excitingly, not just one, but TWO camera teams graced our farm this year! Firstly, the team from Escape to the Country paid us a visit, and we're eagerly awaiting the airing of their feature. Soon after, the crew from Garddio A Mwy, also known as the Welsh Gardener's World, joined us. You can catch the episode here, just be sure to enable subtitles if Welsh isn't your forte. Inviting both teams to the farm was a true honour, allowing us to provide them and you, with a glimpse into a day's work in the enchanting world of dried flowers and confetti growing!
Florrie and Friends!
As you may recall from last year, we proudly introduced Florrie, our flower-planting and weeding robot, to the farm. However, we couldn't bear to see her lonely, so we decided to invest in two new companions for her! Meet Hector and Gigi – all three robots are already hard at work in the fields.
Our Three Farm Droid Flower Planting Robots
These robots play a crucial role in our commitment to reducing our carbon footprint and minimising CO2 emissions. Being much lighter than a traditional tractor, they're gentler on our soil, lowering the risk of compaction. What's more, they operate on solar energy, eliminating the need for fuel! Curious to learn more? Check it out here.
Wedding Shows & Interflora World Cup!
This year, it's heartening to observe that wedding shows are regaining the bustling atmosphere they had before the pandemic, and we find that truly amazing! There's nothing quite like meeting couples face-to-face, delving into conversations about upcoming wedding trends, and being part of the vibrant wedding industry.
Thank you to everyone that came to see us at the Spring and Autumn National Wedding Shows at Birmingham's NEC. We're already planning 2024 shows! Come and see us on stand B29 between 1st and 3rd March 2024 or stand C10 from 4th to the 6th October 2024. Excitingly, we're contemplating a little revamp for our stand, so stay tuned – we can't wait to unveil the magic Ashley has in store for our display!
Shropshire Petals at the NEC National Wedding Show 2023
Adding to the highlights of the year, we had the privilege of attending the Interflora World Cup. It was an extraordinary experience witnessing floristry at such a high level and connecting with numerous industry professionals. We're always on the lookout for new and exciting events to attend, so if you're organising something you think we'd love, don't hesitate to get in touch!
Interflora World Cup Stand 2023
Harvest Time
Last year, we tackled the heat, and this year, we faced the wet! But, true to form, it didn't phase us one bit!
Under the leadership of Laura and her incredible team, we successfully harvested a whopping 1 million handfuls of biodegradable wedding confetti, alongside 35,000 bunches of dried flowers. This accomplishment stands as a remarkable testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire team.
Harvest on the Shropshire Petals Farm 2023
Always striving for improvement, our research and development team is diligently working behind the scenes to pave the way for an even more substantial harvest in 2024. We're excited about the possibilities ahead!
Collaborations
This year has been filled with incredible collaborations with some truly wonderful businesses. The Colourful Garden Company joined forces with us for our big confetti moment competition, and it was a resounding success. We have loved seeing your confetti moments, and cannot wait to share them across our social network in 2024.
We've had the pleasure of working with inspiring smaller businesses, including Studio Wald, Bloom Boutique, The Country Rose, Shell on Earth, Hare and Heather, and Paperlore Recycling, to name just a few. Bringing you some fantastic giveaways on Instagram.
We have also participated in some fantastic styled shoots with talented suppliers in the wedding industry which has been a highlight for us building some strong professional relationships. We eagerly anticipate many more creative ventures in the coming year, which we will endeavour to share with you.
Additionally, we've had the privilege of partnering with inspiring influencers as they prepare for their weddings. If you're tying the knot next year and happen to be a micro influencer, don't hesitate to get in touch – we would love to hear from you!
Here's to another successful year!
We are beyond excited to see what 2024 holds for us at SP! Our team is bursting with excitement at the prospect of another fulfilling year on the farm, eagerly looking forward to witnessing the fields in full bloom once again.
We extend heartfelt thanks to everyone for their love and support throughout the past year. Witnessing your confetti moments truly makes all the hard work worthwhile. Don't forget to share your snaps with us for a chance to be featured on our social media – because your joy is the best reward for our efforts! Here's to a blooming wonderful 2024!
Flower Field 2023
For more information, tips and advice on the perfect confetti moment follow us on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok and Pinterest!
We wish you a happy New Year!
With Love
SP xx
