We are an independent florist in the Georgian town of Blandford Forum, in the heart of Dorset.

We provide bespoke floral design, specialising in beautiful bouquets, weddings, events and sympathy.

The shop is always stocked with fresh seasonal blooms and gorgeous gifts.  We also have an on-line shop and are amazed by orders that come in from all over the world!

We are very proud to have won many local awards, including Best Retail category at the Blandford Business awards for the last 2 years.

The business is growing year on year and we are so grateful for the continued support.  It is amazing to think that the business has grown from me (Laura) in my home studio, to now a beautiful shop with a team of 4 in the shop plus many helpers!

Laura – Florist, Founder & Owner

My passion for flowers and beautiful blooms began when I started work as a 15 year old Saturday girl in a local florist shop.  At 21, I put floristry on hold and became a qualified Midwife in Brighton.  Midwifery is an equally rewarding profession, however I never put my floristry scissors away and always dreamt of owning my own floristry business and shop.

 Having built up Sweetpea Florist over many years, in 2016 I decided to take the plunge and swap delivering babies for delivering flowers full time (although of course I can still do both if required!)

I am really proud of the way in which the business has grown and I hope it continues to do so in the future. I absolutely love creating beautiful florals across all aspects of the business and will never be someone to put my floristry scissors down and just “manage” the business. I like to get stuck in and couldn’t imagine not being creative!

When I am not in the shop, I have a busy family life with my husband, two young sons and Buddy the Shihtzu.  I love to travel, holiday and adore the beach and coast!

Favourite Flowers: Narcissi Daffodils, Ranuncula’s and Dahlia’s

Nicki – Florist & Retail Expert

Nicki joined the Sweetpea team in 2019, bringing a wealth of retail experience with her. She has bloomed into a fabulous florist. Her eye for detail, colour palettes and flower combinations is brilliant. Nicki can create you anything from the most stunning hand-tied bouquet, to a show stopping floral arch.

Nicki is also responsible for the retail buying side of the business, sourcing and choosing all our lovely gifts and other stock we sell besides the flowers. She has a keen interest in what is on trend and always has her finger on the pulse! The shop’s displays, window dressing and how beautiful it looks, is down to Nicki.

When I am not in the shop (usually this means I’m on a holiday!) or out on other jobs such a photoshoot or private house styling, Nicki is my right hand woman and deputises for me.

When she isn’t working, Nicki is kept busy with her family, 2 young children, husband and two dogs….one of which is a new puppy! She loves to travel and considers herself a “foodie!”

Favourite Flowers: Protea’s, Ranuncula’s and Dahlias

Gill – Florist & Business Oracle

Gill is Laura’s Mum and has been a part of the business from the start. The plan was for her initially just to help out while the business got on its feet, but 5 years down the line and she is an absolutely integral part of it (we won’t let her leave!)

Gill has great insight into the running of the business, handling all of the “behind the scenes” tricky bits as well as working in the shop, creating beautiful bouquets and keeping us all going! She also gets involved with wedding and event set ups too and there isn’t much she cant do!

When she is not in the shop, she will 100% be found in the sunshine on holiday, on a Caribbean cruise or enjoying time away in their caravan! She also loves a natter!

Favourite Flower: Ranuncula’s, Peonies and Anemone’s

Steph – Florist & Wedding Specialist

Steph is the latest member to join our team as a freelancer. She comes to us with years of floristry experience having run her own successful floral design wedding and events business for many years.

Steph absolutely loves colour and you will see this reflected in designs in the shop! She is brilliant at creating stunning colour combos and has lots of fabulous ideas for different creative designs.

She has many years of experience of flowering large scale and luxurious weddings, in a vast amount of wedding venues across the south. We are really excited to have her on board and can’t wait to get started with this years wedding season.

When Steph isn’t at work, she also has a busy family life, with two young sons, husband and a crazy spaniel! She is very sociable, loves to laugh and is great fun to be around!

Favourite Flowers: Peonies and Giant Poppies

Bud & Ted – Shop Dogs!

The smallest members of the team are Buddy and Teddie. Our very friendly shop dog Shih Tzu’s! They are brothers, Bud lives with Laura and Ted with Gill and they adore spending time together.

We think it may take them a while to learn how to do the flowers, so for now they are going to stick to being cute and having cuddles!

Friends & Family

Sweetpea is a true family business and everyone helps in different ways.  The smaller members ‘help’ with sweeping and filling buckets, with the bigger ones helping with deliveries, construction/maintenance in the shop and updating the website!

In addition we are very lucky to have lots of great friends and family who help during busy and peak times.