All Our Blooming RESPONSIBILITY

SUSTAINABILITY POLICY

At Jacqui O, our purpose is to bring the beauty of nature to life through exquisite, ethical florals for weddings, events, and meaningful moments. We believe flowers tell stories of love, joy, remembrance, and we’re here to craft those stories with intention, care, and artistry.

Rooted in a deep connection with the natural world, Jacqui’s journey began on her family’s farm on the Cheshire–Shropshire border, where childhood hours were spent sketching wildflowers beneath the trees. That same quiet wonder and respect for nature now shapes every creation we design.

We exist to connect people with the environment through planet-friendly floristry that balances people, profit, and planet. Sustainability is never an afterthought; it is woven into every petal, partnership, and practice.

At Jacqui O, we transform dreams into living, breathing arrangements that speak of who you are and what you love. Whether celebrating life’s most joyful days or honouring heartfelt goodbyes, we craft sensuous, nature-led designs to create memories that linger long after the flowers have faded.

Bride at RHS Tatton Flower Show holding a Cheshire grown bridal bouquet

What we are doing now…

Bee friendly flowers in pinks, berries and creams at RHS Tatton Park

It is part of our mission at Jacqui O to drive sales through ethical and beautiful, planet-friendly products, at the same time as contributing to a greener world as it’s our responsibility to be the keeper of beauty as we depend on the earth for our profession.

Here are some of the things we are currently doing to be an authentic, caring business:

OUR FLOWERS

'Bee friendly, Bee Kind': Luxurious, locally grown blooms that nurture nature

In 2017 we launched our ‘Bee friendly flowers’, forging strong working relationships with other businesses we trust in Cheshire and sometimes in Lincolnshire and Cornwall. As well as eliminating air miles, buying locally reduces our waste as the flowers do not come wrapped in plastic, with elastic bands. Our ‘bee friendly’ blooms have also provided food and a habitat to a vast variety of wildlife in rural Cheshire before we use them in our luxurious arrangements. We actively encourage our clients to choose this range as the Cheshire blooms are picked fewer than 10 miles away.

In 2024, 55% of our clients who value sustainability and cherish the environment chose our 'Bee Friendly' flowers, embracing designs that are as kind to the planet as they are beautiful.

‘Best of both’: Sourcing the very best flowers grown near and far

In 2019, we proudly introduced ‘Best of Both’, our commitment to sourcing the finest flowers from near and far. Today, 90% of our blooms are locally grown, depending on seasonal availability, while the remaining 10% come from trusted international suppliers who uphold exceptional growing, working, and environmental practices.

Our partnerships with specialist growers ensure the most exquisite blooms, celebrated for their sweet fragrances and irresistible textures that beg to be touched. Adding a truly personal touch, we also nurture some of our favourite flowers and foliages in our very own secret garden. Here, fragrant herbs like rosemary and mint, whimsical meadow grasses such as ‘bunny tails,’ and romantic peonies thrive. These homegrown treasures are exclusively reserved for our luxury weddings, offering a touch of magic to our artistic creations.

This garden is more than a source of beauty; it’s my sanctuary, a place of tranquillity and biodiversity where butterflies flit, bees hum, and the songs of blackbirds and robins fill the air.

In 2020, we started to transform the space by removing a vast decking area which we inherited and planting more pollinator-friendly plants and trees. The following year, we welcomed our first honey bees, and last year, a hedgehog made its first appearance, feasting on the garden’s natural ecosystem. Every change we make nurtures nature in return, reinforcing our commitment to sustainable floristry and biodiversity.

In 2024, 34% of our clients embraced our ‘Best of Both’ range, making ethical floristry choices that celebrate sustainability and thoughtful design.

'We were so lucky to find Jacqui for our wedding flowers! Not only is she exceptionally talented, as can be seen in her wide and varied portfolio, but what sealed the deal for us is that she also has an ethical mindset and offers a 'bee friendly' collection, which was in line with our ethos for the wedding'

Petra Kjell Wright

‘Couture: All around the world’: Importing flowers from ethical growers who care

When sourcing flowers internationally, we prioritise growers committed to sustainability and social responsibility. We only import from countries adhering to rigorous environmental standards, such as MPS A+ certification, ensuring minimal environmental impact, ethical practices, and support for local economies.

Sustainable Practices Include:

Rainwater Reuse: Many growers use rainwater for irrigation, preserving freshwater resources.
Renewable Energy: Solar-powered greenhouses, with surplus energy shared with local communities.
Biological Pest Control: Utilising natural predators and protective mesh mitts to minimise chemical use.

Grower Highlights:

Bredefleur (Netherlands): Operates energy-efficient greenhouses powered by 4,000 solar panels, with 100% rainwater irrigation and wild insect pest control.
Alexandra Farms (Colombia): Employs eco-friendly pest management and supports local craftsmanship with reusable, hand-sewn mesh mitts for roses.
Marginpar (Africa & Europe): Implements water-saving technologies, composts flower waste, and actively supports workers with fresh water, schools, and community initiatives.

Through partnerships with such growers, we ensure that our imported flowers not only meet the highest sustainability standards but also contribute positively to local communities and the planet.

In 2024, 6% of our clients chose our ‘All Around the World’ range, embracing ethical floristry that honours sustainability and social responsibility while staying true to their creative vision.

‘FRESH & FAUX’ fusing silk and fresh fragrant florals to reduce waste

We’ll be honest – sourcing is complex. As eco-conscious consumers, we would love to always buy local. But different flowers need different environments to flourish so this year we have introduced silk flowers into our designs, which can be used when some items aren’t in their natural growing season, they can also be reused at multiple events to save money for the client and also reduce our stem wastage.

In 2024, 1% of our clients chose our ‘Fresh & Faux’ range, celebrating sustainable floristry and reducing waste without compromising on their vision.

Potted Plants & bulbs that can be reused, shared and love

From time to time, we use plants or hydroponic bulbs in our floral installations and tablescapes so they can be nurtured, reclaimed and reused for future events. They can easily double up as living keepsakes for you and your guests after the big day too.

'Just more' garden rose, 'Solomio Rainbow Pink' dianthus and scabiosa table flowers

Dahilia, Phlox, gyp and bunny tail meadow table arrangements

CREATIVITY AND DESIGN

Using and exploring sustainable techniques and compostable design

Since 2017, we have pioneered creative alternatives and looked to traditional floristry mechanics. We rely on expert knowledge to employ sustainable techniques, ensuring every design is as kind to the planet as it is beautiful.

100% Sustainable Bases: We exclusively use eco-friendly bases for installations and funeral designs, including water, moss, compostable oshun pouches, and natural twig structures.
True Circularity: We champion the reuse revolution. Our original chicken wire armatures have been used in an estimated 200+ weddings and events, proving that sustainable infrastructure has remarkable longevity.
Compostable Commitment: In 2024, virtually all our funeral designs (all but one) were crafted using fully compostable and biodegradable materials. This ensures every tribute honours both loved ones and the environment.
Client Collaboration: We actively encourage clients to participate in our circular ethos by returning components such as recycled plastic containers and chicken wire for future reuse.

Enjoying, Sharing or Donating wedding flowers after the event

We believe the natural beauty of your wedding flowers should be enjoyed for as long as possible, continuing their story while reducing environmental impact. We actively encourage our clients to choose one of three meaningful options:

Take Home: Repurpose the blooms to fill your home with lasting fragrance and joy.
Share the Love: Gift arrangements to your guests, extending the celebration and reducing waste.
Donate: We can arrange for your flowers to bring light and comfort to residents at a local hospice or care home.

For a final keepsake, we encourage clients to dry and press a few selected stems, ensuring a beautiful memory remains long after the flowers have faded.

Mindful Design: Eliminating Waste at the Source

Our commitment to eliminating waste begins long before the first stem is cut. We meticulously plan the quantity of flowers and foliage for every design, guided by the principle I learned from my grandfather: “Waste not, want not.” This careful forecasting drastically cuts down on green waste and ensures we source only what is truly needed.

The Jacqui O 5 R’s of Sustainable Design:

Our artistry is governed by this design ethos, ensuring every detail reflects our commitment to timeless beauty and minimal impact:
Refuse what isn’t necessary.
Reduce excess.
Reuse what we have.
Recycle where possible.
Compost the rest.

Furthermore, our cherished floristry vessels and props are continually reinvented for our clients’ events, proving that true sustainability is a story told through reinvention, where every dent and mark adds character.

Preloved Styling & The Circular Décor Service

We offer a carefully curated Hire Service for weddings and events, eliminating the need for clients to purchase décor that may only be used once. By reusing and repurposing beautiful pieces, we help reduce waste while still creating breathtaking designs. Our approach proves that sustainability and style go hand-in-hand: for instance, one of our cherished ceramic pots has been painted in every colour of the rainbow to suit different themes over the years.

WASTE & RECYCLING: The Circular Studio

Embracing Circularity: Every Beautiful Thing Has a Story

Our operational goal is to ensure all materials have a second life, reflecting our commitment to a true circular economy.

We handle our waste with meticulous care: all green waste is separated, composted, and returned directly to nature. To close the loop on packaging, large delivery boxes are always returned to our wholesalers for immediate re-use. Furthermore, we champion Vessel Longevity: water vessels used for flower deliveries are saved and reused endlessly in our installations and floral creations.

We believe that sustainability fuels creativity, constantly turning reclaimed materials into art. This commitment to Creative Upcycling was demonstrated at the RHS Tatton 2021 show, where we used recycled plastic milk bottles as vessels. Our 2022 exhibition continued this ethos by using fallen branches cleared from local greens as a natural armature alternative.

Resource Management & Emissions: Saving Every Drop of Water We Can

We are dedicated to conserving resources and reducing our carbon footprint across all operations. For this reason, Jacqui harvests rainwater from her home studio to fill floral buckets and water plants, saving an estimated 100 litres of mains water annually.

Reducing emissions one footstep at a time when delivering

Our commitment to minimising our environmental impact drives careful planning of all delivery routes to reduce fuel emissions. In 2024, a few of our most valued bouquets and donated wedding flowers were successfully delivered via emission-free transport on foot, setting a tangible benchmark for future low-carbon service.

Cutting out paper from our daily life

We have streamlined our entire floral journey to eliminate unnecessary paper waste and enhance efficiency. We only send electronic copies of documents to clients, and all enquiries and orders are digitally entered into our system, ensuring a paperless process from initial contact through to fulfilment.

Holding meetings online, reducing car emissions one meeting at a time

Our clients' floral journey and experience are paramount, and we aim to deliver this with maximum convenience and minimal impact. By holding all consultations and review meetings online, we successfully avoid unnecessary car travel for both our team and our clients, thereby reducing emissions and offering the invaluable gift of time back to you.

‘Jacqui O is more than a name – it's a symbol of dedication, inspiration, and tireless service to the community. Her contribution to the Monton Jingle Mingle was through the lens of both tangible and intangible pieces of beauty.

Despite the event being outside her very own community and straddled by the reins of a stringent budget, Jacqui brought forth an aesthetic splendour, which became the focal point of the church event - the lichgate. Her ability to weave seasonal glory out of limited means showcased her talent and creativity in an inspiring light.

What set Jacqui apart was her commitment to sustainability, as a conscious florist. She used local, seasonal plant material, diverting from the mainstream use of imported flowers, to reduce the carbon footprint and encourage locally sourced alternatives.

Her practised 'green thumb' serves as a beacon of hope, showcasing that beauty and sustainability could go hand in hand.

Her altruistic approach shone brightly as she took time to coach the volunteers throughout the installation process. Jacqui's calm and conscientious demeanour ensured everyone had a rewarding experience. She didn't just direct, she connected with everyone, ensuring their contribution was valued and rewarding.

Thus, Jacqui O isn't just a florist but a sustainable warrior, spreading awareness about local and seasonal alternatives. She's talented, inherently joyful and an embodiment of inspiration, bringing about a change in her community through her actions and words. She's not just appreciated but deeply revered for her contribution and the positive ripple effect it creates.’

Marie Hargraves

Lead Volunteer Monton Mingle

Cheshire grown flower installation by Jacqui O at RHS Tatton 2022

PEOPLE & COMMUNITY

Tree-planting restoring the wild

We ensure the love celebrated at our weddings continues to grow. In partnership with The Future Forest Company, , we plant a native tree for every couple. Having planted over 40 trees, we actively restore UK woodlands. This effort is quantified: each tree sequesters an estimated 1,000 kg of CO2 over its lifetime. A personalised tree certificate provides a beautiful, lasting legacy that promotes public access for restorative forest bathing.

Investing in the Floral Community: Nurturing the Next Generation

Our responsibility extends beyond the flowers to the hands that shape them. For over five years, we have actively invested in the floral designers of tomorrow. We provide high-quality work experience to students from our local horticultural college, cultivating an inclusive environment where talent thrives. We are proud to see results: six students have benefited, with one progressing to join our team as a valued freelancer.

Our commitment was further solidified this year as we were invited to serve as an Industry Placement Specialist and Curriculum Advisor, ensuring sustainable, ethical skills are woven directly into the education of future florists.

'Thanks for your ongoing commitment and support for our students entering the industry - really, really appreciate it.' Helen Longshaw Course Leader, Reaseheath College

Sharing Our Knowledge: Cultivating a greener future

We are passionate about spreading eco-friendly practices across the wider community. We actively engage with florists, flower arrangers, and students to promote greener methods that lessen environmental impact, covering everything from waste reduction to responsible sourcing.

Through workshops and demonstrations, we showcase the potential of sustainable floristry, highlighting techniques like foam-free arranging, upcycling materials, and the beauty of selecting locally sourced, seasonal blooms. By empowering others with these sustainable skills, we are collectively cultivating a future in floristry that embraces both creativity and environmental care.

“The whole demonstration was so different to perhaps what was expected! The arrangements were beautiful... I’m wowed and inspired. I’m doing the advent candle in Church tomorrow (without oasis).”

It is moments of immediate change, like this client testimonial, that truly make our sustainable journey worthwhile.

Collaborating with Thursd: Championing Sustainability in Floral Design

We are proud to champion sustainable practices on a global stage through blog writing and active collaboration with Thursd—the global platform connecting floral industry professionals and enthusiasts.

Through this influential partnership, we showcase and promote sustainable floral design, inspiring creativity while fostering eco-friendly innovation across the entire industry. As a key contributor to this hub of trends and expertise, we are thrilled to help shape a greener, more sustainable future for floriculture worldwide.

Giving a little love to causes close to our hearts

Each year, we dedicate significant time and resources to support causes close to our hearts, ensuring our mission extends beyond floristry and into the heart of our community.

2022: Major Charity Commission. We were proudly commissioned by the Butterfly Awards Cancer Charity to design and source a stunning metal butterfly, which we decorated with fresh flowers. The full value of this artistry, including time and materials, was approximately £2,500 a donation that brought a high-impact art installation to the event.
2023: Wellness and Local Support. Our focus included Cheshire Roses (supporting women with cancer), for whom we hosted a complimentary ‘Flowers & Me’ workshop for 25 ladies, donating 8 hours of time and the value of flowers to aid the healing process. We also supported Nantwich Buddies with a £65 Christmas table centrepiece raffle prize.
2024: Large-Scale Floral Donations and Hospice Support. Our commitment included a significant floral donation for the Butterfly Awards Cancer Charity worth £635 covering flowers and 3 days of design, preparation and installation time, where we sourced over 250 roses from a trusted grower will to donate to the charity. Separately, we dedicated 10 hours to Monton Unitarian Church, decorating their Monton Mingles events. We also proudly decorated and donated all materials (£119 value) to the St Luke’s Hospice Christmas Tree Festival, which collectively raised an incredible £24,000.

It is an honour to contribute to these causes, helping make a difference where we can and ensuring the beauty we create goes beyond flowers and into the lives of those who need it most.

What will we be doing next?

At Jacqui O, it’s our responsibility to be the keepers of natural beauty, as we are dependent on the earth for our profession. We aim to be a leader in inspiring clients with breath-taking, sensuous florals and a first-class wedding journey, so we are constantly investing in our sustainability journey, seeking ways in which we can build on our knowledge and create designs without causing further harm to our planet.

Here are some of the things we are committed to working towards:

OUR DESIGNS

Moving to recyclable packaging one wrap at a time

As our stock of existing cellophane wrapping depletes, we will move to wrapping our ‘illustrious’ gift bouquets in recyclable paper.

Return, Reuse, Renew: Embrace the Revolution for a Sustainable Tomorrow

At Jacqui O, we believe sustainability begins with small, thoughtful actions. That’s why we want to build awareness of our Return, Reuse, Renew initiative, designed to give vases, containers, and accessories a second life. With every returned item, clients help us reduce waste and embrace a greener future—one vase at a time. As a thank-you for this eco-conscious effort, participants receive a £5 discount on their next purchase. Our hassle-free collection service during deliveries makes it easier than ever for clients to contribute to this revolution. Together, we can shape a sustainable tomorrow and foster a community of care for our planet.

Using sustainable & compostable materials in our approach

We plan to move all our Christmas wreaths to compostable willow frames and decorate them in a more sustainable manner, for example, using fewer accessories and making those that we do use more natural, such as replacing wire binding with string.

To further reduce our environmental impact, we want to continue to actively encourage our wreath recycling scheme, allowing clients to return their wreath frames and decorations for reuse.

In 2023, 50% of our clients participated in this initiative, helping us keep materials out of landfills and contributing to a greener future.

Christmas Wreath making class with Jacqui O

WASTE & RECYCLING

Naturally dried flower and foliage stems o extend their lifespan

We will build upon drying our leftover flowers and foliage to create sustainable options for winter designs. This practice not only adds longevity to the season but also offers clients unique, eco-conscious choices.

Each arrangement tells a story of thoughtful craftsmanship, giving flowers a second life while embodying beauty and sustainability. These enduring creations reflect our commitment to blending artistry with environmental care.

Reducing the use of man-made plastics

We will keep plastic use to a minimum and only use it where alternatives are not feasible. While we are unable to recycle single-use plastic wraps at this stage, we will look to use our knowledge and experience, and influence the wedding and floral industry in finding alternative materials and choose those where possible who supply their flowers without wraps use eco-friendly alternatives.

OUR BUSINESS PRACTICES

Investing in sustainability for a sustainable future

In 2024, we proudly achieved Sustainability Accreditation from the Wedding Sustainability Alliance, a testament to our unwavering commitment to eco-conscious practices. Continuous learning is at the heart of our mission. We are dedicated to expanding our knowledge through sustainable courses, enabling us to explore innovative and alternative design methods that align beauty with environmental care.

Hiring props online giving clients an ethical choice

In 2025, we’re launching an online prop hire shop, offering clients a convenient and eco-friendly alternative to purchasing new items. This platform will showcase our collection of props, allowing clients to hire pieces perfectly suited to their special occasions, reducing waste and supporting a more sustainable approach to event planning.

Calculating our carbon footprint giving us great transparency

We will investigate our carbon emissions by calculating our footprint emissions, through the collective climate action platform, Ecologi. We will also look for continuous improvements by making a conscious effort to make reductions and offset where needed.

Keeping clients informed on our ethical approach and sustainable practices

We will continue to inform clients about sustainability and tell positive stories about their flowers, so they trust us to be a honest and caring business that has sustainability at its heart.

Digital Decluttering for a Greener Footprint

We regularly take steps to reduce the environmental impact of our digital operations. This includes decluttering business electronics, responsibly recycling or refurbishing old devices, and managing our digital communications to minimise our contribution to the digital world's 3% global greenhouse emissions.

Going electric

We plan to purchase an electric vehicle by 2030, , further reducing our environmental impact and leading by example in sustainable business practices.

Bride with her Cheshire grown bee friendly bridal bouquet

PEOPLE & COMMUNITY

Sharing is caring and supporting the well-being of others and connecting with the community

We will strive to make meaningful connections for our communities to thrive - as every flower has a story, so does every human. We will look to support local causes close to our hearts in our hometown. Our charity for 2025 is ‘Nantwich Buddies’, a friendly face, a helping hand. Nantwich Buddies provides a spectrum of vital services our home town, from shopping support to companionship, serving as a valuable hub of information for the community's well-being.