A Gentle Start: Catkins, Reflection, & Review of 2025

January Walk with Catkins

I began my working day today with a walk across the valley, searching for catkins. To me, they symbolise the very beginning of something new. Right now, they’re not quite formed — instead, they appear as hopeful green buds reaching towards the sun, quietly preparing to burst into life as the daylight hours grow.

This year more than ever, I’m feeling the familiar pressure to start achieving and planning straight away. Yet both my mind and hands (!) are still recovering from an off-the-scale wreath-making December, alongside all the ‘kin-keeping’ that naturally comes with family life.

Much like those catkins, I’m not quite ready to burst into the new year just yet. I know it will only take a week or so more to get there. So, as a start to 2026, I’m choosing to reflect on what went well last year - celebrating some big achievements and storing that joy carefully to propell me into the florist’s year ahead.

Last year, Sarah Guild Floral Design shifted slightly in direction as I took part of my business online with Holly & Co. Travelling up to London for the Congregation of Inspiration was a real highlight, and it was a joy to meet fellow creatives and small business owners who make such beautiful work.

My wedding clients throughout the year were particularly lovely, with each celebration offering something completely different and allowing my floristry to move in new creative directions - lots of this you can see here or via my Instagram feed. Alongside these weddings, I was thrilled to secure bookings for 2026 at some of my favourite venues, including Rookesbury Park and The Old Dairy, as well as new locations I’m excited to work at for the first time, including Highcliffe Castle.

One of the great joys of the past year has also been freelancing with fellow florists on larger weddings and events. Working as part of a team on bigger floral installations not only allows for shared creativity and support, but also gives access to some of the very best flowers a florist can source. There’s something special about collaborating with like-minded professionals, learning from one another, and bringing ambitious floral designs to life as a team.

A lot of my bookings over recent years have come through personal recommendations (some from fellow florists), which speaks volumes about the trust clients place in me to deliver bespoke floral design for weddings and special events. Now in my 11th year, I hope that sharing regular blog posts like this, alongside my re-designed website and monthly newsletter will continue to nurture a community of like-minded flower lovers.

I’m not one for setting too many intentions at the start of the year... Spring, after all, is the time to spring! But as a gentle taster for the months ahead, I’ll keep putting sticks on the fire, watch this space for more workshops, online products and Wedding Flowers in and around Hampshire.

If you’d like to stay in touch, you’re welcome to join my monthly newsletter, where I share seasonal floral inspiration, workshop news, and behind-the-scenes moments from life as a Hampshire florist.

You can also follow my regular adventures over on Instagram and Facebook.

Happy New Year, and lots of love, Sarah x