RESCHEDULED: SOLSTICE Workshop ~ GAIA x British Growers 2026 ~ NOW ON SALE!
Introducing our latest SOLSTICE workshop… GAIA x BRITISH FLOWERS
Taking place on Tuesday 3rd February 2026 as we look ahead to the new season, this is a GAIA event that will resonate deeply with floral designers who care about creativity, sustainability, and craftsmanship.
Join us at No. 131 in Cheltenham for an exclusive panel lead brunch and coffee morning with three respected voices from across the floral industry. Together, we’ll be diving into the practicalities and possibilities of what we call the "holy trinity" of British flowers: sourcing, ordering, and designing – at scale, and sustainably.
While many florists understand the environmental and ethical value of using locally grown flowers, the reality of making it work for weddings and large-scale events can feel challenging and overwhelming.
That’s exactly why we’ve curated this panel: to bring you practical, experience-based guidance from experts working across different parts of the floral supply chain. Whether you're eager to refresh your portfolio with seasonal British varieties or navigating the challenges of sourcing local blooms at scale, this event is designed with you in mind.
Following a delicious brunch, we’ll be hearing from our panel:
· How British flowers can transform your designs, adding elegance, depth, and a distinct point of difference
· How to work closely with your wholesaler to reliably source larger quantities of British flowers and foliage
· How expanding your palette with British varieties can sharpen your design skills and deepen your floral knowledge
· How to manage client expectations around pricing, availability, and seasonality — and turn those limitations into creative opportunities
…as well as so much more. No matter your current experience with British flowers — whether you’re just beginning or already working with them regularly — this workshop will give you the tools, insights, and confidence to make British-grown blooms a meaningful, practical part of your floral business.
The workshop will be led by our founders; Jen from Liberty Lane Flowers, an experienced wedding and event florist working across the UK and Europe, and Jess, a creative marketeer and former wedding floristry business owner. Jen and Jess will be joined by the following guests, who will together form the industry panel leading our discussion:-
Milli Proust: Florist, Grower, Author, Founder of Milli Proust Flowers and Co-Founder of AlmaProust
Florist, grower, and acclaimed author Milli Proust is widely regarded as one of the leading voices in the British flower movement today. With years of hands-on experience cultivating flowers for weddings, events, and brands, Milli has built a reputation for combining artistry with a deep respect for nature. Her work celebrates seasonal beauty and sustainable growing practices, whilst championing her passion for British flowers.
In partnership with fellow grower Paris Alma, Milli has co-founded Alma Proust, a flower farm rooted in creativity, care, and collaboration. Together, they are on a mission to put more ethically grown, colour-rich British flowers into the hands of florists, offering both cut flowers and seeds that inspire a more mindful approach to design.
Milli has written three bestselling books - From Seed to Bloom: A Year of Growing and Designing With Seasonal Flowers (2022); Floristry: 14 Seasonal Projects to Enjoy in Your Home (2024); and Seeds: Grow Your Own Cut Flowers from Scratch (2024). Her forthcoming book - How Does Your Garden Grow?: The elements of planning, growing & caring for a garden (publishing March 2026) - is eagerly anticipated and set to further cement her reputation as a leading voice in modern British floristry and sustainable growing.
Matt Eke: Warehouse Operations and Plant Manager, Flowervision Bristol
One of our most knowledgeable and well connected sources for British flowers, Matt sources, orders, buys and sells British each and every week through his role at Flowervision, the leading wholesaler of flowers and foliage in the South West. Matt works closely with growers to bring the best of the farm to Flowervision’s customers, and assists with their ordering and sourcing questions as well as seasonality and availability across British flowers, foliage and plants.
Sarah Wilson: Owner of Compton Garden Flowers
Sarah is a passionate flower farmer, growing most of her flowers from seed. From her flower farm located between Bath and Bristol, she produces quintessentially ‘cottage garden’ flowers, known for their colour and scent. Sarah is well versed in providing florists with wedding and event flowers and runs a number of practical workshops for designing with British grown flowers.
What will the workshop consist of?
The event is a brunch and coffee morning, followed by a panel discussion with an opportunity to ask questions.
What are the timings of the workshop?
The workshop will take place at No. 131, Cheltenham on Tuesday 3rd February 2026 between 10am and 12.30pm.
Who is the workshop for?
This workshop is for professional floral designers of all levels of experience and ability. It will be especially valuable for those who are:
- Looking to elevate their work with British-grown varieties
- Interested in building more sustainable, ethical business practices
- Seeking fresh inspiration for weddings and large-scale events
- Wanting to grow their confidence when it comes to sourcing and scaling with local flowers
How much does the workshop cost?
A ticket to attend the workshop costs £99 per person. The ticket price includes access to the industry expert panel discussion as well as all hot and cold food and refreshments. If you have any specific dietary requirements please email us at least two weeks in advance of the event date at hello@gaiavessels.com
How do I secure my place?
There are just 25 spaces available for this exclusive event. You can book your place on the day by simply adding a ticket to your basket and paying the full amount at checkout. You can read the full terms regarding payments, refunds and exchanges here.
What else do I need to know?
Pay and display parking is available on the roads surrounding the venue and we can happily provide you with directions from the nearest train station, if needed.
If you have any further questions regarding the BRITISH FLOWERS workshop, you can email us hello@gaiavessels.com or fill out our enquiry form here: https://gaiavessels.com/pages/contact-us