A small flower farm and wedding venue near New Ross is getting international attention.
Foraged Florals is a sustainable flower farm that grows seasonal flowers and hosts small woodland weddings and elopements.
The business was recently featured in a New York Times Style story about the growing appeal of flower farms as wedding venues.
The story focused on couples choosing working flower farms because they offer a setting that is natural, sustainable and highly personal.
Foraged Florals co-owner Carol Millet says that trend fits with what they are building in rural Nova Scotia.
“People want to be back to nature, the simplicity of it, and close to the source,” Millet said.
Co-owner Susan Larder says the business is part of the slow flower movement, which encourages people to use local, seasonal flowers instead of relying on imported blooms.
She compares it to the local food movement.
“People are wanting to move back to a time when their florals are grown locally,” Larder said.
The farm grows flowers on site, offers subscriptions, hosts workshops and works with couples looking for smaller, nature-based weddings.
Larder says the venue is intentionally small.
“Our venue is tiny by intention,” she said. “They’re in the forest. They’re exchanging air with the trees and you feel that difference.”
Millet says the New York Times feature came through the farm’s connection with the Slow Flowers Society, an international network focused on local and sustainable flowers.
She says Foraged Florals joined the group because they wanted to build connections beyond Nova Scotia.
“We think it’s important to have international connections because you grow then in both your vision and your capacity,” Millet said.
The owners say their clients are often drawn to the environmental values behind the farm, but also to the personal connection flowers can create.
Some couples choose flowers themselves or help make their own bouquets, tying the arrangements directly to the season and the place.
Larder says that the connection can continue long after the wedding day.
“Year in, year out, you do the anniversary bouquets for people based on those same flowers,” she said.
The owners say they plan to keep growing slowly, with more perennials, more seasonal offerings and more chances for people to experience the farm.
Larder says Nova Scotia is already well-positioned as a wedding destination.
“East Coast hospitality is East Coast hospitality, and that is known around the world,” she said.
Millet says the work is also about stewardship and leaving something behind for the future.
“I believe I’m growing this for the next person,” she said.
