The Aster Diary

07/02/2025

🌷Where it all started🌷

I have grown up surrounded by flowers; my parents have always had the most incredible garden, even growing their own plants from seed, and my grandad had his own allotment that I spent many hours on as a child, mainly eating blackberries or playing hide and seek between the sheds!

I have always loved making my own arrangements for my home, pottering in the garden, and gifting handmade bouquets to friends and family for special occasions.

In 2021 I went on my first floristry course and absolutely fell in love with the techniques I learnt and the pure joy of creating something that I had only seen in flower shops before! So, I decided to set up this page to document my journey into the world of floristry 📸

Many courses later and lots of practice- never did I expect my little page to turn into a small business and give me all the amazing opportunities I’ve had so far!✨

31/01/2025

We made it to the end of January! ✨

So I thought what better time to re-introduce myself! Hello! I’m Sophie, and the face behind The Aster Diary.

Here’s some facts about me:

~ I live with my husband Chris, who I often drag along to help clean up after a workshop or send out on deliveries for me
~ I grew up in a small village called Caerleon in south Wales, best known for its Roman heritage
~ Growing up, I always thought I would be a teacher (and so did everyone around me)
~ I am a real animal lover and have been desperate for another dog since my beloved family dog Toby passed away a few years ago
~ I LOVE to be creative and aside from flowers, I’ve always loved interiors- you’ll often find me in Homesense! When it comes to hosting, if you designate me to do the table scape- I’ll go all out! I’m a sucker for a good theme!
~ I work full-time for the Gas Network, as a project co-ordinator, and I get to work with some incredible organisations & charities to support vulnerable customers
~ My favourite season is autumn. I love all the colours and textures it brings. Cold but sunny autumn days in the UK are my favourite, although I would never say no to a cocktail and sun lounger somewhere hot!
~ My favourite flower, if I had to pick just one, is Lisianthus 🌸

Follow along for more flowery content and where it all started! ✨

01/12/2024

✨ Happy 1st of December ✨

Kicking off the festive season with a private wreath class for this lovely group of ladies.

Christmas pjs, plenty of Christmas music, fabulous food and great company- what’s not to love? Private classes always hit a bit different 🎄

Thank you for having me again ladies ❤️

17/02/2024

🌸 MOTHER’S DAY 2024 🌸

Orders are now open for Mother’s Day!

A selection of beautiful hand-tied bouquets using the freshest seasonal blooms, selected by your florist. Available in two sizes:

The Classic
A perfect bouquet, ready for any vase.
Beautifully wrapped in brown paper and finished with a delicate ribbon

The Extra Special
A larger bouquet, arranged in a water pack.
Beautifully wrapped in tissue and brown paper and presented in a gift bag

Orders close Saturday 2nd March
Available for collection or local delivery

Message on Instagram or Facebook to place your order! 🌸

14/02/2024

❤️ HAPPY VALENTINES ❤️

Happy valentines, galentines and everything in between!

Thank you for all your lovely messages enquiring about valentines- I made the decision not to offer a valentines collection this year as behind the scenes 2024 is turning out to be my busiest year yet. Throw planning my own wedding into the mix and working full time, there just aren’t enough hours in the day!

I like to give everything I do my absolute all, so this year I decided to have a little rest from the valentines chaos (any fellow florists will know how much hard work goes into this day) and focus on all the exciting things going on in the background!

I will be releasing a Mother’s Day collection this year, so keep an eye on my page for all the details, and I am still available for any special occasions!

All my flowers are made to order and I will work with you to create a beautiful arrangement bespoke to you/ the person receiving it.
So if you have a special day or event coming up then just drop me a message, I’d love to hear from you 🌸

Lots of love,
Sophie ❤️

29/12/2023

✨2023 THAT’S A WRAP! ✨

Last wedding of the year at the beautiful for our dear friends Kate & Christian- it was a privilege to do your flowers🤍

I am now off for a few days to relax in beautiful west wales and welcome in the new year.

A huge thank you to every single person that has supported by business this year- without you, I wouldn’t be able to do what I love and the aster diary wouldn’t exist.

I’m already looking forward to what 2024 has to bring and creating some more beautiful flowers for you all.

Wishing you all a very happy new year and thank you for your continued support.

Lots of love,
Sophie ❤️

26/11/2023

✨ FIRST WREATH CLASS OF THE SEASON ✨

What a lovely evening with this group of ladies, to kick start the festive season!

Whenever I teach wreath making, people always start off thinking they won’t be able to do it, but by the end, everyone is always amazed by what they create!

And how beautiful do these look?! 😍

Using the same ingredients, every wreath that is created always turns out to be different- wreaths really are as bespoke and unique as the person who makes one ❤️

If you haven’t booked your place at a wreath class yet this year, head to my last post for all the details on how you can! ✨

24/11/2023

✨LAST CHANCE TO BOOK ✨

Enjoy an evening of festivity as you make your very own bespoke wreath to adorn your door or table this Christmas.

All materials will be provided, including a sustainable moss wreath base, greenery, dried fruits and an array of ribbons to choose from.

Christmas music is guaranteed as well as glass (or two) of bubbles on arrival 🥂

What better way to start the festive season? 🎄

To book your place, drop me a message The Aster Diary ✨

✨ CHRISTMAS WREATH WORKSHOP ✨

We invite you to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year with us by creating your very own Christmas wreath!
All materials and tuition will be provided along with a glass of bubbles on arrival! 🥂

📆Saturday 9th December

📍Llanwern Village Hall, NP18 2DW

⏰ 4pm to 6pm

Tickets £50 per person

Please message to reserve your place. Spaces are limited ✨

01/11/2023

✨ CHRISTMAS WREATH WORKSHOP ✨

We invite you to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year with us by creating your very own Christmas wreath!
All materials and tuition will be provided along with a glass of bubbles on arrival! 🥂

📆Saturday 9th December

📍Llanwern Village Hall, NP18 2DW

⏰ 4pm to 6pm

Tickets £50 per person

Please message to reserve your place. Spaces are limited ✨

01/09/2023

🍂🍁 HELLO SEPTEMBER 🍁🍂

Who is ready for shorter days, cosy evenings, and all the autumnal feels?

I for one am not ready at all! As much as I love the autumnal colour changes that the new season brings, I am not quite ready to bring back the pumpkins or get the wreath kits out just yet!

I’m holding out for an Indian summer for just a little while longer, but don’t worry, pumpkins and wreaths will return very soon! So keep your eyes on my page for all the details 🍂🍁

28/08/2023

✨ HAPPY BANK HOLIDAY ✨

25/08/2023

🤍 HAPPY ANNIVERSARY 🤍

Happy 1st anniversary to Bethan and Nathan, I cannot believe this was a year ago today!

This was one of my first and still one of my favourite weddings to date 🤍

A simple, clean colour pallet of whites and greens…

When I met Bethan she didn’t know much about flowers or what she wanted, but she trusted me to bring her vision to life.

I created this beautiful frilly white and green bouquet with flowing silk ribbon, perfectly complimented by simple button holes for Nathan and his groomsmen.

The venue was finished with a mix of bud vases, dotted throughout their grazing-style table.

A classic look for their small intimate wedding 😍