Each month, the Institute of Flowers spotlights an outstanding member who brings passion, talent and dedication to our floral community. This month, we're thrilled to introduce you to Michelle Sheehan, a talented wedding florist based in Co. Limerick.

Meet Michelle Sheehan

Michelle Sheehan is the creative force behind Willow Florals, a studio-based wedding florist in County Limerick. With floral design in her blood and a genuine passion for weddings, Michelle has established herself as a go-to florist for couples looking to make their special day truly magical through beautiful blooms.

In Her Own Words

What makes you smile most about being a florist?

"I just LOVE weddings, every single part of them! What makes me smile the most though is when I hand over the bridal bouquet! Getting to meet the bridal party and family who are gathered to get ready, there is an air of nervous excitement between everyone. For me, it is definitely the most nerve-wracking moment but also the moment that makes me the happiest. I'm a really emotional person so I'm generally trying to hold in happy tears!"

How did you start working with flowers?

"It's in the blood for sure! My mum had a flower shop in Adare for years, so it was actually my first job - not by choice though! I remember cleaning buckets, conditioning flowers, Dutch flower trucks arriving and watching her pick flowers from them to being in the most amazing hotel venues helping her. It's funny to think I would eventually end up taking the same career path. Now it's the other way around - my mum often comes along to help me and get her flower fix, and my teenage daughter is the one protesting at having to clean buckets!"

Tell us about a special arrangement you made recently that meant a lot or told a great story.

"I have had the best honour in designing the wedding flowers for my sister's wedding, my best friend's wedding and most recently my brother's wedding - all such special occasions. It's difficult organising a church and venue that are an hour and a half away from each other under normal circumstances, but then throw in the added bonus of it being my brother's wedding! Thankfully there were a lot of people willing to help and my fantastic team of freelancers."

Which season has your favourite flowers?

"Late Summer/early Autumn is fast becoming my very favourite flower season. I generally finish my wedding season in October so I will soak up and enjoy all the gorgeous autumn flowers before the long winter reset. Flowers like Dahlias and Cosmos are a firm favourite within my designs. I also love that they can be grown in abundance in Ireland, which makes it all the better when we can support our local growers."

Who's your flower hero and why?

"Supporting the amazing Irish designers we have, so it would definitely be Sylvia Abraham from Bella Botanica. It was whilst doing her course I realised that weddings were my absolute passion and there was nothing else I wanted to do. Plus, her thoughts on sustainability really aligned with my own. Since then, I have had many opportunities to freelance with Sylvia. Her energy and joy is so compelling, she is a wealth of knowledge and is so open with her information whether that be the mechanics behind a design, pricing or her flower style."

Michelle's Wedding Flower Magic

What Her Clients Say

"Michelle was a dream to deal with from start to finish. Flowers were the one thing I found a bit daunting when we were planning our wedding but after the first call with Michelle I was so relieved and knew we were in great hands. Michelle went above and beyond to make sure my vision was brought to life. I really wanted purple tones going through the flowers and them to have a wildflower feel. They turned out better than I ever imagined and we couldn't believe how amazing they were when we saw them on the day. Michelle came to set up our flowers in the boathouse for the ceremony fresh first thing in the morning and stayed to set up our function room after our ceremony. So much work, care and time went into our flowers and we really appreciate everything Michelle did to make our day so special."
— Robyn & Jamie Moloney

Michelle specialises in creating bespoke floral arrangements that perfectly complement each couple's vision for their wedding day. Her work is known for its natural, garden-inspired aesthetic that incorporates seasonal blooms, with a particular flair for late summer and autumn weddings.

With sustainability in mind, Michelle prioritises locally grown flowers when possible, supporting Irish growers and reducing the carbon footprint of her beautiful creations.

Connect with Michelle

If you're planning your wedding or simply want to see more of Michelle's stunning floral designs, you can find her online:

Website: www.willowflorals.ie
Instagram: @willowflorals
Email: info@willowflorals.ie

Join the IOF Community

The Institute of Flowers is proud to count talented florists like Michelle among our membership. As an IOF member, you'll join a supportive community of flower professionals, gain access to exclusive resources, training opportunities, and much more.

Are you a florist, grower, or supplier looking to connect with industry peers and grow your business? Learn more about IOF membership benefits and join today by visiting www.instituteofflowers.ie/join.

Would you like to be featured in our next Member Spotlight or nominate a fellow member? Contact us at hello@instituteofflowers.com

IOF Membership Spotlight: Michelle Sheehan of Willow Florals