If you’ve ever made your way down King George’s avenue, you’ll undoubtedly have found yourself in an area surrounded by industrial hardware shops trading metals and glass. Yet right smack in the middle of them is nestled a shop front framed with glass that stands out amongst all the dusty aged metal roller shutters. As you pull open the black framed doors and step out from the warm, humid weather, into cool air-conditioning, you’ll be greeted by a sunlit room tastefully transformed into a flower filled space of which is Floral Magic.
I first met Lucy (or Auntie Lucy as I call her) and Josephine at Nosh when I first got back to Singapore in 2013 and since then we’ve worked together regularly, with their flowers adding a sense of impeccable style to the weddings I’ve had the pleasure of photographing. If you were to ask me, Floral Magic feels more than just a florists; it has a familiar sense of warmth and kindness that is all too commonly connected with family.
They may be a household name now, but the business started with humble beginnings and Lucy had to learn everything from scratch. As time went by, Jo, Linnette and Anna joined Floral Magic and modernised the business; incorporating social media and various collaborations that has seen its style keep up with times, yet stayed humble and true to its roots.
How big is the Floral Magic team and who is in it?
We have a stable of five – Jo, Anna, Linnette, Lucy and Patricia, and a roster of part timers who drop in to help us out.
Describe Floral Magic’s style in five words.
Natural. Fresh. Moving. Organic. Lush
Why does your floral decor stand out from others?
We’ve been exposed to floristry by Lucy (our mum/ aunt) from young, before the dawn of Pinterest and Instagram.
A lot of the work that she did was grounded in the technical aspects of arrangement and structure making. Drawing inspiration was going for walks, looking out of the window, and not on a screen (which we still are guilty of!).
With her guidance, we also gradually honed our an eye for colour, form and textural balance, even in our wildest work.
We’ve worked together on some really great weddings, how do clients normally come across your services?
We’re very blessed that we’ve had industry friends like photographers and wedding planners recommend our work to their clients, and also guests who attend weddings and like them enough to ask about us!
Word-of-mouth is very important, but now Instagram increasingly so as well.
What advice will you give a couple looking for a wedding florist?
Very many couples come to us not knowing what they want, that can be complicated, but it’s okay!
As long as you know what you DON’T want, we share with you more of our work, discuss which styles appeal to you, and fine tune them for a wedding that’s yours and yours only.
If you could match music with your flowers, what will be on your playlist?
MGMT – Electric Feel
Mild High Club – Skiptracing
Curtis Mayfield – Move On Up
Michael Kiwanuka – One More night
The Black Keys – Never Gonna Give You Up
CITIZENS! – True Romance
Stevie Wonder – Signed Sealed Delivered
Al Green – Let’s Stay Together