Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding florist has blamed "pushy brides" for her latest career move.
Willow Crossley, the florist who created displays for Prince Harry and Meghan's wedding reception, has announced she is quitting weddings and has blamed "pushy brides" for her decision.
The 42-year-old society florist revealed her major career change during a recent appearance on The Chromologist podcast.
"I started out doing quite a lot of weddings, and they're very emotional," Crossley told the podcast.
Harry and Meghan's wedding florist announces career change over 'pushy brides'
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She explained that wedding work requires her to "rein it in a bit" and stick to clients' specific visions, which has led to her stepping back from the lucrative wedding market.
While Philippa Craddock was responsible for dressing St George's Chapel in Windsor for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's wedding in 2018, Crossley was employed by the couple to dress the glass marquee at Frogmore House, where they held their reception.
Her royal connections continued beyond the wedding, as she was also asked to create displays for Prince Archie's christening in 2019.
Crossley later hit the headlines when she was commissioned by the Sussexes to create their floral tribute wreath for Prince Philip's funeral in 2021.
Willow Crossley (right) pictured last year - six years after the Sussexes' wedding.
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Crossley cited several specific challenges that drove her decision to abandon wedding work.
"With a wedding, you have to do what the bride wants. You have to stick to the bride's vision, and often the flowers get cold," she explained. She also mentioned that "budgets get slashed" as another factor in her decision.
The florist recounted one particularly disastrous client meeting that highlighted the difficulties she faced.
"I remember sitting with a bride and groom, and this man said, 'I really don't know why you're here. I hate flowers,'" she recalled. "And his poor wife-to-be was crying next to him, saying, 'I love flowers - they're my best bit.'"
Harry and Meghan's reception flowers at Frogmore House were arranged by Willow Crossley.
Netflix
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Harry and Meghan’s wreath for Prince Philip was designed by Crossley.
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Crossley is now shifting her focus away from wedding commissions towards projects that offer more creative freedom.
"So now I do fewer weddings," she confirmed, explaining her new direction involves "big installations, growing my shop, and maybe working on a festival."
The florist, whose romantic, foraged style has graced events from royal parties to society soirées, appears to be prioritising work that allows her greater artistic control.
Her decision to move away from the wedding industry comes despite the worldwide fame she gained from her high-profile royal commissions, suggesting the emotional and creative constraints of wedding work ultimately outweighed the prestige.
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