We recently got the opportunity to ‘sit down’ with Ching, a florist / stylist from 5am Flowers, one of our fellow wedding industry partners. This impromptu photoshoot session came about from another one of my project ideations and I thought of featuring some (all the while honing my studio portraiture experience) fellow industry vendors and understanding what makes them tick.

What can I say - I love little creative projects like these.

Ching is a seasoned florist (even though still young!), with seven years of experience and counting, especially on the wedding front. Here’s what she had to say when the questions were posed to her. Literally.

Sooooo……. How did you end up with a brand name like 5am Flowers?
Ching: When I started doing flowers as a student back in school, I’d wake up early to process orders. 5AM reminds me of where I started. Thankfully, I don’t do 5am days other than morning setup days anymore!

If you can, go back in time, what advice would you give a 19 year old Ching?
Ching: Know your worth and your value, and don’t be afraid to invest in yourself. I have spent many years working for close to nothing to gain experience, and it took me years to take the plunge into professional masterclasses.

I paid for that with my time and youth instead - necessary at the time perhaps. But I definitely could’ve grown so much earlier! It does make me happy to see new florists progressing so, so fast!

Would you say, that floral styling and doing set-ups for weddings is fun? Why?
Ching: Definitely - it was what drew me to make the switch over from retail floristry. I enjoy the challenges that brides give me when they pick weird colour palettes, and figuring things around a venue.

What are some of the more challenging aspects of being a wedding florist?
Ching: My peers eat omakase and I find chicken rice expensive (joking!) but I guess the comparison will always be there.

Okay, here’s the real answer - The possibilities are super endless with flowers and brides are also challenging our boundaries so sourcing is now a big part of every setup - especially with trends like trees that require extra hunting and logistics!

I think managing the weather in Singapore is tough as well- many techniques we learnt overseas won’t work in our heat (for example if they leave flowers without a water source) so it needs a lot of figuring out, testing and tweaking in our downtime that couples often don’t see.

Lastly, any lessons learnt during your experience that you'd like to share with couples that are preparing for their wedding?

Ching: I always tell my couples, please don’t stress about flowers- it’s the last thing they should be worried about given there are so many things in a wedding. Pick the palette you like the most and don’t worry about whether or not it matches your dress or your venue, because if you like your flowers, you’ll feel confident!

Photography: Eugene / Bottled Groove Photography

Featured: Ching / 5am Flowers

Makeup: Jenny / Chichi Allure

Venue: Bottled Groove Studio