We Started With One Question
Back in 2019, I was working with a florist shop in Didsbury. And I kept noticing something. People would come in asking about courses — not because they wanted to open their own shop right away, but because they needed something tangible. A skill they could hold onto.
That's when it clicked. Floristry isn't just about arrangements. It's about confidence. It's a creative outlet, yes — but also a route into self-employment, freelance work, or even just something you can do on weekends that pays better than most side gigs.
So we built Ulrico Montero around that idea. Training that doesn't just teach you how to wire a bouquet — it helps you figure out where this skill fits into your life.
How We Actually Teach This
Most floristry courses dump you into a weekend workshop and expect you to remember everything. That never made sense to me. You can't absorb years of technique in two days.
Our programmes run over weeks, not weekends. You get time between sessions to practice, ask questions, and actually let things sink in. We focus on gift floristry specifically because that's where most beginners can start earning quickly — birthdays, anniversaries, corporate gifts. Real demand.
We also don't teach just one style. Some tutors are obsessed with their own aesthetic. That's fine for them, but your clients won't all want the same thing. So we cover traditional, modern, seasonal, even dried arrangements. You learn the principles, then adapt them.
And honestly? We don't promise you'll leave with a business plan and a van full of orders. Some students go on to work in studios. Others just enjoy it as a creative release. A few do go freelance. But we're not here to sell you a fantasy — we're here to give you the actual skills.
Real Materials
You work with actual flowers — not foam demonstrations or silk substitutes. Every session includes fresh stems because that's what you'll be using when someone pays you. The feel of real materials matters, and you can't learn that from looking at pictures.
Small Groups
We cap sessions at eight people. Not because it sounds boutique, but because ten people around one table means half of them can't see what you're doing. Small numbers mean you get feedback that's actually useful, not generic advice shouted across a crowded room.
Honest Feedback
We'll tell you when something doesn't work. Not to be harsh, but because you need to know before a client sees it. If your wiring is weak or your colour balance is off, we'll show you how to fix it — not just smile and say it's fine.
Who You'll Learn From
Our tutors aren't just teachers. They're working florists who still take orders, still deal with last-minute changes, and still know what clients are asking for this season.
Practical Experience
We've trained people who now work in hotel event teams, boutique studios, and their own home-based businesses. Some have gone on to do weddings full-time. Others just do it on Saturdays and make a few hundred quid a month.
The point is — it works if you put the effort in. We're not going to claim everyone becomes a famous florist. But the ones who practice what we teach? They do find opportunities.
Ongoing Support
Once you finish a programme with us, you're not cut off. We have an alumni group where people ask questions, share supplier recommendations, and even pass on work they can't take. It's informal, but it's helpful.
And if you need a refresher on something specific — say, you've got a corporate order and can't remember how we taught container arrangements — you can come back for a single session at a reduced rate. We're not interested in making you pay for the same course twice.
Idris Wyndham
Lead Instructor
Idris has been arranging flowers professionally since 2012 and started teaching in 2018. He's worked in high-end studios, market stalls, and everything in between. What makes him good at this is that he remembers what it's like not to know how to hold secateurs properly — so he doesn't skip the basics or assume you'll just figure it out.