Artist appears in court after failing to preserve and frame Cork bride’s wedding bouquet

A judge has granted a court decree to a second disappointed bride over a Co Clare based artist’s failure to preserve and frame her wedding bouquet.

At the Small Claims Court at Ennis District Court, Judge Alec Gabbett granted a decree to Cork woman Laura Sexton for €225.50 over the failure of artist Charlotte Bradley, trading as Lush Pressed Flower Art of Laghtagoona, Corofin, Co Clare, to preserve and frame her wedding bouquet.

In her claim submitted to the court, Ms Sexton said she loved her wedding flowers and had also planned on leaving some of them on her late grandmother’s grave.

Judge Gabbett said he will also direct Ms Bradley to return the flowers to Ms Sexton.

The judge said to Ms Sexton: “It is all I can do for you.”

Judge Gabbett’s order follows six months on from Co Louth woman, Michelle Markey weeping in court before him over not being able to get back her “priceless” and “irreplaceable” wedding flowers back from Ms Bradley.

Ms Markey of Oriel Rd, Collon, Co Louth told Judge Gabbett: “My priceless flowers. I gave them away — I would have kept them if I had known I would never get my wedding flowers back.

“I do have evidence to show that this is not an isolated incident and reviews on a website show that this has happened to other brides.”

Judge Gabbett said that “wedding flowers hold sentimental value, some people put them on their mother’s graves”.

In that case, Judge Gabbett granted Ms Markey a decree of €200 for the replacement of the flowers against Ms Bradley.

In Ms Sexton’s case, Judge Gabbett said to Ms Sexton “you had a wedding bouquet to preserve and to press the flowers into a frame. You are owed money — it never happened.”

Judge Gabbett said: “I have had a number of these cases and Ms Bradley responds that she is happy to refund you €175.”

Ms Sexton said that she would dispute the amount owed and that it is incorrect.

She said that the correct amount is €225.50 after a voucher is taken into consideration.

Judge Gabbett asked Ms Sexton did she want the flowers back and granted the decree for €225.50.

She said: “I am not sure as Ms Bradley said that the art piece was ready — she was over and back looking at it and she wasn’t entirely happy with it.”

In her formal claim, Ms Sexton of Rylane, Cork said she “went to the trouble of wrapping my beautiful flowers the day after our wedding on April 11, 2024” after a date was booked with Ms Bradley.

“I understood that the artwork might take some time to complete but was not prepared for the subsequent delay and complete lack of communication on Ms Bradley’s part,” she said.

“She has been predominantly uncontactable… I am left frustrated and hugely disappointed.”