THE STORY OF BOTANICA
With a remarkable journey spanning over 13 years in the bridal industry, Ashley, the driving force behind Botanica Bridal, brings a wealth of experience and a unique perspective to the world of weddings.
​
Ashley's initial foray into the bridal realm began in the picturesque city of Bath, United Kingdom, where she immersed herself in the artistry of bridal fashion in 2012. Working as both a boutique manager and bridal consultant, she developed a deep understanding of brides' dreams and aspirations, honing her ability to transform visions into reality. Her time in Bath laid the foundation for her passion for bridal.
​
Venturing back across the ocean to her home province of BC, Ashley found herself working in the beautiful city of West Vancouver, continuing her role as a bridal consultant, amplifying her expertise and adding an international flair to her portfolio working with gowns from the likes of Vera Wang and Claire Pettibone. These experiences exposed her to diverse bridal aesthetics and refined her ability to curate a personalized experience for each bride. She then jet set back to the UK, this time to London, where she managed a bustling bridal boutique in the city while at the same time providing her expertise as a bridal stylist to hundreds of visitors to the shop, and expanded her role further into buying and procurement of trending styles. In 2020, Ashley's creative spirit and entrepreneurial drive led her to launch her own bridal label, She Wore Flowers. Over the course of three enchanting collections, she showcased her distinctive talent for merging ethereal floral elements with bohemian accents, captivating the hearts of brides-to-be both domestically and internationally. Although she's taking a break from designing gowns in order to focus on the boutique as well as raise her three small children, she finds herself constantly inspired and may return to designing again in the future. In the meantime, Botanica and the world renowned labels she has carefully selected to showcase in the showroom make her heart full.
​
Botanica Bridal was born from Ashley's desire to create an exquisite, cozy space where brides could discover a curated selection of on trend designer labels that span the globe. With her extensive experience and a unique eye for detail, Ashley envisions a haven where brides embark on a journey of self-discovery, surrounded by gowns that reflect their individual stories and personalities. It is her goal to have a dress for everyone who visits. She invites you to step into the intimate showroom that is Botanica Bridal and experience the culmination of her journey—a seamless blend of her rich background in bridal fashion, and her innate ability to connect with brides on a personal level. Through this new chapter, Ashley is set to redefine the bridal experience on Vancouver Island, creating an environment for brides where they will feel welcome, comfortable, and heard.