We all know how important flowers are on your big day, but beyond a bouquet and buttonhole, it all starts to get a bit complicated! You’ve got floral arches to consider, tablescaping to perfect, posies for the aisle, extra bouquets for bridesmaids, petals for the cake, the hair and the confetti…the list ensues. And to be frank, it’s pretty overwhelming.
But in this brand new editorial shot in the wondrous grounds of Cornwell Manor from planner Senel Besim, Lavender Green Flowers offers a masterclass in how to style your wedding with flowers.
Featuring everything from a floating arrangement to furnish an outdoor altar, to potted plants designed to be moved throughout the day, here the florists present four main schemes that showcase just how you can squeeze every bit out of your floral budget.
How to style your wedding with flowers, a conversation with Lavender Green Flowers…
What was your brief for this shoot?
“To create a magical spring garden feel, evoked using the most exquisite British grown varieties such as Ranunculus, Narcissi, Bridal Veil Spirea, Pansies, Tulips and Anemones in shades of white, buttery yellows, peach and rose.”
How did the venue’s style and history inspire your designs?
“The architectural features and ambience of Cornwell Manor lend themselves to many styles. We did, however, take inspiration from the natural hues from both indoors and outdoors to create something impactful that would complement the venue rather than compete with its grandiosity.”
Looking at the bridal bouquet, what florals were used here?
“The bridal bouquet was made up of Ranunculus, Narcissi, Tulips, Butterfly Ranunculus and Spray Garden Roses tied with ivory satin ribbon finished with pearl-headed pins for an elegant look.”
We also love the flowers encircling the fountain, what did you use to create this floating effect?
“Low white 45cm long troughs were used to allow us to have the flexibility to follow the shape of the fountain while being low enough that the vases themselves weren’t the main focus. This creates a look of ‘natural growth’. It also allowed us to make this design in a completely sustainable way by avoiding the use of floral foam.”
Is there anything else we should keep in mind when styling outdoor spaces with flowers?
“The weather often determines the possibility of outdoor weddings going as planned. Our founder and creative director Sue Barnes always says ‘make plan B, plan A’ – meaning that if you’re in a situation where part of your day has to be moved indoors, your floral designs are just as exciting and make just as much sense as they would do outside.”
When it came to curating indoor tablescapes, what worked well?
“The colours and fullness of the designs created a stunning table centre. Accents and details such as the coloured candles and lamps create a warm and intimate environment in a room with a very high ceiling and a lot of space.”
And when it came to styling the outdoor table settings, what inspired the schemes?
“When you’re sitting outdoors for a wedding breakfast at a venue such as Cornwell Manor, there’s lots of nature and beauty surrounding you. Colours contrasting with the green of the outdoors and choosing the right tableware creates a situation of ‘less is more’. This way, your tablescape can stand out without trying to compete with the surroundings.”
What else do you like to do with flowers with a more rustic feel?
“There are many ways to create a ‘rustic’ feel and there are varying levels within that style. It could be that you incorporate rattan lanterns dotted around the space or add woody, natural elements into the hardware holding your designs such as bark covered vases, logs or even wooden crates to lift vases, pots or plants.”
“The trick is getting it right with the details whether that’s in your charger plates or candlesticks. That rustic feel is a result of a collection of well-thought out elements as is the case with any style.”
Potted plants feature throughout the shoot, what was the thinking behind this?
“Plants are a great, sustainable way to dress a table. They’re also a great gift for guests to take at the end of the night, or as a token of your special day that can be planted in your garden. Many potted plants also offer a lovely scent that can really complement your menu. We used a mixture of flowering and green seasonal plants.”
Did you repurpose any flowers throughout the day?
“We repurposed the pond designs for the balcony. The urns then became part of the outdoor shoot, and the plants lined the aisle against some of the ceremony chairs. The benefit of re-using designs is that you simply get more out of them during the day. And it saves you having to purchase more than necessary whilst simultaneously reducing waste.”
Shoot credits
Photography: Emily Tyler Photography
Planning: Senel Besim
Venue: Cornwell Manor
Florals: Lavender Green Flowers
Cake: Perfect Cake Co
Stationery: Calendar Paper Co
The Dress: Cynthia Grafton-Holt
Veil: Rebecca Anne Designs
Hair: Hair by Duboux
MUA: Julia Wren
Tableware: The Luxe Collection
Linens: Table Alchemy
Tables: Chipping Norton Event Hire
Chairs: Wedhead
Aisle Runner: Marquees & Pavilions
Catering: Ross and Ross Events
Want to see more from Lavender Green Flowers? Click here.
After more styling tips beyond how to style your wedding with flowers? Head back to Your Day’s curation here.
