This gorgeous wooden door at Hampton Manor is in the main dining room of Elizabeth’s Court. I’ve been eyeing it up for ages wanting to create something gorgeous and floral around it to make even more of a statement than it already is.
At the most recent wedding fair, I created this asymmetric arch style floral display – which isn’t an arch at all! We loved out final creation and guests just loved it. Many Hampton Manor couples use this door as a photo backdrop so florals would certainly enhance this setting.
The 2 floral posts could be used anywhere, often we create something similar at an entrance to a church or between large pillars and arches within venues.
Editorial shoots are a delight to be asked to work on especially by the talented team of stylists at Rock My Wedding.
NATURAL BOUQUET OF VARYING PINK TONES
A natural organic style bouquet works beautifully with these beautiful Coast bridesmaid’s dresses. The elegance of the navy was offset with the blush and deeper tones of pink. The layering of the colours and a mix of blooms creates interest in the bouquet whilst the snippets of foliage add a natural touch.
The fireplace and dark walls of this bedroom at Hampton Manor create a stunning backdrop. I just love how the organic, asymetric fireplace decoration works in this setting. The light blush pink tones in the florals pop against the dark walls and bring the room to life. An abundance of candles and a stunning Coast dress created a most dreamy look, so elegant and magical.
BLUSH PINK FEATHERY BOUQUET – EXTRA LARGE
For a blush pink feathery bouquet to wow your bridesmaids choose an extra large bouquet design, here we used a mass of just three different blooms, feathery astilbe, the softest lisianthus and the lemon scented wax flower. The effect with this beautiful lace dress from Coast is so stylish.
NATURAL WILD GREEN AND WHITE BOUQUET
Bringing the outside in is a great idea and a natural wild green and white bouquet suits the style of this mint green Coast dress perfectly. A backdrop of jasmine trails, hellebore and the softest foliage stems frame this shot beautifully.
We always love a collaboration and when asked by Country Wedding Venues if we would like to work with The Rustic Wedding Company in styling Mythe Barn we jumped at the chance. We love a rustic wedding as do so many of our wedding couples.
NATURAL ORGANIC CEREMONY AT MYTHE BARN – BIRCH ARCH
Natural organic style wedding flowers are key to creating a relaxed look to a rustic wedding. Starting with our birch arch we added a mix of foliage, we usually use a mix of at least 3 different types of foliage, with a mix of roses, helebores and lisianthus to lighten the look.
Our tree stumps and lanterns tied the look together with a mix of candlesticks. Aisle chairs were finished off with a bunch of eucalyptus to complete the look. The wooden ceremony table has a soft runner, an array of gold candlesticks and a mass of foliage garland with highlights of natural flowers.
ROUND GUEST TABLES: GOLD AND GREEN CENTREPIECES
The guest tables centrepieces continued the gold and green scheme with gold hurricane vases with a candle framed by a ring of foliage and flowers. Flowers here included anenomes, helebores and roses.
BACKDROP BEHIND TOP TABLE
If you are having a backdrop behind the top table make sure it continues the feel of your wedding day, for a rustic wedding add large amounts of foliage for a natural organic look.
LONG TOP TABLE: GOLD AND GREEN WEDDING STYLING
All eyes are on the top table and it should be a feast for the senses, this will be the focal point for the duration of the speeches so you’ll want it to look as pretty as can be. The richness of the gold together with the organic green foliage and soft, delicate blooms caught the magic of the day. I just love the whimsical astilbe in the gold vases and the softest anemones in the lower vases. Each place setting had a snippet of foliage and gold cut out name as a place card / favour.
Credits: Wedding Florists: Passion for Flowers // Venue: Mythe Barn // Photographer: Daffodil Waves // Additional Props & Stying: The Rustic Wedding Company
Every mother dreams of her daughter’s wedding and so when Gemma and Richard announced their engagement and plans for a dreamy destination wedding in Tuscany I was beyond excited. Being a mother and daughter florist team we live and breathe weddings and Gemma’s was no exception.
From the start we wanted Gemma’s wedding to be a relaxed day with family and friends and we are so thankful to everyone that played a part in her wedding. Planning a wedding even we you are in the wedding industry is no easy task but there is nothing we would change, all the effort was worth it.
As you can imagine there were lots of photos and we wanted to share them all with you. We have split the wedding up into sections, scroll down to see everything. The smaller images can be clicked on if you want to pin them or make them full size.
WEDDING PREPARATIONS – LOCANDA IN TUSCANY
Months of planning gave way to the excitement of arriving at our beautiful location in Tuscany to start creating the wedding we had all been dreaming of. All of our vases, signage, dressing, runners and details were sent out from our company The Wedding of My Dreams by van to arrive at our venue to await us.
Wedding preparations continued with the arrival of the flowers and foliage from our friends at Florismart as well as a few local grown specials from Puscina Flowers. We had invited Lois one of our florists to travel out to Tuscany and work with us to create all this beauty. We have a large family and many able helpers so we enlisted their help in dressing the venue. No task went unchecked as Gemma had planned all the details so brilliantly that we had an amazing work schedule to keep us on track. Whilst Gemma, Lois and I concentrated on the larger arrangements we knew the dressing of the gazebo, foliage hoops, hanging of lanterns, setting out of signs and filling of vases for the centrepieces was happening all around us.
Karen Morgan preparing the floral garland for the wedding car
Family helping decorate gazebo for shaded guest areas
Centrepieces being prepared ready to set out on the tables, Locanda In Tuscany
Preparations for the flower wall backdrop, Locanda In Tuscany
A bath full of foliage, Locanda In Tuscany
Centrepieces being prepared ready to set out on the tables, Locanda In Tuscany
Click on the thumbnail images below to see them full screen size.
Karen and Gemma Morgan wedding morning (Bride and Mother of the Bride)
Family helping with foliage gardlands
Family helping decorate gazebo for shaded guest areas
Preparations for the flower wall backdrop, Locanda In Tuscany
Preparations for the flower wall backdrop, Locanda In Tuscany
Karen Morgan preparing the floral garland for the wedding car
Centrepieces being prepared ready to set out on the tables, Locanda In Tuscany
Centrepieces being prepared ready to set out on the tables, Locanda In Tuscany
Centrepieces being prepared ready to set out on the tables, Locanda In Tuscany
Centrepieces being prepared ready to set out on the tables, Locanda In Tuscany
Family helping make foliage hoops to hang around the venue
A bath full of foliage, Locanda In Tuscany
A bath full of foliage, Locanda In Tuscany
View from Locanda In Tuscany the wedding morning
Gemma’s wedding venue, Locanda In Tuscany
View of the pool from our flower workshop room at Locanda in Tuscany
Hill top view from Locanda In Tuscany the wedding morning
BRIDAL PARTY GETTING READY, LOCANDA IN TUSCANY
The venue had plenty of space for Richard and the boys to get ready in the rooms surrounding the pool whilst Gemma and the girls enjoyed the coolness of the main house for their preparations.
We chose to take out our wedding industry friends with us including Make up by Jodie who did an amazing job keeping us relaxed whilst ensuring we were ready in good time.
Gemma’s dress and her bridesmaids gowns were chosen from Coco and Kate and she just loved the Anna Campbell, Adelaide dress she wore. I managed to find a beautiful Gina Baconi outfit to complement her look. The boys looked relaxed in their white shirts and chinos with Richard wearing a well cut grey jacket. Of course Olivia was the main star of the day with her white and silver dress and good nature.
Grey jackets and chinos groomsmen attire
Anna Campbell Adelaide Wedding Gown
Mother of the bride, bride and baby daughter
Father of the bride seeing his daughter, destination wedding Tuscany
Click on the thumbnail images below to see them full screen size.
Grey jackets and chinos groomsmen attire
Grey jackets and chinos groomsmen attire
Putting button holes on
Groomsmen receiving gifts
Groomsmen receiving gifts
Groomsmen gifts
Bride getting ready, Make up by Jodie
Bride getting ready, Make up by Jodie
Excited bridesmaids
Anna Campbell Adelaide Wedding Gown
Anna Campbell Adelaide Wedding Gown
Bridesmaids receiving gifts
Flower girl getting ready
Baby Olivia our gorgeous flower girl
Anna Campbell Adelaide Wedding Gown
Anna Campbell Adelaide Wedding Gown
Anna Campbell Adelaide Wedding Gown
Bridesmaids helping bride into her dress
Anna Campbell Adelaide Wedding Gown
Bridesmaids receiving gifts
Bride receiving gift from groom
Mother of the bride, bride and baby daughter
Father of the bride seeing his daughter, destination wedding Tuscany
Father of the bride seeing his daughter, destination wedding Tuscany
OUTDOOR WEDDING CEREMONY, BAGNO VIGNONI, TUSCANY
Gemma and Richard chose the romantic setting of the Loggiato in Bagno Vignoni for their outdoor wedding ceremony. The backdrop was so beautiful with the old buildings and thermal pool. We dressed the wooden chairs with flowing runners which blew in the breeze and added large urns with natural organic designed florals and foliage. We even found an antique wooden crib for Olivia and added a flower garland to entice her in. Foliage hoops set the scene and were continued at Locanda as a way of linking our venues.
The garland for the car was a joy to create and I was so thrilled to see Gemma be driven to the ceremony by her father Richard and return after the ceremony with her husband Richard to be welcomed by family and friends.
Click on the thumbnail images below to see them full screen size.
BRIDE AND GROOM PORTRAIT PHOTOS TUSCANY
Anna and Simon Clarke were unrelenting on the day capturing every important moment and lots of beautiful shots of the Tuscan backdrop chosen for Gemma and Richard’s dream wedding. We are eternally grateful for the beauty they created and the amazing film Simon has put together. We had a family viewing of this on Christmas Day and it was such a joy to see.
Click on the thumbnail images below to see them full screen size.
WEDDING DRINKS RECEPTION, LOCANDA IN TUSCANY
After transporting our guests to our hillside location, a relaxed atmosphere was the order of the day. Food stations were set out offering the very best in Tuscan fare whilst everyone enjoyed cocktails and welcome drinks.
Shade was important for some of the guests and so gazebos and decorated pergolas provided plenty of spaces to chat and relax. Garden games were set out for those who wanted and we loved creating our family tree.
Click on the thumbnail images below to see them full screen size.
WEDDING GUEST TABLES, ALFRESCO WEDDING LONG WOODEN TABLES
Gemma and Richard knew they wanted the evening meal to be on long tables, under lights surrounded by family and friends. We chose our caterers with the help of our planner Francesca and agreed on the rustic style tables and chairs with long runners. The flowers in a mix of antique gold bottles vases, glass bottles with gold rims with hundreds of bronze tea lights and lanterns created a magical look. As the light faded the candles were lit and the table lanterns enhanced the setting.
Click on the thumbnail images below to see them full screen size.
EXTRA DETAILS, WEDDING CAKE, BAR, POOL DECORATIONS & DANCE FLOOR
Gemma and Richard decorated their own cake under the direction of the chefs. The loggia backdrop with its fireplace and informal seating was a wonderful place to decorate and relax in late in the evening. Lanterns laid out around the pool added to the magic and romance of the evening, organic arrangements in small urns were placed on the American bar, lanterns and fairy lights lit the dance floor under the pergola so the party could continue well into the early hours.
Click on the thumbnail images below to see them full screen size.
I can truly say this was the happiest day of our lives and when we had our last glass or two of wine when all the guests had left we all agreed we would not have done it any other way. I am so happy for Gemma Richard and Olivia as they enjoy their married life as the 3 Kings.
Winter styling is so much fun and we always love being asked to create beauty with Charlotte O’Shea and the team at Rock My Style. The opportunity to work with the Joules brand was so lovely as their clothing is one of our favourites. In fact I usually wear a pair of their boots in the workroom.
These images capture the beauty that was made, Charlotte has a good eye for detail and knows what she loves. Pheasant feathers being one of her favourite things, Mabel was the most perfect model and I have fallen in love with these images captured from the day.
A country house needs a country styled wreath on the door and this one with hydrangea, eucalyptus, alliums and the signature pheasant feathers was a pleasure to make.
HOW TO MAKE A CHRISTMAS STAIRCASE GARLAND
A Christmas garland is a great welcome to any home. Charlotte was keen to learn and we found a colour combination which she loved. Warm dusky pink hydrangea, softest astrantia, alliums and masses of foliage to create a lush, relaxed garland.
For the base an oasis netted garland lightly soaked in water.
Add foliage throughout the design for a natural look, we used 3 types of eucalyptus.
Add key blooms we used hydrangea heads, alliums and astrantia.
Then add extra flourishes of decoration to suit your style Charlotte loved the addition of the pheasant feathers for a country look.
Finally hang your garland in pride of place on your staircase with cable ties and check how everything looks.
Credits – Floral designers: Passion for Flowers // Clothing: Joules // Co-ordinated and Styled by Rock My Style
Looking for a statement piece to hang over your dance floor in your marquee? Last summer we created this large hanging structure over one of our weddings using Fews Marquees. Guests danced the night away under a ceiling of white delphiniums. The structure was a whopping 3m x 3m square over the black and white chequered dance floor.
Come along to a 1-2-1 flower course with Passion for Flowers. Her’s a taster of what you could make, the course can be completely tailored to you, your skill level and what you would like to learn.
Flower friends are great and as florists we enjoy working and learning together. Earlier in the year I was delighted to spend time with Alison from Mad Lilies and Janet from the Flower Room Belfast. Alison had kindly invited Sabine Darrall to join us for the day and work with us all to create bountiful and beautiful flowers in the stunning English countryside. I had long admired Sabine’s work but had never had the opportunity to spend time with her and learn from her. We started off with a relaxed evening together talking all things flowery and more besides!
All the flowers and foliage were beautifully conditioned ready for our flowery adventure.
TOP TABLE STYLING WITH HANGING FLOWERS ABOVE
Hanging flowers always hit the spot and a chandelier over a top table is just so lush with a mix of spring blooms. The table below was styled with runners, candlesticks, bottles and tea lights from our sister company theweddingofmydreams. Dreamy floral place settings lovingly tied with ribbon completed this romantic,spring look.
HANGING FLOWER INSTALLATION OVER TOP TABLE
We kept the look on the table light and airy so as not to distract from the star attraction the hanging flower installation. For a top table it is always lovely to have a great feature iin place for added impact when it comes to the speeches.
CEREMONY TABLE WITH FLOWER CANOPY OVER HEAD
For a ceremony table with a soft, romantic feel we worked together to create a flower canopy. This lush design was oozing with scented roses, tulips, ranunculi and masses of different foliages for texture.
An asymetric grouping of bottles, vases and votives is perfect for the table with a lush footed urn as the centrepiece. This look really allows your guests to see the individual blooms and appreciate the true beauty of the flowers.
CEREMONY ARCHES – PURPLE, LILAC AND RED
We love creating wild, relaxed florals and worked together to create this beautiful ceremony arch perfect for a country garden or rustic inspired wedding. The rich mix of purple, lilac and red were jewel tones and really made our hearts sing. The finishing touches of logs, lanterns and potting shed finds were just perfect to complete the look. Working together was a fun and heartwarming experience.
CEREMONY ARCHES – LILAC, PINK AND PEACH
For a more subdued look then lilac, pink an peach fit the bill, an abundance of scented lilac, soft and delicate helebroes, snapdragon, wax flower, viburnum berries, delicate scabious and the softest blush and peach roses made a great choice.
I certainly enjoyed our day and look forward to us flowering and inspiring each other in the coming months and years. Thank you Sabine for your warmth and openess, and to Alison for organising the day.
Last week we ran our first wedding flowers workshops here at Passion for Flowers in our new studio at Home Farm in Warwickshire.
WHAT THE DAY INVOLVED
Karen demonstrated how to make a number of rustic country style centrepieces, including milk churns, jugs, mini crates and a grouping on a tree slice. She spoke about which flowers work well together and the techniques needed to make the different types of centrepieces.
In the afternoon all attendees made a place setting and crate centrepiece to take away with them.They also worked as a team to create a top table design, table plan and asked many questions about their own weddings and how they would go about creating various florals.
A FEW PHOTOS FROM THE DAY
OUR WORKSHOP:
THE FLOWERS:
KAREN DEMONSTRATING:
GETTING STUCK IN
THE FINISHED RESULTS
If you are interested in attending one of our wedding flowers workshops or wedding florist courses send us an email to register your interest and we’ll let you know about future workshop dates. Email karen@passionforflowers.net
At Passion for Flowers we have an array of different wedding props to hire. We have been collecting props for years to make our weddings stand out. We have built up a large collection of vases, urns, candle holders, candelabra, signs, large scale props such as wooden carts, ladders, arches and crates. Up until now these props have only been available to if you are using Passion for Flowers floral design service, however we are now opening them up to everyone.
BROWSE OUR PROP HIRE BROCHURE BELOW
Below is our prop hire brochure, why not open it up and see if anything takes your fancy. We suggest viewing in full screen to see the props more clearly.
At the moment props have to be collected and returned to our workshop in Berkswell, Warwickshire.
To place your order please send an email to karen@passionforflowers.net using the subject
‘Prop Hire Order’ followed by your name and date of your wedding.
Within the email list the items and quantity you would like with the exact name and page number found in the hire guide.
London and Brixton East had a surprise last week when an amazing group of talented floral designers and industry greats got together for Chapel Designers London 2016. The event organised by Holly Heider Chapple of Chapel Designers and Nick Priestly of Mood Flowers was an amazing few days of love, laughter, and learning.
These images show some of my personal highlights.
Window boxes in rainbow colours stretching out along the street in front of Brixton East created by groups of Chapel Designers working together in colour teams inspired by a demo by talented duo Athena Duncan and Mairead Curtin from London florists Rebel Rebel.
A Chapel Designers Conference gives everyone a chance to unwind, rethink mechanics and techniques, share experiences, start new friendships, noursish old friendships and learn in a relaxed and open way. Holly Chapple opended her heart to us and enabled us to produce some great work. Paul Pryke gave us an insight into the world of a floral writer and designer and inspired us with her work. Rebel Rebel told some great tales of early days and I just love their bouquet on legs. Flowerona gave us some useful tips on Instagram and social media.
After a demo from Holly I loved creating this elegant bouquet so beautifully captured by Amanda Dumouchelle who had travelled over from the US to work with Holly and the Chapel Designers. Her work is so wonderful I can’t wait to see more of her images of what my fellow Chapel Designers created. So much beauty in one place.
A highlight was the Chapel Designers Dinner where we celebrated with all the speakers and Chapel Designers, certainly an evening to remember. The fun we had creating the immense tablescape was awesome and we all enjoyed getting to dine under our floral canopy. Team work never looked so good.
An early morning visit to New Covent Garden Market gave us a chance to repurpose our designs alongside the Floral Angels. A great opportunity to support this wonderful charity so close to many of our hearts.
The finale was an epic demonstration by Shane Connolly, his dramatic urn design was overflowing with natural beauty and seasonal delights including garden favourites Viburnum burkwoodii, Amelanchier, Viburnum Opulus and Jasmine. I love his style of work and am thrilled to have had an opportunity to watch him at work.
I am back in the studio now missing my fellow Chapel Designers, feeling inspired by what we can achieve together and looking forward to continuing as floral friends in this wonderful industry.
Thank you Holly, Evan and Nick for organising Chapel Designers London 2016
Sometimes you have a once in a lifetime opportunity…
I had just such an opportunity in April and decided to attend the Chapel Designers Conference London 2015. This amazing event was put together by floral rockstar Holly Heider Chapple founder of Chapel Designers with the help of Nick Priestly of Mood Flowers.
From the moment we all gathered for drinks in the aptly named The Rose pub to our final tearful moments leaving Simon Lycett’s studio 3 days later we made lifelong friends. Love of all things floral binds us together and allows this esteemed group of Chapel Designers to nourish and grow. I am honoured to be part of this family of florists from around the world.
We had the most wonderful experience and jawdropping selection of florals to choose from at our base in Brixton East. The love, laughter and emotions we all shared encouraged us to create the most amazing florals.
I am truly grateful for the opportunity to meet so many talented designers. Holly inspired me to create this freeform bouquet.
Jo Flowers and Susanne Hatwood gave us a wonderful masterclass on their romantic, natural style of floral creations both have amazing styles and worked effortlessly to create delightful masterpieces. The compote design above I created after being inspired by their designs.
Rhona Wheeldon of Flowerona joined us for a session on Social Media and is was a highlight to meet her and gain some insights to the world of social media.
The photos below are a snapshot of instagram photos and offer an insight into the amazing times we shared. A masterclass from Robbie Honey who created the dramatic rose and eucalyptus urn, an inspiring behind the scenes visit to Simon Lycett’s studio and so much more.
Yesterday we were on location at Birtsmorton Court, here is a quick sneak peek of the gorgeous bride and groom. A dream team of wedding industry suppliers from The West Midlands collaborated on a wedding shoot, more photos to follow soon.
Flower crown in blush pink and peach tones using ranunculus, lisianthus and roses.
Natural free-form hand tied bouquet in peach and cream tones including willow, astilbe, ranunculus, David Austin roses, Quicksand roses, Super Bubbles roses, lisianthus, lilac and amni hand tied with ribbons.
The button hole included a Quicksand rose, ranunculus and snippet of astilbe finished with soft peach.
Well every girl loves diamonds and flowers. What an amazing combo. One of this years highlights has been the opportunity to create a dreamy bouquet for a shoot with De Beers Diamond rings. Who better for them to choose as a style icon than the amazing Charlotte of Rock My Wedding. See Charlotte’s mood board here.
The diamonds were exquisite and we created a bouquet with a quintessential English feel and fragrance with roses and lilac.
The awards ceremony took place on Thursday evening at Café de Paris in London, both Gemma and I went down to the awards ceremony and spent the evening celebrating with our wedding industry friends and the judges.
PASSION FOR FLOWERS VOTED BEST WEDDING FLORIST ENGLAND
We are absolutely over the moon with this award and want to thank each and every one of our couples who took the time to vote for us.
There is no doubt about it, Passion for Flowers made our wedding. Karen read my mind when I talked about what I wanted and I never expected the flowers and styling to look as amazing as it did on the day. Karen really did go above and beyond what I asked of her, she really is the best in her field.
From the moment I met Karen I knew our flowers and venue were going to look exquisite. Karen is such a wonderful lady and the flowers and our venue looked truly breath taking!
Karen was simply amazing, from helping to bring all our crazy ideas to life, to chats round at her workshop, even on the day she was a calming influence and acted like a true professional helping out in every way possible. The flowers were stunning and really brought our theme to life.
Stunning flowers!!! We were completely overwhelmed by the flower displays at our wedding. The tables looked amazing with the candelabras, the top table garland.My bouquet and bridesmaids were exquisite, I couldn’t have wished for anything more! Karen made our day so special!
Passion For Flowers were excellent. Karen somehow managed to interpret my very sketchy thoughts and ideas and turn them into the flowers of my dreams. She put me completely at ease throughout the whole process and I knew my flowers were in very safe hands. I couldn’t recommend them more highly.
