Looking back through the archives and had to share this intimate wedding with you. Every now and then time stops still to celebrate a wonderful marriage of two people so in love. I first met Ellie and Matt when they were down in Birmingham looking at venues for their wedding. They had strong ideas on the feel they hoped to create and took time to find venues and their wedding team.
The Oratory was such a special place for the wedding ceremony and for their initmate gathering of loved ones. In contrast the urban feel of The Church Inn in Birmingham gave us scope to create a great backdrop for their wedding celebrations. They loved the Brooklyn Inspired feel of urban places. Throughout the planning Ellie was happy to let us offer advice and we worked together beautifully to create this amazing moment in time.
We were thrilled to see this wedding featured on Love My Dress .
HAIR FLOWERS
The bridesmaids wore beautiful white dresses individually chosen and we created loose half flower crowns for their hair flowers. Simple, understated but elegant bringing in soft blues, nude, white and stronger purple tones. The hair was styled by our friend Natalie at Bridal Hair Specialists.
WRIST CORSAGES
For a simple but stunning look the girls wore beautifully created wrist corsages keeping to the tones of the day, with astrantia, wax flower and snippets of garden greenery. Ellie looked stunning in her Sarah Willard Couture designed dress.
BRIDAL BOUQUET
Ellie’s bridal bouquet was designed with her dress and personal style in mind. I love brides giving us freedom to work our magic on their flowers and Ellie fell in love with her bridal bouquet. This loose hand tied design included clematis to trail, a mix of roses, astrantia, lilac, tulips, wax flower, amni and helebores with a mix of garden forages for added texture. I just love her gloves to complete her look.
BUTTONHOLES
The button holes were a mix of quicksand roses, wax flower, some with delicate blue snippets of hydrangea. I love this image of Matt with his button hole.
CHURCH DECORATION – CANDLES DOWN THE AISLE
The Oratory is an amazing space and candles down the aisle in all shapes and sizes create the perfect look. It felt like an Italian church with the wonderful architecture and we decided that flowers in church would not do it justice and agreed with Ellie and Matt to go all out for candlelight. The service was so personal and on entering the church the magic and love could be felt.
HAND HELD ARCH
Love this idea for a hand held arch for the couple.
HANGING FLOWERS
For the gathering after the formal part of the day Ellie knew she wanted hanging flowers to create a wow factor over the drinks table and as a backdrop to speeches and photos. An exhuberant mix of trailing foliage, large hydrangea blooms, trailing amaranthus, tulips threaded through the frame and scented wax flowers brought the room to life.
Thank you Keeley for sending us this lovely feature of your wedding as featured on Ronald Joyce. You look stunning in your wedding gown and we loved being part of your wedding day.It was a pleasure to help you out with only a few weeks to go to bring your vision for the your wedding day together. The love that you both share shines through in all the photos and we loved working with you at Hampton Manor. Dreams do come true!
If you have looking for a florist to step in to help with your wedding day please do get in touch and we will try our hardest to help. We all need to pull together now more than ever.
A stunning shoot I worked on earlier in the year in the lovely Compton Verney wedding venue, an art gallery in a Grade I Georgian mansion surrounded by stunning parklands and lake played. Compton Verney is a special wedding venue for me as my son is getting married here next summer. The Adam Hall is the jewel of the Compton Verney estate. Featuring large picture windows, marble floor, ornate pillars and high ceilings, it exudes timeless elegance.
I worked on this shoot with a number of talented local wedding suppliers, we provided an epic floral backdrop made from dried bulrushes, foliage and pampas grass using brass vases and lanterns from our sister site The Wedding of my Dreams. I also made a loose hand tied bouquet featuring hand-dyed ribbons from Little Acorn Silks, which looked delicate and simple creating a modern, minimalist look.
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.
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
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.
Sometimes in life you meet someone who inspires you and whom you love working with. I met with Charlotte O’Shea quite by chance and have enjoyed working with her ever since those early days. Never did I expect that I would travel the country with the Rock My Wedding team and create the florals for their stunning book. This past year has been a milestone in our floral journey and I feel so honoured to have my work featured in a book. When Charlotte first approached us at the concept stage we just knew we had to be involved and put our heart and soul into this project.
As Charlotte so beautifully put it “Karen Morgan from Passion for Flowers followed us halfway around the country with her magnificent blooms and ability to whip up a floral storm in an unprecedented short amount of time. I swear she is actually ‘Mary Poppins’ in disguise. Her van plays host to a seemingly limitless supply of trinkets and decorative pieces from her daughter Gemma’s wedding decor store – The Wedding of My Dreams”
WHO SHOULD BUY THE BOOK
The book is an inspiring read, a great gift for newly engaged couples or for anyone wanting to add some last minute details to their wedding day. No wedding should be planned without it!
Lovely to see so many features in Wedding Magazine. One of our bouquets was even chosen as editors pick.
Among the flower features for various themes was also one of our couple’s weddings – see more from Victoria and Ben’s wedding here, it was a stunning wedding at Hampton Manor.
Here at Passion for Flowers we love seeing our work featured in the press, especially when we are not expecting it. I was browsing through Wedding Flowers and Accessories Magazine and noticed our designs in the flower notebook section, as well as being highlighted as a wedding florist to follow in instagram! If want to follow Karen on instagram you’ll see photos of our weddings as well as behind the scenes snaps of us working on upcoming weddings in our workshop instagram.com/karenmorganflowers.
The Chapel Designers group was founded by Holly Chapple of Holly Heider Chapple Flowers, in 2010. Holly created the first organization of its kind. An organization that not only educates, supports, and mentors creatives, but encourages the individual designer to be his or her most authentic self. I am proud to be a member of this esteemed group The Chapel Designers and enjoy building relationships with talented florists and designers around the globe. Chapel Designers support each other and work together on major collaborations creating the most amazing weddings.
The world is a large place but through Holly and The Chapel Designers forum we are one big, happy family. I am so thankful for the opportunity to be part of this great organisation and of the friends I have made through Chapel Designers.
Just take a look at some of the amazing work in The Spotlght here by some of my fellow Chapel Designers, talented and stylish wedding florists from around the world…
Scroll to the bottom to see links to their websites and photographer credits.
As a regular contributor to Wedding Flowers & Accessories we love to see our work featured in their magazine.
GOLD CANDELABRA WEDDING CENTREPIECE
For a luxe look for your table centres or ceremony table choose a gold candelabra with a trailing design, we incorporated a mix of scented David Austin roses, foliage and soft touches for a natural yet elegant look.
PINK, PEACH & CREAM BRIDAL BOUQUET / LARGE BALLOON WITH TRAILING FOLIAGE
For a spring bride this natural bouquet with a mix of blooms including David Austin roses, anemones, astilbe, ranunculus with trailing foliage and long ribbons is just perfect. Why not add an element of fun with a giant helium balloon, with a trail of foliage, a must for every wedding.
Are you thinking of choosing deep purple and burgundy tones for your wedding flowers? Recently we were asked by Wedding Flowers Magazine to take our designs down to London to be shot for their November issue. We used deep purple / maroon / burgundy flowers mixed with a touch of gold to add some glamour.
DEEP PURPLE BRIDAL BOUQUET
For the bridal bouquet we used an natural mix of smoke bush and clematis foliage, deep toned dahlia perfect for an autumn wedding with scabious, scented Kiera rose, sloe berries and touches of trailing amaranthus. The mix of ribbons created a soft romantic finish.
DEEP PURPLE FLOWERS IN CRYSTAL BOWLS ON A GOLD PLATE FOR WEDDING CENTREPIECE
For the centrepiece we created an asymmetrical design in an antique crystal bowl filled with autumnal foliage and blooms, the gold plate added a touch of glamour and height to the design. The combination of autumnal foliage smoke bush, clematis with a mix of sedum and deep toned blooms were the perfect fit with the lush Kiera roses.
PLACE SETTINGS / ESCORT CARD IDEA
For the escort cards we used a mix of mini bottles with guests name and brought the outside in by incorporating snippets of foliage and flowers to set the tone for the day.
Here at Passion for Flowers we love seeing our designs featured in wedding magazines. Wedding Flowers & Accessories Magazine asked us to take our designs down to be shot for their latest notebook section. We love how the photos have come out.
HAND TIED LOOSE TRAILING FREE FORM BOUQUET
Juliet rose, Sahara rose, white lilac, pico apricot lisianthus, virminum opulus, jasmine, peach ranunculus, thalespi, helibore, weeping willow, tied with silk ribbon, lace and a photo locket.
ANTIQUE GOLD COMPOTE VASE CENTREPIECE
Asymmetric design using Juliet rose, Caramel Antike Rose, white lilac, pico apricot lisianthus, jasmine, clematis, peach ranunculus, astilbe, helibore, weeping willow in a small urn.
TABLE NUMBER
Decanter with bronze table number disc, astilbe, Juliet Rose, peach ranunculus, cornus.
BUTTON HOLE
Lilac, astilbe, pico apricot lisianthus finished with silk ribbon
Top Tip:
You can find many of these items at our sister company The Wedding of my Dreams.
TABLE NUMBER
