Summer Loving at Squerryes Court

This weekend was the beautiful Wedding of Lara Suttie and Anthony Simms. There marriage took place on Saturday 10th July at the gorgeous ChristChurch in Chislehurst followed by a marquee reception at Squerryes House, Westerham.

I first met Lara and Anthony last year at the wedding exhibition at Bromley. Lara wanted unusal flowers with a wow factor but keeping in tradition with pretty look in the church and marquee. After a few meetings and a few samples later- Lara and Anthony could visusalise the look.
It was the hottest week we have had so far and I was really struggling with the heat as I had an abundance of soft summer flowers including hydrangeas, peonies, lizzy and stocks....all of which hate the heat!

I was pleased that the church was being dressed Friday evening- at least it would be cool in there. I arranged simple displays for the alter on white stands, with the stunning stain glass window as a backdrop, the scene was easy to set.

Lara's colour palatte was blush pink, and I used a variety of flowers to compliement. The bridal flowers and the ceremony was going to be paler and romantic but then inject more tone of colour into the reception as the marquee can look bland.
Lara held a stunning shower of white phalanopsis orchids which cascaded simply with ruscus and grass. Lara is very petite and very pretty and so it suited her perfectly. Anthony had a matching buttonhole which looked really smart.

The bridesmaids wore gorgeous floor lengths gowns in a blush pink satin. They had a high scoop neck line with cut away backs- I loved the simplicity of their dresses and knew that the pefect match would be a calla lily posy. I matched the colour and the subtle tone of pink was just right. The groomsmen also had cravats in this shade so the also had matching calla lilie buttonholes.

On Saturday morning first thing I was making the buttonholes and I think it was about 70 Degrees! Phew that Marquee is going to be hot...

After setting up at Squerryes, I had a mad dash back to the church as I was moving the pedastals from the church to the marquee! All this had to be done without me being seen by the bridal party. It was like operation Pedastals! Lucklily I had arrived back in time to see the new Mr ans Mrs Suttie-Simms, walk down the aisle to Take Thats "Greatest Day" They both looked so happy and Lara looked breathtaking beautiful.

I loved the fact they had a Skype link to family oversees set up on a laptop next to the alter so they could see the ceremony- of course I gave them a wave as I whipped out the arrangements- I guess they was the first to see my plan of attack.

Squerryes is a beautiful House with stunning grounds. The perfect setting for a summer garden marquee.

I Loved the heart shaped shrubs in the gardens!

The entrance to the marquee was set with a pair of bay trees dressed with white chiffon, the scattering of white Lanterns and butterflies gave it a real sense of a summer garden party.

By now it was almost 87 degrees!

As you entered the marquee- Wow is what Lara wanted and I think she got it. It always amazes me everytime how the flowers can transform a room. On this ocassion it certainly did. Next time I must do a before and after shot to see if it has the same effect in a photo?

The gorgeous combination of the tones was just lovely, although they were brighter tones, the softness of the actcual flowers and the matt finish of the roses somehow still made them "blush"

On the top table, there was a display of flowers from the theme with added orchids from the bridal flowers.

I also made my rose petal confetti cones in complementry colours, which are personalised for a great, unique touch.

I recieved a lovley letter from Lara's Mum, which made all my hard work seem worth it and truly appreciated. See next blog......

On Saturday morning first thing I think it was about 70 Degrees.

Purple and Ivory sparkles.

On Friday 9th of July I had the pleasure of arranging the bridal flowers for Jacqui. The ceremony took place at the Ramada Hotel, Maidstone. It was a beautiful sunny day, perfect for their outdoor ceremony.

Jacqui wore a slim Aline dress with subtle details accross the bodice. Jacqui wanted a simple and romantic look to her flowers but with a few modern touches.

Jacqui's bouquet was a delicate handtied bouquet in striking purple and ivory. The deep purple lisianthus was rich against the white roses which I had studded with diamontes for extra sparkle.

I detailed the bouquet by mirroring the purple and diamontes over the white ribbon. Gorgeous!!

The Bridesmaids wore deep purple chiffon dresses and had a mixed selection of purple lizzy, white roses and lilac freesia.

I loved the injection of colour in this photo.

Congratulations Jacqui- you look so happy. x

Bradbourne House Part 2

The Summer Open Evening at Bradbourne House was a big success! It was a lovely summer's evening and the house and grounds looked great in the sunshine.

After setting up in the main ballroom, the B2B's (Brides to be) began to arrive. They were greeted by a toast master and a glass of bucks fizz-how nice and the smell from the BBQ outside was drawing them all in.




I had decided to go for a pretty summer theme on my stand. Firstly because it was perfect for a summers evening and also I love the look and it summerises my style and love for femine flowers.
I made an array of samples from a tall fluted vase of deplhinuim and hydrangea, to a pretty birdcage in pink and peach.

Sharon, the Venues lovely Wedding coordintor had asked me to dress one of the breakfast tables as it would be on the big day, as it helps to give the "finished look to the Brides" I chose to go with an amethyst colour as it is going to be a big trend for next years bookings. The linen provided by Amicio Linen http://www.amicio.co.uk/ They specialise in luxury linen with elegant brocade/damask textures.



I wanted to show off this luxury look and went full out with an elegant crystal studded candelabra! Against the vivid blue it looked excellent!
I also added small votives of flowers as favours and finished off the luxury napkins with even more luxury ribbon! WOW

I had also set up some flowers in the Green drawing room where the smaller ceremonies take place. In here I went for a subtle pale pink, ivory and green scheme to set off the room. I think that it so important to compliment the surrounding decor- si bear this in mind B2B's when looking at your venues!











I created a centrepiece for the fireplace with pretty Hurricane vases filled with moss and hydrangea. The complimentry chair covers showed off the best colours that work in that room pink, green, ivory and chocolate brown.

Thank you to all the lovely B2B's who chatted to me on the night- I am looking forward to catching up with you all soon.








I am now planning my next Exhibition on October 17th at Sundridge Park, Bromley... Hope to see you there.

Bradbourne House

17th June, you will see me exhibit at a new venue for me- Bradbourne House, in East Malling.
The house is holding a summer open eveing for all prospective Brides to be this year and next...and I believe the year after that!

I have decided on a theme which I will keep a secret for now and will let you know how I get on later...

Join me if you can its on 6pm- 9pm

http://www.bradbournehousekent.co.uk/index.asp

Wedding with a Wow!

This weekend was the wedding of Sally-Anne and Ian. I met this lovley couple last september at a wedding exhibition in Bromley. Both Sally-Anne and Ian had strong ideas of what kind of look they wanted for their wedding at Sundridge Park Mansion.

I love this venue- the drive through the golf course feels like it is never going to end and then finally you arrive at the gorgeous house and grounds. This time the ceremony was held in the Blue room, with the amazingly high ceilings. I had the chair covers to do as well as the flowers so had a busy morning! I had Dan (new hubby- who is now very keen on weddings after having his own!) helping me.

The theme was deep purple and Ian (being a graphic designer) had designed some amazing stationary and invites which had their initials on and a flock pattern. The bridesmaids wore deep purple knee length dresses and this set the scene for the flowers.

Sally-Anne held a hand tied bouquet of white calla lilies with deep purple lisianthus. I created a twist by adding beads to bear grass which bounced beautifully as she walked! I found the perfect ribbon, which I bound the stems with. It had virtually the same pattern on it as Ian had designed!

The flowers had to be modern and striking to work as a contrast to the House and therefore I choose a vivid lime green to go with the purple and white. After a bit of persuasion towards Ian-as to which flowers would work the best- the modern look began to come together. Structured foliage and clean cut glass, lined with wire, were sentences to used to describe the look.

The flowers were based around the striking Alliums with arum lilies, roses, and lisianthus. The above displays were set on the ceremony table and then moved to the top table. I think the ideas of having vases is great as so many bride and grooms tables have a traditional oval shape arrangement whilst all their guests have stunning centrepieces!

The boys all began to arrive- cool, calm and collected....They didn't stay cool for long as it was getting hotter by the minute and they were wearing morning suits! They looked great and Ian's buttonhole had a wicked "barbed wire" finish.

The reception was held in the garden room and this is where the WOW was. Tall glass lined with wire held arrangements of flowers from the theme. They were nearly 2 metres tall and filled the room with drama. It was a great colour against the pale walls and looked stunning.

I loved the personal touches that this couple had at their wedding and they had spent a lot of time getting it right. eg they had made cd's of their favourite songs as favours and wrapped them up in matching paper. and each table was named after a band that they had seen with the guests. I must mention the cheeseboard to- love it!

The new "Mr and Mrs Cole" sent me a lovely thank you card and was over-whelmed with her bouquet. I am soooo glad you had a wonderful day- you deserved it. Congratulations. x