Images by Maria D’Souza Photography | Words and wedding styling by Lily & Lavender Events
Findon Manor Hotel is one of those venues that instantly hugs you as you walk in! It’s full of Old English charm – original wood floors adorn all its intimate and elegant rooms and there is a roaring open fire that welcomes you in the front reception room. It was love at first sight for me so when they invited me to do a styled shoot there I jumped at the chance.
It was easy to go for a Wild English Rose inspiration when it came to picking a theme – I imagined bursts of colour, wild, pretty countryside florals, quintessentially English details, mixed with gold and jewel tones for that luxe and stylish (and unstuffy) look.
The team I worked with really brought it all together (and it was all wonderfully captured by Maria D’Souza Photography) – from the gorgeous floral arrangements created by The Home Grown Flower Company (how lush are those urn arrangements and the garlands for the stairs and mantle) to the perfect hair by Your Event Stylist and flawless makeup from RJ Makeup for our two ‘English Roses’, who looked fab in their deceptively simple yet stunning dresses from Couture & Tiaras Bridal Shop. I went for a blush shade on the bridesmaid’s dress to mute the jewel tones running through the colour story and the bride’s dress was purely picked for that stunning back detail!
We deliberately kept the table top simple to let the flowers do the talking (can you tell I love flowers?!) and also used the flowers (varieties of roses and ranunculus among others) to full effect to style the cake table which was graced by a beautiful white multiple tier cake (from Wicky Woo Woo Cakes), covered in delicate white lace, topped with amazing sugar flowers in blush tones. We also included some lovely antique silverware and crockery to finish off the look.
Our jewel and floral inspired invitation suite and paper goods by Ollie’s Studio really completed the story – it was lovingly made with a combination of digital print, hand written calligraphy and hand applied gold foil. We all loved those florals printed on the inner fold of the envelope.
I really hope that couples will be inspired by this shoot to pay a visit to this lovely countryside venue nestled in the West Sussex countryside and to be bolder about their choices of colour for their big day as it can really make a unique and memorable statement!
VENUE
Findon Manor Hotel (www.findonmanor.com)
SUPPLIERS
Photographer: Maria D’Souza, http://www.mariadsouzaphotography.com
Planning, Coordination & Styling: Carol Nyahasha, Lily & Lavender Events, (www.lilyandlavender.com)
Stationery: Ollie’s Studio, http://www.olliesstudio.co.uk
Makeup: Bekki Durham, RJ Makeup, http://www.rjmake-up.com
Hairdresser: Sammie Chard, Your Event Stylist, www.youreventstylist.co.uk
Florist: The Home Grown Flower Company, http://www.thehomegrownflowercompany.co.uk
Cake maker: Emma Wickens, Wicky Woo Woo Cakes, http://www.wickywoowoocakes.co.uk
Tableware/linen/props: Lily & Lavender Events and Findon Manor
Dresses: Couture & Tiaras Bridal Shop, http://www.coutureandtiaras.com
what do you think?