Today’s feature is a little different – and an absolute must-read, we think! It’s already one of our faves here at English Wedding HQ and I hope you love it too! Lovely Alexandra from Alexandra Rose Weddings wrote it for us, working alongside a fabulous creative team with images captured beautifully by Bethany and James who specialise in Fine Art photography and film making. Alexandra’s floral styling is just wonderful – she applies an imaginative way of thinking when working with garden grown flowers, allowing the shape of the flowers themselves to dictate the overall design. Her style is beautifully naturalistic and sculptural too.

“I want to inspire couples to be more aware of the seasons when choosing flowers and reflect the patterns of wildlife.  Part of the charm and excitement of using British blooms is working with nature and what is available at the time.  I thought our perfect setting would suit a quintessentially English venue situated in the Cotswolds and right along the River Windrush, The Old Swan and Minster Mill. The beautiful, historical features of the ‘inn on the river’ really tied everything together beautifully.  I really couldn’t think of a more perfect countryside setting with acres of stunning gardens filled with lavender, Willow trees and English Roses.

Much of my inspiration is taken from our beautiful surroundings, meaning wilder, more natural arrangements.  British, seasonal bouquets that look ‘just picked from the garden’ create such an unrefined aesthetic.

Chosen Flowers

I chose a beautiful selection of lavenders and purple shades with hints of blue, yellow and white.  They are 100% British luxury seasonal flowers, home grown at Swan Cottage Flower Farm.

The main focus of my arrangements are the contrasting family of Dahlias.  We have the largest of the group, a gorgeous creamy pink puffy Cafe au Lait Dahlia, purple Karma Lagoon, pale pink Bracken Ballerina Dahlia and deep red Jowey Morella Dahlia which are very rounded in shape.

Within these are dainty white Cosmos Purity which form their own shape beautifully over the edge of the urn.  Purple Astrantia, lots of Lavender, blue Larkspur and some of the taller, thinner flowers are Verberna and Salvia.

The aim of my designs with the flowers were portray an artistic form, very natural, wild and escaping.  A ‘just picked’ look, eye popping with colour.

To tie the bouquet together, I used seasonal rustic ribbon bundles hand made by Silk and Purl.

Tablescape Elements

I really wanted the overall look to be very organic, but modern and elegant.  We have achieved this by keeping the natural wooden table exposed and situated directly beneath a gorgeous great Willow Tree.  Draped through the middle is a beautiful organic cream cotton runner with matching napkins.  The crockery is a classic plane pale grey, and I have used contrasting black and gold cutlery teamed with elegant vintage glassware from the Alexandra Rose collection.

My place settings were kept minimalist yet stylish, using English Lavender wrapped in organic cotton napkins and grey ribbon.  It was important not to overpower the tablescape elements, keeping the focus entirely on the flowers throughout.

Handmade Details

Our gorgeous stationery consisted of a love letter, name cards, an RSVP and invitation.  Laura Elizabeth Patrick captured my vision perfectly within her elegant hand written calligraphy. Her hand painted watercolour flowers completed the look so perfectly.

Old Swan & Minster Mill wedding suppliers

Alexandra Rose Weddings – @alexandraroseweddings – Floral Design/Styling/Planning www.alexandraroseweddings.com
Bethany & James Fine Art Photography & Filmmaking- @bethanystanley_ – Fine Art Media www.bethanystanley.com
Old Swan and Minster Mill – @oldswanandminstermill – Venue www.oldswanminstermill.co.uk
Laura Elizabeth Patrick – @lauraelizabethpatrick – Calligraphy & watercolours www.lauraelizabethpatrick.com
Lindas Vintage Hire – @lindasvintagehire – Table www.lindasvintagehire.co.uk
Swan Cottage Flowers – @swancottageflowers – Luxury hand grown British Flower grower www.swancottageflowers.co.uk
Silk & Purl – @silkandpurl Organic runner & ribbons