When I talk about English Wedding showcasing suppliers in a meaningful way, I really do mean it from the bottom of my heart. Meeting creative people in UK weddings and seeing how amazingly hard they work, and how they pour everything into their businesses, is what I love most about this platform. So when lovely wedding florist and stylist Sandra at Fabulous Functions UK got in touch, I was thrilled. Not only did she have a spectacular styled photoshoot to share with all of you, she was so excited to talk about the amazing team who made it happen. When I mentioned how English Wedding is evolving as a publishing platform for wedding suppliers, Sandra told me even more about the team who collaborated to bring this inspiration to life – and she writes about them all so beautifully. Please, please read until the end, because the love that shines from this wonderful lady is special, and it shows.

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As a floral designer and stylist, I have had the pleasure and privilege to work in some of the most beautiful wedding venues up and down the country. And I must say, the Kings Head Hotel is one of my favourites. From the moment you open the door and head to the reception desk you are met with warm smiles, thoughtfulness and care.

It was really exciting to plan this styled shoot to launch the new look and feel of the beautiful and historic Kings Head Hotel wedding venue in the heart of Cirencester, showcasing the new look of the recently renovated Lavender Hall, The Vaulted Cellar, and The Couples Suite.

Wedding coordinator Daisy Does Weddings, who I have worked with for many years, was equally excited and gave me free rein to plan the look and feel of the shoot. I was looking forward to working with her to create this beautiful inspirational styled shoot to showcase the hotel’s new look. With a flurry of calls, text and meetings we finalised the look and feel for the shoot. I created a mood board with the ideas I wanted to communicate to the suppliers we wanted on the shoot.

I wanted warmth and beauty, luxury, sophistication and modernity. It’s all very well having photos in a historic venue but couples have to see themselves reflected in the images we create. Showing them how the Kings Head Hotel is a perfect setting for creating their own unforgettable memories while celebrating their love story with their closest family and friends.

The dream team brought their passion, thoughtfulness, care, expertise and professionalism together to create an inspired styled shoot, melding historic charm with modern lux.

The Orchestra of wedding suppliers at work

The Styling – Sandra of Fabulous Functions UK

A circular style arrangement for a ceremony reminds couples they can bring a modern twist to long established traditions. You can change things up. Bring modernity and fresh ideas to your day. Out with stark white and in with soft foundations and warm candlelight giving a softness and romance to the setting; blending perfectly with the grace and charm of the Lavender Hall with the warm tones of the parquet underfoot and the majestic heights of the ceiling.

I have worked with luxury wedding photographer Stuart Wood on many occasions and lucky for us, he was available for the date we wanted. Stuart’s superpower is to engage and connect with his subjects. He is a master of drawing you into his images so you feel a part of the scene unfolding before you. Playing with light and mood and atmosphere, Stuart wielded his magic to command all the elements to bend to his will. Warmth, elegance, sophistication, emotion, and the mood and essence of the photoshoot were all captured beautifully.

Melissa at Wedding Invitation Co, created a beautiful suite of stationery for the styled shoot. Incorporating the subtle tones from the colour palette and bringing in modern elements with the torn edges for the table numbers and personalised menu cards which served as guest place names too.

Richard Jansen is a Cotswolds-based wedding celebrant known for ceremonies that feel elegant, personal, and grounded. With a background spanning Royal households, the West End, and a former role as Director of Corporate Communications for the Fédération Équestre Internationale, he brings a calm, curious approach to storytelling — creating ceremonies that feel natural, assured, and deeply human.

Aleesha and Marvric, our model couple were a dream to work with, I had been following them on Insta and chatting for many months and loved the relaxed, warmth and sophistication they exuded. I had wanted to work with them for the longest while and had fingers crossed when I contacted them. Again, the stars aligned and Aleesha and Marvric were available for the dates of the shoot. They put so much care and energy into creating the poses we envisioned. Smiling on cue is never easy, yet with warmth, humour and true collaboration, they helped us capture so many beautiful images. Thank you both so much.

Gemma McNeil our talented MUA created gorgeous Hollywood waves for our model bride Aleesha’s hair. The makeup was natural and light to complement Aleesha’s flawless skin, and the freshness and lightness of the setting.

Aleesha had two changes of gowns. Donna at Posy and Pearl provided an off the shoulder dream of a silk gown with pockets – don’t you just love a gown with pockets! Aleesha’s second gown was a fit and flare creation with such gorgeous detailing, making you want your wedding day to go on and on…

A girl loves diamonds and Victoria of Boutique Bijou did not disappoint with the gorgeous diamond bracelet and ear rings, and a choice of engagement rings and wedding bands. We had such a choice of sparklers for the bridal jewellery.

Marvric was the epitome of sophistication and elegance in a burgundy velvet jacket and black dress trousers, all from the menswear range offered by Claire at Turner and Hares. Marvric’s jacket reflected the deeper tones of the colour palette and a marvellous anchor for all that followed.

Video plays an important part in how we capture events and share them. Content Creator Virtually Rhian reorganised her schedule so she could be our content creator for the shoot. Recording the beauty of the setting as well as the behind the scenes activities. Capturing the behind the camera can be quite an eyeopener! Rhian captured some memorable behind the scenes moments which are fun to look back on and brought an added dimension and excitement to the day.

The Colour Palette, Florals and Decor

From the depths of majestic burgundy, through warm whites and delicate blushes the colour palette sought to blend the historic feel of the venue with the autumn season and adding a modern delicate nuance to the shades used for the styling.

Making your décor work hard for you is something we champion. When considering your choices for your stationery and other items – can they fulfil two or more functions, saving your precious resources?

Creating beauty, grace and majesty, the hydrangeas, lilies and orchids featured heavily in the choices for the florals along with trailing amaranths, giving a touch of playfulness along with the whimsicality of sanguisoba. Sandra of Fabulous Functions UK created arrangements for showcasing the welcome signs, the ceremony setting and guest table florals.

Together with an array of candlelight at various heights they worked beautifully with the muted tones of the new décor in the Lavender Hall.

Sweet Treats in the Vaulted Cellar

The Kings Head has an abundance of spaces for your celebrations and we chose the Vaulted Cellar for the cake cutting ceremony and to enjoy the pouring of bubbles in the Champagne tower supplied by Lara of Hospitality Services. There were a few elements that came together as inspiration for the cake. Firstly was the beautiful mood board and colour theme. Classic and elegant, but also modern and chic. I love adding colour to wedding cakes, and the illusion of the floating top tiers adds the drama.

Set in the romance of flickering candle lighting, on a table draped with rivers of flowing taffeta folds, Claire and Dan at Peboryon created a masterpiece of a wedding cake. The setting for such a stunning cake needed to be equally inspirational. Not just a table with linen but a setting. So, in came flowers, candlelight, and taffeta. Yards and yards of it creating rivers of folds and valleys of shades and styled by Sandra of Fabulous Functions UK.

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I am forever grateful for the collaboration of these fabulous suppliers who arrived armed with the magic of their services. Brushes and beads and sparkling stones and candlelight. Sugar and fabric and flowers and a whole lot of love and passion.

I would like to offer my roses of appreciation to Molly, Daisy’s assistant. She was always on hand to answer our questions, looked after us throughout the day, and stepped in effortlessly whenever an extra pair of hands was needed.

Thank you, Molly. The Kings Head are incredibly fortunate to have you as part of their events team, and couples celebrating there will truly appreciate your gentleness, kindness and professionalism.