Huntsmill Farm, Author at Huntsmill Farm Weddings

Meet Our Gang – Rafe Abrook Photography

May 9, 2022 by Huntsmill Farm Leave a Comment

It’s time for you to meet another member of our gang from our preferred partners list – Rafe Abrook Photography. Rafe is a wedding photographer based in Hertfordshire, specialising in a natural, documentary style photography style. We love having him at here at Huntsmill Farm, and love the way he captures wedding days perfectly. Rafe also holds the award for our tallest supplier on our list! To find out more about Rafe and his photography read our Q&A with him below.

Tell us about yourself

Hello my name is Rafe, I photograph weddings and it’s been noted that I’m quite tall. I have 2 boys called Taylor (15) and Roscoe (13). When I’m not photographing happy people, I’m playing basketball, running, falling off my mountain bike or spending a fortune fixing one of my 3 old cars.

Why did you want to become a photographer? How did you get started?

I was disillusioned by the corporate world having given 15 years of my life to it, and felt I could turn my passion into a business in 2014 and through everything I had at it, and it succeeded!

What is your style? Do you have a specific style?

I am very reportage, and employ a natural documentary style photography. I do however absolutely love Bride & Groom Portrait time, and can create beautiful art in a very short space of time with my couples. Weddings must be shot as they are, organically, and I never stage cringey photos!

What advice would you give couples when choosing their photographer?

Decide on your style of photography by looking at several different types of wedding photographer. Always meet your photographer before booking, or arrange a Video Call if distance prevents this. This person will be trusted with all of the most important people in your life, so it’s important you feel they are the right person for your wedding. Don’t let a few hundred pounds stop you having the best suppliers as it’s a small percentage of your total wedding budget and a good photographer will do all of the other details on the day justice if you invest properly in this!

What makes you happy?

The feeling when I leave a wedding and I have made some new friends – oh and of course the positive comments from my couples when I share my work with them!

If you could be someone else for a day, who would you be and why?

Nobody. I love my job, and I wouldn’t want to do anything else!

What do you love most about your job?

The ability to work in such a positive environment and create art for my clients.

What trends are you loving at the moment?

The surge in demand for natural, documentary wedding photography.

Why should our couples choose you?

I am a nice guy, and I take great photos. I will manage the day with calmness and experience and help everything run smoothly for my couples. If I can bond with everyone on the wedding day, it opens the day up to me and I can become part of it, and get the best shots possible.

What’s your drink of choice?

A Negroni which is made up of Gin, Aperitivo, and Red Vermouth.

Who is your dream celebrity wedding couple?

Russell Brand and whoever he marries next!

You can find out more about Rafe Abrook Photography using the links below:

Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Website

You can find contact details for Rafe and all our other preferred partners here. They’re such a lovely bunch so check them out!

The New Look Granary Cottage!

April 27, 2022 by Huntsmill Farm

To start fresh with a new year at Huntsmill Farm we started work on updating one of our cottages, The Granary. In 2020 we did a huge renovation project updating The Old Dairy and loved seeing our visions come to life, creating a luxury bridal suite and honeymoon space for our couples. As it’s been some time since The Granary originally opened, we thought it was well overdue a fresh new look to match the standards we’ve created for The Old Dairy.

The Granary is one of our seven self-catered cottages at Huntsmill Farm, and sleeps four-six people. The two-storey stone barn conversion has two ensuite bedrooms; a double and a twin/double. The Granary also has a family bathroom, a lounge with a sofa-bed that can sleep another two people, and a kitchen with a dining area.

Images thanks to Libby Christensen Photography, Richard Jones Photography, Simon Brettell Photography & Mathew Williams-Ellis,

In February this year we finished work on The Granary, and were able to show it off during our latest open day. We’re super excited about the updates, and to share the before and after photos with you as well as seeing our couples reactions to our new look!

Kitchen and Dining Area

Images thanks to Daniel Atkinson Photography

In the kitchen and dining area the most noticeable change is we’ve replaced the previous colourful tiles with white marble look tiles, which compliment the stone walls of The Granary. We’ve also replaced the cabinets and worktops with cream cabinets with a wood worktop, which compliments the cream accessories of the kitchen and gives a more rustic cottage kitchen feel.

We’ve placed new wooden flooring throughout the kitchen and dining area as well as a new skirting board, and a fresh coat of paint. Alongside the exposed beams and stone wall, the new flooring really adds to the rustic vibe. The thing we’ve noticed most about this space now that we’ve given it an update, is how much brighter it feels! It’s now a great place for your guests to sit and have a cuppa over breakfast before getting ready for the big day.

The Lounge

Images thanks to Daniel Atkinson Photography

In the lounge we wanted to update the look, but keep within the bright, clean look it already had. We continued on with the same flooring as the kitchen and dining area, by replacing the carpet with the new wooden flooring. The skirting boards and walls have also had a refresh to make them look brighter, and we replaced the light fittings to help modernise them.

One of the biggest changes you may have noticed is that we have a new sofa! We added this new luxurious leather look sofa to complement the rustic feel of The Granary, and we just love it! We think it really adds a touch of luxury to the cottage, and it’s a great place to rest the morning after a busy wedding. The cream sofa on the left also doubles up as the sofa bed, sleeping another two guests. We’ve still to add a few extra touches to the lounge, such as some photos on the walls – as it looks a little bare at the moment!

Bathroom

Images thanks to Daniel Atkinson Photography

The bathroom has also had a small refresh. We’ve kept the original flooring and bathroom tiles, but given the skirting boards and panelling around the sink and bath and update. By painting the panelling white it’s really changed the look of the bathroom, and made it feel fresher, and brighter which is complimented with the large window giving the bathroom lots of natural light.

There have also been a few other updates to our upgrade of The Granary, including new soft carpets upstairs, fresh coats of paint, and an update to the panelling on the stairs. We hope you like our updates to The Granary! We’re really pleased at how it’s turned out, and it’s great fun to look back on the before photos to see how it’s improved. We’re looking forward to welcoming our couples and their nearest and dearest staying here soon.

If you’d like any more information on our cottages, or to see more photos, you can find them all on our accommodation page.

4 Reasons Why 2023 Is The Year To Book A Wedding

March 9, 2022 by Huntsmill Farm

After the last two years of postponements, it looks as if we are finally turning a corner when it comes to weddings. Finally, couples are able to book a wedding and get married in front of their loved ones and have the day that they have always dreamed of.

If you’ve recently got engaged and are starting to think about when to book a wedding, I’m sure with all the excitement you want to start booking your wedding straight away, but actually, opting for a 2023 wedding could put you in a better position and allow you to have more options when it comes to your wedding day.

With that in mind, here are 4 reasons why 2023 is THE year to get married.

1. Higher numbers of guests

Images thanks to Simon Brettell Photography, Alex Tenters Photography & Emilie May Photography

The majority of couples who had to postpone their weddings rescheduled them for 2021 or 2022, meaning that some of your friends and family may already be committed to attending other weddings already. Rather than competing with other weddings, and trying to find dates that suit your nearest and dearest, considering a 2023 wedding date could mean that all the guests that you want to attend your big day can.

2. You can enjoy the planning experience

Images thanks to Cat Lane Weddings, Caroline Rushton Photography, Two D Photography & Becky Harley Photography

Many couples have missed out on some of the enjoyment in planning their wedding days due to cancelled wedding shows, virtual viewings, and restrictions with visiting suppliers. And what with the uncertainty of the pandemic and not knowing if your big day can go ahead how you’ve visualised it, planning a wedding has felt a little more stressful rather than exciting.

Beginning to plan your wedding now for 2023 is the perfect time to be planning; you can now attend wedding fairs, view venues and chat with suppliers in person. Planning your wedding should be an enjoyable experience for you and your partner, and not having any restrictions to do so will allow you to focus on what you want for your special day.

3. Outdoors options when you book a wedding

Image thanks to Sam Bennett Photography, Cat Lane Weddings & Shaun Howard Photography

Something positive that’s come out of the pandemic for weddings is the use of new locations. Many venues have adapted their offering to now include outdoors options for your wedding ceremony. This makes for a perfect location for warm spring and summer weddings and adds a different aesthetic to your wedding.

Last year we announced our new outdoor wedding structure, The Shed, and since then we’ve had some beautiful weddings making us of the space. We’ve had some really positive feedback from our couples, and love seeing the photos of our new outdoor ceremony space.

4. More choice with suppliers

Images thanks to Emilie May Photography, Cat Lane Weddings, Hannah Hall Photography & Roo Stain

With large numbers of postponements, many suppliers have been booked up with dates in 2021 and 2022. It’s meant for new couples arranging their big days, they may not have been able to have their first choices in suppliers. As the wedding industry is now calming down, suppliers are more available again – giving you more choices when it comes to your wedding day. Over the years we’ve been lucky to have worked with some fantastic wedding suppliers, make sure to check out our recommended suppliers to help you plan your perfect wedding!

Looking to book your 2023 wedding?

If you’re looking to book your big day, we still have lots of availability for 2023. If you’re interested in finding out more information or booking a viewing, please get in touch.

DIY Macramé Hanging Hoop

February 21, 2022 by Huntsmill Farm

When creating the wedding of your dreams, adding your own creative stamp to your wedding can look great and save you money. From DIY wedding invitations to flowers, favours, centrepieces and decorations, getting creative with your wedding day can give your day a more personal touch.

At Huntsmill Farm we love seeing everyone’s decorations in the barn. Seeing our couples showcasing their DIY efforts really brings our venue to life. With DIY weddings increasing in popularity, our Wedding and Events Manager, Emily, has created a beginners guide to creating a DIY macramé hanging hoop to help with some inspiration for your wedding craft projects! For this pattern you will use only two types of knot; a larks head knot and a double half hitch.

How to create your own DIY macramé hanging hoop

To create your own DIY macrame hanging hoop you will need the following items:

1mm of macramé cord
A pair of scissors
A tape measure
Clear sticky tape
2 hanging hoops of different sizes – for this design we have used an 8 inch and a 6-inch hoop

First you want to arrange the 2 hoops together, binding them with tape at the top of the join.

Then cut 20 individual cords from your macramé cord, each cord being 58 inches in length.

Take the first cord and fold it in half to create a loop at the top.

Using a lark’s head knot slip the loop under the rings, and use two fingers to pull the ends through the loop. Once through, tighten and secure in place.

Thread the cord under the bottom of the first ring and over the bottom of the second ring and separate the ends of the cords.

Next take the tail of the right cord and take over the hoop on the right side, then take the tail over to the left side and pull through the loop in the middle to create a double half hitch. Repeat this pattern using the left cord.

Pull the cords together at the bottom and repeat the process with 9 further individual cords until you have 10 cords in total.

Take a new cord and fold it in half to create a loop, and use a lark’s head knot to secure it to the rings in the same position as the other 10. Take the left-hand cord and pull it over the original cords and secure to the bottom of the first ring using a double half hitch.

Continue the process with a further 9 cords. Once complete, arrange the cords at the bottom and top so they are all in line with no gaps between each knot. Now you should be able to see the crossover pattern complete and even.

Next create a small gap at the top in the middle of the cords. You should have 10 knots either side of the small gap.

Cut a small strand of cord around 7 inches long, and fold it in half to create a loop.

Push the loop through the back of the small opening at the top and pull the ends through the loop, then tighten and secure in place. Now knot the ends at the desired length to create your hanging knot on your DIY macramé hanging hoop.

Hang in place and cut the remaining hanging cords to the length and design you wish. This design looks great with straight hanging cords or vertically cut cords.

And voila!!! Your DIY macramé hoop hanging should be complete. You can always take your design one step further by creating further patterns using the hanging cords or embellish the hoop with artificial foliage to fit in with your theme.

We’ve seen macramé used in lots of different ways to decorate the barn, it creates a great rustic theme against the stonework of the walls. Previously we had a bright, bold and colourful styled shoot with Festival Brides, who used macramé as part of the theme to decorate our barn photographed by Sam Bennett Photography and Film. Our talented Emily actually made the macramé ceremony backdrop for this shoot! The use of macramé, flowers and colours looked beautiful in our barn, and helped to create a statement style.

If you have a go at creating your own DIY macramé hanging hoop for your wedding, we’d love to see your photos of how it’s turned out! Keep an eye out on our blog for more DIY tips and ideas for your wedding decorations.

The Shed at Huntsmill Farm

March 19, 2021 by Huntsmill Farm

I am so hugely excited to reveal our big secret…the Shed at Huntsmill Farm. This beauty is our brand new outdoor wedding structure! We’ve been wanting to hold licensed weddings outside for such a long time so we’re super happy we can now offer this second space as an alternative option for your wedding day. The licence application is with the Buckinghamshire Registrars and we’re expecting the approval any day now. Its location is perfect for warm spring and summer weddings and it has incredible picturesque views of the Buckinghamshire countryside.

We wanted it to fit into the surroundings around Huntsmill Farm and not look out of place on the farm so we opted for a rustic style. We used reclaimed roof timbers from one of our old barns along with corrugated tin for the roof.

We’re in the process of adding a PA system with speakers and a microphone to make sure all of your guests can hear the ceremony. This will also allow you to play music as you walk down the aisle. Your guests will be sat on sturdy wooden benches, which we have angled, so everyone fits in nicely.

The Shed was built over the winter so there’s little in the way of crops behind it in these images but in a few short months the view will look very different!

In the beginning

This is how we started. Getting the perfect angle was actually quite tricky and there were a fair few debates between ourselves and our amazing builders on what we should do.

We got there in the end though and it wasn’t long before the basic structure, which the builders built in our old stables barn, was in place.

The roof

Next up the roof was carefully added through some of the coldest winter days we had. By this stage it really started to take shape and you could begin to imagine what the finished structure was going to be like.

Barnaby especially enjoyed the process and having the builders around and tried to be in every photo I took of the shed!

The floor

Then came the snow and ice and things got a bit more tricky! Our heroic builders pushed on to start the floor and another debate ensued as to how high the floor should be. Not too high so guests can’t see properly and not too low so there’s still a sense of occasion. Willow also decided she’d like to join in the game of getting in all the photos!

Once the floor was finished the sides went up and the snow melted. The different textures look really fab together and there’s lots of places you can add decorations for your ceremony.

The Shed is Finished!

We hope you love it as much as we do. It makes me smile when we walk past it, it’s like it has always been there. Not to be left out, Hazel got involved in the photobombing too!

Huge thanks to our builders Tom, Lewis and Ian for bringing our vision to life! If you’re interested in seeing The Shed as an idea for your wedding day, get in touch to arrange a viewing.

A quick round up of Huntsmill Farm 2020 styled shoots

December 27, 2020 by Huntsmill Farm

We’ve been lucky enough to have four inspirational wedding styled shoots here over the past year and I thought I’d do a quick round up so you can see all the beautiful creations the amazing teams came up with. Two have been published in top wedding blogs with two awaiting publication in 2021. I know you’ll love them as much as I do!

One

First up we have a delightfully elegant shoot organised by Kimberley Rose Designs and shot by Elsie Love Photography. This one was published on Bridal Musings and has a real ‘classic with a contemporary twist’ vibe.

I love the beautiful roses accompianed by blousy foliage used throughout by Forever Blossom to create an English country garden feel. The amazing ceremony backdrop along with the foliage running down the aisle makes it all feel gloriously abundant.

Yellow is my favourite colour so I absolutley adore the ribbon and roses that just pop of the page! The beautifully sophisticated stationery by White Cottage Wedding Stationery fits perfectly. The green envelopes and indulgent wax seal are just flawless! I could talk about this shoot all day but if you’d like to see more then you can find the full gallery on Bridal Musings.

Credits

Planning and design: Kimberley Rose Designs
Photographer: Elsie Love Photography
Hair & Make-up: Jodie Elleanor
Headdress: Isabella Henry
Flowers & Decor: Forever Blossom
Cake: La Belle Cake Company
Bridal boutique: Mirror Mirror Couture
Wedding dress designer: Naomi Neoh
Stationery: White Cottage Weddings
Silk ribbons: Cfleurs Design

Two

Next up we have something completely different! We challenged our own Wedding and Events Coordinator Emily to do her first styled wedding photoshoot for us and she absolutely rose to the occasion! This shoot was carried out in a covid-secure way during the summer and was such a joyful day. It was the perfect creative outlet for everyone after being stifled for so long by the goverment restrictions on weddings. This was also the first time our new rustic tables got their first outing!

Emily wanted to create a wedding that was bright and fun but also eco-friendly, using sustainable elements throughout. I think the team absolutely nailed the brief! The incredibly talented Sam Bennett (one of our preferred partners) photographed and filmed this with stunning results! Keep your eyes peeled for publication on the Festival Brides blog early in 2021.

This wedding shoot was a delight from start to finish! We were very lucky to have some Huntsmill favourites involved including flowers by Sorcha Herbert, hair and make-up by Niki Lawrence, stationery by Anna Jayne Designs and cake by Cherry Tree Cakerie. You can find them all on our preferred partners page.

Niki suggested using a coloured wig in line with Emily’s bright and bold theme with fabulous results. It really picks up the accent colours in the devine flowers which brings the whole look together.

The multi-talented Emily created an incredible macramé ceremony backdrop. Smaller pieces of macramé were dotted throughout the shoot to add a whimsical feel to the bold colours. Anna from Anna Jayne Designs echoed this element in her stationery. I love love love the lemon envelopes!

There are so many elements of this shoot which would be easy to recreate for your own wedding. The bold flowers, lemon place names and macramé pieces are all really easy ways to create a statement style. Watch out for a macramé ‘how to’ from Emily coming soon!

Credits

Planning and design: Emily (Huntsmill Farm)
Photographer: Sam Bennett Photography & Film
Hair & Make-up: Niki Make-up
Flowers & Decor: Sorcha Herbert Flowers
Cake: Cherry Tree Cakerie
Bridal boutique: Lisa Lyons Bridalwear
Groomswear: The Vintage Suithire Company
Accessories: The Lucky Sixpence
Stationery: Anna Jayne Designs

Three

Third up is a shoot that has just been published in Whimsical Wonderland Weddings. This boho-inspired outdoor styled shoot, the brainchild of Roshni Photography, has a fun, dreamy feel. Peachy hues, dried flowers and macramé elements (including Emily’s fab backdrop) set the perfect summer scene. The low table, cushions and rugs create a fun, relaxed vibe I am so onboard with!

Dried flowers are so big right now and The Thatched Florist perfectly illustrates exactly why in this shoot! The flower crown is fun, yet understated and so wearable for a real wedding.

These photos make me yearn for long balmy summer days. I love how warm and inviting this shoot is. Plus anything with a horse in always gets my vote!

Credits

Concept & Photography: Roshni Photography
Styling, Planning & Coordination: The Hullabaloo Collective
Dress: Poppy Perspective
Props: Anthology Vintage Hire
Crockery: Classic Crockery Event Hire
Stationery: Ink and Paper
Florist: The Thatched Florist
Hair: Hair by Holly
Macramé Hairpieces: @cottonandwildbridal
Cake: Lisa Adams Cakes
Macramé Dream Catchers & Cake Decor: Wye Knot Bridal
Custom Silk Fabrics: Ambers Rose
Ring Bearer Crochet Cushion: To Be Adorned
Jewellery: Julia Thompson
Large Macramé Backdrop Emily – Huntsmill Farm
Videographer: Cal MacBeth
Humanist Celebrant: Humanist Caroline
Models: Megan & Michael
Make Up Artist: Michelle, Head Artist at Make-up Artistry London

Four

Lastly we snuck the final fabulous styled shoot in before BoJo got jiggy with the tier system in December and what a spectacular one to finish on! Gemma from Gemma Randall Photography and Victoria from Very Special Events bring together classic elements of white and pale blush to create a shoot that oozes elegance and style. The crisp clean styling against the pale stone of the barn walls is a look that is completely timeless and very easy to recreate for your own big day. I also really love a bow tie!

The paper cranes are just beautiful and make me want to grab a handful of paper and start folding. Such a clever idea to turn something very simple into a complete showstopper piece.

As this shoot is so recent I don’t have any publication details to share but I’m sure it will be snapped up straight away. As soon as I have the details I’ll add the link to the published blog so you can all see the full gallery.

Credits

Photography, Planning & concept: Gemma Randall Photography
Styling, prop hire & concept: Very Special Events
Flowers: Floral Arch
Hair & make-up: Rachael Capocci
Dress: Silver Sixpence Bridal Boutique
Jumpsuit: Star Jasmine Studio
Cake: Jessi Cakes
Stationery: PS Weddings
Veil: Rebecca Anne Designs
Hair Accessories: Saint Beth
Models: Her Heart His Soul

Its always a privilege to host such creative, professional wedding suppliers and I can’t wait to see the styled shoots 2021 will bring us!

Elope to Huntsmill Farm

November 24, 2020 by Huntsmill Farm

Two blog posts in two weeks, I’m spoiling you! Today I’ve got something a little different for you. I’d like to announce a new option for getting married at Huntsmill Farm. If you’re so ready to get married but don’t want the pressure of a ‘big’ day then this might something for you. We have put together a simple elopement package which allows you to have the beautiful farm setting, an intimate ceremony and a luxurious stay all rolled into one. No fuss or frills, just love.

Some people are planners. They thrive on organising everything and really get into curating the perfect wedding. I was one of them – Pinterestaholic right here! For others though the thought of a big wedding with all the glitz, glam and planning that goes into it can be a bit overwhelming. This is where an elopement at Huntsmill Farm could be the option for you! We want to provide the perfect intimate wedding without the pressure.

What’s included?

So what would an elopement at Huntsmill Farm look like? The barn is available for your ceremony and any drinks you’d like afterwards. We can provide two witnesses or you can bring your own. Our gardens and grounds are yours for the duration of your stay so you can still get beautful photos of your day. You get the Old Dairy, our newly renovated honeymoon cottage, for one night, stocked with a bottle of chilled champagne. We have also curated a select list of suppliers who have created their own exclusive Huntsmill Farm elopement packages. To find out more visit click here.

If you think eloping might be for you then Hitched have published an amazing article all about it which you can find here. It details all the practicalities and legalities and deals with everything an elopement involves including things you might not have thought of.

New Rustic Tables

November 17, 2020 by Huntsmill Farm

Back in the summer whilst still in lockdown Henry and Louis started a little project to keep their brains ticking over and help them look forward to a time when weddings might begin again. They beavered away diligently and we now have some amazing rustic tables. Ta da! We’ve had the idea for a while now as when we’ve seen wooden tables against the stone walls of the barn they look so good and create a very different look to the round tables. At least something good came out of lockdown. They’re now all finished and we have 14 shiny new tables ready for use! They can seat up to 100 and come at no extra charge so you can choose to have either the round or rustic tables depending on your style and the look you want for the day.

With the help of the magic Roo Stain (who you can find on our preferred partners page) we had a little photo shoot to show you the various layouts you can opt for depending on the number of guests you have. They’ve even been road tested in a couple of actual weddings. I know, crazy talk right now! Below you’ll find set-ups for 55, 70 and 100 people. We’ve also arranged them for weddings of 30 and 15 so you can see what a Covid restricted layout might look like. We think they look ace!

55 people

70 people

100 people

30 people

15 people

If those aren’t enough to wet your whistle then check out how lovely the rustic tables look in Becky Harley’s dreamy photography of a recent wedding here.

We hope you love them as much as we do! As always if you’ve got any questions then don’t hesitate to get in touch. You can find all our contact details here.

Top Tips – Eco-friendly wedding flowers

October 19, 2020 by Huntsmill Farm

I am so excited to be back on the Huntsmill blog and today I have a real treat for you! I have had the privilege to work with Lizzy from The Flower Story on a tropical themed styled shoot we did back in July 2019. Today she’s hear to talk to you all about how to have beautiful but more eco-friendly flowers at your wedding. She’s a true master of her craft so settle in and listen up!

Flowers are such an important part of a wedding. Not only are they beautiful and smell delicious but they work hard for you too. They can bring a colour scheme together and fill your ceremony room with life, movement and texture. They also create memories – the scent of a stunning garden rose will forever transport you back to your wedding day. Plus let’s face it, there is nothing like an arrangement of really good flowers (I admit it, as a florist and flower lover I might be a little biased here!)

Historically weddings and being eco-friendly haven’t gone hand in hand. However, times are changing fast and at The Flower Story sustainability, recycling, re-using and reducing are all very important aspects of the business and we always take time to chat through this with our clients.

If you are planning a wedding and you would like to have flowers but want to be more eco-friendly here are a few things you can think about.

Sourcing flowers

If you are conscious about air miles then British and locally grown flowers are a great option. British flowers are known for their quirky looks and beautiful scent. Each flower will be slightly different but it will be full of character!

British flowers are at their peak between April and September. So if you love an organic, natural look and your wedding falls in the right month ask your florist about using locally grown flowers in your arrangements.

Seasonality is an important consideration when exploring locally grown flowers. Joules from Willow and Thyme has written a great blog post about this here.

Alternatives to cut flowers

If you want to steer clear of cut flowers there are alternatives. Herbs, plants and trees are all beautiful and can be used at your wedding. Ceremony arches made out of birch trees surrounded by foxgloves, grasses and moss look beautiful and after your wedding they can be planted in your garden.

Small potted herbs and plants intertwined with ivy and votives look great dotted down long tables. After your wedding you can create a herb garden that will provide herbs for cooking for months after your big day.

Recycling

Think about the vessels you are using for your flowers. Try and avoid plastic and use glass vases, or even better recycled, glass vases. Don’t feel you have buy lots of new vases or tea light holders for your wedding. You can hire them (your florist will have plenty to choose from), borrow them from a friend or hunt down gorgeous second hand ones in charity shops. Or you can use jam jars or gin bottles. All of these make great vases and look beautiful when filled with flowers.

Single use plastics

Recent studies have shown how damaging floral foam is to the environment. For many years florists have used foam as a way to anchor flowers in arrangements using it in arches, table centres, urn arrangements – pretty much everywhere. Unfortunately it is a non biodegradable plastic which is full of carcinogenic chemicals. It’s pretty nasty stuff.

When you talk to your florist ask them how they are planning to make your stunning ceremony arch or statement urn. A good florist will have plenty of foam free alternatives up their sleeve. Perhaps it will be something as simple as chicken wire and water filled vessels. And not only does this give your arrangements a more natural look your flowers will be a lot happier sitting in water too.

Re-using

Think about what is going to happen to your flowers after your wedding. If you would like your guests to take flower posies home with them this may determine the type of table centres you have. Small hand tied bouquets dotted down your guest tables are easy to scoop out of their vases and give to your guests. Flower filled urns are easy to donate to flower lovers. Flower garlands wound round candelabras can be a little trickier!

And if you are having a statement flower arch or a flower filled milk churn ask your florist to pop all the flowers into buckets for you when they are taking them apart.

And lastly, when your flowers have done their thing don’t thrown them in landfill. Pop them in the compost bin, let them break down and then work them back into the soil.

If you’d like to talk to Lizzy from The Flower Story you can find all her details on our preferred partners page here.

Top tips – how to style an Autumnal Wedding?

September 18, 2020 by Huntsmill Farm

Beautiful natural landscape, rustic and warm wedding colours and hearty autumnal flavours… it’s no wonder couples opt for an autumnal wedding! If you are planning a small gathering to say ‘I do’ this autumn we have plenty of autumnal wedding ideas for you!

Colour Scheme

We all start off with our colour scheme and what we will be working with during this beautiful season. Here is an example of some modern autumn colours which would work perfectly with the orange and yellow coloured leaves falling off the trees!

Photo: Hannah Hall, Styling: Beau Bright Events, Flowers: Florae Foray

Bridesmaid and Groomsmen

If your wedding is in a cooler location you may want to pick a heavier fabric for your bridesmaid dresses or have an entourage wearing pashminas or fur over coats to keep the chill at bay. The men can also bring in the style with vintage suits, dark polished brown shoes or walking canes with a floral inspired accessory.

Photo: Hannah Hall, Suit: Vintage Suit Hire, Flowers: Florae Foray

Wedding Flowers

If you are planning a seasonal wedding, then you will have some amazing choices of blooms at this time of the year. You can treat yourself to Cosmos, Zinnias, Snapdragons, Delphiniums, Dahlias, Amaranthus, Echinacea, Roses, Amaranth, Poppies, Sunflowers, Feverfew (which are part of the daisy family) Scabious and Chocolate Cosmos (which is an amazing deep red colour) and decorate them with Ammi, Verbena (beautiful deep purple), Ivy, Flowering Mint and Lavender (for an amazing scent), Acorns, Rosehips, Thistles, Dusty Miller, Crab apples, Feathers, Autumn Leaves and Chinese Lanterns.

Photo: Hannah Hall, Flowers: Florae Foray, Dress: Viviem Bellish Bridal

There are so many more amazing varieties to choose and mix together to create a wonderful flower display or bouquet.

Wedding cake trends

At this time of the year it’s a great excuse to take on a More rustic style cake, with drizzles of ganache or caramel down the side, “rough” buttercream icing now known as a naked cake! These look stunning decorated with lots of season fruits and flowers. If you are wanting to stick more to your theme and incorporate an autumnal touch, you can create something amazing just like Cherry Tree Cakery did to this inspirational cake! At this wedding the florist used orange and dark pink flowers with deep green foliage and dark red berries all displayed on wooden hanging beams and wall displays. We think this cake really hit the brief along with the rest of the theme!

Photo: Hannah Hall, Cake: Cherry Tree Cakerie

Reference: Wedding Venue