A Dream Mediterranean-Style Wedding Shoot Featured in Your Day

The Vision: A Weekend of Laid-Back Luxury

Set in the rolling hills of the Surrey countryside, the shoot unfolded as a full weekend celebration; one of the key differences between a destination wedding and a traditional day-affair being the extending of the celebrations beyond the ceremony, and morphing into a multi-day event. From the intimate rehearsal dinner to the nature-inspired ceremony, elegant marquee reception and the chicest poolside after-party, every element of the shoot was carefully considered to evoke that luxurious-yet-effortless Mediterranean feel. As the floral designer, my role was to weave warmth and romance through every scene; using flowers to enhance the visual atmosphere, set the tone, and zone each portion of the weekend, all whilst maintaining a cohesive aesthetic.

A Warm Welcome: Dinner Under the Festoons

The weekend began with a relaxed and romantic rehearsal dinner at dusk, intended to welcome guests and set the tone for the beginning of the celebration. Set beneath the beautiful pagoda at Oakmead Views, basket lanterns and festoon lights created a soft and romantic glow, whilst rustic textures like the uncovered wooden table, and linen napkins enhanced the relaxed mood. To evoke the essence of a balmy alfresco dinner in the Med, for the florals I drew inspiration from the quintessential ingredients of an Italian summer; vibrant citrus fruits and the iconic Aperol Spritz! Using bright and bold tones in the florals was key to creating a welcoming tablescape and natural atmosphere which exuded warmth and life.

The Ceremony: Framed By Nature 

For the outdoor ceremony, the brief was all about softness and storytelling. The focal point was a structural timber arch which framed the beautiful view and was draped with organic muslin. Allowing the views to take centre stage, the florals were kept simple with versatile wicker baskets overflowing with frothy flowers and foliage to give a natural and laid-back look. The bridal bouquet was similarly natural in style; I used tones of green, white and pale lemon to reference the organic landscape, with lots of texture and movement created through using a variety of seasonal blooms.

A Wedding Breakfast in the Open Air

Set beneath open sides to allow the late afternoon light to pour in, the marquee wedding breakfast was a different tablescape entirely to that of the rehearsal dinner the night before. Leaving behind the bright pops of colour, the wedding breakfast was all about creating a softness and airiness to mimic the wide open vistas visible on all sides. Draped muslins, buttermilk table linen and rattan chargers evoked an effortless romance which nodded to contemporary trends yet felt utterly timeless. Here I kept the florals simple and elegant; using a variety of ikebana style pieces that were dotted along the table and provided a sculptural alternative to the ever-popular bud vase. The palette was crisp whites and buttery yellows; blending the warmth of the rehearsal dinner aesthetic with a more subtle and elegant atmosphere for the wedding breakfast.

Reflections

For me, styled shoots are about more than beautiful imagery; they’re an opportunity to stretch creatively, collaborate with likeminded suppliers and inspire couples to dream big. When designing florals for any event I am always acutely aware of how they fit into the overriding story of the day, or in this case, the weekend. I loved that being part of this shoot allowed me to fully explore the narrative of a full wedding weekend; using the floral design to guide the mood and atmosphere from an energetic and warm welcome, to the emotion and tradition of the ceremony, to the relaxed joy of the wedding breakfast. I believe florals should tell a story, and aid in bringing it to life.

Looking Ahead

If you’re inspired to begin planning your own destination-inspired celebration here in the UK I would love to hear from you! Contact me using our enquiry form and I will be in touch to chat soon.