Modern Wedding Design with Abundance of Elegant Florals
The Brief: Botanical Decadence
The early spring sunshine streams through the windows, casting a warm glow on the tallest stems adorning the tables. The flowers echo the pale yellow of the light and its delicacy. Pops of peach, orange, and fresh spring green draw the eye through the design, leading you to a magnificent floral arch. Seemingly oversized, yet so light, it fits the space perfectly. As you step closer, you are drawn into the pathway of flowers, drinking in the scent at every step. The design feels soft and elegant yet, modern and bold through the pops of colour and understated tablescaping.
Venue: Wildhive Callow Hall Country House Hotel
It’s a common misconception that working with locally grown flowers leads to a rustic look—but nothing could be further from the truth!
This editorial photoshoot was designed to showcase maximalist floral design while embracing sustainability.
The venue, Wildhive Callow Hall, was chosen after an extensive search for a place that was not only beautiful but also aligned with the editorial’s principles. Callow Hall is a picture-perfect historic manor house, built of stone with heritage features that feel quintessentially British. The same stone is used on the stone walls in the estate and the surrounding Peak District national park. The menus are seasonal and locally sourced, and their focus on local suppliers and their place in the Derbyshire countryside is evident throughout.
The recently renovated interiors, with their exceptional use of colour and pattern, provide the perfect backdrop for a luxurious English country wedding. And let’s not forget the impeccable service—and a spa on-site!
The moment I walked into the Dovedale room, I knew it was perfect. The bespoke wallpaper and the gentle light filtering through the large, stone-framed windows created an atmosphere of pure magic. This is the perfect space for a welcome dinner or the most intimate of wedding ceremonies.
Flowers: A Spring Wedding in Bloom
As a wedding florist, spring is my favourite time of year, a time of renewal and new beginnings, so we planned for a spring editorial. March is very early in the British flower growing season, with few flowers in bloom. While flower choices were extremely limited, the end result shows that this does not need to limit the design.
To demonstrate the transformative power of flowers, we created an oversized arch and a full tablescape of flowers. All of the florals were designed to make the Dovedale room feel part of the design, blending flowers and space into one for greater impact. Taking inspiration from the bespoke wallpaper, the colour palette included greens, yellows, and whites with highlights of peach and orange to add depth and vibrancy. This palette tied in with the spring season and the association of yellow with Easter.
The oversized arch was created over two days on-site, while the tablescape was created in the studio and moved to the venue for finishing touches.
The design was organic; allowing the curves and shapes in the foliage branches to guide the design. Gaps in the flowers allowed the wallpaper to peek through, blending the room and flowers into one. Asymmetric grouping of flowers then drew the eye into the design pausing at each focal area.
A similar approach was taken with the tablescape, foliage seemingly tumbling out of bowls. An abundance of flowers at different heights brought colour to the more neutral linens and tableware. The finishing touch was, of course, lots of Ester and Erik candles in the most beautiful colours.
Flower Choices
At the start and end of the growing season, flower choices can be limited. However, there is an abundance of daffodils and tulips in March. These might typically jump to mind as wedding flowers, but breaking down assumptions was important for this editorial. These truly seasonal flowers allowed the design to become part of the wider setting, fitting perfectly with the daffodils blooming in Callow Hall’s gardens.
- Daffodils – unusual pink daffodils grown in Cornwall
- Narcissus – highly scented paper white narcissus with a crown of tiny star-shaped flowers
- Tulips – double ruffled cream and elegantly pointed peach varieties grown in Lincolnshire
- Snowflakes – not snowdrops! For those delicate nodding heads
- Honesty – shimmering pearly seed heads dried from last year’s flowers
- Birch twigs – with the cutest lime green baby leaves
Plus absolutely heaps of evergreen foliage, including pittosporum and ivy.
Sustainability Considerations
The entire design was created from British-grown flowers and foliage. This supports local businesses and is more sustainable as there are no air miles, and far fewer pesticides and chemicals are used than with imported flowers.
No floral foam was used, and the only single-use plastic was cable ties.
Bringing Your Dream Wedding to Life with Bold, Beautiful Flowers
Looking to create a modern, maximalist wedding with a sustainable floral design? Get in touch today to bring your dream wedding vision to life with British-grown blooms and elegant, bold floral arrangements that transform your venue into a breathtaking celebration.
Meet the Team Behind This Callow Hall Wedding Editorial
Concept & Florals: Limewood Flowers | Wedding Planner: Rachel Dalton Weddings | Venue: Wildhive Callow Hall | Photographer: Tammy Shun | Bridalwear: Rolling in Roses | Makeup Artist: Jessica Rose | Menswear: Andrew J Musson | Tableware: The Luxe Collection | Stationery: Studio Anika | Videographer: North Sky Studio | Accessories: Botias Accessories
