SET THE SCENE

Style every inch of your venue with this top advice

Whether your venue’s a blank canvas for you to go wild or perfectly styled and just needing your personal touches, our local pros have got it covered right here!

TOBY ROBERTS, TBR FLORAL DESIGN www.tbrfloraldesign.co.uk

Floral arches… These look amazing as a backdrop for your ceremony. This arch was bespoke and matched the high table displays that created an aisle runner. The perspex stands made it look like the vases were floating. The aisle runners doubled up as table centrepieces. Bring the outside in… If your room’s quite empty but with greenery outside, bring the outside in with foliage. Here, we created tree-like centrepieces packed with roses, bases filled with fresh fruit and added trailing ivy garlands around the pillars too.

One large focal point… If your tables are placed around a central point, be sure to dress it! Here we used a large blossom tree and brought in plants and grasses to create an oasis feel in the marquee.

Darker venues… Use uplighters and add colour to change the feel of your venue. Use candlelight as much as possible – I always encourage using tea lights, floating candles and pillar candles in lanterns to create that cosy, romantic ambience. Centrepieces… A mixture of high and low displays works well. Make sure that whatever you choose doesn’t obstruct your guest’s views. If your tables are laid out banquet style, place flowers in between where people sit so it’s not directly in front of their faces. Framing the top table… This is the biggest focal point of your venue, where most pictures are taken by guests. Use low flowers so the bridal party aren’t hidden and to create impact, add arrangements above and in front of the table.

Ceiling statements… If you want your venue styling to stand out, be sure to include some eye-catching floral ceiling statements. We love installing these arrangements.

You can include clouds of dried flowers, bunches of grasses, garlands of fresh or dried hops, seasonal branches, or classical greenery like moody ivy, scented eucalyptus, and minimal vines.

For a more boho look, suspend potted plants in cradles that might include textured succulents and lacey ferns, giving a home-from-home vibe. These plants can either be hired in or bought and then given as post-wedding gifts, which is an easy way to find a wedding budget saving.

At Mimi Fleur, we love being given a brief to go big and bold and to create a ‘romantic floral en-masse’, venue permitting.

Depending on the time of the year, couples can go wildly colourful or include elegant dripping roses or upside-down single tulip stems.

Floral hanging installations transform the guests’ focal point and make for those strike-a-pose photo opportunities.

Aerial focal points to consider include above the ceremony, top table and table plan but also above the dance floor for that perfect first dance.

www.fringe-photography.com www.cmorevision.com

www.cmorevision.com

Dressing a mantlepiece… This creates a beautiful focal area. From adorning with simple greenery, to an abundance of candles adding beauty and elegance, to a full-on large statement floral mantel design.

https://spostophotography.com www.hiramtrillo.com

Aisle and chair decor… The aisle is such a special area of your wedding and simple décor elevates it. Chair decorations also frame your aisle. Line your aisle with petals, flowers and candles for that wow-factor. Staircase designs… A staircase is a perfect way to make a stunning entrance. Adding florals to simple handrails immediately upgrades the look and feel of your event and brings glamour on its reveal. You can create designs with greenery, lush florals and simple candle and petals arrangements. The combinations are endless.

https://laurenfairphotography.com

Candle decor… Decorating with candles makes a beautiful and warm atmosphere and if your venue allows it, naked flames create a mysterious and uber glamourous finish to your floral designs. LED candles are an alternative and there are very real and authentic candle varieties available. Candles create accent lighting and you can use various styles – floating, taper, hanging candles, tealights, candle sticks and candelabras.

www.boatengphotographic.com

@federicamarte @federicamarte Centrepieces… A venue with tall ceilings could accommodate large centrepieces and a mix of high and low arrangements brings variety and interest to your tables. Glass vases and stands, are perfect and don’t restrict vision. Incorporate candelabras, cylinder candle vases and metal stands to add drama and luxury.

Banquet and long tables lend themselves to table runner styles, with either tall centrepieces, foliage and flower runners, or an abundance of small bud vases filled with flowers along the entire length of the table.

POPULAR FLOWERS AND FOLIAGE…

• Ranunculas - Italian Ranunculi is widely available in the UK.

A papery gorgeous flower in a wide variety of colour. • Roses – the symbol of love. • Peony - One of the most popular for bridal flowers in an abundance of colours, and with a beautiful fragrance. • Lisianthus - Rose like and delicate, a must for bridal bouquets. • Toffee and cappuccino tone flowers. • Pampus gras and dried flowers – trendy and reusable. • Eucalyptus - A popular foliage, with a gorgeous scent, very inexpensive and economical.