Read our journey from initial planning stages to delivery of this stunning wedding in Chapel Allerton, Somerset.
The Brief
In early 2024, Bethany & Ben approached J.R Floristry with a request to design the floral arrangements for their upcoming wedding on August 24th in Chapel Allerton, Somerset.
From the outset, we were honoured and excited to be part of their special day, especially with the couple's vision for bright, bold, and seasonal flowers. Their inspiration leaned toward a country cottage feel, brimming with vibrant colors from flowers like Dahlias and Campanula, but with a clear directive: no blue tones and no sunflowers.
Preparation
Once we had the brief in hand, we got straight to work! The couple's vision was extensive—they required flowers for the wedding parties, church arrangements and venue decoration for the marquee where their reception would be held. We spent over eight months meticulously planning, researching, and curating the best floral arrangements to bring their dream to life. Our goal was to create arrangements that not only matched their vision but could also be repurposed throughout the day, offering them excellent value for their investment.
We focused on seasonal blooms, choosing a bright mixture of Dahlias, Roses, Grasses, Delphiniums, Foxgloves, and more; all of these flowers provided depth, movement, height and a gorgeous colour palette. We considered every detail, from the types of flowers used to the logistics of delivery and venue timings. Regular communication with Bethany ensured that we were always on the same page, refining the details and confirming any additional arrangements as the wedding day drew closer. We also coordinated with other suppliers to ensure a seamless delivery process.
As the wedding approached, we pre-ordered the flowers and finalised the sundries needed. At J.R Floristry, we pride ourselves on being organized and efficient, so once the couple confirmed their final requirements, we began preparing weeks in advance. This preparations included tasks from bouquet and arrangment materials to meadow box preparation and ribbon cutting for the beautiful garland that would frame the church entrance where Bethany and Ben would exchange their vows.
However, not everything went off without a hitch! One of the challenges we faced was the logistics of flower delivery. Without a van of our own, we rented one for the weekend to avoid any damage during transportation; but even a medium van proved to be too small! It's a lesson we'll carry forward - always have more space than you think you'll need.
The days leading up to the wedding was a whirlwind of organised chaos! If you've ever met a florist, you'll know how messy our work can be - our studio floor was covered in discarded stems, foliage, and materials with every inch of space taken up by buckets of flowers - all organised in a way that ensured every flower was accounted for.
The Wedding Day
On the day of the wedding, we set off early to start the setup at the church. We adorned the pew ends, placed two large milk churns at the entrance, and arranged four meadow boxes to elevate the chancel. The garland we prepared, complete with bright colored ribbons, framed the church entrance beautifully.
Once the church was ready for the couple and guests arrival, we moved on to the spectacular marquee. Here, we arranged over 90 bud vases on the banquet tables, creating a visual and sensory wonder for the guests.
With two hours until the ceremony, we delivered the wedding party bouquets and provided care instructions to ensure the flowers remained fresh and beautiful throughout the day. After a quick lesson on how to hold a bridal bouquet for maximum effect, we took a well-deserved break for lunch and coffee.
Post-ceremony, we repurposed the church arrangements for the marquee. The pew ends found new homes around the venue, the meadow boxes decorated the table plan and cake stand, and the milk churns and garland enhanced the marquee entrance.
Despite a morning of heavy rain, the weather cleared just 30 minutes before the ceremony, blessing the couple with bright sunshine and blue skies for their special day.
We’re incredibly grateful to Bethany and Ben for choosing J.R Floristry to bring their floral vision to life. We wish them a lifetime of eternal happiness and hope that the flowers from their wedding day remain a cherished memory for years to come.
More pictures can be found on our gallery page.
The Wedding of Bethany & Ben - Somerset, August 2024
James x
J.R Floristry
J.R Floristry aw
arded Wedding Florist of The Year 2024
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