Every now and then, a wedding comes along that truly epitomises the quintessential English summer wedding. For us at Corky and Prince, Karina and Mat's glorious July day at Hamswell House near Bath was precisely that celebration last year. It was a day where every detail whispered elegance and the abundant sunshine felt like a personal blessing. The florals were a celebration of delicate summer pastels in shades of ivory, blue, blush and lilac, echoing the natural hues of the idyllic gardens at this classic country house in south Gloucestershire.
Photography by Helen Cawte Photography. Planning by Weddings by Freya Jane
Love Notes - Client Review
"A massive thank you to Corky and Prince being absolutely incredible florists on our wedding day. From the moment Mum and I met you, we knew we had our flowers in safe hands! You truly got our vision and we have had so many compliments about the beautiful ceremony flowers, the arch and marquee foliage and the outside trees. Helen's fabulous photos have allowed me to take in all the details and it really was beautiful. Thank you to your wonderful team who worked so hard on the lead up to the wedding and on the day."
Karina and Mat
Hamswell House
Crafting an Idyllic Backdrop: Pastel Flowers for Your Hamswell House Vows
This was a truly beautiful family wedding, meticulously planned by the talented wedding planner Freya Jane and sublimely captured by photographer Helen Cawte. The journey to create their dream Hamswell House wedding flowers began when the bride, Karina, and her mother visited my home studio in the heart of the Cotswolds. We spent cherished hours discussing their aspirations, sketching out ideas, and delving into the delicate nuances of their desired aesthetic. We ultimately settled on a soft and harmonious blend of creams, pinks, pale blues, and purples, a pastel summer wedding palette that perfectly complemented the natural beauty of the Bath wedding setting. Our focal flowers, carefully selected for their exquisite beauty and timeless appeal, were luscious garden roses and ethereal clematis, bringing that quintessential English garden wedding feel to every arrangement.
Pastel Bridal Bouquet with a natural cascade and bridesmaids in print dresses
The bridal party's dresses were a vision of summer charm. The bridesmaids styled the day in light blue print short dresses, their movement catching the gentle breeze. The groom and groomsmen, dapper in their mid-blue suits, were ideally dressed for the glorious, wall-to-wall sunshine we were so fortunate to experience that day. This cohesive styling, from the soft fabrics to the delicate blooms, made for a truly picturesque celebration, highlighting why Hamswell House is such a popular choice for a summer wedding near Bath.
A fully floral broken arch under the ancient lime tree for an outdoor ceremony
One of the many highlights of Hamswell House, a truly enchanting Wiltshire wedding venue, is the majestic presence of the ancient trees on the formal lawns just outside the house. This idyllic setting makes the perfect place for a breathtaking outdoor wedding ceremony, with the tall, venerable trees providing a beautiful dappled shade and a natural, elegant canopy for your guests.
Karina and Mat chose this quintessential English garden setting for their Wiltshire wedding, and were blessed with a gloriously warm day, perfectly enhancing the romantic atmosphere. As guests gathered, a string quartet provided a classic, timeless musical vibe, setting a sophisticated tone. For their luxury wedding flowers, the entrance to the grass aisle was adorned with a stunning floral installation of rustic baskets overflowing with spectacular hydrangeas and towering delphiniums. The aisle itself was gracefully lined with whimsical meadow flowers, creating an ethereal pathway that perfectly led to their vows.
The focal point of their ceremony wedding flowers was a truly magnificent broken floral arch, artfully positioned under the grand old lime tree. This sprawling arch, bursting with an abundance of locally grown wedding flowers in soft pinks, delicate lavenders, and serene blues, created an utterly captivating backdrop. As their dedicated Wiltshire wedding florist, we ensured it beautifully framed the couple, making their vows an even more picturesque and unforgettable moment amidst a natural, bespoke floral embrace.
Pastel marquee flowers with rattan lampshades and foliage canopies at Hamswell House near Bath
The elegant white marquee at Hamswell House stands as a magnificent centrepiece for unforgettable celebrations. It is strategically sited in a sheltered spot to the side of the main house, offering truly superlative views out across the undulating countryside towards the historic city of Bath – making it an unparalleled Bath wedding venue and a jewel among Cotswolds wedding locations. A particularly popular and charming feature of this bespoke marquee is the series of warm Edison lights that elegantly suspend from its rustic wooden beams, casting a romantic glow as evening descends. To beautifully soften this industrial detail and unite the entire marquee wedding flowers scheme, we meticulously covered these lights with lush, flowing greenery, and thoughtfully hung whimsical rattan lampshades, adding a delightful and unique design feature that perfectly complemented the natural surroundings.
As your dedicated Wiltshire wedding florist, our floral artistry began even before guests stepped inside. A grand, impactful greenery installation crafted from native hornbeam and birch created a stunning, organic entrance to the tent. This floral installation served as a magnificent welcome, setting the tone for the abundant luxury wedding flowers that awaited inside and seamlessly blending the marquee with the beautiful Hamswell House grounds.
Inside, the guest tables were transformed into exquisite tablescapes, designed to perfectly complement the overall aesthetic of this Wiltshire wedding. Each table was styled with our beautiful handmade artisan ceramic bowls, overflowing with a bounty of soft, enchanting pastel flowers. These delicate blooms, carefully selected by our expert team, brought a gentle charm and sophisticated colour palette to the reception flowers. Dusky blue candles, casting a warm glow, and elegantly knotted napkins made for an informally charming yet refined place setting for each cherished guest. Every detail of the wedding styling was considered, ensuring a cohesive and inviting atmosphere that spoke of effortless elegance.
The true piece de resistance of this Hamswell House wedding was undoubtedly the spectacular wedding cake. This three-tier showstopper, a masterwork designed by the incredibly talented Clare from Cake Daydreams, was exquisitely decorated with sugarcraft replicas of the actual luxury wedding flowers used throughout the day. This meticulous attention to detail created a breathtaking visual harmony. To elevate this stunning creation even further and provide a real 'Wow factor' moment for the wedding decor, the beautiful broken floral arch from the outdoor ceremony was ingeniously repurposed to frame the cake. This grand floral installation served as a magnificent backdrop, making the cake a truly iconic focal point of the reception and a testament to the transformative power of well-planned marquee wedding flowers. As a premier Wiltshire wedding florist, we pride ourselves on designing bespoke florals that create such memorable moments and a truly cohesive event design.
The Dream Team of Wedding Professionals
Wedding Planner: @weddingsbyfreyajane
Photographer: @helencawtephotography
Venue: @hamswellhouse
Floral Design: @corkyandprince
Cake designer @cakedaydreams
MUA @melissaoldridge
Stationery: @dove_and_lace
Caterers: @queenandwhippet
Music: @boujeemusiclive
Table ware: @theluxecollectionuk and @blacksaucertableware
Photobooth: @flashfoxbooth
Napkins: @theknottednapkinco