How to create a bespoke drinks menu for your wedding
Your wedding should be as personalised, luxurious and enjoyable as possible, and the drinks menu...
We receive so many wonderful words of wisdom from our experts that sometimes we can't fit it all in the magazine. That was certainly the case with our 'Flower power' feature that appears in the current issue (Feb/Mar) of Your Sussex Wedding. It would be remiss of us to keep it from you, so here is the extended cut, if you like, broken down into handy seasonal sections.
So here we are week two of our four part series and we're looking at...
SUMMER
Samantha Karlsson, Samantha Karlsson Flowers, www.samanthakarlssonflowers.co.uk
Late spring/early summer is all about the Peony, one of my personal favourites and an elegant, timeless wedding flower. With their large blousy heads, they are stunning in both formal and relaxed, natural style bouquets. They only available for a very short time (April to July) so if you must have them on your wedding day, plan the date of your wedding for when they are available.
If it’s a relaxed English cottage garden style you are after then delicate smelling sweet peas, soft pastel shades of scabiosa, pretty campanula bells and cosmos are a great summer choice. Long feathery astilbe will add a touch of chic or pretty and delicate star shaped astrantia a more textural effect. Adding flowering herbs such as rosemary and mint to bouquets will also add a wonderful texture and sensory experience. Tall, true blue delphiniums will add an impressive touch in large scale arrangements,or if its cheerful colours you are after, zinnias are ideal and have that just picked look.
For an informal, natural wild flower style then delicate blue and pink shades of cornflower, romantic nigella (love-in-a-mist), tall spiked foxgloves and pretty delicate daucus (Queen Anne’s lace) are just perfect, especially for barn weddings.
Kelly Kearley, Not Your Average Flowers, www.notyouraverageido.com/flowers
For Summer the favourite has to be the peony. Such a fleeting season for this bloom which is so versatile for weddings in it's many hues from snowy white, through to the palest and strongest pinks and into coral, finally finishing at the deep end of the spectrum in dark marsala and burgundy.
Other summer favourites available later in the season and that give a really rustic vibe to any wedding would be the likes of cornflowers, nigella, scabious and delphinium. Long and leggy flowers really accentuating the natural and meadowy feel so many brides are looking for.
Steph Willoughby, Chirpee Flowers, www.chirpee.net
Some the most sought-after flowers are at their best now, lucky you if you have chosen Summer to tie the knot.
Flower of the Season: Dahlia
Dahlias have made a huge comeback in recent years and are one of the most requested bridal flowers. We are seeing a burst of colour next year, brides are choosing bright colour explosions to celebrate their summer wedding. Hydrangeas, astilbe, stocks, nigella (love in the mist) and scented garden roses are strong favourites.
Budget tip: If you want the best seasonal and most cost-effective flowers, choose gorgeous British locally grown materials.
Décor Trend: Wearing floral crowns is set to continue with brides wanting lots of flowers for their hair. Bring summer inside your ceremony room with colourful fresh flower arches and stunning flower chandeliers.
Top tip: Go tropical for a flamboyant statement, choose magenta ginger flowers, heliconia and sultry red gloriosa lilies, bold beautiful and very different.
Annabel Grange, Butterflies and Bows, www.butterfliesandbows.co.uk
One of the most popular styles for summer 2019 is ‘romantic luxury’ – designs using lots of larger tumbling flower displays with a romantic twist and a pinch of luxury.
Beautiful, big, blousy summer blooms such as peony and hydrangeas mixed with roses and delicate freesias to add fragrance. I would add delicate diamonte clusters to bouquets to add a touch of sparkle! Hydrangeas tumbling from large Martini vases create a wow factor for tables, set on a mirror plate with some crystals.
Top tip: Do remember some flower types will not look their best if used for displays out of water for any length of time in hotter months – e.g Hydrangeas, gerberas, cornflower to name a few. Talk to your florist to ensure more robust flowers are used for these type of displays or correct ‘mechanics’ to keep them fresh.
Nicky Milligan, Buds That Bloom, www.budsthatbloom.co.uk
Beautiful peonies are the classic flower for a summer wedding, cornflowers, nigella, lavender and hydrangeas in shades of pink, purple and blues are perfect for those hot and hazy summer weddings.