I adore working (and living) in South West England. We have such an abundance of beautiful locations, the most stunning scenery, great links to the big cities and airports and THE most incredible creatives to enable you to book your wedding A-Team. I wanted to just explain a little further and give you my 5 reasons to host your wedding in South West England – a fabulous area choice to say ‘I do’.

Nestled in the heart of Great Britain, the South West of England is a picturesque canvas painted with the vibrant colours of nature, history, and culture. It’s a region where every nook and corner tells a story, every landscape is a backdrop straight out of a fairy tale, and the local flavours add a touch of magic to any celebration. If you’re contemplating saying your vows in this enchanting part of the country, here are 5 reasons reasons to host your wedding in South West England the ideal location for your dream wedding.

1. Dreamy Venues

The South West is home to an eclectic mix of wedding venues, ensuring that there’s something to suit every couple’s taste and style. From majestic castles and elegant country houses to rustic barns and enchanting gardens, the choices are as varied as they are breathtaking. Imagine exchanging your vows in a historic castle like Thornbury Castle in Gloucestershire, with its romantic Tudor gardens and vineyard, or perhaps a beachside ceremony at Tunnels Beaches in Devon, where the Atlantic Ocean provides a mesmerizing soundtrack. The diversity of venues in the South West means you can truly personalise your special day to reflect your dream wedding.

2. Stunning Countryside and Coastline

The South West of England boasts some of the country’s most beautiful landscapes, offering dramatic coastlines, serene beaches, rolling hills, and verdant forests. This natural beauty not only provides a stunning backdrop for your wedding photos but also sets a tranquil and romantic ambiance for your celebrations.

The Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage site, offers awe-inspiring scenery, while the Cotswolds deliver quintessentially English countryside charm. Whether you’re after the rustic elegance of the countryside or the serene beauty of the coast, the South West’s landscapes provide the perfect setting.

3. Superb Suppliers

I mean superb! It never ceases to amaze me the talent that we have in the South West – so you’ll be spoilt for choice when deciding on your vendors. The South West of England is teeming with talented suppliers ready to make your wedding day as seamless and beautiful as you’ve imagined. From visionary florists and creative photographers to bespoke dressmakers and dynamic entertainers, the region’s wedding suppliers are known for their dedication and ability to bring your wedding dreams to life. Their local knowledge and expertise not only ensure a smooth planning process but also add a touch of local charm and elegance to your celebrations.

4. Exquisite Local Food

The South West is famed for its culinary delights, making it a paradise for foodie couples. With an emphasis on local produce and seasonal ingredients, the region offers an array of catering options to tantalise your taste buds and impress your guests. From sumptuous seafood caught off the Cornish coast to artisan cheeses from Somerset, the local fare is a celebration of the South West’s rich agricultural heritage. Many venues and caterers in the area pride themselves on their farm-to-table offerings, ensuring that your wedding menu is not only delicious but also tells a story of local bounty and tradition.

5. Rich History and Culture

Marrying in the South West of England allows you to become part of the region’s rich tapestry of history and culture. With a history that spans thousands of years, the area is dotted with historical sites, from ancient stone circles like Stonehenge to the Roman baths in Bath. These historical landmarks, combined with the region’s traditions and folklore, offer unique opportunities to incorporate historical elegance and cultural depth into your wedding. Whether it’s a ceremony in a historical venue, a traditional Cornish ceilidh as your reception, or incorporating local myths and legends into your wedding theme, the South West provides a uniquely rich backdrop.

Choosing the South West of England as your wedding destination is more than just selecting a location; it’s embracing an experience that intertwines love, beauty, and heritage. It’s about creating a day that not only celebrates your union but also pays homage to the enchanting setting that is the South West. Here, your wedding becomes a story, woven into the fabric of the land and its legacy, promising not just a day to remember, but a timeless tale to be told.

I hope you enjoyed my 5 reasons to host your wedding in South West England. If you’d like some support planning your dream South West wedding, then I’m your gal! I’d love to chat to you both about your plans and how we can turn it all into reality for you seamlessly.

In the picturesque Cotswolds region of England, where rolling hills meet quaint villages, a collaborative wedding editorial came to life in May 2023. This enchanting showcase of creative talents, set against the backdrop of the timeless Barnsley House, epitomised the charm and elegance of a quintessential English countryside wedding. Join us as we delve into the magic of this unforgettable shoot where magic was created. We hope you gain invaluable inspiration for your own English country garden wedding in the Cotswolds.

The Venue: Barnsley House, a Timeless Gem

Nestled amidst the lush greenery of the Cotswolds, Barnsley House is a breathtaking 17th-century manor that effortlessly marries tradition with modernity. Known for its magnificent gardens and luxurious accommodations, this venue was the perfect canvas for our styled shoot.

I just want to take a moment to send a heartfelt thanks to Emily Barbara who shot the day. It was Emily, who had been in touch as she wanted to combine a shoot into her trip to England. We chatted and met for the first time on the shoot day. Emily is a very special person and her photos are just works of art.

Floral Magic: A Garden in Full Bloom

Rebecca’s floral arrangements adorned every corner of the venue. From the lush, organic bouquet to the whimsical arches framing the ceremony, her work transported us to a garden in full bloom. Soft pink peonies, ivory roses, and wild greenery breathed life into the setting. A subtle mix of roses, ammi, peony, ranunculus, gypsophila, spray roses and carnations were used in both the installation and bouquet.

Whimsical Stationery

In crafting stationery for an English countryside wedding, Liv Laermann brought an exquisite touch that harmonised elegance with nature’s serenity. Embracing the lush surroundings, she envisioned green envelopes that served as an enchanting prelude to her masterful creation. With a stroke of artistry, watercolour inserts graced each envelope, evoking the picturesque landscapes of the countryside. Yet, it was Liv’s ingenious use of wabi-sabi design principles that truly transformed the stationery suite into a work of timeless beauty. Imperfectly perfect, each piece radiated a quiet charm, honoring the essence of nature’s subtle imperfections. Liv Laermann’s vision seamlessly merged tradition with artistry, encapsulating the very spirit of a countryside celebration.

The set included envelopes, envelope liner, fine art wax seals, twine, dark green chiffon and champagne silk using her ‘off the peg’ design Wabi Sabi.

Look One

The softest and most romantic look, using this Catherine Dean gown from 2000’s and styled to perfection by Sophie. Our model Danielle’s hair has been loosely put up by Charlotte Tillyer with natural makeup enhancing her features.

We couldn’t resist cutting some cow’s parsley from the garden and adding a floppy hat to these images!

Look Two

When a 1990s Caroline Castigliano raw silk skirt meets a 1980s silk beaded and pearl embellished top, expertly styled the the incredible Sophie from My Bridal Stylist.

Finished with the ‘Harper’ bridal crown from Rachel Sokhal. Adorned with opulent gold flowers and leaves, this statement crown oozes a beauty and significance all of its own.
Entirely hand sewn, this 3cm padded ivory velvet halo, has also been finished with the finest crystal and pearls for added luxury and romance.

The look was finished off with the ‘Simone’ earrings. The intricate design epitomises femininity and romance.

Look Three

An 1980s gem has been reworked to make it have a modern edge. The bow at the back and cut out detailing totally make this look. Coupled with the ‘Harper’ bridal crown and delicate earrings, this look was incredibly unique.

Look Four

This look was all about the cape. A modern take on the classic wedding train or even veil. This particular cape comes from Sophie’s collection from Savannah Miller Bridal. Beautifully crafted from delicate tulle, with chapel train, versatile large armholes and a pearl button fastening to the front. This was teamed with a simplistic slip dress.

The shoes worn throughout the shoots and across all four looks were the stunning ‘Micola’ champagne from the Freya Rose collection. With it’s closed toe suede and mother of pearl heel, the shoes set off each look perfectly.

The ‘Alyssa’ gold crystal bridal crown is an absolute delight to behold. Finished to perfection, with pretty detailing, it is the perfect choice for a bride who likes to sparkle, subtly.

This shoot was the most beautiful shoots I have ever been involved with. The team on the day absolutely made it so enjoyable and we hope you’re able to take lots of inspiration for your own English Countryside wedding.

The dream team: A symphony of creative talent

• Coordination and Creative Concept: Host Weddings & Events
• Venue: Barnsley House
• Photography and Creative Concept : Emily Barbara
• Floral Artistry: Bijoux Floral Design
• Bridal Fashion: My Bridal Stylist
• Bridal Accessories: Rachel Sokhal Bridal
• Bridal Shoes: Freya Rose London
• Hair and Makeup: Charlotte Tillyer
• Stationery: Liv Laermann
• Model: Danielle Sewell

Back in August I had the pleasure in planning and concept designing “The English Rose”. This English Countryside Wedding inspiration, not only showcases the stunning and historical Thornbury Castle but also the full creative team of wedding suppliers involved.

The shoot took place in the midst of the August heatwave and although super hot, we were so grateful that the weather stayed dry for this mainly outdoor setup.

All images were expertly captured using a fine art aesthetic by the incredibly talented Cristina Ilao who we were so delighted to have as part of the team.

The Concept

The suppliers involved all specialise in or enjoy and have capacity to fulfill English Countryside weddings so the concept came from a deep love of nature and the surroundings we are so lucky to call home. Entitled “The English Rose” the shoot’s brief aimed to showcase the beautiful location of the castle and all that it offers along with the natural beauty of it’s formal gardens and grounds with the historical Tudor property as a backdrop.

Bridal Styling

Professional model Francesca looked stunning in the Wilden London “Emily” gown – An elegant and flirty off shoulder feather and petal gown, with a softly draped chiffon bodice, and gracefully falling chiffon skirt, with a thigh split. The petal detailing was perfect for the botanical and whimsical theming. To compliment the look, hair garlands and earrings from Hermione Harbutt’s sublime collection were worn. Finally shoes from Emmy London, looked elegant and finished off the look. Francesca’s hair was fixed in a relaxed, romantic half up, half down look styled by Tracy Pallari and make-up perfectly applied by Jessica Mills.

Florals

Becci and I decided we wanted a colour palette that was soft and delicate but also complimented the summer season. We opted for summer pastels including ivory, blush, peach and muted lilac using an array of summer flowers including garden roses, sweet peas, scabiosa and lisianthus.

The flowers were used in foam free floral arrangements on the tables, within a petite handheld bouquet with silk ribbon and a large arch installation within the pretty rose garden – very apt!

The Final Details

The whole look was set off beautifully with the addition of Lorraine from Caboodle Stationery’s stunning hand crafted paper goods including vow books, full invitation suite, guest book, menu and place names. Using a dusky pink which matched the linen knotted napkins from The Knotted Napkin Co which sat on the white cabbage charger plates from The Luxe Collection along with their Santorini glassware, delphine gold and white cutlery and glass candlesticks. Pale pink candles from Candle Flair and a neautral linen base from 88 events set the tone. The chairs were the limewash Louis from Allens Hire.

The Team

Venue – Thornbury Castle

Photographer – Cristina Ilao

Planner & Concept – Host Wedding and Events

Flowers – Bijoux Floral Design

Stationery – Caboodle Weddings

Bridal Dress – Wilden London

Shoes – Emmy London

MUA – Jessica Mills

Hair Stylist – Tracy Pallari

Accessories – Hermione Harbutt

Model – Francesca Cosh

Napkins – The Knotted Napkin Co

Table Linen – 88 Events

Tableware – The Luxe Collection

Chairs – Allens Hire