Country House Weddings: A Wedding Planner’s Guide
It’s been a little while since we’ve shared anything with you on the blog as frankly we’ve just been too busy working on amazing client weddings! But we’re back today, giving you another healthy dose of inspiration with our venue mood board and styling guides. If you’ve not seen our most recent bridal inspiration posts, then we’ve been showcasing some fabulous UK venues and sharing our own design concepts to help you bring a little bit of Pocketful of Dreams magic to your wedding day. So far we’ve covered edgy warehouses, laidback tent affairs, and today we’re moving on to the country house…
THE VENUE
We know that for many of you seeking the perfect venue for your civil ceremony, a country house is top of your list. And we can certainly see why as typically they offer sumptuous surroundings, often gorgeous grounds and yet retain that sense of homeliness. The perfect marriage of style and comfort.
One of our favourite examples of this type of venue is Babington House: an impressive manor house in the rolling Somerset countryside, sister to London’s cool Soho House and equally as fabulous. Their laidback attitude is certainly a major selling factor when it comes to choosing this venue for your wedding day as it their commitment to offering a country house experience without compromising on the high standards you’d expect from a city location. Babington House is like a home away from home, offering the perfect setting for a traditional country wedding party – with a slightly bohemian twist.
And of course it is this twist that we love most about the place, so our design today takes us on a fantasy trip to Babington House as we dream and doodle away the kind of wedding we’d design for a couple choosing this venue…
THE INSPIRATION
Pulling in elements of Babington’s stunning surroundings from the luscious petrol blue walls of the house bar, to the softest pale pinks of the furniture scattered around with a sprinkling of earthy copper tones, the design is an eclectic mix full of understated luxe details.
We’ve created an unusual and - if we say so ourselves - rather fabulous colour palette for this special venue, featuring warm copper, pretty rose, rich wine and taupe to create a mix that work together to create a luxurious and sumptuous look. And a daring splash of petrol blue adds a masculine thread which runs throughout the design.
Country homes are typically full of history and tales and to reflect this, our design harks back to times goneby with a strong vintage feel worked in with beautiful, natural elements to create a romantic, antiqued look with a healthy sprinkling of thoughtful details to make the look truly sing. Look to incorporate materials such as warm woods, antique pieces complete with imperfections and patina patterns, recreating the tarnish that naturally forms on the surface of copper. We’re harking back to a lost time but celebrating that aged effect to add a more relaxed sense to proceedings and avoid the day feeling too formal.
Altogether, the perfect look for a couple who enjoy life’s finer elements yet yearn for a laidback vibe with delicate details.
THE LOOK
Our Country House Bride demands an effortlessly sophisticated look. And what better way to achieve just that than with this strapless gown from Monique Lhuillier? The frothy texture keeps it light and dreamy whilst the intricate gold detailing is a guaranteed head turner, especially when paired with these fabulous Bohemian shoes by Harriet Wilde. A pretty peep toe ivory and gold leather lace boot, this style is elegant and contemporary with the delicate lace fabric working perfectly with our detailed dress.
Sweep hair up to ensure all focus is on the dress and its gorgeous bodice whilst make up is kept deceptively simple to create a naturally glowing, dewy look. For the finishing flourish, accessorise with bold jewellery such as this gorgeous Sibilia patina brass cuff to add an unexpected twist to your look. Have your maids complement your attire in long, delicately detailed dresses in soft taupe and oyster shades.
Meanwhile our groom cuts a stylish silhouette in a tailored petrol blue lounge suit, complemented by a pocket square and antique watch.
THE DESIGN
Our wedding breakfast takes place in the Orangery, a most perfect space for dining, seating up to 80 guests. We’d have them seated refectory style beneath the twinkling chandeliers so everyone can enjoy the stunning views to outside.
As this is such a stunning and highly decorative room already we’ve chosen to place a runner of mismatched copper and blue candlesticks along the table, of varying heights and styles for an unstructured aesthetic. Adding petrol blue dinner and pillar candles to ensure a warm and romantic ambience over the proceedings.
Space at these tables is at a premium so we’d only have a few small floral pieces, in gorgeously patinated copper vases, pedestal style. For your flowers, think soft and pretty with a hint of whimsy. Look to the quintessential English Rose mixed in with anemones or clematis. And don’t forget to emphasise your country setting with lots of gorgeous foliage for a natural and unstructured look. Bringing in luxurious colour with our place settings comprising a copper charger plate and those stunning watercolour dessert plates, adorned with guest names in copper vinyl – making a wonderful keepsake gift for our guests.
For the table plan we would create something elegant and unique using antique patinated keys attached to a bespoke printed label with petrol blue silk ribbon. Displayed within an ornate antique copper frame taking pride of place on an old artist’s easel at the entrance to the Orangery to direct each guest to their table. And for our paper goods, we’d look to one of our favourite stationery designers, Gemma Milly to design us a unique pattern featuring painterly effects to bring out the petrol blue tones and copper foil blocking for a truly stunning effect.
THE FOOD AND DRINK
We’d set up a ‘pour-your-own’ liquor bar bringing in a fabulous piece of distressed vintage furniture ** to act as our bar and have these fabulous plug-in marquee lights sat along the top shelf.
Then of course it’s time to choose your tipples, offering guests a vast array of delicious delights, displayed in vintage decanters with bespoke printed labels displaying the contents of each one. And don’t forget to add a selection of cut glass tumblers and custom drink stirrers.
For cake fabulousness, stick so something simple with copper frosted detailing, or for something a little more whimsical a painterly blue effect to match those dessert plates from earlier would look stunning. These ornate platters from Nordic House come in blue and copper so perfectly match our design. Finally soft linen napkins printed with your bespoke pattern would add that final finishing touch.
** You can find similar pieces of vintage furniture to hire from Vintage Style Hire who has a fantastic range of stock. Kate, their vintage furniture expert is an absolute joy to work with too so whatever your needs give her a bell as she’ll usually find you a solution.
Our Country House Wedding design is the perfect option for a couple who wants to celebrate both the laid-back beauty of the country with the sophistication and luxury often associated with city weddings. If you’ve fallen for the idea of getting wed at Babington House or are planning a Country House wedding, then make sure you pop by our Country House Wedding Pinterest board for even more inspiration.
Created by wedding planners Pocketful of Dreams, to provide a little inspiration for your party, wedding or event.
If you’re interested in discussing how we can create a unique design concept for your celebration or would like to know more about our wedding design and planning services, then get in touch at hello@pocketfulofdreams.co.uk.
Michelle & Vicki xx
Image Credits
The Venue: Babington House, Babington House Interior, Orangery, Couple, Diners, Light, Dress, Chapel
The Inspiration: Flowers, Drink, Patina effect, Couple, Table, Place setting, Flowers, Chair back
The Look: Bride, Groom, Bracelet, Shoes, Bridesmaids
The Design: Stationery, Votives, Candles, Copper candlesticks, Pillar candle, Blue candlestick, Babington House,
Large copper vase, Small copper vase, Florals, Tablecloth, Blue Plate, Gold plate, Mirror, Easel, Bespoke labels
Food & Drink: Bar sign, Dresser, Cake, Glass Decanters, Platters, Lantern
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