Your Stately Home Wedding: A Guide to Florals & Styling

Think Pride and Prejudice, Bridgerton, and yes, even Saltburn (I went there). A stately home wedding is the ultimate way to live out your aristocratic fantasy, if only for a weekend. And let’s be honest, you’re hiring the whole place, so why not embrace it? Three-day weddings are rising in popularity, but that’s a topic for another day.

As an experienced Stately Home florist, I’ve had the privilege of designing wedding flowers at some of the UK’s most breathtaking estates, including Chatsworth House, Dorfold Hall, Birdsall House, and Boughton House. While these venues provide an incredible backdrop, dressing them with florals requires a considered approach. Here are my key styling tips to help you bring your vision to life.

1. Be Sympathetic to Your Surroundings

Unlike purpose-built wedding venues, stately homes are often adorned with antique furniture, family heirlooms, and historic artwork. Rather than competing with the decor, let it inspire your wedding design. Look at the wall colours, architectural details, and paintings—these elements can guide your floral palette and styling choices.

2. Choose the Right Vessels for Your Arrangements

To create a seamless, cohesive aesthetic, use vessels that complement the venue’s period style. For example:

• Tablescapes – A collection of vintage-style vases that feel at home in the setting.
• Outdoor Ceremonies, Large urn arrangements, mirroring what you might naturally find in the estate gardens.

3. Work with the Seasons

Most stately homes are nestled in the countryside, meaning they have a rich history of seasonal living. Honouring this tradition by choosing seasonal wedding flowers will not only enhance the natural beauty of the venue but also ensure your arrangements feel authentic to the setting. Always check if the estate has its own flower grower—you might be able to incorporate locally grown blooms straight from the grounds.

4. Think About Scale & Height

The grandeur of stately home weddings means high ceilings, vast rooms, and dramatic staircases. Low floral arrangements alone won’t do the space justice. Instead:

• Incorporate tall statement pieces to draw the eye upwards.
• Use the venue’s existing architecture, grand fireplaces, sweeping staircases, and decorative ceilings—as a focal point for floral installations.

5. Work with a Florist Experienced in Stately Homes

These venues often have strict rules around water, logistics, and setup. Some estates don’t even allow florists to trim a stem inside the building! Having a country house wedding florist who understands these challenges ensures a smooth, stress-free setup.

6. Don’t Be Afraid to Have Fun!

Just because you’re getting married in a stately home doesn’t mean your wedding has to feel overly formal. You can still embrace modern, playful elements—whether that’s playing tennis in your wedding dress with a glass of champagne or dancing the night away in a hidden underground bar. Speaking of which, if you love a 1920s-inspired party, you need to check out Birdsall House, their nightclub in the Old Kitchens is incredible.

A stately home wedding is about celebrating in a setting steeped in history while making it entirely your own. Whether you’re dreaming of timeless elegance or a contemporary twist, your floral styling should enhance the grandeur of your surroundings while reflecting your personality.

Planning your stately home wedding? Let’s create something unforgettable. Enquire Now

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Photo Credits: Charlotte Palazzo and Emma Pilkington

Styling and Staionary: Soiree Studio

Planner: LMJ Weddings