Despite many setbacks and COVID-related postponements, Aimee and Freddie were finally able to enjoy their wonderful family-filled wedding on the 27th of August 2022. With a combination of classic styles and riotous tropical colours across two stunning venues, Thatch & Roses were thrilled to provide a floral touch to their special day.
To create a wedding full of meaningful emotional connections, the happy couple felt that it had to take place in their local church St Peters Church in Wilburton. Outside the church, the couple’s green and white colour scheme was immediately apparent with white flowers and green foliage adorning the lychgate in a full floral garland. This arrangement perfectly accentuated the idyllic setting and gave guests a hint of what to expect from the ceremony.
The Ceremony
Inside the church, Aimee and Freddie asked us to combine large window boxes with two beautiful silver birch trees. The window boxes were packed with classic roses, gorgeous agapanthus, structural delphinium and beautifully delicate, British-grown cosmos. The four silver birch trees were placed just in front of the rood screen between the nave and the chancel. Not only did they provide an incredible backdrop for the ceremony they also gave the setting a whimsical feel that was halfway between classical and fairytale.
Freddie and his groomsmen arrived at the church in plenty of time to greet guests and have some photographs with Tom Halliday the excellent wedding photographer. A highlight of their arrival was the incredible cream and white Volkswagen split-screen camper van they came in.
There were too many jokes and laughs to notice any nerves, and each of the groomsmen proudly displayed a delightfully eye-catching buttonhole. Each one was packed with hints of tropical colour from orange spray roses, kaaps and wonderfully textural limonium. A hint to the festival of colour that would be found at the reception.
Arriving slightly later in a vintage Volkswagen Beetle convertible, Aimee shared smiles and hugs with her mum and dad before entering the church. She carried a bouquet packed with bright colours, another nod to the theme to come later at the reception. The bright blooms stood out beautifully next to the greens and
whites of the church flowers. Aimee’s was genuinely one of our favourite bouquets we’ve made so far. Featuring a mixture of bright seasonal flowers, tropical elements and dried flowers, it was truly unique.
Once Aimee had walked down the aisle with her dad, the sunlight was streaming into the church giving the silver birch foliage an ethereal feel you can only hope for at most weddings. Surrounded by beaming family and friends Aimee and Freddie made their vows and officially began their journey as husband and wife.
The Wedding Reception
Horsley Hale Farm is a glamping venue near Littleport Ely, it provided the perfect location for Aimee and Freddie’s joyful summer wedding. Sadly, the farm no longer hosts weddings but if you’re looking for a short getaway under the stars it’s well worth a visit.
The versatility of the venue gave us scope to get inventive with festival-style florals including, meadow boxes which are ideal to ramp up the vibe at a wedding. They’re exceptionally versatile and can be used to line a pathway, add extra colour to signage or frame the base of an archway. We used them at the entrance to the venue, at various intervals throughout the wedding space and to draw attention to pallet photo boards. Inside the marquee, the festival vibe continued with mixed bottle bud vases on guest tables.
With each arrangement, we used a variety of bright colours blended with different textures to create a slightly wild bohemian feel that added to the joy of the occasion. The real pièce de résistance was the fully floral moon gate we set up at the fishing lake. A riot of tropical colours from zesty oranges to the hottest of pinks, it featured protea, celosia, dahlias and lots of stunning spray roses.
As well as enjoying a day of love, great food and dancing the happy couple and wedding guests could make the most of the lake by going swimming or heading out on a romantic pedalo adventure. Someone who had a particularly wonderful time was Flash, Aimee and Freddie’s gorgeous French bulldog. He was definitely a popular guest and looked particularly dashing in the floral collar we made for him.
Happy Memories
One of my most fondly remembered aspects of Aimee and Freddie’s wedding was the contrast between the classic church colours and the brightness of the festival-themed wedding reception. When Aimee and Freddie approached us to provide the flowers for their wedding, they had lots of great ideas but also gave us the freedom to lean into our own creativity. This let us really make the most of the festival theme and create some pieces that we will remember for many years to come.
All in all, the day proved to be well worth the wait for the happy couple as they saw months of planning come to fruition. Their plans and design choices delivered a perfect blend of family fun and emotion, all surrounded by an amazing once-in-a-lifetime festival vibe and a riot of wonderful colours.