I've always loved the idea of a wedding that takes its inspiration from the landscape around it. Beautiful gardens, old orchards, rambling hedgerows and flowers that look as though they belong exactly where they've been placed and there's definitely something about being outside, much like alfresco dining, that always feels so wonderfully romantic and free.
I particularly love the countryside towards the end of summer. The light begins to soften, the hedgerows are full of berries and the trees are heavy with fruit. The flowers have that slightly wild, untamed look that I love, and there's just the smallest hint that autumn is on its way.
For this late summer wedding inspiration, we found ourselves in a beautiful Dorset orchard, surrounded by old apple trees and all the wonderful colours and textures that come with this time of year.
I love working with flowers that have character, the ones that bend and twist, with stems that don't necessarily grow quite where you'd expect them to. And late summer is full of them, especially in the hedgerows.
Rich burgundy hydrangeas, garden roses, trailing foliage, apples and blackberries all found their way into the floral arch. I wanted it to feel as though it had grown there amongst the trees, with flowers spilling out and rambling stems finding their own way.
The tables were another opportunity to bring a little of the orchard into the flowers. Late-summer dahlias were mixed with some of my favourite hedgerow finds, honeysuckle and old man's beard, their twisting stems weaving their way through the arrangements. Apples and blackberries added beautiful rich colours, and I love how something as simple as a few pieces of fruit can bring a completely different feeling to a table.
It's this part of working with seasonal flowers that I enjoy so much. Finding things in the garden or hedgerows that might not immediately be thought of as wedding flowers, but which bring something wonderfully individual to an arrangement while instantly connecting it to its surroundings.
And with our British summers becoming increasingly unpredictable, there's something to be said for a wedding towards the end of the season and the atmosphere it brings. Those lovely golden afternoons, the softer light and gardens still full of colour. Of course, we can never guarantee the weather, whatever month we choose, but late summer has a charm all of its own.
For many couples, I think it's that connection with the outdoors and their surroundings that makes a countryside wedding so appealing. Imagine exchanging vows beneath an old apple tree, in a much-loved family garden or somewhere that holds a special meaning. It makes the occasion all the more personal.
And excitingly, this may soon become a possibility for more couples. With the government considering changes to marriage laws in England and Wales, there could be greater freedom to choose where to legally marry, including those beautifully homely private gardens, memory-filled orchards and other equally treasured countryside settings. Although these are still proposals, it's a lovely thought.
Of course, flowers for an outdoor wedding need a little extra thought. An arch beneath the trees needs to sit comfortably within its surroundings, and there's the sun, wind and temperature to consider too. It's all part of creating something that not only looks lovely but will work in the setting throughout the day.
But you don't need to marry beneath an apple tree to enjoy that charm or evoke the feeling of an English country garden wedding. An old barn, a country house or a marquee overlooking the gardens can be just as wonderful.
Imagine tables overflowing with dahlias, delicate garden roses and rambling stems of honeysuckle, with berries and foliage tucked amongst the flowers. I love the thought of bringing all those beautiful things from the garden and hedgerows inside, so that the flowers still feel connected to the countryside beyond.
Whether it's a large floral arch, flowers tumbling across tables or just a few carefully chosen arrangements, I think there's something very special about allowing the season to have a little influence over the flowers you choose.
After all, some of the loveliest things are the ones nature has already done for us.
Beautiful images by Katherine Newman Photography
If you're drawn to the romance of a countryside wedding and love the idea of seasonal flowers that reflect the setting around you, I'd love to hear what you have in mind.