Laurie and Nathan

I first met Laurie and Nathan when we were introduced by Bryony, of Blue Door Barn events. We met in Bryony and Emma’s beautiful Beddingham home and began talk through all their ideas and plans for their wedding at Firle Place, due to take place in March the following year. 

Laurie and Nathan were both based in Brighton, so Firle provided a beautiful country manor setting not too far from home. If you have never visited Firle Place, you only really need to see the expansive driveway, which winds up and over though open rolling downland, to fall in love with the place. The home is still privately owned, and the Riding School, where most wedding receptions take place, is a beautiful, extremely tastefully decorated space. Basically it’s perfect.

Laurie wanted to include flowers that would reference her Scottish heritage, and nothing seems to speak so clearly of Scotland than thistles! So I chose a beautiful icy white Eryngium to feature throughout the floral designs. After the wedding, Laurie commented, “I thought the bouquets were simply amazing! I loved the variety. They were tasteful and seasonal – exactly what I was after!”

Laurie and Nathan kept the palette really light; greens, greys and white were dominant, and a little blush added warmth.

The ceremony took place in the sweet St Peter’s church in Firle, tucked just around the corner up the lane from the Riding School. This church is intimate and so beautiful and steeped in local history.

The most challenging aspect of this wedding for me was the installation of a MAMMOTH evergreen garland along one of the beams of the Riding School. Not only did it weigh a tonne (probably not literally, but it certainly felt like stringing up a line of baby elephants), it took scaffolding to get it up there – and it is up HIGH! It looked so great suspended from the beam, and in a room the size of the Riding School you need something BIG to create any kind of impact. 

Tables were strewn with scented herbs, which is simple, elegant and a little rustic. This is also a great idea for tables that end up being filled with crockery, cutlery, glasses, and food, as foliage can be chosen which is long lasting and releases scent when knocked or crushed. 

What a joy to collaborate with Laurie and Nathan for such a special day. All photos by Josh Van Ness of Kitebox.