From my camera roll: A florist's diary
Emily & Seamus | Wildhive, Callow Hall, Derbyshire
Emily and Seamus married on a beautiful sunny day in mid-May, beginning their celebrations in Emily’s home village church in Idridgehay before heading on to Wildhive, Callow Hall to celebrate with family and friends.
For me, this wedding felt especially lovely, as it marked something of a full-circle moment. Ten years ago, I created the flowers for Emily’s sister Katie’s wedding, so it was a real privilege to be asked back to design for another chapter of this family’s story.
Emily wore an elegant and beautifully simple dress and wanted her flowers to bring a burst of colour and personality to the look. Seamus opted for classic black tie, and together they struck that perfect balance between timeless and joyful.
The bouquet was designed to pop. Coral Charm peonies stole the show, alongside stunning garden roses, lisianthus, snapdragons, chamomile daisies, viburnum and cheerful little pops of craspedia. It was one of those combinations that felt effortlessly happy – soft and romantic, yet full of life and movement.
At the church, the couple chose not to have a full floral archway. Instead, we framed the entrance with floral accents either side of the doorway, creating a beautiful backdrop for photographs without overwhelming the historic setting. Pew ends lined the aisle, and after the ceremony these were repurposed at Wildhive, alongside four larger statement vases, allowing the flowers to continue working hard throughout the celebrations.
The reception tables at Callow Hall were dotted with bud vases filled with flowers from the same palette, bringing colour and continuity to the room in a relaxed and understated way. The tables themselves were dressed & styled to their best by the amazing Tara Knott.
These photographs capture some of my favourite moments from the day: bouquets wrapped and waiting in the studio, flowers catching the sunshine outside the church doors, and the excitement of everything coming together before guests arrived. They also include one of my favourite images of Emily and Seamus themselves – completely caught up in the joy of the day.
There is something very special about being invited back by the same family a decade later. Thank you, Emily and Seamus, for trusting me to play a small part in your wedding story. Wishing you both a lifetime of happiness together.
