REAL WEDDING: Ali +James at Oxleaze Barn

It’s been a hot minute (or year and a half!!!) since my last (and first) blog post… I’ve not quite got the hang of this writing malarky but I’m going to try and be a bit better on the blog front! And there’s no better way to get back into the swing of it than to share one of my favourite weddings of the year so far. Ali and James got married on the 22nd of June at Oxleaze barn in the beautiful Cotswolds, a gorgeous venue not too far from the idyllic town of Burford. It felt like the first proper day of summer - they got so lucky with the sunny weather!

Ali and James opted for a timeless colour palette of fresh whites and lots of greenery. The flowing style of their chosen arrangements and bouquets complimented the venue so well. The floral recipe was a mix of seasonal flowers, including the fluffiest Peonies, sweetest smelling Stocks and lots of romantic Roses. I also incorporated Delphiniums, Scabiosa, Campanula, Lisianthus, Antirrhinum and Gyp into the arrangements. Foliage had a big and important part to play in the designs, so I used a mix of Eucalyptus’, Olive, Pistache, Alchemilla, Ruscus, Salal and Asparagus fern. All the textures!

It was all hands on deck as the designs consisted of Ali and her bridesmaids bouquets, ladies and gents buttonholes, a fireplace arrangement, table runners, garlands along the beams and the show stopper - the hanging flower bomb! I think you’ll agree that Holly Rose Photography captured the day absolutely perfectly.

FLOWERS: Running with Wolves

VENUE: Oxleaze Barn http://www.oxleazebarn.co.uk/

PHOTOGRAPHER: Holly Rose Weddings https://www.hollyrose.co.uk/

HAIR & MAKE UP: Rosie Massey @rosiemasseyspm

Trend alert: 2018 Pantone colour of the year is...

ULTRA VIOLET!

At the end of December, Pantone once again revealed their colour for the upcoming year. This is often eagerly awaited for by florists as it tends to influence the upcoming years floral trends. Last year we had 'greenery' and this was massively reflected in the floral world with the abundance of plants and foliage in weddings and the home. This year we have something quite different. Pantone describes it's colour of the year as "a dramatically provocative and thoughtful purple shade, PANTONE 18-3838 Ultra Violet communicates originality, ingenuity, and visionary thinking that points us toward the future." What a perfect way to express our feelings towards what a wedding should be! Ultra violet is a welcomed change from the fresh and organic greens we had last year, and we believe it will become a highly sought after colour due to its versatility and effortless ability to pair beautifully with other colours! 

Purples have always been popular within the wedding industry but we expect to see a rise in people opting for its shades this year. It's hues range from deep, rich and luxurious violets to etherial, pastel lavenders, so there is a palette to suit everyone. I've compiled some images to help give you some wedding inspiration and how you can include this gorgeous colour on your special day! 

Bouquets

There are so many beautiful purple flowers to choose from. Create a big and bold statement with a bouquet filled with an array of different textured flowers and plenty of foliage. Don't be afraid to mix complementary colours, I'm a massive fan of injecting a subtle hint of dark violet into an otherwise light and bright orange arrangement!

Photo by Katherine Ashdown. Image from whimsicalwonderlandweddings.com

Photo by Kindred Photography. Image from lovemydress.net

Fruit

We've all seen the likes of jewel toned fruits such as figs, blackberries and grapes adorned on magnificent wedding cakes. Why not include them them in your bouquets and table centres too for an interesting and delicious twist? Perfect for those outdoor weddings in the heat of the summer sun!

Photo by Jo Bradbury. Image from lovemydress.net

Photo by Sylvie Gil. Image from oncewed.com

Photo by onelove photography. Image from stylemepretty.com

Magestic metallics

If you are after a luxurious and lavish affair, try adding a touch of gold or copper to your purple colour palette. This pairing screams opulence and grandeur and is sure to make you feel like a royal on your special day. 

Photo by Phillipa Sian Photography. Image from ruffledblog.com

Photo by Simply Rose Photography. Image from ruffledblog.com

Designed by Jennie Hake for elli.com

The finer details

If big, bold splashes of colour aren't really your thing, fear not. By adding just a hint of purple into the finer details of your wedding you can still adhere to the years biggest trend. From place settings to glassware, there are millions of smaller details which you can customise to create your own take on the colour of 2018. 

Photo by Amanda Karen photography. Image from blovedblog.com

Photo by Stephanie Messick. Image from wantthatwedding.co.uk

Photo by Theresa Furley. Image from blovedblog.com

And there you have it! There are lots of fabulous ways to incorporate this majestic and luxurious hue into your big day. I can't wait to start seeing this colour pop up across the wedding industry this year. Happy planning! Em xxx