Contemporary Summer Wedding Flowers at St Giles House, Dorset
For Rosie and Matt’s July wedding at St Giles House in Dorset, contemporary floral design met the romance of a historic English country house. A palette of soft blush, ivory and fresh green brought a light, modern feel to the celebration, with hydrangeas, roses and trailing amaranthus creating beautiful contrasts in shape and texture.
From an intimate garden ceremony to a candlelit wedding breakfast in the Library, the flowers were designed to complement each setting while creating a cohesive atmosphere throughout the day.
A Romantic Garden Ceremony at St Giles House
With the beautiful grounds of St Giles House providing a natural backdrop, Rosie and Matt chose to keep their outdoor ceremony flowers thoughtfully understated.
A pair of classical white urns, each elevated on a plinth and accompanied by meadow-style arrangements at their base, framed the ceremony space without obscuring the gardens beyond.
The floral designs combined the softness of garden roses and hydrangeas with fresh greenery and delicate, naturally shaped stems. Gentle touches of blush introduced warmth against the white flowers, while the varied textures gave the arrangements a contemporary, garden-inspired feel.
Rather than creating an elaborate arch or installation, the flowers were positioned to enhance the setting, allowing the surrounding landscape to remain an important part of the ceremony.
Contemporary Bridal Flowers in Blush, White and Green
The same romantic palette continued through Rosie’s bridal bouquet and the flowers carried by her bridesmaids.
Soft blush roses were paired with ivory flowers and fresh green foliage, creating bouquets that felt elegant and natural without being overly traditional.
The combination complemented Rosie’s beautifully structured white gown and the bridesmaids’ softly patterned dresses, bringing a subtle connection between the flowers and the wider wedding styling.
Summer Drinks on the Terrace
Following the ceremony, guests gathered on the terrace of St Giles House for drinks overlooking the grounds.
Small collections of bud vases and table lamps brought a relaxed, intimate feel to the outdoor tables, while a larger vase arrangement created a floral focal point at the bar.
The lighter styling allowed the terrace and surrounding architecture to speak for themselves, continuing the considered approach established during the ceremony.
An Elegant Wedding Breakfast in the St Giles House Library
For the wedding breakfast, the celebration moved into the Library, one of the most characterful spaces within St Giles House.
Tall bookshelves, historic portraits and an ornate fireplace provided a wonderfully atmospheric backdrop for the long dining tables. Here, the floral design became more layered, with low footed bowls, delicate bud vases and blush tapered candles arranged along the tables.
The flowers brought softness to the room’s rich architectural details, while the glass candle surrounds introduced height and a beautiful sense of rhythm without interrupting views across the tables.
The soft green chair cushions echoed the foliage and green hydrangeas, while the blush candles picked up the warmer tones of the roses. These subtle connections helped the entire room feel cohesive, despite the contrast between the contemporary styling and the historic surroundings.
Repurposing Ceremony Flowers for the Library
One of the most effective elements of the floral design was the way the ceremony arrangements were incorporated into the wedding breakfast.
The meadow-style arrangements that had softened the bases of the ceremony urns were moved to the Library fireplace, bringing an abundance of flowers to one of the room’s most beautiful architectural features.
The urn arrangements themselves were positioned at the end of the room, creating a focal point and adding height to the otherwise low table styling.
By considering how the flowers would move between spaces from the outset, we were able to create several distinct floral moments while maintaining continuity throughout the celebration.
A Summer Evening at St Giles House
As the evening arrived, Rosie and Matt’s celebrations returned to the terrace for drinks and dancing.
The gardens and historic house provided a beautiful backdrop as the light softened, bringing the day full circle after the outdoor ceremony earlier that afternoon.
Designing Wedding Flowers at St Giles House
St Giles House offers a beautiful contrast between its expansive gardens and richly detailed interiors. Each space presents different opportunities for floral design, from arrangements that complement the surrounding landscape to more layered styling within the house.
For Rosie and Matt, we balanced contemporary flowers with the timeless character of the setting. The garden ceremony felt natural and understated, while the Library offered an opportunity for a more intimate, candlelit atmosphere. Throughout, the flowers brought a sense of continuity to the celebration.
If you are planning a wedding at St Giles House or another beautiful Dorset country house, we would love to hear about your plans. Get in touch to enquire about floral design for your celebration.
Planning a country house wedding? Explore our romantic wedding flowers at Euridge Manor for more inspiration and to discover how we approach floral design within another of England’s beautiful private estates.
Wedding Suppliers
Photography – Joanna Ranson Photography
Florals – Flourish and Grace
Venue – St Giles House, Dorset
