Thicket priory is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful wedding venues in the north of England. The unique history, charm and quality of the details and décor at Thicket priory shine through in every corner of this incredible venue and in its inspiring gardens and grounds.
We totally see why couples choose to host their special celebration at this fabulously luxurious venue and it is most definitely one of our favourite places to dress with our elegant floral displays and luxury styling details.
(Phoebe Jane Photography) (Lauren Knuckley Photography)
At Willow and Bear our role as floral designers and stylists is to work with a venue’s wonderful features; adding to their charm and beauty whilst ensuring that the designs reflect your unique style, telling your story.
Flowers and beautifully styled details are essential parts of setting the mood and tone of your day. For each wonderful couple that we get the honour of collaborating with we create timeless and beautifully unique designs. The kind of designs where the wildness of an English garden meets thoughtful, intentional design.
(Unfurl Photography)
With extensive experience of styling floral designs and décor at Thicket priory we have developed our 3 top tips for creating the most incredible floral displays and a lifetime of memories.
Keep it Original.
Designing a couple’s wedding scheme is something that we take on with a huge amount of care and dedication, as if it was our own wedding day. Creating an atmosphere of warmth, romance and expressiveness is all about finding the right balance. Combining soft, personal touches that tell a couple’s story with a look that is contemporary and effortlessly elegant. The result is a dreamy, delicate space that feels both sophisticated and inviting reflecting originality in every detail.
Allowing the time to really get to know our couple enables us to really learn about their vision and the feeling that they want for their celebration. Whether it is to be immersed in designs that are elegant and understated with calming colour and scented ingredients or for the florals and décor to bring the party with an injection of colour and vibrant energy then we definitely have everyone’s style ideas covered. One thing we know is that there are no two weddings the same, which is so incredibly exciting and inspiring as a designer and ensures that your wedding really is one of a kind.
Inspired by the beauty and comfort of the stunning gardens at Thicket Priory and the Yorkshire countryside we develop garden inspired floral designs to bring the outside in no matter what the weather holds, guaranteeing a wonderful experience with our designs. At the heart of our mission is to provide couples with unforgettable displays that feel as unique and as original as their love story.
(Phoebe Jane Photography)
Embrace the season.
It is rare that a wedding date is booked without consideration to a couple’s favorite season. It may be the energy and new beginnings that springtime evokes or the warm romantic cosiness of a winter wedding, there really is a seasonality that reflects each couple.
At W&B we are all about layers of garden inspired beauty created by using garden inspired florals. The kind where the wilderness of an English country garden meets thoughtful, intentional design. Seasonality therefore plays a vital part in creating the connection between your designs and the time of year that you have chosen to hold your wedding.
(Little Miss Boyco)
By intentionally choosing seasonal flowers for you we create thoughtful inspired designs with ingredients that tell your story. Be they spring tulips, summer roses or scented winter foliage, the uniqueness of your displays has at their heart – seasonality and personal meaning.
For the majority of the year, we can use an incredible selection of fresh local seasonal ingredients from local growers & our own cutting garden. These are the final flourish on a design that can tell a story of a favourite flower or place. We like to think that in future years our couples see an ingredient and recall their special day . This is why we describe our designs as lasting a lifetime and we know that adding these unusual seasonal ingredients really does make the difference for a wonderfully luxurious look.
(Lauren Knuckley Photography) (Unfurl Photography) (Aurelia Allen Photography)
Work with the venues features & décor.
It is all about working with spaces and knowing when to hold back – which is a bit of an art form really. Spotting the key areas to dress, while letting others breathe. A little floral touch here, a gentle accent there, creating a look that feels refined yet effortlessly finished.
An instinctive process for us now, but this is a result of experience working with such beautiful venues as Thicket priory to discover the areas where a wonderfully thoughtful and balanced floral design adds meaning and emotion with the biggest impact for you and your guests.
(Lauren Knuckley Photography)
When we dress a venue, we work with what is already there, bringing out the natural character of the space. Across a venue for the ceremony we may add the comforting glow of soft candlelight, textured fabric or a wonderful classical stone urn overflowing with seasonal ingredients whilst the tables might be dressed with tall tapered candles, luxurious glass charger plates or luxurious table runners; each piece carefully placed to compliment your venue and tie your wedding design together.
These are the moments that will capture displays to fill your heart with memories and photographs that allow the venue to feel extra special, authentic, and very you.
(Phoebe Jane Photography)
We hope that you have found our 3 top tips both interesting and inspiring. If you would like to hear more about how we could make planning your Thicket Priory wedding the calm and exciting process that you deserve, then get in touch via our website at willowandbearfloraldesign.com
With love – Helen xXx
FAQ’s
When can vendors start setting up?
Vendors can start setting up the day before from 9am if needed, and then from 7am on the wedding day.
Do you have a list of preferred vendors?
You are welcome to bring any supplier you choose, but we do have a list of recommended vendors we love and have worked with before – see our Friends of Thicket Priory list here.
Who is responsible for cleaning up after the event?
We recommend that vendors like florists and venue stylists do come and clear up their things after the event, as its often nice for them to make bouquets up for your guests to take home.
