Do you dream of getting married surrounded by the patchwork hills of the English countryside? Would you like your guests to meander along winding country roads to reach the wedding venue of your dreams – a grand stately home with manicured gardens, breathtaking views, or both! I can definitely understand the appeal. Country house wedding venues are a fantastic choice, especially if you want a grand or formal feel for your celebration.
These venues often have a lot more character than barns or more neutral, blank canvas spaces. When it comes to styling, this can present its own set of challenges, but when you manage to overcome them, the end result is incredible. Here are my top tips…
Work with the Existing Colour Palette
All that character I mentioned above often comes in the form of existing décor. It’s important to create a look that compliments and enhances the things that make your country house wedding venue so special.
Pictured throughout this post is Kirstie and Joe’s wedding at Pynes House in Devon. This elegant venue provides a relatively neutral backdrop, but there is a duck-egg blue wallpaper in the ceremony room and a gorgeous little blue alcove that’s perfect for a cake display. Working with the existing colour palette makes total sense. We used different shades of blue and added some gorgeous greys with gold accents to prevent the scheme from looking flat. Read How to Choose Your Wedding Colours for more advice.
Embrace the Space
One of the best things about country houses is the flexibility of the space. There will often be very distinct, separate areas for your ceremony, drinks reception, dining etc. This makes it much easier to create different, statement looks in different rooms without having to worry about constantly moving large installations.
There also tends to be lots of lovely little hallways and anterooms between the main spaces. These provide plenty of extra styling opportunities. Think decorating staircases and mantelpieces or using alcoves and anterooms for welcome banners, wedding signs, bespoke table plans and cake displays.
Embrace the layout of your country house wedding venue and look out for those unique styling opportunities you simply wouldn’t find in a more contemporary space.
Think Outside the Box
Remember, you don’t have to go for the obvious choice. Boho styling can look amazing in a grand country setting and I absolutely love dark, moody schemes in these venues! Read 3 Tips to Help You Resist Stereotypes and Plan the Wedding You Want for more advice.
Further Reading
If you’re looking for more venue-specific styling inspiration, be sure to explore the following links:
And if you decide you need some expert help, I love showing couples how to transform their chosen venue into the perfect space for their wedding. Discover my wedding design and styling services here or get in touch to discuss your celebration.
Photo Credits
Styling & Coordination, Knots & Kisses // Photographer, Amy Sampson Photography // Venue, Pynes House // Florist, Bud Floral Design // Cake, Sweet Satisfaction Cake Design