Vintage Wedding – The Edwardian Era.

The world vintage is now used to cover so many past eras. With Downton Abbey back for another series, Field Gate Flowers have been inspired to research the wedding etiquette of the Edwardian era……(we certainly down tools when this is on).

The Turn Of The Century – La Belle Époque – The early 1900′s. 1900s Edwardian Wedding Style was influenced by the vast changes in lifestyle were created by fantastic inventions and discoveries. Imagine a decade that brought about the first commonly used electricity into homes, The Ford Model T, the first flight by the Wright Brothers. Sadly it also encompassed the First World War as well. These tumultuous times brought about new trends in lifestyle and fashion.

 The Edwardian era epitomises grand decadence, formal glamour and pure elegance. And with Lady Mary hosting the wedding of the year, is it any wonder that brides are looking at this style in their own weddings. Beautiful lace dresses are in vogue for 2014 and look amazing for that special day. So beautiful and elegant.
If you have decided on an Edwardian theme – start with lots of internet searches. A lot of the vintage wedding sites are US based but at least you can start a Pinterest board….great for inspiration and really homing the look you are trying to achieve.

I came across Sally Lacock’s site whilst searching….and great news she does offer sample dresses for sale. Take a look:- http://sallylacock.com/vintage-inspired-wedding-dresses/news/samples-for-sale/
Sally Lacock is a London based wedding dress designer creating vintage inspired, bridal gowns made of the finest French lace and luxurious silks for today’s modern bride. She draws inspiration from the decadent days of the 1920’s, the artistic sensibility of Edwardian bohemia, through to the elegance and femininity of the 1950’s. I’ve also found Edwardian gowns on Etsy and eBay, where it can be possible to get one for a good deal.  I have heard of the odd find in charity shops – I have never managed to find one but you may be lucky. 
    
And so to the flowers……Choose a florist that truly understands the look and era you are trying to recreate.
Edwardian bouquets were traditionally wired posies… a very small collection of flowers, a quaint, rather formal look. Very neat and very pretty. To echo this in your bouquet use traditional English Garden favourites, Roses, Spray Roses, Sweet Williams and Gypsophila… These small but perfectly formed blooms are just perfect to group together. A true and, quite probably, historically accurate combination of flowers.
Room deco usually involved lots of palm plants and was very elaborate.

Field Gate Flowers is a specialist wedding florist based in Milton Keynes. They are both growers of British Flowers and florists. If you would like help and advice on choosing wedding flowers for your perfect day please do not hesitate to contact us. We provide floristy for weddings in Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Northamptonshire, and Bedfordshire.

Wedding flowers

Quite often “brides to be” ask me what’s in vogue as far as flowers are concerned. My answers are always the same….

What do you love? What flowers do you hate? How do you imagine your special day to look? Overall what would be your ideal feel and look?

And if you want to buy British Cut Flowers– what’s in season….

 

It’s nice to look at what is in fashion as far as weddings go –if nothing more but to have an excuse to buy all those lovely magazines. With the advent of Pinterest, I recommend that you start your own mood boards the moment the engagement is over……any excuse to start planning your special day.

So for 2013/4 there seems to be a plethora of themes about. Vintage is still popular but now has a 1920’s  influence. Traditional garden parties are still really popular for those Summer relaxed weddings and there is always room for the timeless elegant and classical. And if you feel wacky – check out Vera Wang’s monochrome collection.

1920’s - The TV dramas such as Downton Abbey have stirred a revival in the 1920’s look in wedding dresses. The Great Gatsby has helped fuel this too. Dresses are beautiful, elegant and usually involve a little fishtail/trumpet look and plenty of lace. Flowers need to be elegant for this look and not over done – simple is the answer. Light pastel shades are very much in – pale roses, extreme Alstromeria and beautiful wispy foliage such as asparagus fern.

 

Garden Party - Imagine bunting, long trestle wooden tables and children running around laughing and chasing each other. Here you have the perfect country garden party. Our choice of flowers in this instance are really relaxed – tables could be adorned with various types of jars and bottles – all beautifully but casually brimming with cottage flowers such as daisys, lupins, roses, sweet peas and delphiniums.

Depending on the time of year and the colour theme, not to mention the style of dress, the brides bouquet can be as simple as a main colour – such as purple and cream. Purple opens up the world of British flowers and includes phlox, lupins, iris, delphiniums, anemones. In the Autumn lovely dark shades of red can add a dramatic twist.

Elegant and Classical - There is no shortage of beautiful elegant wedding dresses –truly stunning. There has been a shift to dresses with cleaner lines and sharper silhouettes for the 2014 season.

We would recommend keeping it chic and sophisticated by choosing white and green blooms for your day. Hand tied bouquets could include Hellebores or perhaps a combination of Avalanche cream roses, ranunculus and foliage of dill and fennel. Tablecentres could include cream freesias, ranunculus and choisya.  Adding herbs complete any arrangement – the smell of rosemary is truly devine. A favourite of mine is gyphsophila – beautiful and simple when mixed with one colour.

Above all – more is less. Flowers need to be elegant and complete the theme.

Ideally in 20 years you want to look back……and remember those beautiful flowers you had on your wedding day. Please don’t hesitate to ask our advice on themes, colours and seasonal flowers.

Field Gate Flowers is a Milton Keynes Florist based just outside Newport Pagnell.
Free Flower delivery to Milton Keynes, Olney, Newport Pagnell and surrounding villages.
Wedding Flowers for Milton Keynes and villages a speciality...