Vibrant Elegance – A Colourful & Romantic UK Destination Wedding at Somerley House

Hey! We're thrilled to share today's blog feature – a real wedding that was such a dream to work on. As you know, we adore playing with colours and this was wedding was certainly one for the books. We’re thrilled to share the gorgeous details of Elena & Sam’s elegant & modern wedding at the historic and beautiful Somerley House!

When Elena, an American bride from Chicago, and Sam, a charming British gent, decided to celebrate their love with a destination wedding, they brought all the energy, warmth, and vibrancy from Chicago to the heart of the English countryside. They choose the breath-taking Somerley House, a historic wedding venue on the Dorset and Hampshire border. With its timeless elegance and picturesque setting, this venue offered the perfect backdrop for their autumn wedding.

A Vibrant Colourful Wedding Palette

The inspiration for this wedding came from their mood board: Moody Bridgerton Hues. The design revolved around a romantic and bold colour palette, seamlessly blending vibrant autumn florals with luxurious navy and gold accents. Picture bright pops of deep pinks, baby blues, oranges, peaches and delicate pastel shades , beautifully complemented by blue-patterned linens that added richness and depth to the tablescapes. Every element was thoughtfully crafted to wow, creating an atmosphere that felt warm, inviting, and effortlessly sophisticated. A perfect balance of timeless tradition with a modern twist. 

Wedding Party Attire

The bride’s bouquet was a true showstopper!

We created a stunning bridal bouquet featuring lots of seasonal blooms in vibrant autumnal hues that perfectly captured the bold yet romantic palette of the day. Designed to stand out, it became a stunning focal point for her entire bridal look. Her style was the epitome of classic, timeless elegance with a modern twist.

The groom matched the elegance of the day with his dashing and charming suit, tailored to perfection and exuding timeless sophistication. He paired his look with a crisp pocket square and boutonniere featuring a delicate bloom, tying in with the day’s stunning florals. Alongside him, his groomsmen looked equally polished, each wearing dainty and elegant boutonnieres.

The bridesmaids carried smaller bouquets designed in a similar style, each carefully curated to echo the bride’s arrangement while maintaining their own charm. The rich florals paired beautifully with their stylish navy dresses, tying the entire bridal party together – they all looked amazing!

An Intimate Ceremony with a WOW Factor

The ceremony space at Somerley House was transformed into a welcoming and intimate setting that felt so romantic. Aisle meadows lined the aisle walkway, with lush and colourful blooms creating an enchanting entrance for Elena. The highlight of the ceremony, however, was the grand historic fireplace, adorned with cascading florals in the same vibrant tones. This feature made a striking statement and became a real talking point among the guests.

Repurposed Florals

After the “I do’s,” the fireplace arrangement was cleverly repurposed as a photo backdrop, giving the couple and their guests the chance to capture beautiful memories in front of this show-stopping floral installation. A fun and functional element that’s quickly becoming one of the hottest trends for 2025. 

On that note, we always aim to repurpose your wedding flowers where possible. Repurposing ceremony flowers for the reception is not only a sustainable choice but also a budget-friendly way to make a big impact, and Elena and Sam’s wedding was a perfect example of how to do it flawlessly. 

Showstopping Long Tablescapes Design

For the reception, the tablescape designs stole the show! Elena and Sam opted for two long banquet-style tables, elegantly set with navy napkins that added a dramatic contrast to the colourful blooms. The aisle meadows from the ceremony were repurposed as striking table arrangements, adding depth and texture while maximising the use of the florals. We loved working with this textured linen, paired with a dark navy tone and pretty pastel flowers. The overall effect was pure magic. Each table radiated personality and charm, and the colourful floral arrangements gave guests a sense of joy and celebration as they sat down to dine. Even the Bridgerton family would approve of this incredible tablescape design.

Thoughtful Guest Experiences

Elena and Sam’s wedding was all about creating an unforgettable experience for their guests, many of whom had travelled from the United States to celebrate with them. From the moment they arrived, guests were greeted by the beauty of Somerley House and lots of personal elements that truly made Elena & Sam’s wedding one-of-a-kind. Every detail of the wedding was infused with thoughtfulness, from the intimate and romantic ceremony to the vibrant wedding reception. Elena and Sam ensured their guests felt welcomed, celebrated, and included in their special day, making it a true destination wedding to remember. 

No detail was overlooked in this wedding including the cake display. The couple opted for a delicate and pretty cake in a soft light blue, featuring a memo to the couple’s beloved dog. This brought even more personality to the day and guests loved it. The vibrant florals, arranged in a stunning meadow-style display, framed the cake beautifully and elevated it to an eye-catching feature. This clever use of the blooms not only tied the cake display to the overall décor but also showcased how impactful repurposing floral arrangements can be!

A Dream Wedding Team

This wedding was truly a labour of love (as are all weddings!), made possible by an incredible team of wedding professionals. Being featured on Carats and Cake was such an honour and we couldn’t be prouder to have played a part in bringing Elena and Sam’s vision to life.

We absolutely loved working with Elena and Sam and were thrilled to design their wedding at Somerley House. This stunning venue is a dream to work at, and we’re already looking forward to future weddings here. With trends like aisle meadows, vibrant palettes, and repurposed floral installations continuing to take centre stage, we’re excited to see what 2025 has in store.

If you’re planning your UK or destination wedding for 2025 or 2026, we’d love to hear from you! Our diary is officially open, and we’re ready to bring your floral dreams to life. Get in touch today to check our availability and start planning your unforgettable celebration.

Wedding Suppliers:

Wedding Photographer - Melissa Megan Photography, Design & Styling & Rentals - By Hannah Baskett, Wedding Venue - Somerley House, Videography - Red Letter Films, Hair - I Am Samantha Stevenson, Makeup - Tara Sanger Makeup, Dress - Jane Hill Bridal at Alice In Ivory Bridal, Menswear - Hire5 Menswear, Bridesmaids Dresses - Shop Revelry, Stationery - Georgia Eleanor Designs, Linens - Table Alchemy & Just 4 Linen, Cake - The Viking Bakehouse, Caterers - Ginger Catering Company, Bar - Near And Far Mobile Bar, DJ - Hampshire Event Djs