Floral Ideas from a Master Florist Steph Willoughby @ chirpee.net
Behind the scenes decorating a local wedding venue...
We are proud to be a preferred supplier at Highley Manor and love decorating this local venue, which we do often!
Highley Manor is a wonderful 19th-century Manor House located near Balcombe, Haywards Heath, in Sussex. They offer civil ceremonies for up to 80 guests and evening receptions for up to 200. You may have spotted it on TV, when they first opened, being filmed for an Interior Design Challenge with Alan Carr. Check out the amazing bedrooms!
It has a fascinating history....the original Manor was home to the Poet Shelley.
It's bigger than it looks at first sight - there's actually 7 acres of land and their grounds have views across the Sussex countryside and a stunning Ceremonial arch to get married under in the warmer months, a beautiful spot to say, "I do!"
Areas to decorate at Highley Manor can include the outdoor Ceremony area - it's where your marriage will take place after all so needs to look beautiful.
Here are a few "Before" and "After" Images...
A more elaborate decoration with attachments to the frame of the Arch and Free-standing Pedestal arrangments to match.
An alternative decoration - a Foliage Moongate (A Good luck Symbol) to sit in front of the Archway
(This can be moved inside after the ceremony to behind your Top Table if you wish, but if most of your day is outside in the Summer -, leave it for photos and your guests to sit underneath it later in the day).
Highley Manor has a pretty garden swing next to the Arch - perfect for photos and also perfect for decorating... country-style garlands for example.
Outside the main entrance are 2 lovely Urns - have a floral arrangement to welcome guests - or you could choose Pedestal style arrangements or Free-standing columns (see right for example) on either side of the Front door.
These could be moved to your Ceremony nearer the wedding time, or to your Top Table or your Cake Table by your Bridesmaids or Groomsmen.
The "got to decorate" area is the stunning staircase - it's perfect for either a full-on complete look or a magical entrance for pre-wedding photos.
Here are some "After" images of recent staircase decoration
After your magical entrance - your Indoor ceremony can be decorated in many ways.
Chair posies for the aisle, flower petals, lanterns, and a centerpiece for your registry table, or as seen below a "Meadow walkway" to make a beautiful romantic entrance.
We love how fresh flowers create a magical atmosphere, the smell and the sight of fresh flowers are like nothing else but did you know -we also offer faux, dried, and preserved flowers - a few examples can be found in our brochure - email us for a downloadable version.
Onto your Reception...
Top table/ Banquet ideas...If you opt for the long banquet table - it will look stunning!
For your reception, you will need to consider whether you would like long or round tables according to how many guests are attending.
Discuss with the Highley Manor wedding coordinators and staff the best layout for your number of guests.
They are super friendly experts who will help you with your wedding and will suggest ideas for you.
Another recent decoration at Highley Manor used Hourglass stands and Low Bowls of Flowers - you will need to decide if you would like "all tall" or a mixture of low and high florals - both work well at Highley.
Or for a low design - there's so much choice. Floating candle design.
Please note that Highley Manor ask that real candles are not lit due to the historic nature of the venue.
Tall stands always create a wonderful "WOW" for your guests (we have a range of dull gold, rose gold, and perspex ) to choose from in our workshop/showroom in Hassocks - call to make an appointment). Wedding myth- yes you can see through them.
Wondering whether to choose fake or fresh?
There's no choice... fresh flowers are the best. The scent, the touch, the beautiful look -and fresh flowers emit a hormone that makes you happy!
What else might need decorating? See our Wedding flower Checklist here for suggestions.
The coffee tables in the Entrance hall are sometimes overlooked - a pretty jar of flowers or a design with impact - you choose. You may like to re-purpose your Bridesmaid's or Groomsmaids' flowers here - we can provide vases for you.
The Fireplaces are also lovely spots to put candles or twinkly lights, flowers, and lanterns all entwined with foliage garlands.
If you fancy a dramatic floral statement - we can provide an overhead canopy for your Top table or Ceremony.
It's also a nice touch to put fresh flowers in the Ladies' loo of course. Your guests will appreciate this!
Depending on your allocated budget of course - an average spend is around 10-15% of your total wedding budget on flowers.
A standard package is usually around £2K - Luxe packages are usually between £3K - £4K
Whatever you are comfortable spending we can help with ideas and suggestions or you may already have a complete vision of what you would like.
Next steps?
Call 01273 951745 to check if we have your date available and to make an appointment, or just for a chat!
Check out our packages
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Email: chirpeeflowers@gmail.com
Visit www.chirpee.net - check out our gallery for further ideas.
Pinterest - we have masses of ideas on our Pinterest boards
To go to Highley Manor's website - click here for further information
Steph & Tim x
