Behind the Scenes of a Stunning Wedding Setup at St. James Church, Kingston.
Today I’m excited to share some behind-the-scenes snapshots from the beautiful St. James Church in Kingston, Dorset. Nestled in a quaint, countryside village overlooking the rolling Purbeck hills, this picturesque venue set the perfect stage for organic, garden-inspired designs, brimming with wild, local foliage and soft pastel blooms.
Behind-the-scenes at our latest wedding setup at the historical St. James Church in Kingston, Dorset.
Designs Inspired by a Quintessential English Garden
For this wedding, I wanted to capture the essence of an English garden in full bloom. The entrance and altar were framed with lush arrangements filled with an abundance of British-grown peonies and mixed seasonal stems. The designs were organic, natural, and romantic—an absolute joy to create.
The essence of an English garden in full bloom.
Floral Magic Without Floral Foam
One of the important aspects of this setup, as with all of my floral work, was a commitment to sustainability. I avoided using floral foam, instead building bespoke mechanics for each structure. Every design, including the larger-than-life urns placed on either side of the church, were constructed with either buckets and vessels or biodegradable floral fibre to ensure the flowers stayed fresh throughout the day and beyond.
Every design, including the larger-than-life urns, were constructed with foam-free mechanics.
The Dream Team
Creating this setup required a dedicated and talented crew. I’m immensely grateful to the dream team—Mariko, Karen, and Alice—for their floral superpowers. Their talent and hard work were crucial in bringing these designs to life. And a big thank you to Highcroft Nurseries for providing the stunning British blooms that were the stars of the show.
Stunning British blooms were the stars of the show.
Capturing the Moment
The setup was beautifully captured by Paul Barton Photography and Cinematography. Paul did an incredible job snapping us in action. Despite the tricky lighting in the church, his shots really captured the beauty of the florals and all the hard work that went into creating them. Here are just a few of the beautiful photos he took. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!
