For this week’s supplier spotlight, we have the pleasure of featuring Flowers by Sophie Millington, a wedding florist who we’ve worked with for a while now. With a background in fashion design and retail merchandising, Sophie’s creations always bring a beautiful stylish elegance to our stately home interiors. Flowers by Sophie Millington also focuses on a seasonal approach to wedding floristry, which not only ensures lush floral arrangements in keeping with the tonality of the seasons, but also those which are sustainable. For Sophie’s take on wedding florist FAQs, floral trends for the next year and wedding planning advice, read on.
Flowers by Sophie Millington and How it all Began…
When studying for a degree in fashion back along, I knew that my creative self wanted to take another direction – in the form of flowers. So, whilst studying, I set about contacting companies for work experience. I was lucky enough to be accepted by the distinguished flower grower by the name of The Real Flower Company, who were at the time, based within Selfridges, Bond Street. After graduating, I worked with them for a number of years learning the art of floristry. I also had the privilege of dressing some wonderful venues such as Claridges – the very best thing about working for them was the smell of the best garden roses; I haven’t smelt a rose since that smells better.
I then decided that it was time to fly the floral nest and set up my own business and follow my own path. Having grown up in Devon, I made my way back down and haven’t really looked back. My main focus is wedding work, but I also enjoy being part of event set ups and love holding workshops throughout the year, sharing my love and knowledge of flowers with others.
READ MORE: Your ultimate guide to choosing wedding suppliers
The Style and Ethos…
My work has mainly always been ‘season led’. This can be somewhat of a challenge when there are so many trends and forecasts for each year, or when clients may have a love for certain flowers which aren’t in season.
I’ve always maintained that flowers speak for themselves. It’s all about putting them together in the right way – nothing too complicated or forced, elegant yet whimsical and always in keeping with the setting.
Some Wedding Floristry FAQs from Couples…
Is it Possible to Repurpose Arrangements?
I think the most popular question at the moment is whether it’s possible to repurpose arrangements, where flowers are seen in more places throughout the day. There’s often a simple answer to this – yes. I am a big fan of creating floral pieces that can be for instance used during the ceremony, and then moved to form part of a table arrangement or otherwise for later in the day. I always offer a service whereby big floral pieces can be deconstructed to create bunches for guests to take away.
Is it Possible to Incorporate Flowers with a Meaning?
I often get asked about incorporating flowers that have meaning, or which have perhaps been used in arrangements throughout history. This is always charming and if in season, I’m very keen to incorporate it. Pynes House has a Myrtle tree within the grounds and I’ve quite often been asked to incorporate Myrtle in bouquets as it represents love, luck and prosperity.
READ MORE: creating a sustainable wedding day
Some Thoughts on Future Flower Trends for 2023/24…
I anticipate less of a mixture and combination of flowers and instead, more of the monochrome route and possibly large reflexed blousey roses of the same colour, to create a simplistic look. I have seen the beginnings of enquiries that look for the inclusion of one type of flower, which I think can look utterly heavenly.
Wedding Floristry at Pynes House…
Each time I visit Pynes House, it’s like an old friend welcoming me in. I’ve always felt so at home at Pynes and I really feel that I can be creative there. The light is very special as there are so many windows, each with a very special and unique view.
I think my favourite room is the Ballroom, especially when it’s so green and lush outside. It’s a very special place to dress, and a special place for the people that work in it.
SEE MORE: THE PYNES HOUSE GALLERY
Some Wedding Planning Advice from a Wedding Florist…
Don’t worry about the tick box of things that you “think” you ought to have. Of course organising a wedding is like being an event coordinator, but if you can think of it as holding a dinner party (with a few extra people) and focus on the joy of having all your family and friends in one place, celebrating your love, it may eliminate some of that stress.
If you enjoyed this wedding florist supplier spotlight, we’ve got plenty more on the blog – click here to read more about our exclusive wedding caterer, Pickle Shack, and their advice when it comes to wedding catering. If you’re after a few extra wedding planning tips and tricks, we’ve also got an extensive series of planning guides on the blog – from writing a groom speech to planning an unplugged wedding ceremony, we’ve got you covered. If you’d like to see more of our Devon wedding venue, do follow us on Instagram and Facebook.