This English garden wedding is a floral-loving bride's fantasy

A Floral Explosion At An English Garden Wedding | Dominique Bader 7

Botanical babes be warned – this English garden wedding may just steal your heart.

Hidden in London, is a wild, greenery-filled oasis called Petersham Nurseries, the enchanting getaway for Evonna and Eddie’s wedding. Taking advantage of all the lush foliage provided, the day was filled with rich blooms and luxe details styled by one of our favorite London planners, Liz Linkleter.

We can’t get enough of the billowing florals draped down the tablescapes, wine-colored dahlias and roses complement wild greenery. The atrium reception space appeared both organically unkempt yet impeccably luxurious. Light and airy, Dominique Bader‘s photographs beg to ask – what more could a botanical bride wish for?

Our Love Story

We met at university and dated for several years. We knew for quite some time that we would spend the rest of our lives together. Eddie proposed in the Italian Riviera on a small coastal walking path. Immediately after, he surprised me by inviting my family to meet us for a celebratory lunch atop of the cliffs overlooking a small Italian village and the Mediterranean sea.

A Floral Explosion At An English Garden Wedding | Dominique Bader 1

The Venue

Years ago, when we first visited Petersham Nurseries for lunch, we knew there was something special about the gardens and cafe. Immediately, we felt at ease in the tranquil, botanical environment. From earthy floors and effortlessly florid chairs to lush bougainvillea all within structured glasshouses, we fell in love. When visiting, you get a sense that it is secret place held just out of arm’s reach from the city.

Visiting Petersham year-after-year was a wonderful departure to the bustling streets of London and its neighboring cities. We knew we would get married there, one day. The venue complimented many of the things we enjoy as a couple.

The vibe is elegant but laid-back with an emphasis on food and service. Petersham Nurseries’ food is an excellent example of a real farm to table experience. For us, on such an important day, we wanted to incorporate thoughtful, delicious food, with effortless elegance in a beautiful location. Petersham Nurseries had just that, and we could not wait to share this special place with our closest family and friends.

A Floral Explosion At An English Garden Wedding | Dominique Bader 5

Favorite Moments

It was a surprisingly sunny day for a London wedding, which was wonderful. However, when the sun set, the gardens were lit by candlelight. It was an incredibly enchanting atmosphere. That coupled with the buzz of conversation from our guests was an unforgettable moment for Eddie and I.

We sat back and took in the dimly lit room filled with our closest family and friends. In that moment, we knew we would not have wanted to celebrate our union in any other way – enchanting atmosphere with delicious food and the best company we could have possibly asked for.

The Photography

We chose our photographer Dominique because of her ability to capture moments, and incorporate the surroundings into her pictures. We had a wonderful time working with her. She also did our engagements photos at Hampstead Heath.

From Liz Linkleter Events

Guests had drinks in the dappled sunlight underneath the venue’s make-shift roof, free to explore the gardens and nursery, followed by dinner under the bougainvillea.

We worked with the couple to create an elegant garden wedding in this beautiful setting, in a colour palette of purples, soft pinks and creams, complementing the existing plants and flowers in the space. We used luxe details to elevate the rustic dining furniture, including gold cutlery, beautiful berry taper candles and stationery designed by the bride herself, with laser cut placement names done for the couple by a friend of the family. It was important that the event feel elegant, but also that anything we brought in would work in harmony with the natural, organic feel of Petersham Nurseries.

After dark, the hundreds of candles and twinkling lights created a really magical atmosphere. There was much laughter and many tears shed during the speeches, after which guests headed out to the Richmond Hill Hotel for dancing until the early hours.

A Floral Explosion At An English Garden Wedding | Dominique Bader 10

Advice for Other Couples

Forget about what is customary and do what you as a couple want. Also, it was important for us to have a small, intimate day, allowing us to spend meaningful time with each of our wedding guests.