A Magical Winter Wedding at Llantilio House with Dried Flowers

A Magical Winter Celebration

Some weddings just feel like pure magic from start to finish and Vic and Matt’s day at Llantilio House was exactly that. They celebrated for an entire week, getting married just after Christmas and stepping into 2025 as a married couple. The day had a cosy, enchanting atmosphere, with naturally architectural surroundings as the backdrop and a warm glow from candlelight and fairy lights twinkling through the evening.

Earthy, natural dried flower arch and hanging installation

A Romantic Venue Full of Character

Llantilio House is one of those venues that feels both luxurious and intimate at the same time. Nestled in the heart of the Monmouthshire countryside, it’s the perfect escape for a wedding getaway. The venue has multiple spaces to celebrate in — from the main barn with its mezzanine floor to the intimate Cow Shed with charming stonework and old beams, plus outdoor areas with thoughtful planting scheme that blend beautifully with the house and natural surroundings. When staying at Llantilio House, you can also enjoy the pool, outdoor sauna and hot tub, making it a truly relaxing retreat.

Bridal and bridesmaids' bouquets ready to deliver

Embracing the Beauty of Dried Flowers

Vic and Matt wanted something unique and long-lasting for their flowers, so we chose a beautiful combination of mainly British-grown, sustainable dried materials. This gave the arrangements not only a textured, natural look but also the chance to keep the flowers as a keepsake long after the day itself. For the bouquets and buttonholes, we used velvet stone-coloured ribbons to add a cosy touch.

The towering alder trees visible through the large windows inspired the floral installations. We wanted the arrangements to feel connected to the landscape while complementing the house’s elegant yet rustic charm — especially during a time when there’s little green foliage on the trees. I’ve always admired the architectural, unique look of a tree's branch system, with its uneven, curly shapes, seedpods, and textures, even after losing its leaves for the colder season. That’s why we used twisted hazel as the main feature, combined with dried grasses, seed heads and delicate flowers to form the wild, unstructured arch and hanging installation in warm, earthy tones. To add further interest and create an immersive experience, we thoughtfully designed floral meadows and added driftwood to complement the barn’s old beam features.

An Atmosphere of Light

and Shadows

To enhance the ceremony space and later the reception, fairy lights adorned the beams and candles were nestled within the installations and lined the windowsills. These elements became part of the reception decor, lighting up the tables and mezzanine with an abundance of soft light that danced off the flowers, creating a warm, inviting atmosphere. Some of the floral arrangements were moved to the mezzanine to create a relaxing area for guests, blending beautifully with the architectural features of the space. The couple also incorporated plenty of candles as part of their table decorations, adding to the cosy, intimate feel of the evening. Seeing the flowers take on an amber glow in the evening was simply breathtaking.

Christmas wedding reception with dried flowers and candlelight

Vic's photo of some of the flowers repurposed at their home

A Sentimental Keepsake

One of the most special parts of using dried flowers is how they last far beyond the wedding day. Vic recently shared photos of their home, where many of the arrangements are now beautiful features, reminding them daily of that incredible celebration. I love seeing how couples keep their flowers as part of their lives, holding onto that little piece of magic.

Congratulations, Vic and Matt!

Your wedding was a true celebration of love, light and nature, and it was an absolute pleasure to be part of it. Wishing you both a lifetime of happiness and beautiful memories!