Designing Garden-style Wedding Flowers for a Montrose House Wedding

Leah and Mitch’s Montrose House wedding in the Southern Highlands unfolded like a gentle love story. The morning arrived softly, wrapped in a blanket of mist and a gentle, drizzling rain. Beneath a veil of moody grey skies, the estate’s heritage gardens felt hushed, intimate, and profoundly romantic. Then, as if on cue and scripted by love itself, the clouds parted just before the ceremony. The sun spilled its golden warmth across the grounds, illuminating the estate exactly as Leah and Mitch prepared to say their vows.

Venue – Montrose House, Sutton Forest

The ceremony took place amidst the estate’s mature, historic gardens, framed by magnificent, sweeping trees. Vows were exchanged in front of the iconic heritage ceremony doors, but with a unique, modern twist. While I have designed countless installations for this exact spot, Leah and Mitch envisioned something entirely fresh: rather than dressing the doors vertically, they requested florals that appeared to grow naturally from the earth itself.

I crafted a lush, low-lying garden that bloomed directly in front of the heritage ceremony doors, grounding the couple in a living meadow of classic soft whites, gentle ivory and vibrant, fresh greens. Leah had requested tall whimsical foliage and it felt entirely organic – as though the flowers belonged inherently to the historic landscape.

For her walk down the aisle, Leah carried a petite, understated bridal bouquet composed of fragrant freesia and delicate spray roses. It was a design celebrating the quiet power of simplicity, where every bloom was given the intentional space to breathe and be admired. Refined yet carrying a distinct whisper of whimsy, it beautifully bridged contemporary floral artistry with romantic, airy softness. There was a beautiful nostalgia to the bouquet’s sweet fragrance, a scent to be treasured now and bound to evoke fond memories far into the future.

Complementing Leah’s look, the bridesmaids carried ethereal clouds of baby’s breath that perfectly mirrored the delicate buttonholes worn by Mitch and his groomsmen. Against their shimmering, satin brown dresses, the crisp white bouquets stood out in stunning, luminous contrast.

To achieve an aesthetic that felt both abundant and wildly whimsical, I curated a texture-rich selection of seasonal blooms and delicate foliage, including:

• The Focal Blooms: Pillowy hydrangeas, romantic garden roses, and striking delphiniums.
• The Whimsical Accents: Dancing cosmos, intricate scabiosa, and elegant lisianthus.
• The Foliage: Variegated pittosporum and murraya, chosen specifically for their small, delicate leaves that added a soft, layered texture to the overall design.

Sustainability and thoughtfulness were woven into the day. Every single bloom from this ceremony meadow was later carefully repurposed, breathing new life into the reception at Badgery Hall. The florals seamlessly transitioned to adorn the seating chart, the grand fireplace mantle, and the ends of the long tables.

Garden style florals in vintage bud vases were clustered on the long tables, allowing for easy conversation and room for shared platters.

Leah and Mitch’s celebration was a masterclass in timeless romance – a day where nature, history, and intentional design came together in perfect harmony.

Photography – Dan Cartright

Planning a Montrose House Wedding?

Every corner of Montrose House holds a piece of magic, and having styled numerous celebrations at this heritage estate, I know exactly how to make a Montrose House wedding look entirely breathtaking. I specialise in creating bespoke, living installations that adapt beautifully throughout your day – ensuring your ceremony blooms transition seamlessly to bring warmth and elegance to your reception celebration.

Our calendar fills quickly for Southern Highlands weddings. Get in touch today to check availability for your date and begin designing your custom floral story.