How to pull off an English Rose wedding theme

If you’re looking for something classy, sophisticated and timeless, you can’t go far wrong with an English Rose themed wedding

Of all wedding styles, the English Rose is the hardest to get right, relying, as it does, on elegant simplicity, knowing when to make a splash and when to be restrained and the perfect blend of food, drink and ambience. So how to achieve the quintessential English Rose Wedding? Here’s everything you need to consider - as detailed by the team at The Montagu Arms Hotel in The New Forest, Hampshire.

The venue

It’s hard to pull off an English Rose wedding in a modern setting. It needs to take place somewhere with a bit of history, with a beautiful garden featuring plenty of roses and the scent of lavender for photos and pre-wedding breakfast drinks. An English country house will fit the bill perfectly.

The ceremony

For the ceremony itself, choose a room overlooking the garden – preferably with doors that open on to the terrace. Add in a magnificent oak staircase for a bride to sweep down – what bride doesn’t dream of doing that? – plus four-poster beds to retire to at the end of it all, and you get the picture.

The food

English Rose wedding food must be simple, traditional and taste so good you will remember it forever. Nothing brash or flash, so think roasted lamb smothered in garden herbs, fresh strawberries and vegetables with a modern twist. Choose a venue that values local, English suppliers and food that’s in season – even better if they have their own kitchen garden to forage from. Whether you choose a sumptuous buffet featuring a selection of classic English favourites or a multi-course, sit-down tasting menu featuring the chef’s signature dishes, your guests won’t forget in a hurry. 

The details

Get these wrong and your wedding will never feel right. So think it through from the beginning, starting with your colours. For inspiration, look no further than the English Rose itself. Think blush or soft, buttery yellows, pale pink and the gentlest of creams for spring and summer ceremonies. Or maybe the soft lavenders and sage greens of the English country garden. For winter and autumn weddings, you can take a steer from the English rose too; check out the ruby red, deep magentas and ice white hues of the more dramatic blooms.

The stationery

When it comes to stationery don’t make it too funky and likewis,e the table and room decorations. As much as you can, bring the outdoors in – it will complement the colours you have chosen for your bouquet and any corsages. Traditional cutlery and crockery set off by quality table-linen and beautiful, scented floral centrepieces, perhaps with candles for the evening, are classic English Rose touches.

Images: The Montagu Arms Hotel