FLOWER STUDIO
A SELECTION OF WEDDINGS & EVENTS, OVER THE LAST TEN YEARS, FROM OUR FLOWER STUDIO
Over the last ten years we have designed and created flowers for intimate events to huge global celebrations, working closely with each of our incredible clients. Below is a selection of images from a few these events, including private celebrations, editorial photoshoots and launches for renowned global brands.
Anniversary Dinner
Drawing inspiration from the surrounding woodlands, with ferns and delicate white blooms, to create an elegant long display using a mixture of clay and moss pots, set against the purity of the glass. The mix ensured a sleek design, yet one that was natural and relaxed in feel. Moss placed directly on the table, to give the illusion of stems growing directly from the centre of the table.
“The Queen of London Florists. Philippa Craddock transforms spaces with her opulent and English countryside florals. She works closely with clients to interpret exactly what they want and is adored, with clients professing that she makes ‘the whole process so easy.”
Candlelight placed into petite hurricane vases and safely nestled amongst the greenery and flowers.
Staggered heights to emphasis movement, all kept low to bring guests in, without interrupting conversation.
Summer sweet peas, astilbe and orlayas, mixed with a perfect background of same tonal greens.The potted ferns were replanted into the clients’ garden after the event.
Boutique Opening
Designs to align with Chopard’s brand ethos and their focus on sustainability, to celebrate and announce the opening of their new Bond Street boutique. We created large vertical walls filled with rooted plants, as large scale decoration and secondary as a backdrop for guests’ photographs. All the plants were repurposed following the event. The event continued to Banqueting House, for a formal sit down dinner.
“No-one else designs like Philippa. She has an intuitive sense of nature, capturing its patterns and irregularities to create breath-taking designs. She also has exquisite taste – ‘the Audrey Hepburn of florists.”
Large trees and plants, placed into pots and window boxes, continuing the focus on sustainability, all were replanted.
St George’s Chapel
The flowers softened the austere front of the chapel and continued inside, following the architectural lines. They met a perfect balance between being relaxed to echo the couple and dignified to meet the occasion. The greenery was sourced directly from nearby Great Windsor Park Estate and the flowers were repurposed afterwards, turned into hand ties and given to hospice and refuge residents throughout London.
The bridal bouquet was purposefully stripped back, to work beautifully with the elegant simplicity of the bridal gown.
The designs were to look as if they had always been there, with natural tumbling greenery and plenty of movement.
Every angle was considered, to ensure none of the vast mechanics were visible, and every stem was placed into water, as the designs had to provide plenty of longevity given how long they were in place for.
“Thank you for all the love and dedication that you put into making the flowers so incredibly beautiful. I know that you put hours of work into this project before you were able to even start thinking about the flowers, design or any of the actual creative side. What you achieved was an extraordinary work of art, and the displays completely reflected the couple’s initial brief of natural and relaxed floral arrangements. I know that The Duke and Duchess of Sussex both felt that what you did was to create something really wonderful. We all really enjoyed having the opportunity to work with you - it was a huge privilege.”
The designs were created with a mass of locally sourced greenery and early summer blooms. The base structures were carefully assembled to ensure the stonework was protected and the designs fully secure, particularly given the number of people passing through.
Stella Magazine
Designs created for The Telegraph Stella Magazine, in a paddock surrounded by trees. With summer blooms, and a mass of foraged greenery.
The designs were to merge seamlessly with the surrounding landscape, bringing the tree foliage directly onto the table, with the edition of summer blooms, to bring a definite elegance to the table.
The vases included a mix of white and blue patterned ceramics, with the blue echoed through the crockery and soft accessories.
Countryside in the Heart of the City
English country garden to rich florals, in Central London. Wedding ceremony at One Belgravia, followed by the reception at the V&A. Wild, foliage heavy designs for the ceremony and rich, sophisticated arrangements for the after party.
We brought in a touch of dusty pink within the greens, as a gentle nod to the evening flowers.
We created a mix of low and high designs across the tables, surrounding one main central significant design - the mixed height gave a feeling of intimacy within the gigantic space.
“Known for her work with brands such as Chopard, Patek Philippe and Bvlgari, you can throw anything at Philippa, including - as has happened - a demand for 40,000 pink roses for an event with only a few days’ notice. She’s a floral mastermind.”
MATCHESFASHION.com
We created a collection of floral hair accessories for the fashion retailer MATCHESFASHION.com, which over a period of three years and six collections, became one of their best selling accessories. The collection included oversized floral hairbands and delicate slides, with pieces worn on red carpets and in editorial fashion shoots, with leading fashion publications, including British and American Vogue.
“Undeniably romantic … the lineup is a visual feast, single-blossom slides and lush bouquet-like bands dressed with blindingly bright hydrangeas, dahlias, and poppies, the likes of which can all be found during a stroll through a rambling English country garden.”
Intimate Dinner
Sample designs within our Sussex studio, created prior to the event, using a mass of seasonal, rich, deep toned blooms. The designs were to create an intimate feel within a large space.
“A genius in the world of floristry, Philippa Craddock has produced inspirational displays for the likes of Tiffany & Co., Jo Malone and Lancôme, and creates jaw-droopingly gorgeous bouquets.”
Bridal Editorial Shoot
Photography by Anushe Low at Clifton Nurseries, London. Bohemian, organic designs, mixing flowers and fruit.
“When it comes to the flower world, few are as established as Philippa Craddock. Since launching her business in 2009, the floral magician has designed her way to the pinnacle of her industry and has established herself as one of the most respected floral experts on both sides of the Atlantic. But don’t just take our word for it... Among Philippa’s most prestigious clients are Christian Dior, Hermès and BAFTA.”
Wedding Reception
A wedding reception held at Kensington Palace, with delicate details of blush late spring/early summer blooms; carefully considered and elegantly understated.
“Philippa has become one of the most in-demand florists for nuptials in London. She has worked with the likes of Dior, MatchesFashion.com, the Victoria & Albert Museum. Better yet, Philippa avoids using florist foam (a non-biodegradable plastic product often used in floristry) and works with local growers and, when sourcing flowers overseas, her team ensures the flora comes from fair-trade farms. Florists with conscious – what more could you want?”
Rustic & Playful
Bar Mitzvah at Kensington Palace, heavily inspired by the gardens and greenhouses at Petersham Nurseries. With a mass of bold tones, through delicate blooms placed into glass bottles, with touches of blue glass, alongside potted herbs and olive trees. Tapered natural candles, with wooden candlesticks added to the rustic feel.
“Loved by the fashion set, Philippa Craddock got the royal seal of approval when she was chosen to do the flowers for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s wedding in 2018. Working with seasonal flowers and plants, she’s a stickler for a brief, creating extravagant masterpieces in next to no time for big fashion houses like Alexander McQueen and Dior.”
Brand Colours
Large installations, delicate free standing designs and raised flower beds, to create a backdrop for a garden party, hosted by Fortnum & Mason. We focussed on the brand colours, bringing their renowned greens and purples into the designs, and utilising a selection of branded containers.
“Plants from wildflower meadows, picked by Philippa to provide a great habitat for bees and help to nurture and sustain entire ecosystems by promoting a healthy and biodiverse environment ... The bee-friendly plants will be potted and re-planted after the event, with cut flower arrangements given away to charities.”
Wedding Tea Party
Based on a classic English wedding tea party reception - traditional marquee set in the South Downs, filled with a mass of coloured blooms, taking inspiration directly from the surrounding formal flower beds, with full blooms roses, peonies and lavender, plus early flowering fruit.
“The name Philippa Craddock is synonymous with wildly enchanting English countryside botanicals, a revered elegance coveted by many and sustainable floral designs that effortlessly eclipse the norm. Stealing hearts across the globe since 2009 (not to mention multiple publication spreads and Instagram squares) Philippa Craddock’s career is a masterclass in floral design, whatever the event brief, whatever the season.”
Frida Kahlo at the V&A
A long term sculpture for the Victoria and Albert Museum, placed in the central courtyard of the central London art and design museum. Designed to celebrate the Frida Kahlo exhibition at the time, as an interactive sculpture (visitors were able to stand inside Frida’s head). The sculpture was later auctioned at Sotheby’s, raising money for the charity Women for Women International.
“Philippa’s star is undoubtedly in the ascendant, and now she’s collaborating with the Victoria & Albert Museum.”
Festive Store Installations
A collaboration with renowned artist and set designer Rhea Thierstein, creating long standing doorway displays across all of Herme’s London stores leading up to and over the Christmas period.
“Philippa knows how to make an entrance ... and it may come as a surprise that ten years ago, the self-taught florist who’s worked with the likes of Hermès, Alexander McQueen, and Kensington Palace, had just begun experimenting with the art of arrangements. In this short time, she’s risen to the top.”
We work globally and are known for our focus on seasonality and sustainability in design, alongside our discretion and collaborative approach. Most of our events are conducted under NDAs, ensuring upmost privacy for all of our clients. Philippa accepts a very small handful of wedding and event design briefs each year, ensuring a dedicated approach. We select each wedding and event based on those that are most in keeping with our style and where we feel we are able to work well with you. Above is a small selection of images that our clients have been happy for us to share. If you think we might be the right fit and you would like to find out more, please click on the button below: