Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter
We may be biased but regardless of the season, Boconnoc is one of the most spectacular and romantic places to wed. Each season brings its own character, colour, atmosphere and backdrop. Embrace the seasons and let your imagination explore the endless options available at Boconnoc for your wedding.
Image: Imogen Xiana
Spring
Signs of new life, gardens bursting into bloom – spring is a wonderful time to say I do. If you choose an outdoor civil ceremony in either the Bath House or Dorothy Garden, you may be lucky enough to have the backdrop of some wonderful blooms. The flowerbed at the back of the arbour in the Dorothy Garden bursts with tree peonies in early may and the Bath House is dotted with vibrant pink camellias in March and April, which once they drop create a natural confetti carpet underfoot.
Image: Debs Alexander Photography, Bouquet: The Garden Gate Flower Company
Summer
Drinks on the lawn under the sun with the sound of a musician in the background makes for the perfect drinks reception after your nuptials. The grounds at this time of year are looking green and lush, and it is the best time to make the most of the outdoor spaces as well as the indoor. Use the terrace off the Garden Room for jazz and cocktails, or perhaps cosy fire pits as the evening draws in.
Images: Ben Selway & Sarah Falugo
Autumn
In the early autumn we usually get some fine weather and beautiful light, which is still suitable for outdoor ceremonies. By October the trees are starting to turn from vibrant green to varying shades of amber, brown, yellow and maroon which makes for a stunning landscape as you enter the Estate. The ‘golden hour’ at Boconnoc is a photographer’s dream, the low level autumn light makes for wonderful pictures. It is also when we start to light the fires and get the candles burning, creating a truly beautiful and cosy atmosphere for you and your guests.
Image: Holes in the World Studio
Winter
Think crisp, Jack Frost-dusted mornings and keeping warm by the open fire; this could be your magical winter wedding. Late afternoon candle-lit church ceremonies are just pure magic. Our on-site church is just a stone’s throw from the main house, so just make sure to pack a warm jacket or blanket for the few steps between before getting toasty by the fire in the Drawing Room. Our Garden Room looks just spectacular in the evening with tables lined with candelabras and beautiful flowers or foliage. Or perhaps you are looking for an intimate affair for up to 18 with a feasting supper in our ruby red Smoking Room.
Images: Simon Burt & James Darling
As the seasons change, so do colours, textures and styles. We spoke to Becca from The Garden Gate Flower Company about why working with the seasons is so important to her business and how it can make your wedding more sustainable too.
Image: Imogen Xiana
For those who don’t know you, tell us a bit about The Garden Gate Flower Company.
The Garden Gate Flower Company is a sustainable, environmentally conscious garden and floral design studio based in Cornwall and run by Becca. They create seasonal arrangements for full serviced weddings and bespoke events throughout Cornwall and Devon.
Why is working with the seasons so important?
For years I had watched the trend for the slow food-movement and provenance becoming so much more important to people when choosing what to eat or where to eat out and I couldn’t understand why something as important as flowers, which when you consider how we fill our homes with them, were not being considered in the same regard. For me using seasonal ingredients in my garden to produce wedding flowers just feels the most natural thing to do. Take an autumn wedding for example; it wouldn’t look right to include bright zingy greens – bringing the landscape into view for your wedding you would instead expect to see autumnal tones of reds, browns and coppers. Working seasonally almost channels the mind and steers you on what looks right at the right time of year.
At the end of the day we all might like to eat asparagus all year round but we all know it has no flavour in winter even if you can buy it in the supermarket!
What are the environmental benefits of working seasonally?
In choosing to use seasonal British flowers you are instantly cutting down huge unnecessary air miles from flowers flown in from Europe and beyond. Local floral gardeners can produce seasonal flowers with minimal impact on the environment and quite often are balancing their garden with pollinators helping to boost bee and butterfly populations. Getting down to true provenance of stock can be tricky and this is why I love to show my couples around the garden so they can see exactly how and where their flowers are grown.
Can you supply flowers for weddings all year round?
Nearly! Whilst my own garden is in full blooms from March through to October I am supported by a wonderful network of bigger British growers which means I can take on weddings in the shoulder season months.
How are you currently working with clients during the lockdown? And do you have any advice for them?
I’m super lucky that my 2020 couples have been incredibly supportive in ensuring my business is sustainable for the next year, in keeping to original payment contracts and working to find dates in 2021 that were available. As you can imagine I’ve a garden full of flowers which has taken months of planning and working over the winter….the flowers don’t understand about a pandemic so they are flowering their socks off for no real need this year and next year I’ll need to grow them all again. I’d advise couples to keep in contact with their suppliers and gather a few dates that are options. It’s hard for everyone involved; client and supplier, and it’s better to work together to make 2021 amazing!
For those of you who are living locally, The Garden Gate Flower Company are currently selling their flowers for pre-order and collection every Friday from either Bella Mama Deli in Lostwithiel or Relish in Wadebridge. See their website for more information.
Image: Nick Walker Photography, florals: The Garden Gate Flower Company
Thank you Becca for giving us a fascinating insight into your business and how working with the seasons has been so influential.
Small and Intimate Weddings
The changes to the wedding industry this year have sparked new ideas and ways of moving forward. We will shortly be extending our wedding offering to smaller affairs for those who seek a more intimate celebration with those they love, but can do so in a naturally peaceful, secluded and tranquil environment. This offering will run alongside our weekend weddings for up to 250. We will update you all with more details soon.