These are underestimated times for wedding celebrations in general, in my opinion! I am biased - my husband and I were married in March so late winter/early spring weddings will always have a soft spot in my heart. But since Limekiln opened it’s doors two years ago, it has proven to be a superb venue for a wedding. In particular, I would sing its praises for a bleak midwinter wedding.

Spring flowers, Hydrangea, moss and shells in sculptural forms for winter wedding Limekiln East Sussex — Photo: The Curries

Why?

My primary reason would be the decor and thoughtful design choices throughout the entire space. You truly could spend an entire weekend in the lodge without once venturing outside and feel cocooned in it’s texture-soaked walls and colour infused textiles. It is a place where every detail has been considered but the spaces remain unfussy, spacious, and homely. I am lucky to have spent many, many hours there over the last couple of years, and it never ceases to enchant you. When every design choice has been considered with such care, it is difficult not to feel caught up into the world the team has created. You could easy sink into celebrating with your friends and family in such a way that storms could be raging and not once disturb your peace or impede the practical aspects and flow of your wedding day. The rooms feel intimate, yet there is plenty of space throughout the lodge for guests to mingle and enjoy a full wedding day without treading on each other’s toes.

Floral design of spring bulbs and glass for design led wedding Limekiln — Photo: Katie Rogers

Detail of tablescape white green florlas for modern stylish winter wedding Limekiln East Sussex — Photo: Katie Rogers

Detail of wedding table design modern florals for luxury winter wedding Limekiln East Sussex — Photo: Katie Rogers

There is a very practical aspect to Limekiln that makes it such an easy venue to work in and celebrate in, and that is it’s layout. Designed specifically for hosting large-scale private and brand events, guest experience is at the core of layout choices throughout the lodge. Typically, guests move from the light and airy Alder Room for a ceremony, to the softer, more detail-orientated Poplar Hall for the wedding breakfast. Even between these two rooms there is a shift in tone as the lightness of Alder makes way to the softer tones in Poplar, encouraging guests to relax and settle into the celebration as the day unfolds. As evening falls, the party starts in the Green Room - a space heavy with silky textures and deep, saturated colours.

Throughout the day the Bar is the linchpin. It is where guests frequently return and couples often choose to have their post-ceremony drinks. The decor here is sublime and I believe it is the bar area that couples fall for when they head towards Limekiln when choosing a venue. It would be a joy to sit in front of the fireplace at any point on a winter’s day, nestled into one of the chairs, admiring the hand painted tiles that wraps around the chimney and the bespoke art on the walls. This is the heart of Limekiln.

Limekiln bar in the evening for a winter wedding — Photo: Katie Rogers

Winter wedding at Limekiln with bespoke artwork on the walls in the lodge — Photo: Katie Rogers

Actually - scrap that - the onsite team are the heart of Limekiln. This is the central reason why a wedding at Limekiln in winter (or any time of year, in honesty) would make such a good choice. The team on the ground, who greet you, answer your questions, problem solve, think ahead, bring drinks, adjust the heating, design cocktails, laugh and joke with you, become an integral part of the day. In fact, their dedication, professionalism, and genuine good-natured approach is an asset beyond measure. I love that in creating florals at Limekiln, my team and I temporarily become part of the Limekiln team. I would vouch for them any day of the week - which is helpful because the venue is in such demand couples choose to marry there on Wednesdays and Thursdays, as well as the popular weekend dates.

Finally, every space within the lodge provides an opportunity for floral design with the potential to express any couple’s vision. My designs always orbit my client’s vision and creative expression, and Limekiln is the ideal canvas. As florals remain such a vital option for creative and design focussed couples, having such a beautifully designed space to create in is a huge benefit. Add to this the easiness of working there as a supplier and it is a huge win! There is a movement towards more editorial florals, and both Alder and Poplar are great spaces for more modern designs. Below are some florals TM&TV designed this spring for Abi and Lee - a perfect example of modern floral design at the lodge.