Henley
October 2020
On the River Thames, Henley remains to be a chic and desirable departure from the busy city streets of London. Only an hour’s train ride away, I can easily see why its inhabitants are drawn to the tranquillity. There is something about river towns isn’t there?
Being close to a river offers that steady calm of a gliding and silent current. Henley is one of those places where painters from around the world could easily set up shop beside the Thames and never fall short of inspiration. I found it difficult to put away my camera on my short visit, despite having a wedding to prepare…
On a beautiful sunny Saturday in spring, a young bride is waiting for a hairdresser’s lastminute twirls to her perfect chignon, and a hundred or so guests await first glimpses of the ivory draped, nymph like goddess about to float down the petal dusted aisle. I hand her a tightly ribboned tumbling bouquet and watch her take a deep inhale in excitement as she turns away to show the rest of her wedding party. Now this is a wedding! No expense spared, the fresh smell of rose fills the pews of the historic Victorian cathedral. I watch from a distance but can see that everyone is smiling in anticipation as the nervous young couple join hands and begin to recite their vows. What a special day in such a gorgeous place.
When I think of my clients from Henley and the weddings I have been fortunate enough to work on here, I take away with me a sense of grandeur and refined taste. The brides and people of Henley take quality to another calibre. And so, the Henley bouquet is an ode to that elegant bride or dashing couple. Like the wedding I so fondly remember, I wanted to portray a freshness and innocence that so often accompanies young love. A minimalist approach, the white garden roses exude class when paired with olive toned foliage and cream coloured, scented tuberous adding an effortlessly chic, no fuss appeal.
The Henley arrangement leaves a lasting impression of simplistic elegance and charm, reminiscent of a quaint riverside town with church bells ringing in the distance. It is a capsule for a moment in time that represents a purity and delicacy that is not easily replicated. I hope I have honoured the memory, and I hope you enjoy.
