I was absolutely thrilled to be invited to design the florals for an Alternative Wedding styled shoot at The Willows at Ashcombe Mansion — a perfect setting for a Midsummer Night’s Dream reimagined through a darker, romantic lens. From the moment I saw the location, I could feel the mood: mossy stone, whispering trees, and that deliciously uncanny twilight glow that begs for candles and shadow-play.

Melissa’s inspired suggestion to craft a bridal lantern in place of a traditional bouquet was pure magic. The idea of a bride carrying a softly glowing lantern—flowers and flame entwined—immediately set the creative gears turning. It produced an intimate, candlelit atmosphere that fit the shoot’s theme perfectly, and I’d make one for any couple eager to step away from convention and into something more dream-like.

I also had a blast designing the lapel boutonniere. Small in scale but big on personality, it paired unexpected elements with classic formality — a little rebellious, a little refined. I genuinely wish more couples would embrace designs like these and push beyond the usual floral choices. There’s such freedom in the odd and the ornate; when florals stray from the expected, they become storytelling devices, setting the scene and mood for the entire day.

If you’re dreaming of florals that whisper of moonlit nights, secret gardens, or theatrical romance, I’d love to help you design something that’s beautifully outside the box.

The Willows at Ashcombe Mansion is utterly, unapologetically gorgeous—an enchanted hideaway that reads like a love letter to dark romance. Tucked into a sun-dappled clearing in the woods, the property sits beside a mirror-still lake that makes for an impeccable outdoor ceremony setting: think lace veils fluttering, vows whispered beneath overhanging branches, and reflections catching candlelight as twilight descends.

A charming outdoor patio—perfectly proportioned for a moody cocktail hour—flows from the mansion, offering a breezy transition between ceremony and celebration. Inside, the mansion unfolds like a novel: a labyrinth of corridors and rooms steeped in classic, elevated elegance. Three floors of individually themed chambers await—each room a unique vignette ideal for bridal preparations, boudoir portraits, or a decadent night’s rest after the revelry winds down.

The staff are consummate hosts: warm, professional, and wonderfully accommodating—making collaboration effortless from logistics to last-minute flourishes.

Reception space here is show-stopping. High ceilings and glittering chandeliers set a dramatic stage, while the view onto the garden patio invites the outdoors in as you dance the night away on a striking black-and-white checkered floor. The room’s entirely customizable layout is a florist’s dream: it begs for towering centerpieces, dramatic installations framing a sweetheart table, or a lush blend of garden-party blooms woven with maximalist, theatrical touches. In short, The Willows is the perfect canvas for darkly romantic, highly stylized weddings that balance cultivated grandeur with intimate, elevated charm.

Think about having your Alternative Wedding at The Willows at Ashcombe Mansion because it is seriously so gorgeous, you won’t regret it!