A couple of weeks ago I was travelling around Devon and Cornwall visiting TNWC businesses, and as part of that roadtrip I got to spend a whole day with the lovely ladies at The Garden Gate Flower Company (you can read more about it here).  We had made plans to do a little shoot of seasonal wedding hair flowers, and despite the fact that it was a wet and windy day on the farm, we were undeterred.

Flower crowns have been a popular wedding trend for over a year now, and don’t seem to be going away any time soon.  Whilst I absolutely love them, I noticed they were getting bigger and bolder, and felt that I would never have felt confident or comfortable to pull off a flower crown like that for my wedding.  It got me wanting to share some inspiration for more subtle and understated hair flowers, yet still incredibly beautiful.

Becca and Maz at The Garden Gate Flower Company equally loved the idea, especially as they’ve had more and more brides this year asking for more demure hair flowers, so it was a great opportunity to try out their ideas.  We were joined on this wild June day by Louise and Teo from Taylor & Porter Photographs who have captured Becca and Maz’s designs exquisitely.

Louise and Teo have recently relocated to Cornwall and their photography business Taylor & Porter Photographs is quite special – why?  Because they only shoot on vintage cameras using film.  With at least six of us huddled in the polytunnel at The Garden Gate Flower Company for the shoot, it was pretty magical listing to the whizz and click of Louise and Teo’s vintage cameras.

Somehow I ended up ‘modelling’ a number of the hair flowers, which wasn’t my intention, but my long hair wound me up in the styling seat when Becca and Maz’s friend who was going to model for us had to leave early.  I am not one for having my photo taken, especially when I’m not prepared with a bit of make-up and less windswept hair – I’m hoping the hair flowers are so stunning you don’t even notice me!

Enough talking, over to the flowers…

A Mass of Frothy Nigella, Scabious and Wild Grasses 

For this frothy bridal flower comb, Becca and Maz used a palette of pale blue, snow white and soft lilac with the addition of some wild grasses.  A beautiful mass of scabious, nigella, brodiaea, anemone and trembling grasses, it has a gentle, old-fashioned romance to it.

It’s another lovely example of how you can still wear a lot of flowers in your hair, but in a subtle way that wouldn’t make you feel self-conscious.  I would like to see more brides feel comfortable about wearing flowers in their hair in alternative ways to the flower crown, such as these pretty combs of seasonal blooms.

Country Garden Flower Comb of Yellow Roses

Yellow roses, white nigella and a fabulously architectural parsley flower were wired onto a comb to create these beautiful wedding hair flowers.  For me it evokes the archetypal English country garden,with those loose and perfumed yellow roses still with a few leaves and buds attached.

Whilst it is actually quite a large arrangement, it is a little more understated due to where in your hair you’d wear it.  If you like the idea of wearing lots of flowers in your hair, but don’t want them across your face on a flower crown, this is a beautiful alternative.  I think it would be finished off perfectly with a veil attached below the flowers.

Dainty Fern Woodland Hair Flower

Inspired by Louise’s beautiful braid Maz made this simple but very beautiful hair flower from a dainty fern leaf and some tiny white flowers.  I must say, it’s one of my favourites, and perfect for anyone planning a woodland wedding as it would reflect your location beautifully.

English Meadow Circlet with Chamomile, Nigella and Wild Grasses

While we were trying to get away from flower crowns, we also wanted to include one that would showcase a more dainty approach.  This English meadow inspired circlet featured chamomile, blue and white nigella, wild grasses and painted sage.  It was fastened at the back with a delicate piece of lace.

A lovely option for a meadow or field wedding where you want to capture the English summer countryside and pop it in your hair.  I think a matching bridal bouquet would be utterly heavenly.

Subtle Hair Clip with Scabious, Nigella and Grasses

One of our most subtle creations, this collection of scabious, nigella and grasses were bound onto a small hair clip.  It looked particularly beautiful in Becca and Maz’s friends curly brown hair, and would work equally well for a group of bridesmaids as well as a bride who wants something down-to-earth and not over the top.

Pretty Pink Wedding Flower Hair Comb

Becca and Maz created this romantic hair flower comb from a selection of pink and white flowers, including anemone, nigella and deutzia.  With the big blousy anemone at its focal point, it’s ideal for any brides-to-be who are planning on wearing their hair up and want a delicate floral touch.

I love the frilly fronds of the nigella flowers and the addition of the scabious buds as well.

Field Grass and Honeysuckle Wedding Hair Flowers

This was one of the most simple ideas, in which Maz just carefully secured the flowers and grasses into two tiny plaits – ideal for the super chilled and relaxed bride who really wants the ‘just picked’ look.  With the dark red honeysuckle and selection of purple hued grasses, I think it would be lovely for an autumn wedding.

The very dainty grasses are called panicum ‘heavy metal’ and have this exquisite way of trembling when you move – I’m a big fan of these.  To create a focal point Becca and Maz added the white anemone at the centre, but you could always leave this out if you want a more wild look.

Seasonal Wedding Flower Comb in Pastel Blues and Lilac

A slightly smaller version of the ‘Frothy Nigella, Scabious and Wild Grasses’ flower comb featured above, this is a beautiful example of how to wear a collection of flowers on the side of your head and works especially well with a Swedish style braid.  I think this combination of pastel blues and lilac go perfectly with Louise’s gorgeous auburn hair.

Are you dreaming of wearing flowers in your hair for your wedding?  It would be lovely to hear your thoughts on flower crowns and whether you’d feel too self-conscious to wear those big blousy ones?

Coming up next week I’ve got a special feature with a behind-the-scenes look at our mini shoot and more details about these fabulous businesses and why you might like to consider them for your wedding.

Images: Taylor & Porter Photographs