One of our listed businesses, Shropshire Petals, got in contact to tell us about a fab new product they offer. Here’s a little more about them and an exclusive offer.
Shropshire Petals grow biodegradable natural petal confetti. Their Shropshire farm has fields upon fields of delphiniums. To create the perfect petals all flowers are grown with careful love and attention.
Petals are delicately handpicked, eco-friendly and 100% natural. Together with natural petal confetti, Shropshire Petals also offer wheat sheaves and lavender bundles – how gorgeous would these look at a late summer or early autumn wedding…
This week it’s all about British Flowers Week, a “week-long celebration of the wealth and variety of the Best of British cut flowers and foliage.” At The Natural Wedding Company we have been passionate about supporting British flower farmers since we started out in 2007, and seven years later we feel no different.
If you’re a bride-to-be or family/friend helping with wedding plans and you haven’t yet booked your wedding florist, this week commit to choosing British grown flowers. It’s that simple. And there is so much choice and so many inspiring florists out there dreaming up the most incredible arrangements.
Today we are here to give you a round-up of how we can help you to find that perfect British flower farmer or florist. I’m often told that The Natural Wedding Company directory helps brides to match the perfect suppliers for their wedding day: “All enquiries I get from your website are just my perfect customers – they share the same taste for natural and wild things floral”.
Coming up later in the week we will have a celebratory feature on British grown sweet peas and how you can incorporate them into your summer wedding – think lots of beautiful ideas for bouquets and arrangements.
Having partnered with Eco Wood Rings since they started out in 2011, we’ve always loved the way that their custom wedding rings offer a connection to the land and how couples can choose materials and design features that make their rings unique and personal to them.
Adding materials from special places or even treasured possessions is a hugely original way to encapsulate your love story. Eco Wood Rings have worked with a wide range of materials with personal meaning, ranging from a childhood swing to a trophy skateboard, as well as shells, sand, rocks and other materials from significant beaches, mountains and rivers around the world. You can be as wild and wonderful as you like with your ideas.
Here we look at some of the many meaningful features that can be included in an eco wood ring, along with real life customer stories showcasing beautiful (and often highly sentimental) examples. We hope that you will feel inspired to create your own unique and beautiful custom wedding rings which perfectly tell your story.
Eco Wood Rings is a Recommended Supplier of The Natural Wedding Company directory. Find out more about them here.
The Wood – choices for your unique eco wedding rings
Whilst Eco Wood Rings have their own extensive stock of woods, sustainably sourced from across the UK and world, many of their custom wedding ring designs are made using customer-supplied woods with meaning.
One wonderful example of this is Ben’s bentwood wedding ring. He decided on a Welsh ash ring (where he’s from) with inlays of willow (their surname is now Willows) and the pièce de résistance – oak, hand sourced by the Eco Wood Rings team, from a tree growing beside the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury, where he and Jess first met!
Creating an incredible confetti moment will not only fill you and your guests with pure joy on the day, but also create a lasting memory encapsulated in a single snap. We’ve got some amazing tips for you, straight from family-run flower farmers, Shropshire Petals. They’re on a mission to save the world from paper or metallic confetti, and believe in creating epic weddings without compromising sustainable values.
Shropshire Petals is a Recommended Supplier of The Natural Wedding Company directory. Find out more about them here.
Here at Shropshire Petals we are 4th generation farmers who diversified into growing flowers to make biodegradable petal confetti for weddings across the UK. We grow a variety of flowers during the summer months, including delphiniums, cornflowers, calendula, sunflowers and many more. The flowers provide food and a safe haven for insects and animals, boosting biodiversity in the area.
Once the flowers are in bloom, they’re handpicked and dried onsite to keep their beautiful colour and shape for months and even years. Our confetti is natural, dye-free and completely biodegradable, making them the perfect choice for an eco-friendly wedding.
Here’s our top tips for achieving your dream confetti moment…
The Metamorphosis Collection is made entirely from transforming and readapting materials, patterns and off-cuts of their existing collection, reducing waste and working with existing resources. They say “We believe in giving bridal wear a new meaning, 0% waste, 100% cool.”
Brides are invited to embrace their individuality and personal style using their dresses as blank canvas to customise and express their personality on their special day. Their collection offers a refreshing take on traditional bridal wear, seamlessly blending individuality, coolness, and elegance.
Medusa London believe choosing a wedding dress should be a journey of self-expression, where you let your emotions and sensations guide you to finding the perfect gown. They’re also passionate about comfort, which is why they’ve designed their dresses to be unstructured, free from constraints, and feel like a second skin.
Medusa London is a Recommended Supplier of The Natural Wedding Company directory. Find out more about them here.
Medusa London designer Agnese Petraglia
Eco credentials
Medusa London’s dresses are the epitome of sustainable luxury, handcrafted in London using only the finest 100% organic silk and a carefully curated selection of sustainable materials. Their expert artisans, with a deep understanding of couture techniques and wedding dresses, bring each piece to life with strategic seams that flatter your curves and highlight your natural beauty.
“We believe that fashion and sustainability can coexist. Our commitment to using sustainable materials and practices is unwavering, and we are always looking for new and innovative ways to minimize our impact on the environment. We care about our products, and we care about the people who make them. After all, there’s no fashion to be made without a healthy planet to live on.”
Introducing the dresses and bridal separates
Below you’ll find details and photos of the full Metamorphosis collection from Medusa London. If you’d like to book an appointment to view and try any of these dresses, please contact Medusa London directly via their booking page.
Athena – Separate
What Medusa London says about the Athena separate: “Make a bold statement on your big day with our minimal Athena separate. The top with chiffon detail, asymmetrical neckline, and A-line skirt create a youthful and modern look that is perfect for the bride seeking a unique style. The organza tie at the back and peplum detail at the waist add a touch of romance to the look.”
Made of 100% GOTS certified organic peace silk and 100% organic bamboo viscose.
Today we are joined by Mark from Jacqueline & Edward – one of our TNWC Recommended Suppliers – who is sharing about their unique gold panning experience for couples. It looks as incredible as it sounds! An opportunity to go as a couple to a beautiful Scottish river with Mark (and perhaps his dog Ronnie!) and pan for river gold that can be incorporated into your wedding rings? Yes please!
As well as sharing details about this unique opportunity to hunt for gold for your wedding rings in the hills of Scotland, at the bottom you’ll find a link to watch Mark take TV Celeb Phil Spencer gold panning.
Jacqueline & Edward is a Recommended Supplier of The Natural Wedding Company directory. Find out more about them here.
Making Memories Panning for Gold
I’m addicted to finding gold. I love everything about it. It represents some of the best moments in my life and I love that we can share that with others. Panning your own gold creates unique and meaningful memories which will stay with someone forever. Being able to capture this memory by melting your gold into our work, whether that be an engagement ring, wedding band or other piece of jewellery, well, that’s priceless and timeless.
What makes gold panning so special?
Imagine the stresses and strains of modern life falling away behind you as you escape to the peace and serenity of the mountains and rivers, off the beaten track. It’s this peace and solitude that I love about gold panning. It’s escaping from the humdrum of modern life to find one of nature’s hidden treasures – gold, whilst immersing yourself in some of the most beautiful places in the UK and beyond.
The ebb and flow of rivers promise access to places rarely seen by most, apart from a small band of hardy characters sporting weathered faces, bushy beards and a wild glimmer in their eyes. Whether I’m on my own or with clients wanting to experience the art of gold panning, the rewards are a’plenty. They are the connection with nature, the remoteness, the separation from normality, the honest hard work, the flora and fauna, the landscape and of course the searching. There really is nothing like the hunt and when you find it, the only thing which surpasses the hunt, is the gold.
Gold panning offers a truly unique and rewarding experience. It allows you to connect with nature and it’s the serenity of the natural surroundings, combined with the anticipation of finding gold my trips create a sense of adventure and tranquillity that few hobbies can match.
Rolling in Rosesare a small-scale British bridal label with a focus on thoughtful design and high-end craftsmanship. They have launched a new collection of wedding dresses and we’re delighted to showcase some of their stunning creations, designed for those brides “who walk to the beat of their own drum.”
They use fabrics that are gentle to the earth, dressmaking techniques that are traditional and refined, and their designs are a blend of the classic and the avant-garde. “We are not fast fashion.”
The new Kirei Collection of wedding dresses and bridal separates from Rolling in Roses is inspired by designer Hayley’s honeymoon in Japan. “I fell in love with how the peacefulness and tranquillity of Japanese design can be seen in everything, from ceramics and print to gardens and architecture. The intention to keep things as simple as possible with no unnecessary or frivolous detail and let the basic form and essence of things speak for themselves.”
If you are looking for modern, ethical bridalwear that doesn’t compromise on style or sustainability, are a vegan bride, or planning an eco-friendly wedding, we are sure you’ll love this new collection.
Rolling in Roses is a Recommended Supplier of The Natural Wedding Company directory. Find out more about them here.
Rolling in Roses designer Hayley Neil
Ethical credentials
Rolling In Roses pieces are distinguished by their standard of workmanship and luxurious eco-friendly fabrics. Hayley and her team are proud to maintain traditional couture techniques and contemporary design, for brides who are looking for an alternative to mass-produced, mainstream bridalwear.
All their gowns are individually made to order by a tiny team of seamstresses in York, where every single piece is designed, drafted, cut, and constructed. This small-scale production means they can always guarantee the exceptional finish of their dresses and achieve artisan quality workmanship with all its divine hand-finished details. No production lines or faceless factories here; each dress is made from start to finish by one expert artisan who knows the bride’s name and wedding date, and who personally takes care of every last detail.
“I’m over the moon to say that 94.8% of the fabrics used in this collection have sustainable certification; whether that’s organic, closed-loop, vegan, biodegradable, compostable, or recycled, meaning our materials are produced in ways that protect the environment, are low-carbon, protect natural resources like forests and water, and are cruelty-free and ethically made. And even the 5.2% of fabrics we use without certification are natural biodegradable fabrics, so we’re incredibly proud.” – Hayley Neil, Rolling in Roses designer.
Introduction to the wedding dresses
Below you’ll find details and photos of our top 10 dresses from the new Rolling in Roses ethical wedding dress collection. If you’d like to book an appointment to view and try any of these dresses, please contact Rolling in Roses directly via their booking page.
The Bureiku Dress
What Rolling in Roses says about The Bureiku Dress: “This striking gown is both showstopping and comfortable. Sophisticated long sleeves extend past the wrist and are crowned by pleats at the shoulder to match the folds at the neck and hip. The fabric has a slight stretch which helps it mould to the body and flatter the figure without restricting movement.”
Made from luxury heavyweight organic Italian crêpe, which is a perfect vegan alternative to silk.
Are you struggling with where to start when considering your wedding suppliers? What are your own ethics and are you concerned about compromising on them for your wedding day?
We have vegan wedding photographer Erika Tanith – one of our TNWC Recommended Suppliers – with us to share her thoughts on some of the things you might want to ask or consider. She’s got lots of recommendations and thought-provoking questions to help you determine how best to choose the wedding suppliers that fit with your personal ethics.
Erika Tanith Photography is a TNWC Recommended Supplier of The Natural Wedding Company directory. Find out more about her here.
Choosing Wedding Suppliers Whose Ethics Match Your Own
Wedding planning is all about choice. The choices we make in our wedding suppliers is how we make a wedding our own. It’s not just about the colour of the flowers, but the artistry that goes into making the bouquet. The style of the cakeis important to the aesthetic of your day, but the taste and the ingredients are also key. Similarly, the suppliers’ values and ethics matter.
So why are your suppliers’ values important and how do you figure out if they align with your own?
Why it’s important
Ultimately, you want your hard-earned cash to go to people who will use that money wisely. If you yourself are someone who diligently recycles then you wouldn’t give money to someone who sends their waste to landfill, especially if that waste were generated at your behest. If you believe in LGBTQIA+ rights, you wouldn’t give money to an openly homophobic organisation.
Our values are a big part of our lives and personalities, so making informed choices on who you have at your wedding is key to maintaining integrity and the joy you’ll feel on your big day.
Indiebride London are a well-established and sought after sustainable UK bridal brand who have launched a new collection of wedding dresses. We are delighted to bring you the full collection, showcasing this beautiful selection of bohemian and romantic ethical wedding dresses.
Indiebride London says “The gowns are designed to be worn with confidence at natural, rustic and bohemian-style celebrations.”
As with each collection at Indiebride London, the dresses are simply inspired by the materials that are available to source at that moment in time, offering an authentic, alternative and honest approach to bridalwear.
Started in 2008, Indiebride London has developed over the years, transforming from a ready-to-wear brand before establishing itself as the go-to bridal studio for heirloom quality gowns with a sustainable edge. Now run by Miina (who began as the brand’s first ever intern, acting as seamstress and production assistant), Indiebride London are renowned for their exceptional quality, handmade dresses, with comfort at the very heart of their businesses.
Indiebride London is a Recommended Supplier of The Natural Wedding Company directory. Find out more about them here.
Eco credentials
From sourcing materials to the alterations, every element of the wedding dress making process is carefully considered and delivered with exceptional customer service. Their exquisite laces, silk, bamboo and Tencel lyocell used throughout their designs are manufactured and sourced locally in the UK. Indiebride London wedding gowns are made-to-order, avoiding any unused dresses held in stock, with any off-cuts actively recycled and reused.
Introducing the dresses
Below you’ll find details and photos of each dress from the new Indiebride London ethical wedding dress collection. If you’d like to book an appointment to view and try any of these dresses, please contact Indiebride London directly via their booking page.
Clover dress
What Indiebride London says about the Clover dress: “Handmade in London, the ‘Clover’ gown features statement triangular sleeves, with a subtly flared skirt that has the most graceful movement imaginable.”
Using lace made in the UK and lined with soft organic bamboo.
This photoshoot is inspired by an eco luxe elopement wedding held against the stunning backdrop of River Cottage. The photoshoot team wanted to embrace as much as possible the ethos of being eco whilst staying in harmony with the wedding venue. It also features a number of our TNWC Recommended Suppliers – you’ll find all the details at the bottom of the post.
As Laura, photographer at Freeformimage Photography, told us, “A wedding a River Cottage will always inspire and enchant.”
Charlie
