Italian-inspired Wedding Inspiration at Stockton House Shropshire

Considering I live in this sleepy (but wildly beautiful) county in the West Midlands, I wouldn’t usually compare it to an Italian destination wedding setting. But, I take it all back – I absolutely LOVE the vibrant, Mediterranean-inspired editorial that has been created here, at brand new venue Stockton House.

Having met the owners and been following their restoration progress over on Instagram, I can confirm Stockton House couples are in for a treat when the project completes later this year. I’ve also spotted a few names on the credit list that I know and recognise from my home county and it’s always a pleasure to support and showcase local suppliers… well done team!

Keep scrolling for a deliciously bright palette, dreamy destination details and a handmade bougainvillea tree which is quite honestly, awe-inspiring.

Becca says…

Stockton House is an 18th century Georgian house nestled in the heart of the Apley Estate in Shropshire. It is currently undergoing a complete renovation by the team behind award winning caterers Caviar & Chips, but the renovation hadn’t actually started when we did this shoot. I loved the old world charm of Stockton House and knew it would make a perfect backdrop for our brief.

This shoot was created by myself (Shropshire Wedding Planner), Abi from Blooming Lupin and Tara from Upon the Heath Photography. It was born out of a shared love of Italy and a desire to create the feel of a destination wedding without leaving Shropshire. We tied in subtle Italian inspiration and natural styling, blending a love of European travel with an appreciation of the natural beauty of the English countryside. Abi used Murano glassware in the tablescape and created a pink bougainvillea tree out of crepe paper in the entrance hall.

We used a variety of bold rich colours in different shades of pink, yellow and green throughout the editorial as we wanted to really evoke an Italian vibe through the colours. I think we succeeded!

We opted for two dresses for our bride, Kirsty. The floor length backless dress was actually from ASOS and the shorter embroidered dress was from Needle & Thread. I wanted to show two different looks, one more playful and fun, and one more sexy and glamourous. The shoes were Kirsty’s own and were the same as the shoes she wore for her own wedding day. We used veils from Shropshire designer, Meadow Sweet Bridal – I especially loved the oversized bow as it somehow felt both on-trend and reminiscent of old Hollywood glamour.

I deliberately used bold colours throughout the decor and styling elements. A lot of couples are hesitant to use colour in their table decor out of fear of ‘doing it wrong’ so I wanted to show that even bold colour choices can look incredibly elegant! The pink tablecloth provided a perfect backdrop for the rest of the design. Abi used masses of different coloured sweet peas, lots of lemons and Murano glassware to create the centrepiece. I kept the place settings minimal with just a napkin, cutlery and glassware to complement this.

Abi from Blooming Lupin provided all of the florals for the shoot. She had a strong vision for the shoot and created a Tuscany-inspired scene in the hallway using olive trees, ivy and other potted plants and trees. She worked tirelessly to create an incredible pink bougainvillea tree using flowers crafted from crepe paper and individually wired on. The bougainvillea tree was such a statement piece and totally transformed the space.

I hope this shoot gives more couples the confidence to mix up their colour scheme! There are so many ways you can add interest to your table decor but using coloured napkins, unusual glassware and bright candles are a great way to elevate your tables and create a standout look. If you’re struggling then interior design, fashion and travel are all great places to look for inspiration. So many people actually have a fabulous and really individual sense of style but when they are planning their wedding they struggle to incorporate into the design so when I’m working with a couple to design their wedding I always get them to start by telling me about their style and taste in these particular areas.