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Writer's pictureSteph & Tim

Wedding Flowers Before and After at Highley Manor

Updated: Oct 31, 2023

Floral Ideas from a Master Florist Steph Willoughby @ chirpee.net


Behind the scenes decorating a local wedding venue...

We are proud to be a preferred supplier at Highley Manor and love decorating this local venue, which we do regularily!


Highley Manor
Highley Manor

Highley Manor is a wonderful 19th Century Manor House located near Balcombe, Haywards Heath, in Sussex. They offer civil ceremonies for up to 80 guests and evening receptions for up to 200. You may have spotted it on TV, when they first opened, being filmed for an Interior Design Challenge with Alan Carr. Check out the amazing bedrooms!


It has a fascinating history....the original Manor was home to the Poet Shelley.


It's bigger than it looks at first sight - there's actually 7 acres of land and their grounds have views across the Sussex countryside and a stunning Ceremonial arch to get married under in the warmer months, a beautiful spot to say, "I do!"


Areas to decorate at Highley Manor can include the outdoor Ceremony area - it's where your marriage will take place after all so needs to look beautiful.


Here are a few "Before" and "After" Images...


Highley Manor
The Ceremony area. Photo Credit John Scofield

Floral cascade arrangements for Ceremony at Highley Manor
Simple Floral cascade arrangements for Ceremony at Highley Manor. Flowers by Chirpee

Flowers placed asymmetrically on the Arch at Highley Manor
Flowers placed asymmetrically on the Arch at Highley Manor

Flowers placed asymmetrically on the Arch at Highley Manor
Close up of Flowers placed asymmetrically on the Arch at Highley Manor

Pedestal arrangements with urns and plinths
Pedestal arrangements with urns and plinths

day in Summer 2023! at Highley Manor with Chirpee
A very wet day in Summer 2023! at Highley Manor with Chirpee


Floor standing aisle markers at Highley Manor with Chirpee
Floor standing aisle markers at Highley Manor with Chirpee


A more elaborate decoration with attachments to the frame of the Arch and Free-standing Pedestal arrangments to match.


Super Luxury decoration of the Ceremony area and aisle at Highley Manor
Super Luxury decoration of the Ceremony area and aisle at Highley Manor

An alternative decoration - a Foliage Moongate (A Good luck Symbol) to sit in front of the Archway

(This can be moved inside after the ceremony to behind your Top Table if you wish, but if most of your day is outside in the Summer -, leave it for photos and your guests to sit underneath it later in the day).

Moongate decoration for Abi and Dan
Boho style Moongate decoration for Abi and Dan at Highley Manor 2022. Flowers by Chirpee

Floral Columns
Floral Columns

Highley Manor has a pretty garden swing next to the Arch - perfect for photos and also perfect for decorating... country-style garlands for example.



Outside the main entrance are 2 lovely Urns - have a floral arrangement to welcome guests - or you could choose Pedestal style arrangements or Free-standing columns (see right for example) on either side of the Front door.


These could be moved to your Ceremony nearer the wedding time, or to your Top Table or your Cake Table by your Bridesmaids or Groomsmen.


Simple fresh foliage arch at Highley Manor
Simple fresh foliage arch at Highley Manor



The "got to decorate" area is the stunning staircase - it's perfect for either a full-on complete look for a magical entrance or a couple of decorations at the front of the staircase if you prefer a cost-effective decoration.- examples below


Here are some "After" images of recent staircase decoration


Simple bannister decorations at Highley Manor. Flowers by Chirpee
Simple bannister decorations at Highley Manor. Flowers by Chirpee

Decorations for the front of the banister rail only at Highley Manor
Decorations for the front of the banister rail only at Highley Manor


A fuller design - 14 arrangements for the 7 steps - what an entrance!

Please note - since these decorations Highley has informed us decorations of the banister itself /the railings are no longer an option due to Health and safety considerations

Decorations can be placed underneath the banister rail or on the front newel posts or staircase.

Luxe staircase decoration at Highley Manor. Flowers by Chirpee
Luxe staircase decoration at Highley Manor. Flowers by Chirpee



Spring time staircase decoration at Highley Manor
Spring time staircase decoration at Highley Manor

Catkins, candles and Willow decoration for a Spring wedding  at Highley Manor
Flowers by Chirpee/ Catkins, candles and Willow decoration for a Spring wedding

Decoration by Chirpee. Clouds of white Gypsophila (Babys Breath) at Highley manor
Decoration by Chirpee. Clouds of white Gypsophila (Babys Breath)

Sunflower wedding at  Highley Manor. Flowers by Chirpee
Sunflower wedding at Highley Manor. Flowers by Chirpee

Candles and faux foliage
LED Candles and faux greenery

Winter Wedding decoration by Chirpee Flowers at Highley Manor
Winter Wedding decoration by Chirpee Flowers at Highley Manor

After your magical entrance - your Indoor ceremony can be decorated in many ways.



Floral columns for front of staircase only at Highley Manor
Floral columns for front of staircase only


Base of stairs decoration only
Base of stairs only decoration

A recent decoration  with Cole Young Photography
A recent decoration by Shelleys with Cole Young Photography

Chair posies for the aisle, flower petals, lanterns, and a centerpiece for your registry table, or as seen below a "Meadow walkway" to make a beautiful romantic entrance.


We love how fresh flowers create a magical atmosphere, the smell and the sight of fresh flowers are like nothing else but did you know -we also offer faux, dried, and preserved flowers - a few examples can be found in our brochure - email us for a downloadable version.



Summer Ceremony table flowers at Highley Manor. Flowers by Chirpee
Summer Ceremony table flowers at Highley Manor. Flowers by Chirpee

Colourful full length top table decoration at Highley Manor
Colourful full length top table decoration at Highley Manor


Ceremony room Highley Manor
Ceremony room Highley Manor

Pedestal arrangements with urns and plinths
Pedestal arrangements with urns and plinths

Valentines Wedding Ceremony Table flowers at Highley manor by Chirpee Flowers
Design by Chirpee Flowers. Valentines Wedding Ceremony Table flowers

Top table/ Banquet ideas...

Banquet style floral decoration at Highley Manor
Banquet style floral decoration at Highley Manor

Small table posies for along your top table or banquet table
Small table posies for along your top table or banquet table

Mixed foliage and lemon and lime garlands at Highley Manor
Mixed foliage and lemon and lime garlands at Highley Manor

Modern and contemporary glass cylinders
Modern and contemporary glass cylinders with hand tied posies

Just the two of you - decorate a Sweetheart table instead of a long top table
Just the two of you - decorate a Sweetheart table instead of a long top table

A long and low structured floral design for your Top Table at Highley Manor
A long and low structured floral design for your Top Table at Highley Manor


Chair posies look so pretty for your aisle at Highley Manor
Chair posies look so pretty for your aisle at Highley Manor

Ceremony room Highley Manor
Fresh Flower Chair Decorations.Ceremony room Highley Manor

For your reception, you will need to consider whether you would like long or round tables according to how many guests are attending.



Discuss with the Highley Manor wedding coordinators and staff the best layout for your number of guests.


They are super friendly experts who will help you with your wedding and will suggest ideas for you.











A recent decoration at Highley Manor used Hourglass stands and Low Bowls of Flowers - you will need to decide if you would like "all tall" or a mixture of low and high florals - both work well at Highley.

Fresh flower elevated stand designs at Highley Manor. Flowers by Chirpee Flowers
Fresh flower elevated Hourglass stand designs at Highley Manor. Flowers by Chirpee Flowers

Elevated stands with floral centrepieces
Elevated Rectangular stands with floral centrepieces

Hurricane vases with floral rings
Hurricane vases with floral rings

Here are a few examples of Guest table floral designs created at Highley Manor recently.

Round bowls of Summer Flowers at Highley Manor
Round bowls of fresh Summer Flowers at Highley Manor

Room ready and waiting...

Gypsophila and foliage garlands
Gypsophila and foliage garlands



Low bowls of flowers for guest tables at Highley Manor
Low bowls of flowers for guest tables at Highley Manor

Floral rings with Hurricane Vases @Highley Manor
Floral rings with Hurricane Vases @Highley Manor

Please note: We have been advised that real candles are not permitted at Highley Manor, due to the Historic nature of the building - but LED candles or twinkly fairy lights can be very effective in floral designs.


Personalised wooden boxes for you or your guests
Personalised wooden boxes for you or your guests

Gold stands with flowers at Highley manor
Tall "Stand" centrepieces

Tall stands always create a wonderful "WOW" for your guests (we have a range of dull gold, rose gold, and perspex ) to choose from in our workshop/showroom in Hassocks - call to make an appointment).


Wondering whether to choose fake or fresh?


There's no choice... fresh flowers are the best! The scent, the touch, the beautiful look - yes of course we are biased!



Don't believe what you've been told - your guests can still see each other... they are 80cm high and designed especially to be above eye level.



Fancy something alternative - we create bespoke designs for you
Fancy something alternative - we create bespoke designs for you! A recent Gothic-inspired wedding

To see more of this beautiful Gothic inspired wedding check out our Real Love stories page

Beckie and her Bridesmaids at Highley Manor
Beckie and her Bridesmaids at Highley Manor

What else might need decorating? See our Wedding flower Checklist here for suggestions.


The coffee tables in the Entrance hall are sometimes overlooked - a pretty jar of flowers or a design with impact - you choose. You may like to re-purpose your Bridesmaid's or Groomsmaids' flowers here - we can provide vases for you.


The Fireplaces are also lovely spots to put candles or twinkly lights, flowers, and lanterns all entwined with foliage garlands.


If you fancy a dramatic floral statement - we can provide an overhead canopy for your Top table or Ceremony.


Recent wedding at Highley Manor
Recent wedding at Highley Manor

Rachels wedding bouquet...flowers by Chirpee
Rachels wedding bouquet...flowers by Chirpee

It's also a nice touch to put fresh flowers in the Ladies' loo of course. Your guests will appreciate this!


Depending on your allocated budget of course - an average spend is around 10-15% of your total wedding budget on flowers.


Silk or Fresh flowers? Undecided?


We can provide either or both together. Price wise hiring isn't always the cheapest option no matter what you have heard!

Ask for a competitive quote for both and don't forget fresh flowers are yours to take away or to give to your guests - they will love you for it.


Plus, yes we are biased towards fresh flowers, lets's face it there's nothing like them - the fragrance that hits you when you enter the venue will provide memories and links back to your wedding day forever.


If you are wanting to keep your wedding bouquet permanently - faux flowers are great for this, but you can also have your fresh bouquet preserved by pressing or in resin - check out our blog here.


Whatever you are comfortable spending we can help with ideas and suggestions or you may already have a complete vision of what you would like.


Next steps?


  • Call 01273 951745 to check if we have your date available and to make an appointment, or just for a chat!

  • Check out our packages

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To go to Highley Manor's website - click here for further information



Steph & Tim x


Photo credits: John Scofield & Cole-Young photography & Shelleys Decor





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