How to Transform a Pub-Style Wedding Venue into Pure Romance | An Elegant Drayton Court Hotel Wedding

When Jess and Drew first got in touch with me about creating floral designs for their Drayton Court Hotel wedding, they had one very honest concern.

The venue, while beautiful and full of character, carried a strong pub-style feel. Their vision, however, was pure romance. Softness. Elegance. An atmosphere that felt elevated and unforgettable.

Jess, who works in events herself, felt the pressure deeply. Expectations were high, and her mission was clear: she didn’t want the space to feel like a pub. She wanted it to feel timeless.

And together with the incredibly talented Evie from The Wed Shed Styling Company, we set out to make that happen.

This beautiful celebration at The Drayton Court Hotel is proof that with thoughtful floral design, intentional styling and a clear creative vision, even a bold bar-style setting can be transformed into something utterly romantic.

How to Soften a Character-Filled Venue: Draping & Light

One of the defining elements of this Drayton Court Hotel wedding was a dark red backdrop in the ceremony space - a feature that didn’t align with Jess’s romantic aesthetic.

Rather than fighting the space, Evie softened it.

Beautiful white draping was layered across the backdrop and paired with delicate fairy lights. The transformation was immediate. What once felt heavy became ethereal.

Skilful draping is a powerful tool when styling a wedding venue. It can:

• Soften bold or dark architectural features

• Conceal elements that don’t suit your palette

• Add texture, movement and dimension

• Instantly elevate the atmosphere

In this case, light, flowing fabric completely shifted the mood of the room, laying the foundation for the romantic ceremony Jess had envisioned.

Elegant Ceremony Styling: Modern, Romantic & Textural

For the ceremony florals, we leaned fully into texture and refined romance.

Abundant white Playa Blanca roses were layered with clouds of gypsophila styled en masse, delicate delphinium, beautifully textural matthiola and frilled lisianthus. The result was soft yet impactful - luxurious without feeling overwhelming.

These floral clusters were arranged on grouped minimal white plinths and grounded pieces to create height variation and depth, perfectly framing the couple as they exchanged their vows.

To enhance the atmosphere, we styled both the ceremony feature and aisle with glowing cylinder vases filled with candlelight and scattered white rose petals. Every detail was intentional. Every element contributed to the overall softness of the room.

The registrar table was styled with gentle folds of fabric and minimal glass bud vases filled with delicate blooms - understated, elegant and completely cohesive.

And then, the chairs.

I’ll admit - I’m not usually a fan of chair draping. It can often feel outdated or overly formal. But what Evie created was entirely different.

The aisle chairs were styled with beautifully draped, delicate fabric in a way that felt modern, romantic and purposeful. Rather than masking the chairs, the fabric enhanced the ceremony design. It was proof that styling, when done thoughtfully, can transform even the smallest details into something special.

Drayton Court Hotel Wedding Reception Flowers

One of the most impactful design decisions for this Drayton Court Hotel wedding was repurposing the ceremony florals for the reception.

The textural floral clusters and candle groupings were seamlessly restyled on either side of the top table, creating a breathtaking focal point without the need for additional large installations.

Repurposing flowers in this way:

• Maximises your floral investment

• Maintains visual continuity across the day

• Creates a cohesive design story

• Reduces unnecessary waste

  
  

The top table was styled with elegant glass bud vases filled with romantic white florals and layered candlelight, while Evie introduced soft folds of fabric to add movement and dimension.

The round guest tables echoed the same aesthetic - delicate fabric runners flowing across each table, clear glass bud vases with white textural blooms, warm candlelight and beautifully balanced spacing to maintain an airy, refined feel.

By the time guests entered for the reception, the original pub-style character of the space had completely melted away. What remained was softness, glow and romance.

Kind Words from the Bride

One of the most meaningful parts of any wedding I design is hearing how the couple felt within the space we created together.

Jess later shared:

“Words cannot describe how happy I am with the look and feel of our day. You understood the assignment and nailed my brief perfectly. My mission was not to feel like we were in a pub, and you helped me do that. Not a single detail was missed. Pure romance all around.”

And that - more than anything - is why I do what I do.

Planning Your Own Drayton Court Hotel Wedding?

If you’re planning your own Drayton Court Hotel wedding and wondering how to elevate its character into something softer, lighter and more romantic, let this be your reassurance: it is absolutely possible.

With:

• Strategic draping

• Refined, textural florals

• Thoughtful styling

• Romantic candlelight

• And intentional design decisions

A bold, character-filled venue can become pure romance.

If you would love guidance in transforming your wedding space into something timeless and elegant, I would be honoured to hear all about your plans. Get in touch to book a consultation, or follow along on Instagram for more inspiration and behind-the-scenes moments from the weddings I design.

Because sometimes, the most beautiful transformations begin with the biggest doubts.

Photography: Nataly J Photography

Styling: The Wed Shed

Venue: Drayton Court Hotel