26 April 2021
A Peony for Your Thoughts
Meet one of our event suppliers, Planet Flowers, and go behind the scenes in adding floral flair to events at Stirling Castle.
Planet Flowers specialises in wedding and floral event styling and is one of our most popular suppliers for events held at Stirling Castle. The company has been established since 1995, set up by mother and daughter team Rachel Marshall & Gemma Bain.
Like many venues, we’re really missing the opportunity to welcome guests to Stirling Castle, but we know it won’t be too much longer now until we can. We had a chat with Suzanne Miller at Planet Flowers about why she thinks Stirling Castle is a truly special place to hold corporate and private events. Read on to find out more.
A Planet Flowers arrangement in Stirling Castle’s Great Hall
Can you give us a brief background to Planet Flowers?
Planet Flowers offers floral arrangements for high-end events and weddings across Scotland. As a team we are genuinely passionate about designing beautiful, unique and eye-catching creations. We have our own cutting gardens on the outskirts of Edinburgh and we try to grow as much there as possible. Everything else is sourced from Holland.
We’re happiest when we’re designing and installing show-stopping creations in Scotland’s most exclusive and prestigious venues, such as Stirling Castle. The spaces that the castle offers are second-to-none and it’s one of our favourite spaces to work in.
Planet Flowers function set up for an event in Stirling Castle’s Great Hall
What makes Stirling Castle such a unique venue?
When you step into Stirling Castle you really feel like you’ve been transported back hundreds of years. You’re completely surrounded by history and can fully imagine how the kings and queens of Scotland’s past would have celebrated.
Aside from the stunning architecture and the historic atmosphere, what really sets Stirling Castle apart is the team. As suppliers we are made to feel incredibly welcome and in very capable hands from the moment we arrive, and it makes working at the venue so enjoyable. We often get feedback from event attendees that the staff team make the event extra special for them, which is so nice to hear.
An example of Planet Flower centrepieces at a function in Stirling Castle
What’s your favourite room to dress at Stirling Castle?
We really enjoy working on a brief for Stirling Castle’s Great Hall. It has been home to so many grand and historic celebrations that it offers the opportunity to go for a traditionally Scottish, medieval banqueting vibe.
With the long tables and the candelabras, it really feels like an event fit for a queen! An event in the Great Hall is as special for intimate events for 30 guests to more bustling soirées for 300. No matter the capacity or how the room is set up, it always makes a huge impression. Guests are wowed by its space and grandeur.
Planet Flowers function set up for an event in Stirling Castle’s Great Hall
How would you decorate Stirling Castle’s Great Hall?
One of the most important aspects we look at as we begin the planning process is the space the event will be held in. How will our floral arrangements and decorations complement it best, while fitting our clients’ desires? At the same time, we strongly recommend shopping for the season and thinking ‘local’ with the final result.
With this in mind, for Stirling Castle’s Great Hall we suggest using Scottish heathers and ferns as these have lots of texture. We look to find colours that complement the linens, glassware and crockery so everything ties together beautifully. Rich colours work well in this space; berry tones and purples always look fabulous – anything regal works here!
The tables in Stirling Castles’ Great Hall set up with arrangements by Planet Flowers for a function in 2019
How do people planning an event at Stirling Castle get in touch with Planet Flowers?
We love being involved right at the start of the planning process. It enables us to realise the full potential for every event.
Importantly, we aim to make each and every installation totally unique, so we don’t replicate designs. We do draw on past creations for inspiration and we often share these with clients as part of the planning process, but the final result will be totally individual to the client. What’s more, we love seeing a mood board from Pinterest or a post from Instagram for inspiration, so we like to encourage our clients’ creativity too.
After we’ve established a rough theme and discussed guest numbers, we make our suggestions. This bit is really exciting as it’s the start of a process of really bringing an event to life. We can’t wait to do this again soon. We’ve really missed events over the past year, and Stirling Castle in particular.
King’s Outer Hall in the Palace at Stirling Castle set up for a function
For more information on hosting your next event at Stirling Castle, email our team on functions@hes.scot