Salt House: Where Eclectic Contemporary and History Collide

Discover the art of modern romance at Salt House (formerly Standon Hall), a luxurious wedding venue in the heart of Staffordshire, where floral storytelling brings every love story to life.

A Hidden Gem in Staffordshire

A tulip bouquet of pinks and reds placed in front of tiger murral at Sal House

Ah, Salt House, a beautifully restored Grade II listed manor nestled in the rolling Staffordshire countryside, where past and present intertwine in the most spectacular fashion. With ivy-kissed brickwork, ornate chimneys, and sweeping gables, this once-forgotten Edwardian treasure is now a chic and soulful sanctuary for modern weddings. Utterly romantic, effortlessly stylish, and full of heart.

For couples drawn to elegance with edge, Salt House is more than a venue; it’s a canvas where love stories bloom, and personality takes centre stage.

A House with a Story

Sal House Staffordshire Photographer Victoria Amberose Photography

Before Salt House became a sophisticated sanctuary for modern love, it lived many lives. Built in 1910 as the grand family home of Sir Thomas Anderton Salt, this Edwardian manor echoed the elegance of an era when craftsmanship mattered and every detail was made to be admired.

Over the decades, it served the community in many ways, including time as a convalescent home and even part of a hospital during wartime. The stories held within its walls are rich, layered and quietly powerful.

Today, Salt House is a loving restoration of its past. A sensitive reinvention that honours its roots while offering a refined contemporary experience. Old meets new in all the right ways. History is woven into every room, but it never overshadows the future. It simply sets the stage for the next chapter: yours.

A Love Affair with Flowers

This isn't a cookie-cutter wedding venue, and we wouldn’t dream of giving it cookie-cutter florals. Instead, we let the soul of Salt House guide us, curating a floral story that’s as bold, elegant, and deeply personal as the house itself.

Our ‘Bee-Friendly’, British-grown spring palette featured an unexpected twist, not what you would expect. Passionate reds, vivid fuchsias and soft blush tones. A daring departure from traditional spring pastels, but perfect for couples who aren’t afraid to be seen.

Every flower was chosen with intention: elegant tulips in single, fringed and double varieties; romantic ranunculus unfolding petal by petal; time-honoured sweet William; and textured ribes, the flowering redcurrant. Just five ingredients, but together they spoke volumes more than decoration; they told a love story in full bloom.

Personal Flowers: Modern Romance in Full Bloom

The Bouquets

Tied Tulip Bouquet in soft pinks and fushia pink

We designed two statement bouquets, each floral rich, bold and unapologetically romantic.

The first celebrated simplicity: tulips only, standing tall with a single sculptural leaf. A British take on the trend of single-bloom bouquets, long-stemmed and joyful. They opened in the sun like a romance unfolding. In Victorian floriography, red tulips symbolised true love and passion, while pink tulips conveyed happiness and tender affection—perfect for saying ‘I do’.

The bouquet paired beautifully with the dusky pink “Sophia” gown by British designer Caroline Chamberlain. With soft tulle, a corset bodice, and a separate skirt, it whispered of Jane Austen but with contemporary grace.

Ranunculus, tulip and sweet william bridal bouquet by Jacqui O

The second bouquet celebrated shape and texture, featuring just three blooms Ranunculus, Sweet William and more Tulips and not a single stem of foliage was to be seen, just layers of petals. It echoed the bride’s blush pink gown, classic with a confident twist.

The Buttonhole: A Bold New Take on Tradition

Ranunculus, Sweet William and Ribes Pocket Buttonhole by Jacqui O

Gone are the days of standard floral buttonholes. We created a vibrant floral pocket piece that matched the bride’s bouquet and added a fashion-forward flourish to the groom’s soft pink suit—a look we’re seeing more confident clients embrace. It was romantic, personal, and full of quiet impact.

A Floral Takeover: One Set of Flowers, Five Transformations

At Salt House, floral styling is so much more than beautiful blooms, it’s about setting the scene for love, capturing emotion, and creating memories that linger long after the last petal falls. Here, we transformed a single set of carefully chosen flowers into five unforgettable floral moments, each with its own story, soul, and sense of place.

This approach reflects the heart of the Jacqui O experience: where possible, we thoughtfully repurpose flowers throughout the day, so you and your guests can continue to enjoy their beauty from “I do” to last dance. It’s our way of blending sustainable practice with timeless luxury because we believe your flowers should work hard, look extraordinary, and leave a lasting impression.

It’s also the perfect way to discover how your wedding florals could come to life at Salt House, with each installation offering a glimpse into what’s possible in this effortlessly romantic setting.

The Grand Entrance

Flowers at the entrance of Salt House with Bride and Groom

The floral columns framing the entrance transformed an already striking doorway into a breathtaking moment of romance. Overflowing with bee-friendly blooms in shades of blush, pink, and crimson, they featured tulips, ranunculus, Sweet William, and cascading ribes, each petal echoing the soft ruffles of the bride’s gown and the groom’s delicate tailoring. The tall stands lifted the eye to the gothic arch above, while lush flowers softened the stone, wrapping the scene in beauty and emotion.

Floral entrances do more than add beauty, they set the tone. This is your prologue, the first glimpse of your love story, told through scent, colour, and feeling. A floral welcome speaks of celebration, connection, and romance. This design would be just as stunning on the terrace at Salt House, too for those dreaming of saying “I do” beneath the open sky.

The Welcome Sign in the Antechamber

As guests enter the antechamber, why not greet them not just with flowers, but with a feeling of joy, anticipation, and heartfelt romance? Picture a thoughtfully designed welcome sign, standing gracefully at the entrance. Ours was lovingly created by Nicky from With Love Wedding Stationery in the softest pink cotton, giving it a beautifully elegant, tactile quality that instantly drew the eye.

Framed like we have here, you could surround your sign with a playful column of blooms and a grounded arrangement designed to make people smile. Think joyful tulips and whimsical Sweet William florals that reflect the colours and mood of your day. It’s a moment of floral storytelling in miniature: charming, stylish, and full of heart.

And for that extra-special touch? Imagine your names—like Jessica & Daniel—delicately scripted on a flowing drape, surrounded by flowers that speak to your unique love story. More than just a welcome sign, it becomes the start of something meaningful a moment that invites guests into your world.

It’s these small but powerful details the soft textures, the warmth, the unexpected emotion—that truly set the tone. A welcome sign can do so much more than direct your guests; it can connect with them, from the very first step inside.

A Stairway to ‘I Do’

Bride and Groom coming down the stairs decorated with flowers of ranunculus, tulips, sweet William and ribes

The staircase is a favourite spot for couples, and it’s easy to see why. It exudes natural drama and elegance, and when adorned with florals, it becomes truly unforgettable. At Salt House, we reimagined this classic design by allowing florals to flow gracefully through the newel post, with carefully curated arrangements on a couple of steps, gently kissed by the soft spill of natural light from the tall windows above. A few strategically placed church candles added a touch of warmth and intimacy, creating a truly enchanting atmosphere.

The styling options here are endless, from meadow-lined steps with blooms gracing each tread, to grand urns placed on the landing and at the foot of the stairs, or romantic garlands trailing down the bannister.

This timeless setup creates the perfect path to your vows and a picture-perfect backdrop for those just-married moments. It’s a styling detail that never fails to make hearts flutter and with Jacqui O’s signature touch, it becomes uniquely yours, full of beauty, movement, and meaning.

A Floral Melody on the Piano

Piano decorated with fresh flowers of tulips, ranunculus and sweet William and ribes

My personal favourite? Florals cascading over the piano like a love song come to life. There’s something truly magical about the way petals seem to dance across the polished surface, as if composing their own romantic refrain. Artistic, whimsical, and utterly romantic, this installation felt like a soft serenade to the senses.

Imagine a live pianist gently playing as guests arrive or as you walk down the aisle, the air filled with both music and fragrance. It’s a moment straight from a dream. This concept isn’t just limited to the piano, either; it would look equally enchanting when recreated on the grand fireplace in the ‘Yew & Me’ ceremony room, which seats up to 80 guests and is flooded with natural light. Although we didn’t capture that version on camera (time and sunlight got the better of us), the vision still lingers, timeless, elegant, and full of emotion.

It’s little touches like this that turn your wedding into a story worth telling. A celebration not just of love, but of artistry and atmosphere too.

Phone Box Fun: Snap, Sip, and Unwind

Fresh Flowers of tulips, ranunculus and sweet William decorating the Phone box

The phone box, beautifully adorned with a cascade of florals delicately draping over the door, paired with a mini meadow-inspired ground arrangement, creates the perfect Instagram-worthy setting. Positioned near the jungle-themed cocktail lounge, this charming floral installation adds a vibrant touch to the celebration. The flowers transforms the phone box into a floral masterpiece, making every snap a memory to treasure.

After the fun-filled moments, Salt House offers a serene retreat with its luxurious bridal suite and eight individually styled guest bedrooms, complete with deep baths, walk-in showers, and plush linens to help you unwind in style.

Why This Venue, These Flowers, and Your Love Story Matter

A wedding at Salt House isn’t just an event, it’s an editorial-worthy, heart-led celebration for couples who love luxury with meaning. With expert floral design, a single set of blooms becomes five unforgettable moments. It’s the perfect blend of sustainable styling, timeless beauty, and contemporary romance.

And yes, we always love when the bees visit too because that’s real magic you just don’t get with silks.