Client:

Northview Gardens

Website Design

Project Brief: Northview Gardens

In redesigning Northview Gardens’ site, my first step was always to listen. As one design guide notes, “every successful design project starts with a conversation” about the client’s vision. The owners Rose & David wanted a website that mirrored their tagline “Celebrating Special Occasions in The Beauty of Nature”. We talked about the whimsical, Victorian-garden mood of their venue – even their guests rave about an “amazing vintage/whimsical feel”. With those goals in mind, I sketched a plan to balance that old-world charm with a clean, contemporary site structure.

Modern Meets Romantic

I kept the layout simple and user-friendly – plenty of white space, clear headings, and an intuitive navigation. Modern design trends emphasise a “simple colour palette” and streamlined layouts for an easy experience, so I leaned into that. This minimalist approach means site visitors can find wedding packages or venue info quickly, without distraction. At the same time, I used warmth and texture in the visuals so the site feels polished but not sterile – letting the gardens and decor bring the personality.

Highlighting the Gardens

The real star of the site is the photography. I placed a full-screen hero shot of the barn and lawn on the homepage so visitors are instantly transported to Northview’s lush surroundings. This matters: one study found that users form an opinion in less than a second, and a strong hero image “sets the stage for their journey” on the site. Throughout the site, large gallery sections and lightbox features let the vibrant green lawns, blooming flowers and vintage décor really shine. In effect, the photos become part of the branding – reinforcing that this venue is about natural beauty and romance.

Victorian Charm

To weave in a touch of English-garden romance, I incorporated Victorian-inspired details. The colour palette is drawn from nature: soft sage, ivory, and dusty rose – reminiscent of the climbing roses and boxwood hedges that “soften the overall appearance” of a garden. A custom script font for headings hints at 19th-century elegance, while keeping body text crisp and modern. Font experts say a vintage style should “align with the vintage, classic” feel of the brand and remain legible, so I balanced flourish with readability. Subtle floral icons and gentle drop shadows add just a hint of decoration, letting the site stay clean yet romantic.

Design Highlights

Full-screen gardens: Hero shot of the outdoor lawn and barn – studies show first impressions are set by that striking first image.

  • Clean, intuitive layout: Minimalist design (ample white space, simple nav) lets guests focus on content and easily browse packages.

  • Romantic touches: Soft pastel palette, floral patterns and an elegant font nod to Victorian elegance.

  • Mobile-friendly: Modern, responsive design that looks great on any device (mobile-first trends in UX).

  • Live site: Northview Gardens Wedding Packages – see the site in action.

Each element of the redesign was driven by Northview’s story and goals: a modern, user-friendly site that never loses sight of the lush, romantic wedding venue behind it. The result is a website where visitors feel the charm of the English garden and can easily plan their special day.