From Robertson’s Flowers … Our floral and wedding design team had the opportunity to work with adorable couple Katie and Wally for a fresh spring wedding last year. Married at The Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania, Robertson’s Flowers was entrusted with the event décor and personal bouquets for this gorgeous outdoor ceremony and reception.
On their special day, not only were the blushing bride and sun beaming, but so were the bride’s choice of  warm hues used for her wedding bouquets. Inspired by the orange tie worn by the groom, the bridesmaid’s flowers were bright, petite orange calla lilies which “popped” against the wedding party’s shimmering navy dresses.

We carried this same radiant color scheme from the bridal party to the reception. The centerpieces accented the elegant – yet natural – event space by using towering glass trumpet vases that brimmed with more calla lilies, mokkara orchids and bear grass. Robertson’s Flowers also used rustic birdcages accented by elegant orange calla lilies, roses and hydrangeas. By adding fern and angel vine accents, outdoor, natural grandeur was carried inside.

Low, square glass settings were each anchored with river rocks and featured orange gerbera daisies and gardenias floating beside glimmering candles. Not only do these pictures capture a beautiful couple, but a breathtaking beginning for this amazing bride and groom!

Venue: The Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania / Photography: Heather DiPiazza / Floral & Event Design: Robertson’s Flowers

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Post tags: Bird Cages, Birds, Casual Elegance, Color Palette Navy Orange, Heather DiPiazza, Outdoor Wedding, Pennsylvania, Robertson's Flowers, Summer Wedding, The Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania, University of Pennsylvania, Vintage Chic, Wedding Bouquet, Wedding Flowers, Whimsical
Post categories: Little Black Book Blog, Whimsical

Clark totally surprised me on our first date when I opened my door and found him outside, smiling, and holding a beautiful bouquet of pink and purple tulips and a small black box.  I was totally flattered by the amazing flowers.  We had chatted on the phone on the days leading up to our date, and I had told Clark that I loved office supplies, which I chalk up to being an elementary school teacher.  I knew that this date was different and I knew that Clark really “got me” when I opened the box he brought for me and found a Staples “Easy Button!” We ended up talking the whole night at an Italian restaurant, and when they were getting ready to close, we took our date to an all-night diner where we shared dessert.  We had an instant connection and quickly realized that we were meant to be together.

Clark has the ability to make me smile like no one else can, and I am the happiest I have ever been in my life.  There are some ways that we are completely different; I have a type-A personality, and Clark is more laid back and able to calm me down.  Clark will also take time to think through his decisions, and I am much more spontaneous… which is why Clark’s proposal almost didn’t work!

In late June of 2009, Clark had purchased a beautiful diamond ring and decided to propose on a summer evening on the beach near our apartment.  The only problem is that when Clark decided it was finally time, it rained for an entire week!  When it finally stopped raining, Clark took me to the beach and brought a nice picnic.  We were enjoying ourselves, but many of my elementary students were there with their families and we kept getting interrupted.  We finally finished dinner and headed home.  Once we got home and got settled, Clark got down on one knee and asked me to be his wife.

I knew that I wanted to incorporated pink and purple into our wedding, inspired by those beautiful tulips from our first date.  We decided that we wanted to have a wedding that was traditional, classic, romantic, and elegant but full of fun touches that it made it our own.

Photographers: Robert & Kathleen Photographers / Hair: Catie Bane from Dana Bartone & Company / Make-up: Amy Fiordelisi from Dana Bartone & Company / Flowers: Elisabeth Zemetis from Blush Floral Design / Bridal Gown: Modern Trousseau / Lace Bolero: Modern Trousseau / Ceremony Location: Assumption Church / Reception Location: New Haven Lawn Club / Event Planning & Design: Candice Coppola from Jubilee Events / Reception Lighting: Rob Alberti from After Hours / Reception Entertainment: Bales Gitlin Band / Cupcakes: Sweet Cakes

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Post tags: After Hours, Art Deco, Assumption Church, Bales Gitlin Band, BLUSH Floral Design, Color Palette Purple Pink, Connecticut, Cookies, Dana Bartone & Company, Jubilee Events, Mondern Trousseau, New Haven, New Haven Lawn Club, Robert & Kathleen Photographers, Sweet Cakes, Vintage Chic, Wedding Bouquet, Wedding Photographers, Wedding Photography
Post categories: Little Black Book Blog, Vintage Chic

With that said, it was one of the easiest weddings in the world to feature because it is so, SO lovely.

photography courtesy of Karyn Iserman

The event was held in Charleston, SC and was designed by one of our favorite event groups, A Charleston Bride. We got some notes from Carrie about her big day through a questionnaire that her AMAZING wedding coordinators/designers, Carrie & Leigh (who we adore here on SMP) had her fill out…

Even though we shared the same hometown of Chattanooga, Tennessee our relationship began in Charleston. While we would have had a ball with all of our friends and family in Tennessee, we wanted to keep the focus on us as a couple first and foremost. Also, Charleston is so incredibly beautiful and an ideal spot for a wedding. We knew our friends and family would have no problem taking a trip to Charleston to do some celebrating.

I was the queen of inspiration-in a bad way! Although exhausting, I had so much fun exploring all the different styles I could go with in regards to my wedding. There were some standout weddings based in California featured on SMP that ultimately inspired my direction for my own wedding. The overall theme was modern-vintage. I wanted a mix of old and new, with a twist.

We have a TON of gorgeousness on the way from Carrie’s Big Day. In the meantime, I just want to give her a HUGE e-hug and let her know that all of us at SMP love that she is on our team and that we all wish her a very happy day.

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 23 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: A Charleston Bride, Amy Kuschel, Birdcage Veil, Carrie, Charleston, Delman, J. Crew Crewcuts, Karyn Iserman, South Carolina, Wedding Bouquet, Wickliffe House
Post categories: Traditional Elegance, Wedding Planners & Designers

from Laura, Interieurs et Fleurs …

Bonjour!  Celebrating the arrival of spring, we wanted Style Me Pretty readers to be the first to see some of our new images of French bouquets, representing fresh ideas and color trends for 2009.  Every year in mid-February, often coinciding with “Fete de la St. Valentin,” Parisians enjoy a brief reprieve from the gray winter chill and revel in the unmistakable signs of early spring.  The most vivid indicator that spring is on the way is when Parisian fleuristes fling open their doors and haul out buckets of flowers to display on the street  — colorful tulips, anenomes, ranunculas, and mimosa from the south of France — tantalizing passersby to splurge and celebrate the season by purchasing an enchanting French bouquet.  So, with Valentine’s Day just past and a hint of spring in the air, I wanted to share new photos of Parisian inspirations and bouquets, fresh from a mid-winter collaboration with my friend and neighbor, Kate Headley.

Jardin Style (top row, left) ~ Garden-style flowers continue to be the major trend in Paris right now since there is an innate attraction to bouquets that are natural and free-flowing, especially in an urban setting. The trick to getting the French garden style look is to incorporate plenty of foliage and greens, in different shades and textures, to achieve a natural balance with the flowers. This bouquet of mixed hydrangea, viburnum, berries, and ivy in every shade of green is refined, yet rustic — inspired by the secret gardens of Paris – providing a fresh and classic backdrop for any occasion.

Bouquet Orange (top row, right) ~ The vibrant paintings of Paul Cezanne and Marc Chagall provide the inspiration for this bouquet, arranged in a vivid combination of roses, tulips, and orchids, tempered with deep green gardenia foliage. Orange is a perennial favorite color in French fashion and design, appropriately used in flowers at any time of the year.

Bouquet Fuchsia (second row) ~ At dusk, when the upper chapel at Sainte-Chapelle provides an inspired setting for a performance of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, the light streaming through the richly-hued stained glass windows is exquisite, taking on a soft pink and violet glow. This bouquet of violet carnations, bundled together to give more impact, combined with fuchsia orchids and viburnum berries and finished with a coordinating ribbon wrap, is designed to capture that feeling of pink and violet splendor.

Parisian-Chic Bouquet (above left) ~ This bouquet was inspired by the elegant décor at the Cercle de l’Union Interalliee, a private club located on the fashionable Rue Faubourg Saint-Honore.  In the beautiful and opulent dining room, decorated in lavish layers of exquisite French furnishings, the most striking element is the simple centerpiece:  an aqua blue opaque glass vase holding a single, deep red rose.  The color combination is so fresh and chic and adds a note of unexpected surprise to the regal setting, providing the perfect inspiration for a bouquet of red roses and ivy berries wrapped in French-braided blue ribbon.

Bouquet Végetal (above right) ~ In spring, the neighborhood Parisian farmers’ markets provide endless inspiration, showcasing the bounty of the season in artistic and colorful displays. Vegetables add earthy charm to even the most sophisticated bouquets, and are a wise and thrifty choice in the current economic climate. In this bouquet, kale cabbages are reminiscent of garden roses, and create festive and elegant wedding flowers.

Bouquet Téte a téte (above left) ~ A petite yellow bouquet of mixed jonquils and spring flowers exudes undeniable sweetness and charm.  When it’s wrapped with a frilly moss green ribbon and paired with a paper parasol, the bouquet adopts a witty and jaunty personality, setting the tone for a perfect spring wedding or garden party.  I envision bridesmaids carrying bouquets of mixed yellow jonquils, each wrapped in a different pastel-colored ribbon trim – pink, lavender, green, and cream – and a party featuring French macaroons in corresponding colors from Ladurée.  Magnifique!

Bouquet Féerique (above, right and below, left) ~ From the ancient stone monuments and cobblestone streets to the silvery light at dusk, Paris sparkles in shades of gray. Coincidentally, the color just happens to be a major trend in fashion and design right now. This bouquet, inspired by the French grisaille painting at the Musée de Carnavalet, is ethereal and fairy-like, composed of all-gray flowers and foliage, including silver brunia and eucalyptus with a touch of wintry crystal branches. Wrapped in navy blue satin (below), it has a sophisticated feel, while a pink braided ribbon (above) gives off a delicate, vintage impression.

Bouquet Violette (above, right) ~ Adorable bundles of French violets start making their appearance in the Parisian flower shops and markets this time of year and they are the inspiration for this bouquet. Here, I’ve used deep purple carnations and ivy berries along with purple and teal blue ribbon accents to create a garden-style bouquet that is at once traditional, yet modern.

Wishing you hearts and cupids, champagne and chocolate, and French fleurs and bouquets — a joyeuse fete de la Saint-Valentin.

Photography by Kate Headley.

Interieurs et Fleurs is famous for Laura’s modern yet romantic designs, from the most chic French bouquets to glorious profusions of floral displays. Laura’s website is full of so many more gorgeous examples of her work  … you simply must take a peek!  Thank-you Laura for sharing this glimpse of the fresh beauty of your designs.

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Post tags: French Inspired, Interieurs et Fleurs, Kate Headley, Paris, Washington DC, Wedding Bouquet, Wedding Color Trends
Post categories: Bouquets, Little Black Book Blog, Wedding Flowers

I discovered, shortly after opening Kiki’s email, that her photographs were captured by one of my favorite Little Black Book members, Myrtle and Marjoram. Ingrid’s work is gorgeous and this wedding only speaks to her incredible talent.

We have SO much more to come, so stay tuned!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2008. | Permalink | 2 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Myrtle & Marjoram Photography, Peonies, Wedding Bouquet
Post categories: Traditional Elegance

Weddings are much the same. I’ve said it a million times but it really is “all in the details.” So in honor of our new site, and all of its new details, I wanted to spend a week highlighting the beautiful details that our Little Black Book members have captured.

This first set was sent to me by Ingrid over at Myrtle & Marjoram Photography…

Top Left: For me, flip flops are a must. The only way that I am going to dance the night away is if I can kick off my shoes and get comfortable. I love this bucket of flip flops.

Top Right: Another great detail for any wedding is a signature cocktail. SUCH a good way to bring a bit of personality into the affair and save a bit on the bar bill!

Center: The cupcakes are so cute. I love that they are presented in a really simple, understated way. Like the bride was serving her friends a sweet treat in her own home.

Bottom Left: The lily of the valley bouquet is just so beautiful. Such a pretty, romantic touch.

Bottom Right: I love when florals are potted in containers that are casual and rustic. Pairing the beautiful blooms with a copper pot that you might see in someone’s home, is a nice way to make your decor seem warm and welcoming.

So many more perfect details to come throughout the week! Thanks so much to Ingrid at Myrtle & Marjoram for the inspiration!

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Post tags: Myrtle & Marjoram Photography, Photography & Videography, Signature Cocktail, Wedding Bouquet
Post categories: Wedding Details, Wedding Photography