Jesse's Wedding at the Maryland Agricultural Farm

I've been dying to share these photos with you!  In May, I was lucky enough to design a outdoor barn wedding that took place at the Maryland Agricultural Farm, a working farm complete with farm animals and rolling hills in Derwood, MD.  Jesse and Adam wanted a rustic wedding that incorporated their own values, homemade and one-of-a-kind vendors, animals and music.  The result was a gorgeous peach and pink, vegan wedding filled with family and homespun love.

 

The bridal party got ready in a gorgeous old farm house.  The animals were under the barn!

 

The backdrop to the ceremony was a large tree.  We hung mason jars full of white hydrangea from the branches and lined the aisle with small mason jar arrangements filled with white and blush peonies, peach garden roses, white ranunculus, white scabiosas, Queen Anne's Lace, and peach french tulips.  Several old wine barrels were used at the altar and at the beginning of the aisle, decorated with the same flowers.

 

 

Two adorable little flower girls and one very precious (and a little shy) ringbearer helped get Jesse down the aisle.  The girls wore flower wreaths made of eucalyptus leaves, white scabiosa, pink astilbe, and a peach garden rose.  The ringbearer carried a small pillow made of white button mums.

 

The bridesmaids carried a hand-tied bouquet of blush and white peonies, peach garden roses, white scabiosa, pink astilbe, Queen Anne's Lace, and seeded eucalyptus.

 

Jesse's bouquet was made of white peonies with a seeded eucalyptus collar.  Look at that happy smile!  It was so obvious that although so much attention had been paid to the wedding details, the most important thing was the joining of these two as a couple.

 

 

After the ceremony, while the bridal party took pictures, outdoor games were available and a super talented band played as guests enjoyed a cocktail hour.

 

The bride and groom took a minute to visit with the goats after their ceremony!

 

 

The ceremony was set up in the barn, above the animals.  The walls were covered in photos of the couple and their families.  Centerpieces were created by filling hand-stained crates with assorted bottles and jars filled with the days flowers.  Take a look at the bride and groom's glasses!  Her married name is Jesse James!

 

 

The night was filled with music, dancing and a bubble send-off!

Before I leave you to your wedding daydreaming and plotting, I'd like to thank Elliott O'Donovan at Elliott O'Donovan Photography for the BEAUTIFUL images.  I just cannot say enough wonderful things about his work and his work ethic!

Well, okay.... a few more pictures won't hurt!

Enjoy the pretty!  It doesn't get any better than seeing a beautiful new family getting created.  I am so lucky to have been a part of this beautiful couple's day.  The love, community, and support that I felt from the couple and their guests was truly spectacular!

 

The Dahlia

The Dahlia....oh the dahlia....One of the most gorgeous seasonal flowers we have.  It comes in as many colors as you can think of and in several shapes.  Here on the East Coast, we can usually get them from late summer through the fall.  They're one of my favorites and I am blessed enough to be able to purchase my dahlias from a local grower, Don's Dahlias.  You can visit my post about my heavenly trip to his farm here Chapel Designers.  That was an amazing trip for so many reasons!  So the collection today is all about the dahlia.  Notice how the different textures can be used in so many ways.

Flora Organica

In the middle of this bouquet, you can see what I call The Queen of the dahlias, the Cafe Au Lait dahlia.  It can be anything between a ivory creamy color, all the way to a dusty pink.  Different colors of flowers can bring out different shades of this beauty. Here the ribbon and other flowers bring out almost a peachy tone!

Jose Villa Photography and Holly Flora

 Paired with neutral toned flowers, this Cafe Au Lait looks pretty pink.  So much pretty just from one flower.  What a show stopper!

Kimberly Salem Photography + Denise Fasanello Flowers

 Here a buttery white dahlia pairs beautifully with the greens and whites in this arrangement.

Levi Tijerina Photography + Brigitte from Floral Design of Europe

I love this gorgeous pink dahlia.  You really don't need a lot of them to make an impact!

Nancy Liu Chin Design and Bokeh Photography

 This is a favorite of mine.  A non-traditional black and white bouquet, into which The Queen fits perfectly!  I love the dark greenery as well!

Passionflower

 Nothing better than an asymetrical shape for a table arrangement.  I love the movement of the clematis, lilac, and those gorgeous parrot tulips, but to me the dahlia is still front and center!

Sebasta Design LLC and Tyler Boye Photography

 All these pretty dusty colored flowers only accent the Cafe Au Lait's dusty pink color.  Who wouldn't want to carry this bouquet down the aisle towards the love of their life?  Such a romantic bouquet!

The Blue Carrot

I cannot say enough about the work of The Blue Carrot.  This gorgeous bouquet uses the color from the ribbon and the accompanying flowers to create a light and airy bouquet that looks like it was plucked straight from the gardens.

Sweet Blossoms

Sweet Blossoms + Liz Hough Photography

Sweet Blossoms + Liz Hough Photography

  

The Cafe Au Laits in these bouquets came from Don's gardens.  When I got them, I was stunned.  They were way bigger than any I'd ever seen and I was thrilled to have been so lucky!  The bride even put one in her hair-how elegant!

Sweet Blossoms + Rebecca Keeling Photography

These beautiful white ball dahlias also came from Don's gardens.  They were perfect for this rustic barn wedding.  I loved the look of the clean dahlias in contrast with the thistles and dusty miller.

I hope you've enjoyed this trip through the land of dahlias.  What's your favorite color of dahlia?

Sage's Wedding at Stone Manor Country Club

In June, I had the privilege of designing a wedding for Sage at Stone Manor Country Club.  Sage wanted a wedding with lots of large blossoms and greenery.  Thank you so much to Katie at Merkle Photography for the beautiful photographs.  Below are some of my favorites from the evening.

 

Sage's bouquet was made of white peonies, white spray roses, white ranunculus, and white astilbe, accented with Italian ruscus and jasmine vine.

 

 

Just look at the joy on Sage's face as she walked down the aisle towards her future husband, what a beautiful family! 

 

 

In addition to her cake, Sage had an assortment of pies for her guests to enjoy.  Her cake was topped with white peonies, pink lisianthus and fresh jasmine vine.

 

 Sage had two table arrangements, one with assorted mercury glass bud vases, and the other with a mercury glass compote bowl.  The vases were filled with white peonies, peach and blush spray roses, white astilbe, white ranunculus, pink roses, and (my favorite) Quicksand roses.  The tables were also accented with mercury glass votive candle holders.

 

Sage also had arrangements set stop white pillars to flank the doors of the reception tent.  These were mercury glass vases filled with white hydrangea, pink roses, Quicksand roses, beautiful peach French tulips, Italian ruscus, jasmine vine, larkspur and blush and peach spray roses.  I love the smiles on the happy couple's faces as they join their guests for their reception!

 

Such a beautiful setting out in the rolling hills of Frederick, MD.

  

 

 

I could not have asked for a more beautiful bride, a more beautiful setting, or a more beautiful venue!  I am always happy to be designing at Stone Manor.  What is your favorite accent from this wedding?