This gallery contains 19 photos.
Kelly Brown and Brandon Coward’s Wedding
The Cotton Room, Durham, NC
Brandon’s mother and I have been best friends since I met her in high school many moons ago. It always amazes me how one day a child is born and in a blink they are all grown up and ready to be married. When my friend Lynne called me to ask if I would design Kelly and Brandon’s wedding flowers I was honored and thrilled to be part of their special day. I might add that Brandon is her only child and there was NO room for error on this special day.
The venue they selected for the wedding ceremony and reception was the historic Cotton Room in Durham, NC. Located in the “Golden Belt” part of Durham, this historic building was built in 1900 and originally used as a cotton textile mill that once created cotton pouches for Bull Durham tobacco. It is a gold certified LEED historic campus. http://www.thecottonroomdurham.com/
Kelly Brown and Brandon Coward Wedding, The Cotton Room, Durham, NC
Decorative columns hold crystal glass cylinders filled with artificial ‘Granny Smith’ apples (fresh apples emit too much ethylene gas and would cloud the glass), topped with fresh floral designs of Bells of Ireland, hydrangeas, ‘Circus’ and ‘Freedom’ roses, seeded eucalyptus and orange safflower. Flowers by Think Floral – www.thinkfloral.com
Kelly & Brandon at UNC-Chapel Hill, NC
Kelly & Brandon met while attending school at UNC-Chapel Hill, NC so of course a photo to document that special part of their history was captured. Kelly’s bridal bouquet was designed with hydrangea’s and ‘Circus’ roses - a bicolor rose of yellow and red colors.
Photography by Jenny Tenney - www.jennytenney.com/
Here is a closeup photo of her bouquet:
A tender mother and son moment
Lynne is carrying a very contemporary flower that mother’s of the bride and groom carry now, which is a tussy mussy arranged with hydrangeas and ‘Circus’ roses. Brandon’s boutonniere is designed with a calla lily and a section of a hydrangea bloom. Happy memories!
Cotton wreath & column vase with cymbidium orchids
After the wedding ceremony was over the room was quickly converted to a reception area. I love how the light shines through these tall brick windows and lights up the cymbidium orchid spray in this column vase. At the base of the vase design is a wreath made of REAL cotton blooms.
A real field of cotton growing in NC
Being a city girl and a curious sort I contacted a friend whose family has grown and farmed cotton since the late 1700′s. I wanted to see “real” cotton growing and harvest some cotton myself to create cotton wreaths. As you can see, visiting a field of cotton is nothing like visiting a garden in London, England but it was interesting and I am glad I had an opportunity to check it out. Thanks Jean! Cotton isn’t a particularly pretty plant and when it rains the orange-colored clay soil splashes onto the open cotton blooms and stains them. Still, it does make a very pretty wreath.
I love making and decorating with fresh floral pomander balls. They are such cheery, happy floral accents. Pictured are pomander balls created with hydrangeas and ‘circus’ roses.
Wedding Guest Check in table
When arriving to the Cotton Room a cheerful bouquet of mango miniature callas, bells of Ireland, ‘Circus’ roses, fuji chrysanthemum, Ti leaves and bear grass adorn the top of crystal glass column vases filled with ‘Granny Smith’ apples. Guest pick up their wedding program and table cards here.
Crystal glass cube fresh floral designs
Large crystal glass cube vases filled with hydrangea, pincushion protea, orange safflower, ‘Circus’ roses and Ti leaves. I love the sage green and mango color scheme for an autumn wedding. So cool and inviting!
Hi Boy table accents were 6" column vases sprinkled with 'Freedom' and 'Circus' rose petals, arranged with 'Freedom' and 'Circus' roses, pincushion protea, green button poms and orange safflower.
Cake designed by Ambrosia Cake Designs
Ambrosia Cake Designs created this gorgeous square stacked cake. I accented it with cymbidium orchids, roses and mini calla lilies. So pretty and so delicious!
Rachel Prater and Ryan McRoberts
Washington Street United Methodist Church, Columbia, SC
Reception: 701 Whaley Street, Columbia, SC
When I met with Rachel and her mother Dell to discuss her June wedding and vision for her special day I knew I had met a fellow artist and lover of color.
The wedding was held at Washington United Methodist Church in Columbia, SC. Beautiful fresh wreaths designed with gypsophilia (aka, babies breath) adorned the front doors.
Floral Tip: Babies breath air dries beautifully. After the wedding, place the wreath in a room with good air flow and let it dry completely 2-4 weeks. After it is dry, take outdoors and mist with a clear acrylic spray to help preserve the blooms. Use it on the table with a pretty candle in the center or hang on the wall.
Babies Breath wreaths
Rachel’s bridesmaids wore a spa blue colored bridesmaid dress. Fresh floral bouquets created with white hydrangeas and white Matsumoto asters with yellow centers were a fresh, light, and cool color combination that accented their dresses beautifully.
Bridal bouquet includes fresh vibernum, hydrangeas, miniature carnations, 'Sarah Bernhardt' peony's and white Matsumoto asters.
For a fresh, contemporary flower girl idea consider a “flower wand”. A baton wrapped in wedding colored ribbons and topped with a bouquet of flowers. Little girls love the romance of being in a wedding and carrying a flower wand. Afterwards, just let the flowers air-dry and place in a vase in their bedroom to enjoy happy memories.
Monogrammed silver Tussy Mussy flowers
What is a “Tussy Mussy”? In Victorian days a beau would go to the local florist (a real florist, not a Big Box store) and ask for professional advice on the language of flowers. The gifted florist would ask questions and help the gentleman to select specific flowers that had a specific message he wished to convey to the young lady who had stolen his heart. Horse & carriage were the means of travel in that period of time and refined ladies would sniff a fresh flower bouquet or a tin of perfume to avoid the horse deposit odor. Today’s current wedding trend is something special for the Mother of the Bride and the Mother of the Groom to carry. A tussy mussy may have stems wrapped in satin ribbon or placed in a monogrammed traditional tussy mussy holder. After the wedding the flowers can be air-dried, sprayed outdoors with clear acrylic spray to preserve the flowers and enjoyed as a floral decoration indoors for up to a year.
Interior view of Washington Street Methodist Church
Photography by Brantley Freeman, All Dressed Up Photography, www.AllDressedUpPhotography.com. This photo shows an interior view of Washington Street United Methodist Church.
www.AllDressedUpPhotography.com
Beautiful white glads and Italian ruscus foliages are used for the altar vase. Italian ruscus foliage accents are used on the aisle candelabras as well.
Photography by Brantley Freeman, All Dressed Up Photography.
Art glass reception table designs with glads, roses, dahlias
Rachel and her mother Dell had a wonderful time shopping and collecting beautiful colored vases at various heights to use at the reception. The light from the 12-ft windows at 701 Whaley - http://www.701whaley.com/
really shone through the colored vases. Three various heights were used on each table and each vase had a contrasting colored flower. Fresh flower blooms were sprinkled around the base of the vases to infuse additional color. The party spirit was on!
Decorated antique staircase at 701 Whaley
How will you make your grand entrance? Rachel and Ryan made theirs down the antique staircase at 701 Whaley that was decorated with white swagged fabric and accented with citrus colored carnation orbs. These flower orb/polka dots added a fun burst of color and style to the Grand Hall.
One of my favorite venues in Columbia, SC to host a wedding or rehearsal dinner is 701 Whaley http://www.701whaley.com/ .
This historic 1903 building is located in the heart of downtown (or “uptown” as my friend Susan says) Columbia, SC and just minutes away from USC, the Vista and River District.
Originally, 701 Whaley was built by Granby and Pacific Mill to be used as the Village Company Store. The GRAND HALL has 6,700 elegant square feet with 12-foot stunning windows elegantly installed along one entire wall of the hall with deep, wide windowsills to add candles or decorations if desired. There is a beautiful antique staircase the bride and groom may use to make their “grand entrance” and very cool artsy walls that express the layers of history this building has survived. The original columns add additional mystery and dimension to the beautiful hall. Photo below by Clark Berry Photography, http://www.clarkberry.com/
701 Whaley - Columbia, SC
When planning a successful wedding in Columbia, SC, one of the wisest decisions a bridal couple can make is selecting a wedding event planner to help them navigate through all of the questions and details special event planning involves and direct them to the best wedding and event vendors in the city. Melanie Murphy, By Invitation Only is one of the best wedding event planners in Columbia, SC.
Bright, vivacious, enthusiastic, organized and creative are just a few of the adjectives I use when describing Melanie and her family. http://www.murphyweddings.com
She also writes a wonderful blog that is filled with great ideas and photos. One event we worked on together featured Cromer’s peanuts, candied apples, and popcorn. http://cromers.com/
Cromer’s has been in Columbia, SC for over 70 years and has a slogan that will make you smile, “Guaranteed worst peanuts”. Locals know the history behind that slogan and you can read about it on their website. Everyone knows their peanuts, popcorn and candy or caramel dipped apples are the best. Consider using locally made products for your wedding favors.
Cromers.com
Fresh floral design with Calla lily, pink mink protea, bear grass, seeded eucalyptus, hot pink colored roses and carnations and tinted water.
701 Whaley wedding reception calla lily design
Kiwi's, dendrobium orchids & rose flower orbs
Bubble bowl design with hydrangeas, branches with dendrobium blooms, hanging amaranthus, bear grass and Pink Mink Protea.
Melanie Murphy's Floating Wedding Cake
Pink Tulle Tablecloth by Melanie Murphy, By Invitation Only
I am not sure which talented lady designed this tablecloth, Melanie Murphy, By Invitation Only or her talented mother, Harriet. Either way, this full color tablecloth brightened up the Grand Hall at 701 Whaley in a bold and beautiful way!
The past couple of years I have had the pleasure to work with Brennan Davis, English II teacher and Junior Board Sponsor at Irmo High School, Columbia, SC. Each year Brennan guides the students through the process of planning and organizing a fabulous prom night to remember.
One year the theme was, “A Night in Paradise”. The students selected tropical Birds of paradise, dendrobium orchids, roses, bear grass, tropical foliages, Bells of Ireland, trachelium, statice, Asiatic Lilies, and curly willow fresh floral designs.
Round fresh flower table design
The location for the prom was held at the beautiful Columbia Conference Center, www.columbiameetings.com
The staff at the Columbia Conference Center are friendly, helpful and professional. They look forward to the proms held at their venue each year.
A Grand Welcome entrance awaited students as they walked down a red-rope lined aisle with stately columns topped with beautiful tropical fresh floral designs.
Irmo Prom Red Rope Grand Entrance
Guest tables in the conference center were draped with black linens. The fresh tropical floral designs looked colorful and festive on the tables.
Cymbidium orchid & red rose vase design
Fresh floral cube design
After a night of great music, conversation and enjoying sodas and snacks the flowers were transferred from the prom to Irmo High School. The floral designs were placed throughout the school for the students and staff to enjoy the rest of the week.
Tropical fresh floral designs
Working with the students and staff at Irmo High School is a great honor and pleasure. Helping the students create memories that will last for many years is so rewarding!
This year their table linens were white with a black overlay. The chair covers were white with a black sash tie. Black and white is an elegant, classic color scheme. In addition, tThis year the Carolinian Society was celebrating their silver anniversary so silver accents were added to the floral designs.
To begin, I created three flower recipes for the designs. I like variety and a “AHA” moment when guests enter a ball room.
Recipe one begins with a mirror/silver pedestal with blooming quince branches, fresh hydrangeas, fragrant purple and white stock, ‘Sweet Unique’ pink roses, Ti leaf loops, Dutch and parrot tulips, fuschia colored heather, seeded eucalyptus, pittosporum and miniature callas and silver accent bear grass.
Pedestal designs save space on a table and add a “Wow!” factor when guests enter a ball room. Recipe two is designed in a silver bowl with fresh hydrangea’s, pittosporum, seeded eucalyptus, parrot tulips, heather and “Sweet Unique” roses. This design is a low centerpiece that can easily been viewed across the table. 
Fresh flowers look fabulous against black linens.
An 8″ square, crystal glass cube is the foundation for our third floral recipe. The glass cube was lined with Ti leaves (some people pronounce this foliage as “tie” and some pronounce it as ”tea” leaves. I pronounce them as “tea” leaves). Fresh quince blooming branches add height and drama as well as offer a structure to arrange flexible silver colored wire to swirl and wiggle throughout the design. Spring tulips, heather, stock, roses and seeded eucalyptus were arranged in the glass cube with a final flourish of silver accent bear grass.
A view of the Embassy Suites ballroom ready for the party.
Country Clubs are venues that offer beautiful rooms for receptions with gorgeous views the guests may enjoy. The wedding photographer can also use the view as a background for spectacular wedding photos. Such is the case for the wedding of Stephanie Smith and Christopher Dofler when they selected Windemere Country Club, (www.windermeregolf.com) in Blythewood, SC for the site of their wedding and reception. Standing on the patio outside the ballroom was a breath-taking view of the perfectly manicured green golf course.
Stephanie and Christopher’s color scheme for their late May wedding was yellow, white and turquoise. Yellow miniature callas were selected for the groom and groomsmen’s boutonniere’s accented with a hint of solidago. Some people confuse Solidago with rag weed because they both bloom at the same time and in close proximity to each other in the fall. However, Solidago is not the plant that irritates your allergies and the color is perfect with yellow miniature callas. The Standard and miniature callas I use are flown in from California. Calla Lilies are not lilies at all. Rather they are a Zantedeschia rhizome that is a native of South Africa. Standard Calla’s are white and miniature callas come in a range of colors and bi colors from white, blush, yellow, yellow with a black center, lavender and deep aubergine purple.
Stephanie selected green hydrangeas, white daisies, yellow solidago and miniature white callas for her hand-tied bridal bouquet.
The bridesmaids wore deep turquoise colored dresses which were the perfect back drop for their fresh floral bridal bouquets arranged with yellow and white daisies and miniature callas. To distinguish the matron of honor’s bouquet from the bridesmaid’s bouquets we used yellow miniature callas in the matron of honor’s bouquet and white miniature callas in the bridesmaid’s bouquets. A small touch but very personal for the bride and her matron of honor.
The ceremony was held outdoors with the beautiful golf green in the background. The bride and groom stood under a botanical-decorated garden arch to exchange their wedding vows. Fresh white and yellow daisies and assorted airy foliages covered the garden arch to provid a beautiful frame for the bride and groom to stand under for this special moment in their lives.
In the ballroom the guest tables were covered with crisp, white linens. The chair covers were white fabric covers with a sunny yellow chair sash. The centerpiece designs were crystal clear glass vases with turquoise-colored glass gems in the bottom of the container and a fresh floral design of yellow solidago, curly willow and beautiful roses.
At the end of a perfect evening, as the bride and groom left to go to their honeymoon, the guests said their goodbye’s to Stephanie and Christopher by tossing a shower of yellow rose petals as they left the country club.
Elements of Inspiration
Have you ever wandered through a fabric store admiring all of the colors, patterns and textures of textiles? Or walked through a craft store to spot beads of all colors and values of light? Perhaps you wandered through a garden center and mused over the beautiful shapes and forms of leaves, the immense and varied color palette of roses in bloom or the textures of succulents.September bride Amy Hawley did just that when she mused and dreamed of flowers for her wedding day. Amy was married on Saturday, September 5, 2009, to Brandon Heydt. The wedding ceremony was held at Lake Murray Presbyterian Church at 6:30 p.m. followed by a reception at Pine Island Club.
When I first met Amy she had a specific vision of colors, pattern and elements she wanted to incorporate in her floral designs. She was assisted by her dear friend Beth Austin who introduced Amy to me. I love referrals! I designed wedding flowers for Beth’s daughter Leslie approximately two years ago. How time flies! We had such a wonderful time planning Leslie’s wedding and now we were together again to help Amy’s wedding dreams come true.
First element: Ribbon – Amy loved black and white toile pattern. She located a # 40 (2 ½” width) ribbon with a beautiful black and white toile pattern to be used to wrap around the bridesmaids bouquets. 
The bridesmaid dresses were a solid black colored tea length gown.
*Note: The colors black, espresso brown and sage green are all considered neutrals and are a perfect building block when working with wedding colors.
Second element: Feathers – Black and red feathers were used to create unique boutonnieres for the men in the wedding party and were incorporated in the bridesmaids’ bouquets and Amy’s bridal bouquet. The bridesmaids’ bouquets were designed in a classic hand-tied bouquet style and created with ‘Black Magic’ red roses and red and black feathers. ‘Black Magic’ roses are a rich, deep, velvety colored rose with 30-40 petals per bloom. The color symbolizes “passion and love.”
Third element: Crystals – Amy’s beautiful bridal gown was accented with iridescent crystals and silver beading. The fresh ‘Akito’ white roses in her hand-tied bouquet were intermingled with white, black, and red feathers and beautiful clear crystals that captured the light both in the church and outside for exterior photos. ‘Akito’ is a beautiful white rose that has 30-40 petals per bloom and symbolizes “innocence & purity.” Photographers Josh & Aaron Moore, http://www.joshuaaaronphotography.com/ captured the magic of Amy and Brandon’s day with beautiful, professional photography.
Wedding Cake by Charlotte Rhett. http://www.charlottescakes.shutterfly.com/
Gerbera & Hydrangea Bouquets – Gerbera daisies offer a big pop of color when used in bouquets and centerpieces. The Gerberas ordered for Kristen’s wedding were grown on a farm named Everbloom located in Carpinteria, CA and the spray roses were flown in from Discovery farm in Bogata, Colombia.
I deliver all of my bride’s bouquet orders in clear glass cylinder vases to keep the flowers hydrated before and after the wedding. At the end of the evening, the bridesmaids can pick up their vases and bouquets to take home and enjoy them all week. Kristen’s photographer who has provided the photo’s shown in this blog were by
Kristen carried the color scheme on her wedding cake with accents of fresh Hot pink Gerberas and white cymbidium orchids. The textures and colors against the buttery white wedding cake is scrumptuous!
Planning and coordinating a bridal portrait session is a favorite event most Southern Bride’s look forward to when purchasing their dress, selecting a bridal bouquet of beautiful fresh flowers, glittering jewelry, perfect make up and hair style and a photographer to capture it all. The completed professional framed portrait is usually set up on an easel at the wedding reception for friends and family to enjoy.
There are many benefits to planning and preparing for a bridal portrait session. It allows the bride to see her wedding ensemble all together and be able to change or tweak elements that may need attention so that her wedding day will flow effortlessly.
A bride must contact and coordinate many professionals for this portrait date. The photographer, makeup artist, hair stylist, florist and venue manager must all be contacted and a date agreed upon that will work well for everyone’s schedule.
The cost of a fresh custom designed bridal bouquet is often more expensive than on the wedding day because the florist has to specially order specific flowers that are sold in minimum stem count quantities. This cost is a bit less during the wedding event because a florist will factor in all of the flowers to be used in corsages, boutonnieres, bouquets, centerpieces, etc. Often a florist will charge the bride the same amount as the price of the bouquet that was quoted for her wedding day as a professional courtesy. Specialty flowers such as callas, orchids, specific colored roses, stephanotis, tropical flowers, etc. must be ordered by your florist 10 – 14 days in advance.
Jenny Fallon, our beautiful bride shown in this blog had met with her photographer Brantley Freeman www.AllDressedUpPhotography.com, at the historical Lace House (http://lacehouse.sc.gov/)located in Columbia, SC for her portrait session. The lovely black lace iron work of the gates and fences, beautiful large water fountain and mature plantings of magnolia, crape myrtle and ivy make it a perfect venue for weddings, receptions and bridal portrait sessions.
Jenny selected fresh, indigo blue colored hydrangeas and white cymbidium orchids styled in a hand-tied bouquet for her bridal bouquet. Professional photographer Brantley captured the beauty of Jenny’s eyes in a flirtatous moment as she enjoys inhaling the floral aromatherapy of her bouquet.
Summer is a wonderful time to celebrate a wedding especially if your venue is on the shores of Lake Murray, SC. Kristi and Dan’s family and guests gathered at Dan’s Aunt’s home located on Lake Murray to share their vows with each other and enjoy a “famously hot” 4th of July to be remembered forever. Wedding Planner, Melanie Murphy provided all of the expertise to make sure that all the bride,her family and guests had to do was to relax, laugh, drink, eat, celebrate and enjoy this happy day.
Kristi and her bridesmaids selected a claret red colored dress for the bridesmaids to wear. Cool white Hydrangeas and white cymbidium orchids with red colored throats were the perfect compliment for the bridesmaid dresses. Kristi loved the same flower and color combination for her personal bridal bouquet. You may think that Hydrangeas are too fragile for a summer wedding but today’s grower’s are producing hardy blooms and with proper hydration and care, hydrangeas are the perfect flower for weddings year-round.The Groom and groomsmen boutonniere’s were designed with a white rose, red hypericum berries (common name: coffee berry) and a lemon leaf. Hypericum berries are the perfect accent when you want just a hint of color in a corsage, boutonniere or centerpiece.
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