Photography by Julie Benedetto
Four local floral designers share creative ideas that highlight the bounties of the seasons, no matter what time of year you plan to wed.
Who:
The Rosery
Hudson
Instagram:
@roseryflowers
Inspiration
“We’re finding brides want to stand out. They want to have that extra embellishment, and wearables are a really fun outlet to update boutonnières and corsages,” says Erin Goldman Cooke, former owner of The Rosery. “Brides are having them on their wrists, but grandma and the mother of the bride, who don’t want that fussy bow and dated prom look, are wearing them as well.”
The Rosery is also trending away from floral foam, which is harmful to the environment. “We’re using a lot of compostable materials, so your wedding isn’t leaving a carbon footprint,” says Goldman Cooke.
Color Palette
Blush and cream with a pop of apricot and coral.
“We’ve been seeing a lot of blush and cream, and we wanted to warm it up and give it a fresh pop with apricots and by introducing corals,” says Goldman Cooke. “Also, lots of texture with the ceremony pieces and the bridal bouquets. There are little stops in the road in each piece, telling its own story as you go through it.”
Why it works
“I really love the wearables and the detail work,” says Goldman Cooke. “The tiny little parts combine to make a beautiful event. Picking the color scheme, so many girls don’t realize to ask the professional for our opinion. If you want a more unique wedding, ask, ‘What have you been working on? What would you do to make it more personal for me?’ Tell me about you and your future husband so I can help personalize your wedding.”
Elements
•Pink expression garden rose
•Apricot ranunculus
•Distant drums roses
•Geranium leaf
•Bush ivy
•Pink astilbe
•Andromeda
•Freesia
•Nasturtium
•Snowberry
Source List
Dress
Emily Glass
Blush Bridal Boutique
Kingston
www.blushbridalbtq.com
Makeup
Lisa Lukaszewski
The Blush Sparrow
Kingston
www.blushsparrow.com
Hair
Kelly Tarttier
Dream Hair Studio
Kingston
Who:
Viridescent Floral Design
Beacon
Instagram:
@virifloraldesign
Inspiration
“I was inspired by the bounty in New York state in the summer — flowers, fruits, and berries,” says Kate Amato, owner of Viridescent Floral Design. “Almost everything here is locally sourced or foraged from New York State farms.”
Color Palette
Butter yellow, ivory, and peach.
“Taking a different approach to the typical summer palette, I would describe our color palette for the summer vignette as a ‘late August sunset,’” says Amato. “We used very little green and worked with soft, muted flowers in butter yellow, ivory, and peach and paired it with textural foliage in auburn, deep molasses, and hints of pale sage, all reminiscent of a late summer sunset. We wrapped the bouquet and boutonnière in a deep navy satin ribbon and a textural light periwinkle ribbon to contrast with the soft florals.”
Why it works
“This is an unique color palette for the summer season,” says Amato. “Although all the florals and foliage are currently in season and locally grown, we combined the elements for an unexpected palette of dark tones and muted soft pastels, void of greenery. By exploring a new approach to the summer aesthetic, we challenged ourselves to really curate the florals through design.”
Elements
•Wild blueberries and pears
•Large zinnias
•Dark sunflowers
•Quick Fire and Limelight hydrangea
•Ball dahlias
•Ranunculus (the only flowers not grown in New York State)
•Celosia​
•Pampas grass
•Ruby silk grass
•Feathertop grass
•Millet
•Queen Anne’s lace
Source List
Tiny Hearts Farm
Copake​
www.tinyheartsfarm.com
Who:
Damselfly Designs Elmsford
Instagram:
@damselfly.designs
“We chose vintage pieces along with ultra-modern pieces for the china and glassware and layered textures to create a look that connected the old and the new,” says LaManna about the place settings.
Inspiration
“We gathered clusters of acorns and pine cones after a storm we had in the area to get a lot of the fall materials,” says Brenda LaManna, founder and co-owner of Damselfly Designs. “We drew inspiration from looking up and looking down and being aware of our surroundings, appreciating the different hues of foliage that were just starting to change. I walk right on North Broadway and who would think in the center of the city there are so many natural elements.”
Color Palette
Amber and cinnamon tones with chocolate and cream.
“We used a consistency of textures and colors,” says LaManna. “The words ‘chocolate and cream’ came out when we were putting it together. Japanese maple has the tips of the brown that connects with the tips of the feathers. The color palette of fall is warm.”
Why it works
“The industry has shifted. Fashion sets the tone. We’re seeing a lot of long trains and full, long veils. Bouquets went from small nosegays to more waterfall bouquets,” says LaManna. “Our flowers are becoming larger and lusher and focusing on classic elegance. You have the formal table setting, but it’s versatile; it can be broken down into layers. Bigger is better, which is my favorite and what we did here.”
Elements
•White hydrangea
•White Mondial roses
•Scabiosa​​
•Chocolate brown lisianthus​​
•Grapevine
•Candlestick hydrangea
•Japanese fern leaf
•Chocolate QueenAnne’s lace
•Hanging beech magnolia
Table Accents
•Fresh pears
•Figs
•Mushrooms
•Wheat
•Cinnamon sticks
•Sage
•Pine cones
•Pheasant feathers
•Brass candlesticks with taupe taper candles
•Low amber votive candlelight
•1930s amber Sandwichware vintage goblets
•Crystal salt bowls and crystal stemware
•1920s English vintage Wedgwood plates London transferware​
•Pheasant Spode plates
•Harvest Shantung tablecloth and napkin
•Napoli Mocha charger
Source List
Chargers and Linen
BBJ Linen
New York City
www.bbjlinen.com
Who:
Rosehip & Linnéa Scarsdale
Instagram:
@rosehipandlinnea
Inspiration
“Winter whites,” says Krister Sahlen, owner of Rosehip & Linnéa. “Not many people think of winter as a great time for florals, but it has a lot to offer. I took my inspiration from that and finding beautiful florals that tell a story about the season.”
Color Palette
Winter whites, like snowfall on the still green trees, with dark berries and icy silver.
Why it works
“I liked stepping out of the classic winter safe palette — dark red, dark green, typical tones for winter,” says Sahlen. “I like tone on tone, with the snow and ice.”
Elements
•Silverstone rose
•Tibet rose
•White Majolica spray rose
•Viburnum (blue berries)
•Rosemary
•Silver ragwort (dusty miller)
•Pearl bluebush​​
•Feather leaf acacia
•Seeded eucalyptus
•Pampas Grass
•Preserved fern
•Silver dollar eucalyptus
•Thistle
Source List
Preserved fern
G.Page
New York City
www.gpage.com