“Nina Isabella”. I love this bride’s name. When she first called me, she began leaving a message on my machine and I didn’t hear it all before I picked up, all I could think was this must be another florist, or someone marketing perfume or something. What a gorgeous name!
Nina was neither a florist nor a perfume person, she is actually an interior designer. Right away I knew I wanted to work with this woman! She had such great taste but was also very budget savy. One thing was certain she had to have Garden Roses. Even if it meant scaling down some of the other flowers, or the sizes of the centerpieces, she knew how gorgeous these blooms are and knew everything else would fall into place beautifully as long as they were there. Nina opted to use some of her designer connections and purchased some great vases, which she wrapped in black lace, only one had white and that was for the sweetheart table.
I had the idea of using some brightly colored Gladiola florets and lime green Bupleurem. At the last minute I added some Mountain Mint, Gomphrena, Lady’s Mantle, and Sweet Peas. My studio smelled heavenly for the entire week leading up to this event! The super indulgent Garden Rose fragrance, mint, sweet peas, ahhhh. Aromatherapy!
As always, I tried to make every centerpiece a little different so each one had a little personality all of it’s own, and didn’t look like it came out of a factory. There is a time and place for everything looking exactly the same (bouquets, , boutonnieres, formal styled centerpieces) but garden weddings need a little more freedom in their look.
This really looked like it was going to be the most fun wedding of the summer. Nina and Shawn thought of everything for their guests. The wedding took place at a private residence known as Arrowfield Estate on the Hudson in Saugerties, complete with it’s own in-ground swimming pool. They even hired Joey and Diane Vento at Movies to Go (from the Haunted Barn Movie Museum 845-852-3867). This was my first time meeting this couple, but what a fun concept for an outdoor summer wedding! They set up a large drive in style movie screen, so guests could watch movies when it got dark outside. I don’t think anything says summer like nighttime swimming and watching movies in the great outdoors. Bravo to this couple!
Please stay tuned for more photos and a complete vendor list.
I love Shawna’s friend in the back lifting up the bouquet in this shot! Usually this is my favorite picture from any wedding, but it is usually the bride holding it up. I just love that she is just as happy as the bride.
