romantic meets modern

Whew! What a year it has been. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has thrown a wrench in the wedding plans of many couples throughout this year. Couples have had to pivot and change everything from their wedding date, venue, guest count, and honeymoon plans. Micro weddings have become the latest trend as couples have had to downsize their guest lists from 250+ attendees to 25 (or fewer) in order to follow their local COVID-19 ordinance. Even some of our own clients have reimagined their wedding day and decided to move forward with hosting an intimate reception at their family homes or ranches (it’s Texas, y’all). We love the idea of hosting a beautiful soirée under the stars in a location that is special to you and your loved ones. We hope this styled shoot provides you with some inspiration for hosting your own event whether it be a grande gathering or intimate celebration.

Garden party themed outdoor styled wedding shoot. Joseph West Photography, Kiran & Leigh Bespoke Panning, Your Butler’s Pantry, La Tavola Fine Linen, Maxit Flower Design

Intimate wedding reception tablescape with gold flatware, lilac napkins with ivory ribbon, crystal glassware, and a garden-style centerpiece arrangement. Joseph West Photography, Kiran & Leigh Bespoke Panning, Your Butler’s Pantry, La Tavola Fine Linen, Maxit Flower Design

When designing a tablescape there are a variety of different elements that you can incorporate to achieve your desired look. Once you select your color palette you can begin to bring in different linens, glassware, candles, chairs, light fixtures, and blooms to create a cohesive design. These are some of the elements we considered when designing the editorial shown in the images below. Over the summer we partnered with Kiran and Leigh Bespoke Planning to produce a styled shoot for the season between late winter and early spring. We were inspired by garden parties and watercolor tones. The combination of the floral table linens, premium garden-style arrangements, wishbone chairs, and hanging pendents helped us achieve a look that is romantic with a modern edge.

Garden-party inspired wedding invitation suite. Joseph West Photography, Kiran & Leigh Bespoke Planning, Maxit Flower Design

Bridal bouquet full of roses, ranunculus, and spray roses. Joseph West Photography, Kiran & Leigh Bespoke Planning, Maxit Flower Design

Bridal portrait with a garden-style bridal bouquet. Joesph West Photography, Kiran & Leigh Bespoke Planners, Maxit Flower Design

Bridal bouquet full of roses, ranunculus, and spray roses. Joseph West Photography, Kiran & Leigh Bespoke Planning, Maxit Flower Design

Styled signature cocktails on vintage gold tray. Joseph West Photography, Kiran & Leigh Bespoke Planning, Your Butler’s Pantry, Maxit Flower Design

Intimate wedding reception tablescape in a private residence. Joseph West Photography, Kiran & Leigh Bespoke Panning, Your Butler’s Pantry, La Tavola Fine Linen, Maxit Flower Design

Intimate wedding reception tablescape. Joseph West Photography, Kiran & Leigh Bespoke Panning, Your Butler’s Pantry, La Tavola Fine Linen, Maxit Flower Design

Intimate wedding reception tablescape with gold flatware, lilac napkins, crystal glassware, dusty blue taper candles, and a garden-style centerpiece arrangement. Joseph West Photography, Kiran & Leigh Bespoke Panning, Your Butler’s Pantry, La Tavola Fine Linen, Maxit Flower Design

Flowers: Maxit Flower Design

Event Planner: Kiran & Leigh Bespoke Planning

Photographer: Joseph West Photography

Linens: La Tavola Fine Linen

Place settings: Your Butler’s Pantry

is this weird?

Entry arch covered in flowers, with coral charm peonies, garden roses, roses, ranunculus, spirea, black berries and smilax. Keely Thorne Event Planning, River Oaks Country Club, Maxit Flower Design

Something super odd about myself I must confess. I look back at the work we do and love it more once I have had some time to review. I just looked back on a wedding we did a year ago and I absolutely love it. On the day I thought we produced good work, but I could not get out of my head about a couple things I though we could do better.

As a creative entrepreneur I have to say that I am incredibly hard on myself. I love what I do, but there isn’t a time I don’t think we could have done it better. Not that everyone didn’t do an amazing job and that the client wasn’t super happy. (And that is what is most important!) But that I can improve.

One random thing I got hung up on was during set up was that I didn’t plan for the floral chandeliers needing to fit through the door. Sounds so absurd, but you guys…. they wouldn’t fit through ANY of the front doors. We had to truck them through the whole entire back end of the country club, roughly two city blocks. Ok, maybe just one, but when you have 4 floral chandeliers it started to feel like a stinking marathon.

Compote arrangement of lush, premium flowers. White ceramic container with coral charm peonies, garden roses, roses, ranunculus, spirea, black berries and smilax. Keely Thorne Event Planning, River Oaks Country Club, Maxit Flower Design

That happened Friday as we got access a day early. From that moment forward I could not get that out of my head. I began to have a pity party in my head and it would not go away. I lost sleep, and set up on Saturday feeling like I let my team down.

A year later I have perspective, learned lessons, and can totally appreciate the hard work and pieces of flower art we created for our amazing clients.

I never received professional pics, so please excuse the lack of quality. But sometimes we have to still share what we’ve created no matter the quality of images, right? Otherwise how is everyone going to see what we can make happen for you on your special day? Can I get an Amen?!

Hanging floral chandelier with coral charm peonies, garden roses, roses, ranunculus, spirea, black berries and smilax. Keely Thorne Event Planning, River Oaks Country Club, Maxit Flower Design

Small vases with taper candles. With coral charm peonies, garden roses, roses, ranunculus, spirea, black berries and smilax. Keely Thorne Event Planning, River Oaks Country Club, Maxit Flower Design

Garden compote with coral charm peonies, garden roses, roses, ranunculus, spirea, black berries and smilax. Keely Thorne Event Planning, River Oaks Country Club, Maxit Flower Design

Cross alter with coral charm peonies, garden roses, roses, ranunculus, spirea, black berries and smilax. Aisle covered in blooms. Keely Thorne Event Planning, River Oaks Country Club, Maxit Flower Design

Cross alter with coral charm peonies, garden roses, roses, ranunculus, spirea, black berries and smilax. Keely Thorne Event Planning, River Oaks Country Club, Maxit Flower Design

Room shot of Mollie & Alejandro’s wedding. We combined tall arrangements, low garden style compotes, with hanging floral chandeliers. Keely Thorne Event Planning, River Oaks Country Club, Maxit Flower Design

walking into the unknown: designing events with intention

The bride asked for a simple and classic design. We incorporated scented garden roses with roses and touches of jasmine vine for that delicate touch or greenery. Calligraphy by Jenny @ A Fine Flourish

Copying what we have done in our daily lives works well for most things. I tend not to reinvent how I take a shower, make my bed or brush my teeth. As we have created efficient methods that have become routine.

Designing weddings and events can fall into the same patterns. I have been guilty of this, as it also can help with efficiency and ease. And shall I say that it allows clients to feel comfortable that we are not taking risks with their special event.

On the other hand, bringing in a couple elements that might have never been introduced before can not only make your client feel special, but create intention with design. New design elements reminds us that each one of our clients is unique and that all our designs have them at the forefront of creation.

To our future clients, allow us to take some risks and meld that into what you feel comfortable with. The combination of both allows for the most beautiful events we have ever created.

when the trees bloom

We felt trusted and honored by this sweet family.  The Hinds & Nguyen families were some of the most gracious, fun loving clients we have had.  They trusted our process and let us run with their vision.  We designed and styled their wedding to be a true reflection of who they are.  Fun, romantic, kind, and ethereal.

We helped welcome the guest in with a gorgeous calligraphy sign with a light floral garland.  Meredith loved eucalyptus and one of our favorite garlands to make are made out of eucalyptus.  The movement we get from those garlands create a look like no other.  Once the guests turned the corner they continued to see gorgeous flowers styled through out.  

We used our collection of handmade ivory ceramic compotes to create garden style arrangement that complimented the aesthetics of the space and the client.  These two things (the client and the space) are some of the most important factors that we take into consideration for our design. And we truly believe when our clients have these things at the forefront of their vision, we all create some of the more spectacular events.

Gorgeous details of this arch taken by the super talented Hannah Mason Photography.  You guys, she is brilliant! Smilax vine was at it's prime season and we wanted to make sure we showcased that gorgeous vine at the altar.  Even though the ceremony was short, we try our best to make this a place that is sweet, and well thought out.  

Taking advantage of the gorgeous venue, Chandelier Grove's, natural beauty we went with fabric to help decorate the arch.  Styling this gorgeous wood arch with a combination of flowers, greens and fabric truly pulled together everything that was then going to be showcased at the reception.  We know this space so well and truly love decorating outdoor spaces.  The movement that we get from the wind is just so beautiful.

Can we pause here for a moment.  Hannah captures these types of moments perfectly.  The moments of those glances that we all want to last a lifetime. WOW!

This urn is one of my favorite pieces we cary. I have been searching for more that resemble this one for a while now with out any luck.  It can truly be styled with such a huge variety of colors and flowers and has always been a client favorite... and we totally know why.  Readers, if you know where I can find another... shot me an email.

We were asked for the first time to create a flower girl wand.  Because every young girl should live out her flower girl fantasies. How stinking adorable is this! 

Special thanks to Jennifer Lowrance of Jlow Events.  You guys she is such a gem. And Stacey at Chandelier Grove, someone so passionate and loving to open a space as gorgeous as hers.

now that it's been posted

We are so excited to finally be able to share these pics!!

When all of the creative talent gets together and create photo shoots it's like a movie set.  There's lots of hard work that goes into it all throughout some months prior and then some months after.  Once the shoot takes place and the creative madness wraps up, the shoot gets published roughly three months later.  What happens between those three months? Waiting, lot's of waiting, and occasional review of the photos with a hint of self criticism to note what could have done better for next time.  

One of the more amazing parts of the shoots, you get to review your own work, learn from the mistakes and improve on all aspects to make the next one that much better.  This shoot was not one of those.  Jennifer from Jennifer Laura Designs did a great job putting all the details together and creating a beautiful shoot.  Take a look...

Photography by Kristen Curette Photography