Whimsical Summer Camp Wedding at the Lake
I love a good wedding at the lake, and when Caitlyn first reached out to me, I was so excited to hear some of her preliminary ideas and the general idea of having the wedding at a camp!
Mid-way through the planning, the venue actually changed and they ended up at King’s Cabins, which I think is kind of a fishing camp and it was SO COOL. The ambiance was amazing and I can’t wait to show you how everything came together!
I love a good wedding at the lake, and when Caitlyn first reached out to me, I was so excited to hear some of her preliminary ideas and the general idea of having the wedding at a camp!
Mid-way through the planning, the venue actually changed and they ended up at King’s Cabins (just outside of Emerald Bay, about an hour past Kenora), which I think is kind of a fishing camp and it was SO COOL. The ambiance was amazing and I can’t wait to show you how everything came together!
Bridal Bouquet Ingredients: dahlias, ranunculus, toffee roses, delphinium, solidago, cosmos, amaranthus, feverfew, ferns, and dried poppy pods. A LOT of these ingredients were locally grown — always my fave!
As you can already see, this wedding was completely awesome. I suggested to Caitlyn that she hire a wedding planner, because hosting a wedding in a location where weddings don’t normally take place is a LOT of work. I was so happy to hear that she had hired Emily from Feast & Festivities, because I knew that the details Emily would pull together would be so unique and creative, and really bring the camp feel to life.
The focus was creating a whimsical, youthful ambiance with cheerful colours that played well with the natural woodsy surroundings.
The setting of the camp truly couldn’t have been more incredible. A long, windy driveway through the woods leading to the lake, with rustic log cabins sprinkled throughout the property. Some of the couple’s closest friends stayed on-site in the cabins, and it was so awesome to see how much fun they were all having and the way they supported the couple throughout the day. It wasn’t a hot day, so hearing some of the men squeal as they took some cold dives into the lake while I was setting up was pretty enjoyable for me 😂
The ceremony was tucked into the treeline, with guests seated along wood benches. The couple built and transported the arch to the cabin, and I designed a completely foam-free floral installation. If you’re not sure what that means, know that floral foam is really horrendous to the environment but like many things, it’s really easy to use. So, I’ve been challenging myself to get out of that comfort zone and design in a more sustainable way. This arch came together PERFECTLY using a single design tray lined with chicken wire, and some re-usable installation mechanics that hold water and are ziptied onto the arch structure. Everything aside from the zipties was reusable! Hooray!
I wanted this arch to feel really natural, bringing in lots of texture and greenery while popping the colour palette throughout to tie into the overall event design. I used a lot of different ferns, as they grow abundantly in the area, along with pine boughs that I foraged from the property on my drive in that morning.
Feast & Festivities curated some truly adorable camp-themed design elements, like the pennants, a chalkboard schedule, a mess hall-inspired seating chart, and camping mug favours.
Just take a look at this reception space! The tent was set up near the ceremony space as a backup, and though it was kind of misting throughout the morning, we decided to go for it and keep the reception al fresco — I love when couples make this decision! The stress is worth it when you can look around and see all your loved ones enjoying the open air and just having an awesome time together.
String lights, banquet and round tables surrounding an old stone fireplace, and the trees…the ambiance could not have been better!
I LOVE the way the colour palette was pulled throughout the wedding. I think a lot of people just say “I’m having a blue wedding” and then choose a blue tablecloth and bridesmaid dresses and leave it at that. This palette was so expertly layered to create depth and visual interest.
The florals on the tables were actually super simple — the round tables featured a short cylinder vase with a simple arrangement of ferns and white cosmos, and the banquet tables saw clusters of my cream pottery stem vases with petite arrangements. Adding in the coloured candles on those terracotta planter trays was another perfect addition.
I just LOVED Caitlyn’s dress — it’s dramatic in all the right ways, without taking any attention away from her stunning natural beauty. I don’t usually get to see any of the wedding pictures being taken, but given that everything happened on site, I actually got to be a bit of a peeping tom while their photos were happening and I was SO excited to see how they turned out. Aren’t these just gorgeous?
Lake weddings for the win, people!
gina brandt photography ~ Feast & Festivities ~ planned perfectly ~ collective event rentals ~ Emerald Event Rentals ~ Spark Rentals ~ Minted ~ Steven King Cabins
LOOKING FOR A WEDDING FLORAL AND EVENT DESIGNER IN WINNIPEG?
My 2023 wedding wait list has been started!
Flowers are the best way to make a statement at your wedding. Whether you already have a specific vision or want me to dream up something custom just for you, reach out to Stone House Creative for stunning bridal bouquets, truly unique ceremony backdrops, and beautiful floral centrepieces to create the perfect ambiance for your wedding!
Garden Inspired Wedding Style Spilling Over with Colour
Classic and neutral palettes will always be popular, and for good reason…but for all of you who are in love for colour but might be afraid to use it, this one’s for you!
Coral, peach, blush, taupe, plum, terracotta. Rich, jewel tone greens. Crisp black accents. An energetic palette like this one lends a sense of happiness, of life, to a celebration but here’s the thing: you don’t have to go “Crayola bright” to use vibrant colour. This is bold but still feminine, modern and still elegant.
Classic and neutral palettes will always be popular, and for good reason…but for all of you who are in love for colour but might be afraid to use it, this one’s for you!
Coral, peach, blush, taupe, plum, terracotta. Rich, jewel tone greens. Crisp black accents. An energetic palette like this one lends a sense of happiness, of life, to a celebration but here’s the thing: you don’t have to go “Crayola bright” to use vibrant colour. This is bold but still feminine, modern and still elegant.
Many of these florals were locally grown, which makes them even more beautiful - ranunculus, snap dragon, lisianthus, lilies, foxglove. My favourite element to design was the indoor garden - who wouldn’t want to say their vows in the midst of a sweet garden spilling over with colour, fragrance, and beauty?
So let’s talk about COLOUR. Like I said, you don’t need to go Crayola to go colourful. For this palette I layered together coral and peach with subtler shades of taupe, mauve, blush, and terracotta. It feels a little vibrant here because of the fuchsia backdrop I painted, but against white, it’s a little softer.
You know what would be amazing? Getting married right in the middle of a garden grown just for you. Whether your wedding is indoors or out, I would LOVE to make this happen.
And we can’t not talk about that dress! It’s a vintage Donna Karan in a soft taupe silk and it’s AMAZING.
One of my favourite things about SMITH (and, of course, the main reason why I wish I could be invited to a wedding there!!) is the FOOOOOOD. I mean, look at that charcuterie board. Every time I’m setting up a wedding here, they are firing up the kitchen. I steal a glimpse at a menu and literally start to salivate. If that’s not a good enough referral to a venue for you, I don’t know what else could be.
Here, we had the beets with creme fraiche, cauliflower fritters, NY steak, and the charcuterie board.
One of the joys of my career is being selected to work on the full event design for a couple. Even though this was a photoshoot, I still wanted to apply a similar level of focus and detail that I do for a client who has hired me for event design. A detailed design brief develops a layered colour palette, textures, and design ideas that form a really incredible base for your wedding. Interested? Contact me here!
Brittany Mahood Photography ~ Stone House Creative ~ SMITH REstaurant ~ Mad ABout Style Warehouse ~ Jessica Janel for Tiopo & Co ~ Gossamer Vintage ~ Minted ~ The EveryDay HOst ~ C&T Rentals ~ Grace Hill Salon
It's Time for a Giveaway!
One lucky couple is going to get an extra 30% off flowers for their wedding...FOR FREE.
It’s really simple…I just want to spread the love and make sure that you get the wedding florals of your wildest dreams (okay, maybe not quite your Kardashian dreams!).
I'm giving one couple the florals of their dreams by adding on an extra 30% to their wedding floral order, at no extra charge! It might mean that the winner gets to add centrepieces that they couldn't previously afford, or it might mean that I get to dream up a super cool custom ceremony installation for you. Or, it might mean that everything that we do for you just gets a bit bigger and fuller!
That’s right, I’m so stinking excited about the launch of my new website last month that I want to keep the good times rolling. That means it’s time for a giveaway!
Here’s what we’re going to do: One lucky couple is going to get an extra 30% off flowers for their wedding...FOR FREE.
It’s really simple…I just want to spread the love and make sure that you get the wedding florals of your wildest dreams (okay, maybe not quite your Kardashian dreams!).
I'm giving one couple the florals of their dreams by adding on an extra 30% to their wedding floral order, at no extra charge! It might mean that the winner gets to add centrepieces that they couldn't previously afford, or it might mean that I get to dream up a super cool custom ceremony installation for you. Or, it might mean that everything that we do for you just gets a bit bigger and fuller!
Here’s Jess and Donny - the previous winners of this giveaway! Their wedding was at the gorgeous Cielo’s Garden and was planned and designed by Emily from Feast & Festivities. When they entered the giveaway, they didn’t have plans for anything grand in the ceremony space, so I knew that we could do something really cool for them. Emily came up with the original concept and then let me run wild with it - and run wild I did!
The acrylic columns were a very cool design feature, very fitting for their mid-century modern inspired celebration which was infused with a few tropical touches to reference their Hawaiian engagement. We chose to design both inside AND outside the stands, tying in some really cool tall eremerus blooms and sago palm. And I love that they asked to be married BEHIND the columns, so that the flowers could get a little more play. You know momma likes that!
So, do you want to be the next winner? All you’ve got to do is fill out an entry form. CLICK HERE to find it before January 29!
More will be coming from this wedding in the next few months and I can’t wait to share all of the goodness!
Brittany Mahood Photography ~ Feast & Festivities ~ Cielo’s Garden ~ Truvelle ~ That First Spark ~ Marry Me, Hunnie
2020 and 2021 Wedding Flower and Decor Trends
Every year, I put together a “wish list;” concepts or ideas that I would love to play with or design more of for clients. What I love about doing this is that it makes it a bit easier to think on my feet during a consultation - I already have some great ideas in my back pocket, and if one of those ideas might be perfect for you, then I can suggest it right away. While I often talk about the big wedding flower and decor trends around engagement season, this year I want to highlight some of the design concepts on my wish list!
Every year, I put together a “wish list;” concepts or ideas that I would love to play with or design more of for clients. What I love about doing this is that it makes it a bit easier to think on my feet during a consultation - I already have some great ideas in my back pocket, and if one of those ideas might be perfect for you, then I can suggest it right away. While I often talk about the big wedding flower and decor trends around engagement season, this year I want to highlight some of the design concepts on my wish list!
A Floral Nest
Oh, how sweet would it be to say your vows, take your newlywed portraits, or enjoy your first dinner as husband and wife completely surrounded by flowers? These nest styles have been popular for a few years, and I’ve been dying to give my take. I can imagine a truly stunning indoor ceremony completely brought to life by layer upon layer of flowers - maybe in the Oak Room at the Manitoba Club, or a more modern space at the new Convention Centre that’s just begging for some freshness?
Florals by Max Owens Design, Photo by Charla Storey
Classic Ceremony Urns
I’ll never get tired of designing a beautiful arch for a wedding ceremony, but once in a while it’s nice to do something a bit different. I love the option of popping a couple of big urns with seriously statement-making floral arrangements at the front or back of your aisle, and whether you want yours designed with a classic, rounded shape or something a little more asymmetrical and garden-inspired, I can make it happen!
Florals by Moss Floral, Planning by Lindsey Brunk, Photo by N Barrett
Florals by Sweet Root Village
Wow Factor Head Tables
A lot of my couples are asking for something DIFFERENT than greenery across the front of their head table, and I do not blame them one bit. Chances are, if you’ve been to a wedding in the last 5 years, greenery was spilled across the front of the head table. Now there’s a good reason for this - it looks good! But it’s time for a change. Let me have some fun 😁
Budget tip: if you want the wow factor, but you don’t have a wow budget, consider opting for a sweetheart table for the two of you, instead of a table for your entire bridal party. I can make a major statement with far fewer flowers on a table for 2 vs a table for 12!
All designs below by Fairmaven Floral, who does a stunning job of wow factor head tables!
Modern Event Design
Have you seen Justin and Hailey Bieber’s wedding? (Never thought I’d mention them on my blog, lol!) Their wedding is the perfect example of modern event design done well: a crisp, neutral palette, black accents, repeated smaller floral arrangements in a modern style (please, please send your mason jars to the thrift store!), and nothing that feels cold or overly “glam” (that’s right, I don’t want to see a single crystal or blingy bit anywhere). I’d love a palette of black/nude/blush or black/blush/berry and I’m bringing in some gorgeous smoke glass candle holders that I know some of you are going to LOVE.
Siren Floral Co; Pinterest; Planning by Mindy Weiss, Floral by Mark’s Garden, Photo by Jose Villa; Floral Design by Blush & Bloom, Planning by Baum Event Company, Photos by Purple Tree Photography;
Scaled Back Bridal Bouquets
We’re seeing a gradual decline in the oversized, massive wedding bouquets that have been requested over the last 5 years. Now I’ll always love a big, juicy bouquet, but I’m totally on board with this trend for a few reasons: with a smaller bouquet you can show off your dress (and your waist!) more, your arms won’t be exhausted, and your flowers will feel a little more timeless. We’re still designing in a garden-inspired aesthetic, but a little sleeker in shape and texture - less of the wide, horizontally designed bouquets and more slightly manicured shapes.
Centrepieces that Require ACTUAL Floral Design
Sometimes it’s hard to remember that we are actually florists, with skill that sets us apart. Why? Because it can feel like people don’t value floral design. Now I understand that everyone values different things and that’s perfectly fine - and this is a different conversation for another day. But floral design is an art form, a living custom art form using perishable product - there is no chance that two floral arrangements can EVER be exactly the same, even if they have the exact same types of flowers and the exact same number of stems. And you know what this FLORAL DESIGNER wants to do? Actually design floral arrangements. lol! Greenery has its place, and I know it’s been trendy for a few years…but simply tucking greenery in and around some candles isn’t exactly art (which is not to say that anyone and everyone can do it, and make it look nice). If you appreciate floral centrepieces and you know that you want to place a gorgeous piece of living art on your wedding tables, I’d suggest budgeting from $125 - $175 per table for us to create something that looks remotely like the $500 arrangement you’ve saved on your Pinterest board 😂
Floral design by me, photo by Kayla Barker Photography
Warm Toned Colour Palettes
Whether you’re looking for a neutral palette or something a little more bold and colourful, I’m gravitating towards warmer undertones. This might mean a golden mustard accent to a mauve/purple palette, a base of taupe to an otherwise all-white palette, or camel tones added in with corals and rich greens. All of the pictures below are giving me SERIOUS inspo that I cannot get out of my head!
Florals by White Oak Floral CO, Photo by Purple Tree Photography
Florals by Siren Floral Co; Sweet Root Village
The Wonderful Wedding Show is coming up this weekend! I won’t be there, but some of my flowers will be :) You’ll be able to see some of these trends in action.
Looking for a Wedding Floral and Event Designer in Winnipeg?
2021 wedding dates are now booking! I might be biased, but flowers are the best way to make a statement at your wedding. Whether you already have a specific vision or want me to dream up something custom just for you, reach out to Stone House Creative for stunning bridal bouquets, truly unique ceremony backdrops, and beautiful floral centrepieces to create the perfect ambiance for your wedding!
Muted Cotton Candy Pastel Wedding at Pineridge Hollow
My favourite thing about Janelle and Kenny’s summer wedding at Pineridge Hollow was hands-down the colour palette: we chose a watery, muted oyster palette with dusty pinks, light blues, and lavenders. When I picked up my flower order and saw how the flowers were starting to come together, I got REALLY excited. Like, really excited. It was like a cotton candy dream come true! And just look at how beautiful the colours with the bridesmaids’ dresses were!
I think it’s pretty obvious why I loved these flowers :) It was such a lovely combination! Janelle wanted her bouquet to be a pretty good size but not too huge, and designed in a modern cascading style. The bridesmaids carried simpler handtied bouquets, all to coordinate with Janelle’s - isn’t that cotton candy pastel palette to die for?
Bridal Bouquet ingredients: several varieties of roses, dahlias, locally grown lisianthus and zinnias, delphinium, blue bells, and globe thistle with this gorgeous trailing jasmine and nagi foliages to help create that cascading shape. It’s pretty hard to choose a favourite ingredient in these bouquets, but I think it’s a tie between the “zinderella” zinnias and the globe thistle for me!
The wedding ceremony took place in front of the gardens at Pineridge Hollow, which were beautifully in bloom! I really went for it with this large, asymmetrical floral piece added to the arch. I loved adding in the very long, full branches of white poplar - they add a ton of texture thanks to the leaf’s shape and colour variegation, and of course, the shape that the full, arching stems creates can’t be beat. Mauve roses and pink lisianthus filled out the florals! We also added simple greenery bouquets down the aisle. I don’t normally recommend doing too much down the aisle as I personally prefer to keep the focus at the front, but these guys were super cute and definitely added to the woodsy feel.
Inside the tent, Janelle created a really great floor plan with a mix of both rectangular and round tables. White linens, mahogany chivari chairs and gold accents set the perfect neutral backdrop. The round tables had a low floral arrangement, with a touch more vibrancy than the bouquets but overall a very similar palette, and the rectangular tables featured loose greenery tucked along the length of the table (PSA the tables at Pineridge Hollow are quite narrow, so just keep that in mind if you’re planning a wedding there!) with individual roses in blush and mauve and gold candleholders added in. It was a very full table, but looked beautiful!
Looking for a Wedding Floral and Event Designer in Winnipeg?
My 2020 waitlist has already been started, and couples interested in full event and floral design will be contacted first about their dates. I offer a limited number of dates for event design each year, in order to allow me to work closely with each couple. Combining event and floral design is the perfect option for couples who live out of town, or couples who feel they need a little extra help in creating the visual plan for their wedding day. Click this link to learn more!