Modern Meets Classic Wedding at the Manitoba Club
Was I intending to take a holiday on the weekend of Leilah and Keven’s wedidng? Yes. Did I then see the design plan from Soiree Event Planning and then text my husband to ask if he’d be okay with me taking one less week of holiday? Yes. And he said yes, too :)
I was so happy to be brought on board. First, Leilah was an absolute gem to work with. She is kind, creative, and happy to lean on her creative professionals to explore ideas and trusted us to design something beautiful for them.
And design something beautiful is just what we did! The plan that Soiree envisioned was full of unique, personal, and interesting details. When it came to the florals, we wanted to move towards modern shaping and bloom selections, designing with an overall classic aesthetic that fits the venue.
Was I intending to take a holiday on the weekend of Leilah and Keven’s wedidng? Yes. Did I then see the design plan from Soiree Event Planning and then text my husband to ask if he’d be okay with me taking one less week of holiday? Yes. And he said yes, too :)
I was so happy to be brought on board. First, Leilah was an absolute gem to work with. She is kind, creative, and happy to lean on her creative professionals to explore ideas and trusted us to design something beautiful for them.
And design something beautiful is just what we did! The plan that Soiree envisioned was full of unique, personal, and interesting details. When it came to the florals, we wanted to move towards modern shaping and bloom selections, designing with an overall classic aesthetic that fits the venue.
Photos by Karina Walker
“Lauren understood our vision perfectly. She brought it to life and was very creative and unique in her planning process. We received so many compliments on the florals, and are so happy we went with Stone House! ”
The Floral Design
Layered, chic, not too large. I used primarily whites and greens, but desperately loved the idea of tucking in a touch of a deep raisin tone to really bring the greens to life. I really wanted to use some unique foliages (caladium and geranium leaves), which helped to create that cool shape and base to the bouquet. We didn’t have any bridesmaid bouquets or boutonnieres to design, but I did design 2 small bouquets for their grandmas! How sweet!
Bridal Bouquet Ingredients: Frilly lisianthus, lime anthurium, chocolate butterfly ranunculus, scented geranium leaves, mixed caladium leaves, and white nicotiana.
The Ceremony Design
Column florals created an altar in the Manitoba Club’s Oak Room. I wanted to focus on modern clustering to create movement, and added in a lot of texture with different varieties. For greens, we used hydrangea, carnations, dianthus, caladium leaves, and lime anthurium. In whites, we incorporated lisianthus, disbuds, roses, nicotiana. I also tucked in chocolate butterfly ranunculus and globe thistle for depth and texture.
Our aisle was pretty tight, so instead of adding anything down the aisle, we designed 2 sculptural pieces on pedestals in the doorway.
Reception Styling
My behind-the-scenes thoughts on all of the reception details you love!
CaterPillar Table Layout
The caterpillar table layout, along with serpentine tables, was wildly popular last year, but it’s hard to execute well! It’s really important to understand that you cannot fit as many people at these tables as you would expect, and you need to be more creative with the tablescaping. BUT, done well, this is a really fun style and creates a really cool ambiance in a room.
Warm Natural Palette
Leilah and Keven’s palette was beyond just a white and green palette. Whites and creams, yes, with deep raisin, chartreuse, jewel tone greens and gold, and a base of warm taupe. Choosing your palette is important, and I’d encourage everyone to go beyond just a couple of basic colours. Colour can add a lot of depth and character, and really communicate an entire story.
Dreamy MoodY Lighting
Lighting is the ultimate way to create an immediate ambiance. In this case, Event Light (masters of all things lighting here in Winnipeg!) added uplighting around the room, Collective Rentals provided the table lamps, and I took care of al things candles. I love mixing a combination of taper candles and mixed votive candles. And if you’re adding uplighting, then also opt for uplighting if you can: it makes a huge difference in diffusing the glow in the most perfect dreamy way.
BlaCk Accents
I’ve heard interior designers say that every room needs an accent of black, because it brings a grounding, balancing effect. It draws in your eye and adds a bit of focus. In this case, Soiree opted to bring in black bentwood chairs (which have a modern, clean shape while adding detail), and black flatware. And wouldn’t you agree that the black accents really does add that focus?
Floral Centrepieces
Once again, one of my favourite details :) With the caterpillar floor plan, you end up with each table having a different number of seats at it. Meaning, some tables will need larger or smaller centrepieces, more or less candles and lamps, and so on. So, some of our tables had very full compotes with the most delicious chocolate butterfly ranunculus and white nicotiana with extended length on the stems, while other tables were accented with low, modern arrangements with unique, sculptural shapes.
Who This Design is For
Here’s who this design works best for:
Couples with a classic style who also want something fresh and unique.
Weddings with a small to medium guest list, OR a venue large enough to allow for the caterpillar table floor plan. The reality is that this floor plan style does take up more space with less efficient seating.
Planners who know how to walk the line of less is more, and won’t be tempted to add in a lot of unnecessary detail.
LOOKING FOR A WEDDING FLORAL DESIGNER IN WINNIPEG?
Planning a wedding at The Manitoba Club and want polished florals that suit the space? I’d love to be your floral designer.
With florals, we shape the full visual story of a celebration bringing palette, texture, and atmosphere together with calm, confident direction. Couples choose us for our ability to simplify complex ideas, articulate what will make the greatest impact, and deliver a celebration that feels cohesive, expressive, and uniquely reflective of their aesthetic.
Classic White and Green Wedding at The Manitoba Club
Elegant, classic, with unique touches and twists. Andie and Charles (okay, Andie) had a traditional vision for their wedding and I was so thrilled to make it happen.
I love finding those tweaks that take something traditional and elevate it into something personal, something unique, something fresh — without straying off-course. The Manitoba Club was of course the very perfect location, with its heritage interior and warm finishings.
Andie brought me on board pretty early in her planning process, so much of the design was really guided by the florals. Within her idea of a classic white and cream palette and traditional overall style, she was really open to letting me lead the design and here’s what we came up with!
Elegant, classic, with unique touches and twists. Andie and Charles (okay, Andie) had a traditional vision for their wedding and I was so thrilled to make it happen.
I love finding those tweaks that take something traditional and elevate it into something personal, something unique, something fresh — without straying off-course. The Manitoba Club was of course the very perfect location, with its heritage interior and warm finishings.
Andie brought me on board pretty early in her planning process, so much of the design was really guided by the florals. Within her idea of a classic white and cream palette and traditional overall style, she was really open to letting me lead the design and here’s what we came up with!
Photos by Michael & Melanie
Planning by Harlow Events
The Bridal Bouquet
Andie’s style is classic, elegant. Keeping her dress design in mind, I suggested we keep her bouquet more on the medium side, all in classic whites with a touch of creamy blush in the garden roses.
I gave her ALLLL the good stuff. And was pleasantly delighted when I arrived on the wedding morning to be asked to wrap this family heirloom rosary around the handle!
Bridal Bouquet Ingredients: White O’hara garden roses, ranunculus, peonies, sweet pea, and freesia.
Doesn’t this happen to pair perfectly with Andie’s gorgeous custom gown? Winnipegger Cathy Wiebe designed and hand-crafted this gown, which is actually 2 parts: a cleaner lined gown underneath, with essentially a lace overcoat overtop. Stunning!
The ceremony was kept very simple, with large gold urns placed at the altar, along with a few ground-based aisle pieces. These all found a new home at the reception, so nothing goes to waste.
Connie from Harlow Events had a vision for the seating chart, and actually custom-made this base just for the wedding! I love the 3D sort of look, with greenery climbing up the back and then vining out a little bit, too.
The Ambiance
Working in a space as iconic as The Manitoba Club Grand Ballroom, and with a classic, elegant vision in mind, a lot of the elements that we brought in were no-brainers: white florals, twinkling candlelight, gold accents. The elevation comes in how we make this fresh.
Florals: Adding in some “limited time only!” spring blooms was a beautiful way to make a standard white floral arrangement a bit different: hyacinth and tulips are some of my personal favourites. I tucked in a few white o’hara garden roses, which have a really beautiful creamy blush centre, and are the perfect way to blend through a full colour palette.
Candlelight: Right off the hop, one of the first things I wanted to do was add visual movement to the tables with higher candlelight. Not candlebras, and not taper candles (which I do love!), but using these Halo vases from Collective as opportunities to elevate the twinkle of a candle off the tables. They are perfect for a little tealight, without impeding vision. On the round tables, I used a mixture of gold-based votive holders and etched glass votive holders, adding further layers of interest. Sometimes the rental item is what really makes the difference!
Gold: Well, we were in a room that’s basically gilded. Not too much too add here ;) I do love these gold chairs! They are very appropriate the ballroom setting without feeling overdone.
Mockup to Reality
As you’ll see below, my table mockups are really intended to give us a decent idea of scale, quantities of items that are needed, and provide direction for how we can style the tablescapes as a whole. It’s a great opportunity for the client to be able to understand what I’m envisioning, and while it’ll never be 100% accurate, it’s a really great tool to build our communication off of.
When I created this rendering, we were tossing back and forth a few different chair options, so I made sure to include those visuals beside the ivory table linens.
With long tables, we don’t typically have a ton of space to add a lot of floral to, so my mockup shows the linear direction that we need to design in. We decided on simpler florals on the long tables, paired with a fuller, classic white arrangement on the round tables.
I also chose to add in a subtle colour to the candle, just to add a little depth to the overall space.
I love a stellar sweetheart table! If I were getting married again, I think I could convince my husband to go with a layout like this: it’s intimate, slightly less social pressure if you’re a bit on the anxious side, but still puts you “on display” enough, if that makes sense.
The ceremony aisle florals were moved in front to line the table in a very lush fashion, and along with Andie’s bridal bouquet on the tabletop, I addd more candlelight. LOTS of candlelight.
It’s always a pleasure to work with an incredible team of professionals to create an elevated event. Any one of them would be an excellent hire for your wedding!
Michael & Melanie Photography ~ Harlow Events ~ The Manitoba Club ~ Planned Perfectly ~ Collective event rentals ~ Event Light ~ Union Table ~ Fifth Hair ~ MYUZ Artistry ~ Luminous String Quartet ~ Big City All Star Band ~ Cathy Wiebe Clothes
LOOKING FOR A WEDDING FLORAL DESIGNER IN WINNIPEG?
Getting married at the Manitoba Club? We happen to know the space REALLY well, and in our completely biased opinion, we’re the best at bringing the space to life 😎
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!
Textural Summer Wedding at the WAG
There are some weddings that come together beautifully after much back and forth, brainstorming, and ideas…and there are some that seem to come together so effortlessly! This textural summer wedding reception at the Winnipeg Art Gallery for G+D was the latter — at least on my end!
Eventzy brought me in to design all the personal and reception florals, and they had already conceptualized such a great design plan. Textured rattan elements, touches of floral pattern, a calming twist on the classic white/green/blue palette, and a few modern elements brought it all together.
There are some weddings that come together beautifully after much back and forth, brainstorming, and ideas…and there are some that seem to come together so effortlessly! This textural summer wedding reception at the Winnipeg Art Gallery for G+D was the latter — at least on my end!
Eventzy brought me in to design all the personal and reception florals, and they had already conceptualized such a great design plan. Textured rattan elements, touches of floral pattern, a calming twist on the classic white/green/blue palette, and a few modern elements brought it all together.
Photos by Michael & Melanie
Event Design by Eventzy
THE FLOWERS
Gian gave me a lot of flexibility with her bouquet. She did have a few requests: She wanted as much colour as she could get within her palette (hello, lime green!!), and she wanted to use orchids and garden roses because they reminded her of her grandmother. She has a pretty modern design sensibility, and I knew there would be some fun fashion moments so I thought we could go for a uniquely shaped bouquet.
Bridal Bouquet Ingredients: garden roses, phalaenopsis orchids, cymbidium orchids, delphinium, lisianthus, Bells of Ireland, and forget-me-not.
THE RECEPTION
You’ve always got to love seeing a couple and their guests enjoying their wedding this much!! We’re celebrating here, people. Let’s get into it!
The dinner design was Eventzy’s main priority, and they really nailed it. The floor plan was fantastic, really creating incredible design features that were perfectly paired with pockets of negative space. It felt very calming.
Gian’s one major request was that I incorporate green grapes into the tablescapes — no problem! We also used our LED taper candles and votives. While I’d always prefer to use real, the WAG doesn’t allow real flame to protect the art, so I searched high and low to find the best LED candles I could get my hands on. They were worth the investment!
3 design elements that make this design work:
1) A floor plan with differing table shapes. When you have enough space in your venue, please add different table shapes. This can create a great flow in the room (or, a terrible flow — so be careful!). In this case, we had round tables tucked into what could have been awkward corners, long tables throughout the most of the room, and a very cool C shaped family table in front of the head table.
2) HEIGHT. A space like the WAG can be really challenging because the ceiling is SO high, and even when you add a tall centrepiece, the room can feel very flat. The addition of pedestals with floral urns throughout the room, and the tall lamp stands along the right side create so much visual interest!
3) Texture: rattan lamps, cane-back chairs, and cleverly placed floral patterned linens and napkins add layers of feminine texture that feel fresh.
See what I mean about a great floor plan? The cozy banquette seating under the tall lampshades, that very cool C shaped family table right in front of the head table, and the rows of long tables carefully interspersed with tall floral urns on pedestals make for SUCH an engaging space. Most of the centrepieces themselves were quite simple: white ceramic cylinder vases filled with fluttery, romantic textures: hydrangea, Queen Anne’s Lace, delphinium, and forget-me-not.
Working at the WAG comes with a truncated setup time (as it’s open during the day to gallery visitors), so we always come prepared with a team that’s ready to WORK. The amount of work we busted through in a short period of time was incredible! The most time-consuming element was the foliage on the lamp stands. I knew that we wouldn’t have time to fully cover and instal the foliage on-site, so we prepped these greenery pieces in advance. We made this out of a chicken wire base, folded over almost like a burrito. We wrapped them in large plastic coverings to keep them from drying out, then hoisted them into the van and carried them through the WAG almost like body bags 🙈 We opened those bad boys up, hoisted them up around the top curve of the lamp stand, and then zip tied them closed almost like zipping up the back of a dress. We always have to add a bit of extra foliage to cover any holes or mechanics that are exposed, and then of course, sweep sweep sweep! Lots of sweeping happened this day.
Michael & Melanie Photography ~ Winnipeg Art Gallery ~ Eventzy ~ Planned Perfectly ~ Mix Event Rentals ~ Tilted Space (silk ceremony florals) ~ Collective Event Rentals ~ Creating a Scene
planning a wedding at the Winnipeg Art Gallery?
I want in.
Florals shape the feeling of a celebration. Our design philosophy sees colour, movement, and composition working together to create deeply intentional floral experiences. We see florals not simply as decorations, but as essential elements that define atmosphere, emotion, and visual cohesion.
If this is what you’re looking for, Lauren would love to connect with you!
Modern Meets Classic White Wedding Flowers at SMITH
Kate and Denis’ wedding was set in late May — one of the best times for flowers! We’re talking tulips, lilac, AND spirea — and you know I used it all!
They had chosen SMITH for their reception, loving the intimate setting and delicious food. But, they have a more classic style overall, so in the design process we needed to find ways to blend that more traditional style with modern design elements, to create an overall event design that worked with the restaurant setting.
Kate and Denis’ wedding was set in late May — one of the best times for flowers! We’re talking tulips, lilac, AND spirea — and you know I used it all!
They had chosen SMITH for their reception, loving the intimate setting and delicious food. But, they have a more classic style overall, so in the design process we needed to find ways to blend that more traditional style with modern design elements, to create an overall event design that worked with the restaurant setting.
Photos by Brittany Mahood
Planning by Soiree Event Planning
“The flowers were absolutely stunning. Exceeded all of our expectations! Thank you again for everything. We’re just so so impressed and happy. Thank you so much!”
The Floral Design
When I delivered Kate’s bouquet that morning, her mom was shocked to see me, assuming I would have someone else handling deliveries. But you know what? Delivering your bridal bouquet to you on your wedding morning is one of my most favourite moments of the entire day. A lot of brides start to feel like things are getting real when bouquets get delivered and seeing the excitement in your eyes is thrilling.
Kate had a vision for a slightly smaller bouquet, with a bit more of a vertical shape. Her inspiration image was made of faux flowers, which can be tricky for a florist to then figure out how to execute in fresh flowers. There’s the simple but substantial difference of fresh flowers having their own movement, where each stem is going to do what it wants, while faux flowers are super easy to manipulate due to having a wired stem. All that being said, I LOVED the way Kate’s bouquet turned out!! It was delicate, petite, SO lightweight, and filled with a small selection of absolutely stunning blooms.
The bridesmaids carried single stems of large calla lilies, which I tied with a delicate bow. I didn’t originally plan to use a bow, but I did need something on those stems. At first, I tried just a simple wrap of ribbon and it looked like a hilarious bandaid wrapped around the handle, while the bow looked charming. Done!
Bridal Bouquet Ingredients: Spirea, tulips, sweet pea, mini calla lilies, and mini phalaenopsis orchids.
The Ceremony Design
The ceremony took place at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. It’s a really striking space, with soaring ceilings and tons of windows. Since the ceremony and reception were going to be in 2 different venues, we wanted to choose a ceremony design that would be easy to repurpose over to Smith without too much difficulty, and to choose something that would ground the eye. With ceilings that high, it can be tricky to figure out the right scale to design for.
We settled on two pedestals to frame in an altar, with 2 lush, branching floral arrangements added on top. When I tell you I got SO lucky with the timing for both spirea and white lilac to be blooming!!! I added in a few mini green hydrangea to bring that fresh spring colour, and we were set to go.
Smith absolutely glowed that night! We layered in classic taper candles, a few statement branching arrangements (at the escort card table and on the bars), and linen accents to bring the entire space together.
Tabletop Styling
Balancing the moody, modern setting of Smith with the desire for a more traditional overall design, the Soiree team and I knew we needed to make very particular design choices to pull it all together.
We included the classic elements of taper candles and central floral arrangements, modernizing them for the restaurant setting with modern floral styling, warm neutral candles, and varied heights to create visual interest.
Dinnerware
Though Smith has nice dinnerware (most restaurants do!), the in-house plates didn’t give the elevated classic feel the family was really after. Soiree chose the Kaleb set from Collective Rentals, which does a really nice job of adding a chic feel to the place settings!
Taupe Candles and Linens
Kate wasn’t confident about coloured candles at first — we looked at samples of a few different colours, including blues, but it felt a little too playful. White felt too crisp. This sandstone taper candle is just the right choice for warming up the overall design without necessarily feeling like you’re adding a colour. They also chose Planned Perfectly’s taupe linens for the round tables, and wanting to add a bit more polish to the rectangular tables, Kate’s mom made coordinating taupe linen runners.
Stationery
Soiree knows just how to bring in a slight touch of colour to elevate a design! Delicate touches of this perfect dusty blue paper in the table numbers and menu cards was perfect.
Floral Centrepieces
One of my first thoughts when discussing the tables was to keep the vases clear — I wanted as much twinkling candlelight as possible, and it reflects so nicely off of clear glass. They preferred classic arrangements, in all whites and greens, and we simply adjusted the size of container and the quantity of arrangements to the size of each table. Restaurant floor plans are often a little more on the random side, so it’s never a cut and dry “x# of centrepieces that all match.” You need to be a lot more detailed and specific, ensuring there’s enough space on the tables to make it all work.
Who This Design is For
Whether you’re blending a modern setting with a classic style like this couple, or merging your personal tastes with your fiance’s, this wedding is a great example that you can find the right elements to bring it all together.
Looking for a Wedding Floral Designer in Winnipeg?
Florals shape the feeling of a celebration. Our design philosophy sees colour, movement, and composition working together to create deeply intentional floral experiences. We see florals not simply as decorations, but as essential elements that define atmosphere, emotion, and visual cohesion.
If this is what you’re looking for, Lauren would love to connect with you!
Intimate, Colourful Weekday Wedding at 529 Wellington
An intimate Monday vow exchange wedding in the park. An elegant dinner at one of Winnipeg’s most iconic restaurants.
For Claire and Lee’s late summer wedding, we let the colour do all the talking, layering in flowers and candles to create visual movement, depth, and a really fun ambiance for a twinkling, elevated dinner party.
An intimate Monday vow exchange wedding in the park. An elegant dinner at one of Winnipeg’s most iconic restaurants.
For Claire and Lee’s late summer wedding, we let the colour do all the talking, layering in flowers and candles to create visual movement, depth, and a really fun ambiance for a twinkling, elevated dinner party.
Photos by Brittany Mahood Photography
There was no formal wedding party, but I did design a small bouquet for Claire’s sister — and look at how PERFECTLY the girls’ dresses go with the floral palette!!! I always provide my clients with a colour palette in their proposals, and it brings me so much joy when the family or guests have very obviously chosen attire that fits within that palette. My husband’s family accidentally all wore shades of the same three colours at our wedding, and our family photos are dynamite.
“Lauren, I knew there was a reason you were my first and only choice for florals, and at the wedding I saw that reason with my own two eyes. Everything was just absolute perfection!”
The Flowers
Quite literally everything was all about the flowers here. Claire was SO excited and so invested in the flowers, to the point where she was having stress dreams about me accidentally using eucalyptus and then creating her own memes to send to me. I love Claire :)
Her specific request was “Flowers so delicious they’re good enough to eat.” Juicy yummy here we come!
Bridal Bouquet Ingredients: Pretty much everything was locally grown! Zinnias, dahlias, cosmos, sweet pea, and even the orchids were locally grown in Manitoba, with a few ranunculus added in for the fluff factor.
The Ceremony
Leo Mol Sculpture Garden is one of my very favourite places in the entire city. It feels so transformative, like you wander through the trees and you’re transported somewhere else. It’s quiet, intimate, and so inspiring. And for smaller guest lists, it is the absolute perfect wedding ceremony location. While we were setting up for this wedding, all the vendors were charmed by an otter flipping around in the pond!
Covering up the view with an arch is a no for me at Leo Mol, so I often suggest to couples that we go for ground-based florals here. These are also so easy to repurpose over at the reception, and easy to install in the short setup timeline that Assiniboine Park gives us.
We kept the juicy palette, adding in more greenery both to use as a base mechanic that takes up a lot of space in the arrangements, and to tie together with the natural vine-covered setting. I had the most glorious Manitoba dahlias, marigolds, and zinnias, paired with bright, rich roses.
The Reception
The perfect late summer dinner party, set at 529 Wellington. I love that Claire and Lee planned this reception like they did the rest of their wedding: fuss-free, but still elevated.
Claire really gave me creative freedom here! We obviously wanted to keep that juicy colour palette front and centre, and since the guest list was so small, we had a lot of budget flexibility. I also needed to stay realistic about the amount of space that I had to work with.
I elected to feature 2 larger, rectangular floral arrangements on each table, interspersed with taper candles, bud vases, low floral frog arrangements, and votives. The glow of the coloured candles perfectly complimented the colour of the florals, creating an engaging ambiance.
Looking for a Wedding Floral Designer in Winnipeg?
Florals shape the feeling of a celebration. Our design philosophy sees colour, movement, and composition working together to create deeply intentional floral experiences. We see florals not simply as decorations, but as essential elements that define atmosphere, emotion, and visual cohesion.
If this is what you’re looking for, Lauren would love to connect with you!
