Spanish-Inspired Red Wedding at The White Poplar
Natasha and Joe, in August at The White Poplar — better known as one of my favourite weddings of the year.
And one of your favourites, too — every time I post something from their wedding, Instagram goes wild. The reel I posted of their arch has almost 300 shares…that’s WAY WAY WAY more than anything else I’ve ever shared. So yeah. Natasha and Joe’s wedding is a good one. Let’s dig into it.
Natasha’s style is obviously impeccable, and she came into the planning with a Spanish-inspired vision. The colour palette? Perfect. Her dresses? Breathtaking. The ceremony arch? One of my absolute faves.
Natasha and Joe, in August at The White Poplar — better known as one of my favourite weddings of the year.
And one of your favourites, too — every time I post something from their wedding, Instagram goes wild. The reel I posted of their arch has almost 300 shares…that’s WAY WAY WAY more than anything else I’ve ever shared. So yeah. Natasha and Joe’s wedding is a good one. Let’s dig into it.
Natasha’s style is obviously impeccable, and she came into the planning with a Spanish-inspired vision. The colour palette? Perfect. Her dresses? Breathtaking. The ceremony arch? One of my absolute faves.
Photos by Rachwal Photography
BOUQUET PERFECTION. If I do say so myself 😘 Everything about this bouquet was just perfect. We obviously kept the colouring rich (which looks amazing against white dresses — if you’re on the fence about colour, please: GO FOR IT), focusing on those poppy reds with touches of brighter and softer pink added in, and finished with those breathtaking orchids that couldn’t have been more perfect.
FYI there’s a lesson in here — we don’t have a lot of control over the flowers that come in at our wholesaler, specifically when they’re more specialty flowers. Like, your roses are basically always going to come in with the correct variety and stem count that you want. But something like an orchid is trickier up here in the great white North, so I gave my rep a few colour options that I liked and the overall palette of the wedding, and then hoped for the best. I couldn’t guarantee to Natasha that I was going to get something that was going to be perfect, and so we couldn’t try to control it. BUT IT WAS PERFECT.
Bridal Bouquet Ingredients: Nina roses, rockstar roses, gladiola, ranunculus, snap dragons, Jewels of Opar, sweet pea, anthurium, and those perfect phalaenopsis orchids.
The ceremony. This arch. The perfect spot in the trees. I don’t know what else I can say aside from PERFECTION.
I love designing a statement arch but the red obviously kicked it up a notch unlike any other palette. Someone else, please give me a red palette and I will KISS you.
Okay, so we obviously had a lot of fun with the reception design. Natasha had a clear vision but wasn’t totally sure how to bring it all together or what products were available for rent here in Winnipeg, so I was happy to come alongside her and make suggestions about rentals, styling, and so on — and honestly, the trust that she put in me was AMAZING and that’s what creates the best experience and final product.
Since their wedding was originally going to be at a different venue (and then postponed because of Covid, and then that venue wasn’t actually BUILT so she had to switch gears altogether), Natasha viewed White Poplar as a blank slate that she could do whatever she wanted with.
First, Natasha brought in cross-back chairs instead of the black metal that are standard at the venue, and added white draping to soften the more barn/industrial style space. She also added a dusty rose velvet linen to the head table to create an elevated aesthetic and also make sure the bridesmaids don’t have to worry about sitting prim and proper all night long. We added a gorgeous low floral piece to the centre of the head table, along with clusters of candles and greenery touches to finish that design up.
I wanted to create a sense of undulation down the tables, and Natasha liked the idea of these low arrangements that felt like they were growing out of the tables. We paired those with fuller florals in gold urns, and added plenty of candles in a soft taupe to elevate the aesthetic (this makes SUCH a big difference…sometimes a white candle is the way to go, but sometimes it’s just too stark and basic!).
I loved the place settings! The gold-rimmed plates were lovely and felt rich, and I suggested layering in a terracotta napkin underneath the bread plate, for both function and fashion. It added a bit of authentic rustic vibes, and also didn’t blow away — word to the wise, The White Poplar is suuuuuper windy. Natasha’s friend designed all the stationery on this luxe, luscious paper (isn’t the colour stunning?!) and then on the day-of, when Alex from Alexandra Lillian Events was setting everything up she came up against the wind when setting the place cards. I suggested they be tucked into the salad fork tynes, which again felt a little rustic (in a good way guys, not in a burlap barn way, k?) and also got that job done.
We need to give a MOMENT to this cake. Woah. Jenna Rae Cakes absolutely blew it out of the water with this complete masterpiece. I connected with Jenna in advance of the wedding and let her know what flowers I was using, and what I could provide her with that would last on the cake, and then she just went for it. Seriously, if you want your cake to be a true work of art, you need to connect with Jenna.
And, obviously, the flowers were pretty spectacular, if I do say so myself! My team really killed it, and we had an awesome time designing lush pieces filled with locally grown and specialty imported flowers.
Everything about this day was amazing. What made it even better was the vendor team, all listed below. This was my first time working at White Poplar, and AJ is AMAZING. Alexandra Lillian Events provided coordination services, and she’s always such a breath of fresh air and such a gentle spirit to work alongside. Jenna Rae Cakes BROUGHT IT. Truly, everything about this wedding was just chef’s kiss.* Hire vendors who get your style, and let them help you along the way. It’ll work out so much better for you!
Izabela Rachwal Photography ~ The White Poplar ~ Alexandra Lillian Events ~ Jenna Rae Cakes ~ Planned Perfectly ~ Collective Event Rentals ~ Idyll Paper ~ Faith Robert ~ Chef Ben Kramer ~ Bliss Bridal Boutique ~ JP Media works
LOOKING FOR A WEDDING FLORAL AND EVENT DESIGNER IN WINNIPEG?
My 2024 calendar is now open!
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 Art Gallery Wedding
Julie and Reid’s elegant, garden-inspired wedding was one I had been so looking forward to, but not without a few kinks in the planning!
Julie has a really demanding career, so I primarily worked with her mom and planner, Alli Mae Events. Julie gave us some inspiration for the visual direction, and we took it away from there — except, it was originally planned for another venue and due to flooding this spring, they scrambled to book a new venue just 4 weeks prior to their wedding!
In the end, I actually think the WAG was the absolute perfect location for them and I wouldn’t have chosen it to be any other way!
Julie and Reid’s elegant, garden-inspired wedding was one I had been so looking forward to, but not without a few kinks in the planning!
Julie has a really demanding career, so I primarily worked with her mom and planner, Alli Mae Events. Julie gave us some inspiration for the visual direction, and we took it away from there — except, it was originally planned for another venue and due to flooding this spring, they scrambled to book a new venue just 4 weeks prior to their wedding!
In the end, I actually think the WAG was the absolute perfect location for them and I wouldn’t have chosen it to be any other way!
Photos by Izabela Rachwal
“you were able to make my vision come to life, putting your own twist and imagination into it to make the florals and décor even more special.”
- Julie
Their original wedding venue had a lot of green space and opportunity for outdoor photos, and I knew they’d be missing that in their switch to the WAG. So, I offered to set up a sort of portrait garden on the rooftop, using their aisle flowers to bring some colour and life to the sculpture garden.
Bridal Bouquet Ingredients: wabara garden roses, peonies, ranunculus, scabiosa, quicksand rose, delphinium, Queen Anne’s Lace, anemones, lisianthus.
Rooftop wedding ceremonies at the WAG are always super windy, no matter what the weather is at the ground, but this chuppah from Dream Day Decor was sturdy and did the job!
I know a lot of people choose the WAG because it’s neutral (and it is — those tyndall stone walls are just 😍). But where people go wrong, in my opinion, is choosing white linens. The white just falls flat, dulling the room. Opting for a soft neutral, like these taupe linens from Planned Perfectly, or adding richness with a warmer tone, is definitely the way to go!
If you’re planning an all-white wedding, choosing the taupe is just a warmer neutral base that blends into the venue’s walls, but you can still opt for white florals and it’s not going to feel bland.
The floor plan is one of the most underrated elements to a great wedding atmosphere, and I love that Julie and Reid opted for an oversized “King’s Table” for their head table — double-sided seating, and double wide, allowing for plenty of space for the wedding party and their partners to join you. This gives you the opportunity to actually chat and enjoy your evening with your loved ones, instead of feeling like you’re on display all evening long.
It’s also great that this King’s Table was situated in the middle of the room, creating great guest flow and movement throughout the room. And obviously, the full floral runner lining the middle of the table was just divine!
“What an amazing display of your creativity. I knew you would create the magic and I trusted you every step of the way. There was lots of uncertainty with the wedding plans, but I knew you were the one aspect I had complete faith in.
Lauren, you were wonderful right from the beginning. Thank you for creating a wonderful moment in time that will sustain me for the remainder of my lifetime.”
-Adele (Mother of the Bride)
“Lauren at Stone House was so amazing to work with. She was very professional, responsive and extremely creative!
Lauren detailed and sketched her design in advance so I was able to provide feedback and envision her plan. With a last minute venue change, Lauren remained calm and was able to adapt with no problems.
She was helpful and her creativity went beyond florals. I am so glad I worked with Stone House for my wedding. She is artistic, resourceful and original.” - Julie
Looking for a Wedding Floral and Event Designer in Winnipeg?
2023 wedding dates are limited, and my 2024 wait list has been started! Whether it’s an intimate wedding for 30 or a celebration the likes of which have never been seen before, 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!
Artful Summer Wedding Flowers in Clear Lake
I love when I get the chance to head up to Clear Lake for a wedding! It happens once every couple of years and each that I’ve done has been so different from the last.
Jamie and Garth were after a joyful, colourful, artful summer wedding. A little whimsical, a little surprising, chic and stylish…all the good words.
Jamie is a creative herself, and had a beautiful vision — it just came down to making it happen. And since they live in BC, it was kind of like they were planning a destination wedding within a destination wedding!
I love when I get the chance to head up to Clear Lake for a wedding! It happens once every couple of years and each that I’ve done has been so different from the last.
Jamie and Garth were after a joyful, colourful, artful summer wedding. A little whimsical, a little surprising, chic and stylish…all the good words.
Jamie is a creative herself, and had a beautiful vision — it just came down to making it happen. And since they live in BC, it was kind of like they were planning a destination wedding within a destination wedding!
This delicious colour palette was so so good. Poppy pastels, juicy touches of berry tones…mmm. Jamie had a long list of flowers that she loved, and most of them were growing locally (though I did have to change a few plans at the last minute because the spring flooding set our local growers back so much!).
Bridal bouquet ingredients: dahlias, cosmos, icelandic poppies, zinnias, feverfew, sweet pea, and snapdragons.
We designed a deconstructed arch composed with branching elements to keep the ceremony feeling really natural. White sunflowers reflected her Ukrainian heritage, while gladiolas were a nod to her grandfather who grew them. I also “grew” a few pieces down the aisle, creating that whimsical feel.
I had never actually seen a Jumping the Broom ceremony before, so I was thrilled to be able to see it incorporated into their service. If you don’t know the history of the tradition, look it up — it’s beautiful.
Jamie is not afraid of colour. After a few iterations of her palette, she had nailed down a gorgeous combination of lighter pinks, peach, lavender, a warm beige, celery green, and a pop of berry pink.
The reception was set in a small, clear top tent with the guests at round tables and the couple’s family at a double-sided family table in the centre. It felt really fresh with crisp white linens, juicy florals, and coloured glassware.
The ceremony florals were repurposed to the tent entrance, and the aisle florals to the base of the seating signage.
You know I love a good hanging piece! It doesn’t need to be huge to make a big impact, especially when it features great colours. We really didn’t know how we were going to be able to do this piece, because we had no idea what the interior roof of the tent was going to be like. But, I often feel like that “on the fly” work often ends up best!
I loved that Jamie chose brighter coloured candles for the head table, and we paired them with petite arrangements scattered with fuller pieces for a lot of movement and undulation down the table.
Photos: Brittany Mahood ~ Venue: Elkhorn Manor ~ Coordination: Tricia Bachewich Events ~ Tent and Rentals: Special Event Rentals Regina ~ Cake and Desserts: Flour and Flower ~ Stationery: Division 17 and Leech Letter Co ~ Makeup: Jelo Alindayu Artistry
LOOKING FOR A WEDDING FLORAL DESIGNER IN WINNIPEG?
2023 wedding dates are now booking! Whether it’s an intimate wedding for 30 or a celebration the likes of which have never been seen before, 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!
Modern Retro Inspired Wedding at Starlit Point
Ah, Karina and Matt’s wedding. The absolute perfect fall wedding — gorgeous scenery that dreamily coordinated with her colour palette, the greatest vibes, and amazing weather (and the last of the locally grown flowers for the year!). I’ve been waiting to share this modern retro inspired wedding at Starlit Point for the perfect time of the year, and right around their first anniversary seems perfect.
Ah, Karina and Matt’s wedding. The absolute perfect fall wedding — gorgeous scenery that dreamily coordinated with her colour palette, the greatest vibes, and amazing weather (and the last of the locally grown flowers for the year!). I’ve been waiting to share this modern retro inspired wedding at Starlit Point for the perfect time of the year, and right around their first anniversary seems perfect.
Karina is a talented videographer, with a really well-defined personal style. It was a delight to be part of making her vision come to life last October.
Karina’s bridal style and bridesmaids’ style was off the charts. Her gown was custom made by Cathy Wiebe, and dang was it ever incredible. All the saucy, all the sweet, all the vintage vibes were hit perfectly. And the palette of those bridesmaid dresses, combining velvet, chiffon and satin? Hot dang. See what I mean, Karina knows her own style really well?
IS SHE NOT SO GLAMOROUS?
Bridal Bouquet Ingredients: toffee and cappuccino roses, marigold, leucadendron, smokebush, spray roses, bunny tails, amaranthus, phragmites, and nandina foliage.
I love seeing how your entire wedding day turns out. It makes me so happy to see my couples surrounded by people who obviously love and support them so much ❤️
When it comes to styling a ceremony site, Karina’s wedding was a dream. Why? Because she brought us PROPS. We had multiple baskets and large jars and bottles to tuck florals and dried foliages in to, and the rug at their altar grounded the space. It wasn’t just an arch — it was an entire SPACE.
We were originally going to use Starlit’s usual house-shaped arch, and a few weeks before the wedding, Karina asked if we could pivot and use my gold 2 piece deconstructed arch instead. I love the more earthy vibe this gives, and that it doesn’t compete with that killer view.
FYI to all of you looking for unique rental pieces for your wedding — Karina actually rents this lounge set up, along with the orange love seat pictured at their head table below! Check out all her pieces here!
Karina planned everything out to such beautiful detail that I knew I shouldn’t have been worried…but I was still worried that the arch pieces were going to look bad with the curved name sign behind their head table. I was happy to be very wrong on that :)
She also sourced all of these orange table runners and mixed glass and amber bottles, so we had mixed arrangements running down all the tables. It honestly couldn’t have looked more beautiful out at Starlit Point — with the leaves having perfectly turned colour, everything just coordinated so beautifully and just looked and felt like KARINA.
Looking for a Wedding Floral and Event Designer in Winnipeg?
Limited 2022 wedding dates still remain. Whether it’s an intimate wedding for 30 or a celebration the likes of which have never been seen before, 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!
White Rose Garden Inspired Wedding at St Charles Country Club
You know I don’t do a lot of all-white weddings, because I’m such a colour lover. But there’s something (or rather, lots of somethings) about Marisa and Rob’s white rose garden-inspired wedding at St Charles Country Club that had me singing a different tune.
When Marisa first emailed me, she was inquiring about event design as well as floral design. With the all-white palette, I honestly wasn’t confident that I could pull off the complete event design, so I suggested she connect with Emily at Feast & Festivities. And as you can see, that was a good direction to point her in because this wedding was STUNNING.
You know I don’t do a lot of all-white weddings, because I’m such a colour lover. But there’s something (or rather, lots of somethings) about Marisa and Rob’s white rose garden-inspired wedding at St Charles Country Club that had me singing a different tune.
When Marisa first emailed me, she was inquiring about event design as well as floral design. With the all-white palette, I honestly wasn’t confident that I could pull off the complete event design, so I suggested she connect with Emily at Feast & Festivities. And as you can see, that was a good direction to point her in because this wedding was STUNNING.
Marisa’s uniquely shaped bouquet was a modern take on a classic white rose bouquet. We kept the bridesmaids’ bouquets even simpler, but not a boring rose dome.
Bridal Bouquet Ingredients: white playa blanca roses and Jeanine spray garden roses.
Marisa wanted roses, roses, and lots of roses. She also loves hydrangea, and we wanted to include some feminine texture throughout. At the church, we kept the aisle simple with baby’s breath bouquets and a pair of white pedestals at the front of the church with overgrown, rose-filled arrangements sitting on top.
Aren’t they so cute?
I LOVE seeing the moment when the couple sees their wedding reception for the first time! You spend a lot of time and energy (and money) creating a space with just the right ambiance for you and your guests to celebrate your marriage. It’s something that’s worth celebrating! The look on Marisa’s face shows how excited she was to see her classic rose garden-inspired wedding come to life.
And now on to the reception, where I was fully and completely obsessed with the design. Layer upon layer of white goodness and hot dang, it was breathtaking.
The floor plan combined round tables with a tall white floral centrepiece, and elongated banquet tables with repeated clusters of black taper candles with low white floral arrangements. These all-white florals felt really fresh and chic, and I realized the reason why is because we didn’t use any foliage. It elevated the design from a basic white-and-green to something more chic.
Alright, let’s talk about this cake table!! Marisa wanted it to feel like a rose bush was growing around her cake, which was delicately designed with sugar hydrangea petals. I would really love to do this again so HELLO PLEASE CALL ME if you want a little something something like this.
I LOVED THIS FIREPLACE MANTLE. We really kept the rose bush vibes going here, and just wanted it to feel natural, slightly overgrown, and organic.
Looking for a Wedding Floral Designer in Winnipeg?
2023 wedding dates are now booking! Whether it’s an intimate wedding for 30 or a celebration the likes of which have never been seen before, 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!
