Intimate Backyard Wedding in Steinbach
Well, let me start this off by saying 2 words to you: DREAM WEDDING.
Sam and Kat’s backyard wedding at the family home in Steinbach was truly a dream wedding - there’s no other way to describe it! If I were getting married again now (to my husband, obvs), I would definitely want our celebration to look and feel something like this - though I wouldn’t have an easy time with keeping the guest list so intimate!
Ariana (one of the top wedding photographers in Manitoba AND the sister of the groom) messaged me about 5 weeks before the wedding asking if I could be a part of the Thursday afternoon affair. Technically I was planning to take the week off, BUT sometimes, you just can’t say no because the ask if just too good.
Well, let me start this off by saying 2 words to you: DREAM WEDDING.
Sam and Kat’s backyard wedding at the family home in Steinbach was truly a dream wedding - there’s no other way to describe it! If I were getting married again now (to my husband, obvs), I would definitely want our celebration to look and feel something like this - though I wouldn’t have an easy time with keeping the guest list so intimate!
Ariana (one of the top wedding photographers in Manitoba AND the sister of the groom) messaged me about 5 weeks before the wedding asking if I could be a part of the Thursday afternoon affair. Technically I was planning to take the week off, BUT sometimes, you just can’t say no because the ask if just too good.
“Thank you Lauren, for taking the reigns on florals with only a small inspiration photo and some keywords to go off of. You are a true artist and we knew you’d nail it!"
Guys, the cat collar. I just can’t. It was so hilarious.
Bridal Bouquet Ingredients: garden roses, spray roses, amaranthus, scabiosa pods, strawflower, lisianthus, campanula, bunny tails, bleached ruscus, ninebark, and camellia foliage.
I have to say that I LOVE that they didn’t include flowers for the wedding party. Sam and Kat just wanted to keep the focus (and the $$$) on the things that were important to them: an amazing bouquet for her and boutonniere for him, the hat of all hats, and the reception table. This is such a good way to allow you to splurge a little more on the things that you care about the most!
When Ariana first reached out to me, she sent me a few pictures of the backyard where everything was to take place, and a single inspiration picture of a bridal hat. The entire wedding was inspired by the palette of the florals tucked around this hat, and I really went for it. Seriously, this warm neutral palette! GAH!
I obviously loved the challenge of designing for the hat (from Lack of Color). It’s definitely something I hadn’t done before, but I basically designed it as a floral crown made to fit perfectly to the hat.
I also tucked a little bleached ruscus into Kat’s hair, which is just another reason why I LOVE being around on the wedding day!
Look guys, this intimate reception couldn’t have been more dreamy. One long table for about 30 guests, bistro lights criss crossing above, the warm summer breeze, and total freedom for me to design WHATEVER I wanted to. I chose to do a few long, low floral arrangements in the centre of the table, a collection of stem vases and petite arrangements, and mixed black metal candleholders and pillar candles.
I had such a lovely time making this reception design happen. It was an incredibly beautiful summer day (a Thursday!), a stunning Steinbach backyard, and the kindest people. I brought my baby with me and a couple of the bridesmaids just played with him in the shade and it was so awesome!
Looking for a Wedding Floral and Event Designer in Winnipeg?
2021 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!
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
Elegant Peaches and Cream Wedding at Cielo's Garden
Mmmm, this bridal bouquet. About 6 weeks before the wedding, Carly told me that she wanted to add some colour to her otherwise white and green colour palette. She showed me an inspiration picture that had some oranges and peaches, and I was SO on board. Those additions bring lightness and freshness, and I think they look really good with the stormy grey/blues of the bridesmaid dresses, too.
June at Cielo’s Garden - two of my favourite things!
Carly was such a lovely, lovely person to work with. She was open to my suggestions and interested to hear what I had to say, which in my opinion, always results in the best possible end product! This wedding featured an incredible ceremony design, a delicious peaches and cream palette, some really juicy locally grown flowers (including a few stems from my own garden!) and an elegant reception design that I just can’t wait to share with you.
Mmmm, this bridal bouquet. About 6 weeks before the wedding, Carly told me that she wanted to add some colour to her otherwise white and green colour palette. She showed me an inspiration picture that had some oranges and peaches, and I was SO on board. Those additions bring lightness and freshness, and I think they look really good with the stormy grey/blues of the bridesmaid dresses, too.
Bridal Bouquet Ingredients: peonies, ranunculus, spray roses, godetia, sweet pea, hypericum berries, Bells of Ireland, eucalyptus foliages, and white bleeding heart from my garden!
Carly really wanted to make a statement in the ceremony space. Like the rest of the flowers, this was originally going to be all white and green, which definitely would have been nice, but the added peach, pink, and orange tones really added dimension here. I love that this design really frames the couple in and creates a beautiful stage for their vows.
Amanda Douglas Events did a beautiful job of designing this reception space. Cielo’s Garden transitions really easily from a casual tent setting to an elegant, formal venue and this wedding was one of the most elegant that I’ve seen there! Gold-rimmed glassware and gold flatware, candle after candle after candle, and really pretty blue accents brought in through linens on the head table.
Carly chose a combination of fuller floral arrangements mixed with cut glass stem vases with petite arrangements and single stems.
Looking for a Wedding Floral and Event Designer in Winnipeg?
2021 wedding dates are now booking! 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!
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!
