Baltimore Wedding Blog // Charm City Wed

Handsome Boutonnieres for an Autumn Wedding

09.21.18 by April

Sometimes, when we are planning our wedding and thinking about all those important details, the shoes, the hair, the make-up-even the invitations it is difficult to remember…the groom. You know, that fabulous guy you are marrying. We get so caught up in all the girly-ness of our big day that oftentimes the Groom’s role is relegated to- “showing up”. There are so many ways to involve your partner in the planning, making it just as much their wedding day as it is yours. In all fairness, most men probably do have an opinion on the catering, music and maybe the menswear, but the florals, perhaps not so much.

Today we’re going to talk about Autumnal Boutonnieres and how to work with your florist to get a style that your husband-to-be will enjoy wearing. After all, that little element will be visible in your wedding photos, forever. Boutonnieres can be masculine (if that’s what you’re going for) and Fall is a great time for these rustic, handsome details.

Cameron and Fairbanks Floral Design l Charm City Wed

Hops are a fun addition to any boutonniere and not just for the beer enthusiast. Their shape and color add interest. Paired with dark Privet berries this is an elegant look. (Cameron and Fairbanks Floral Design )

Spotted Stills Photography l Charm City Wed

Berries, before they’re ripe (no stains, please) add a sweet texture and when paired with deep wine colored Nigella the look is quite sophisticated. (Sophisticated Florals and Spotted Stills Photography)

Toya Laperna Photography l Charm City Wed

Pink can most definitely be manly. Here a sweet pink Dahlia looks dapper with a sunny yellow Craspedia, Red Gomphrena and Seeded Eucalyptus. All this color is fun and looks fabulous with that tie. (The Poppy and the Peony and Toya Laperna)

Feathers, Acorns, Blue Thistle, Hypericum Berries, Northern Sea Oats, Bunny Tails and jute make up this winsome Fall gathering. (Floriculture Micro-Farm and Earthmark Photography)

A pocket insert boutonniere is a unique idea. Who doesn’t want blooming pockets? Here, an assortment of greens is all that’s needed to create a smart and stylish look. (Sue Hines Floral)

Another good-looking pink, Dahlia boutonniere. Love the addition of grasses and spiky, Thistle. (Jo Thorndike Flowers and V V Raven Photography)

Acorns, again and two sweet bouts. Remember, boutonnieres should not be the size of a corsage. Small and stately is best. (Local Color Flowers and Julie Cate Photography)

Burlap leaves, feathers, and dried florals create a masculine, natural look. (Floriculture Micro-Farm and Alexandra Meseke)

Raw Cotton makes for an earthy boutonniere. Their pods are a rich, brown and they need little else to make a statement. (Floriculture Micro-Farm and Alexandra Meseke)

Don’t ever let anyone tell you flowers aren’t for men, they most certainly are- Depending on your gentleman’s style and the garments he’s wearing on your wedding day, the boutonniere he (and his groomsmen) sport can be attractive and fitting to his personality. I’ve seen fishing lures, shotgun shells, and leaves made out of book pages used to tailor to the groom. Talk with your florist about how to tie in a personalized, boutonniere concept with the rest of your wedding day flowers,

Local Post Contributors:

Local Color Flowers

Julie Cate Photography

Floriculture Micro Farm

Earthmark Photography

by April

Outdoor Estate Wedding in Baltimore || Coral Dove Photography

09.18.18 by Carlotta Shelton-Lopata

Gorgeous outdoor estate wedding in Baltimore photographed by fine art photographer, Coral Dove Photography

The details are somewhat minimal but, the ones selected were top-tier. The bridal gown is a show-stopping sheath gown with a low cut bodice and a long train. The bride carried a large floral bouquet with red and pink blooms accented with greenery. The groom wore a custom made tux for his special day. The couple did a private first look and spent time wandering around the estate with the photographer capturing stunning portraiture.

The ceremony was facing a staggered stone and wood staircase. The stairs were flanked by an arch of beautiful florals and stunning natural landscape of the manicured grounds. The couple skipped the traditional wedding attendants and opted for their dog as a groomsmen. Guests were seated on the grounds below while the couple exchanged vows on the dias created by the stone stairway.

A large peaked tent was the center of the reception. Outdoor seating and tables were accented with eclectic elements and lights were strung through the trees. Guests were treated to splits of champagne as favors and were served the finest cuisine and assorted pastries. The use of the entire indoor and outdoor space was a unique element of this wedding reception. Once it became dark, the guests were treated to a firework display on the property.

Some of our favorite unique elements were the custom ‘bride’ and ‘groom’ gold charger plates and the ice sculpture carved with their names. Vintage chairs created some creative seating options for the guests outside. The cake features an impressionist style with loosely structured florals and icing, reminding us of a Monet painting, making it ultra romantic.

For the couple looking for an edgy photographer with a fine art focus, this wedding will inspire you to spend time capturing images with dynamic lighting and interesting elements. For your reception, you should absolutely consider using both indoor and outdoor spaces creating a social and high-end reception for your guests.

Vendors

Reception Venue: private estate

Caterer: Champagne Ballroom Nesley Duppins

Photographer: Coral Dove Photography : Caitlin Taylor

Florist: Shelly’s Blossom Shop

Ceremony Music: Oracle Band Nicole (violinist)

Band/Deejay: Oracle Band

Invitations: Paper Plus

Makeup Artist: Leah Sarah Makeup

Cake: Graul’s Cafe Timonium

Brides Dress: Francesca’s Bridal

Groom’s Attire: Tom James (custom tux)

Favors: champagne splits from Cranbrook Liquors

Rentals: ABC rentals

by Carlotta Shelton-Lopata

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Four Seasons Baltimore Wedding || Tara + Renata

09.17.18 by Carlotta Shelton-Lopata

Four Seasons Baltimore Wedding photographed by Tara + Renata

Looking for an iconic Baltimore wedding that is traditional, yet whimsical and feminine? This wedding has it all for the bride who wants an understated, but high-end look.

The Location:

For the couple looking to share the feel and charm of Baltimore, this wedding features some quintessential city locations. The girls got ready at the ultra high-end Four Season Hotel. The hotel boasts sweeping views of the city’s Inner Harbor.

The ceremony was held at Corpus Christi cathedral in Baltimore. This historic church does not disappoint. Huge columns, marble tile and tons of architectural charm, Corpus Christi church in Baltimore offers a stunning backdrop for a wedding. This location is perfect for the Catholic bride looking for a city cathedral to hold her wedding. After the ceremony, the guests were ushered back to the reception at the Four Seasons. Guests were treated to amazing food, metropolitan views, and a large open reception.

The Look

The theme of this wedding was feminine and clean. Hues of white with pink accents can be found throughout the wedding. The bride wore a stunning fit and flare gown from Kleinfeld’s. The gown featured a chapel length train and a beautifully detailed bodice. Sueded bridal Sam Edelman shoes were pretty in pink. The bride’s look was lovely.

Bridesmaids wore light pink, flowing, sheer gowns and the guys wore navy suits. We love the way the groom’s bowtie had pink stripes and polka dots, adding a hint of whimsy to a traditional look. The guys’ dark traditional suits contrast perfectly with the bridesmaids’ pale dresses.

Traveling through the streets of Charm City to their reception, the bridal party made use of a trolly instead of the traditional limo. The trolly offers excellent photography option for the bridal party. In addition to the unique nature of a trolly for your wedding day, guests are afforded a more complete view of our stunning city while en route to the reception.

The reception decor was monochromatic tones of white, keeping the decor simple and clean. Details were carefully curated to allow the view to be the showcase of the event. For cocktail hour, guests were treated to a full spread of charcuterie and cocktails on the beautiful deck overlooking the harbor.

We hope you enjoy this wedding as much as we do and a big thank you to Tara + Renata for sharing this with us. Also, be sure to check out the film at the end of this post from Paper Boys!

Four Seasons Baltimore Wedding || Tara + Renata Photography || Charm City Wed

The classic feminine details of these Sam Edelman pink suede heels and the round drop earrings are perfect for the bride looking for simple and feminine details. The nod to Baltimore on the invitations is our favorite.

This figure flattering gown, by Kleinfeld, is one of our favorites with a beautiful, intricate bodice and chapel length train.

Gold rectangular cufflinks and a dapper, polka dot and pinstripe bowtie add modern flair to this traditional look.

These personalized chalkboards tell how each girl is related to the bride. Such a great idea for a bridal group image!

Simple florals that include pale pink Roses and Peonies, white Roses and Babysbreath and Snapgradons accented with greens make the florals soft and feminine.

Those doors! What an entrance. If historical architecture is something you love, consider that when selecting your venues.

One of the best elements of this wedding was the use of a trolly. This nod to the historical charm of our beautiful city creates a fun and memorable transport for guests and the bridal party!

If you’re from Baltimore, you’ll recognize this cityscape immediately.

Reception decor is simple. White and clean with silver and pink accents allow the guests to focus on the location and the stunning views that the Four Seasons Baltimore offers.

Feature Film

We have been lucky enough to also have a beautiful feature film that showcases this stunning wedding. We are so excited to share this masterpiece from Paper Boy Films. Now that you have seen the stunning stills from Tara + Renata, check out this amazing video.

Vendors

Photographer: Tara + Renata

Getting Ready Location: Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore

Hair: Jenn DiBlasio

Makeup: Beauty by Jacs

Bride’s Dress: Kleinfeld

Bride & Groom’s Rings: Zachary’s Jewelers

Bridesmaid’s Dresses: Azazie

Groom + Groomsmen Attire: Men’s Wearhouse

Invitation Suite: Paper in the Park

Cinematography: Paperboys Films

Ceremony Location: Corpus Christi Church

Reception Location: Four Seasons Baltimore

Floral Design: Willow Oak Farm and Herb Garden

Event Coordination: Nouvelle Weddings

DJ: Chris Hart

Cake: SugarBakers Cakes

Trolly: American Limousines Inc.

by Carlotta Shelton-Lopata

Floral Installations for the Autumn Wedding

09.14.18 by April

With cooler temperatures (finally, sorta) here and the arrival of Pumpkin Spice Lattes (thanks, Starbucks) we can safely discuss Fall. Autumn weddings have become the new, Spring wedding with couples choosing dates from September to late November for their nuptials- and it’s no wonder. Fall is a splendid season and offers so much gorgeousness for the taking. Beautiful burnished landscapes, crisper air, and a whole different warmth than we feel in the Springtime. If you’re having a Fall wedding, think about including a statement floral installation to really embrace this leaf-strewn, earthy, magnificent time of year.

Ground-up floral installations are magical. Combining skilled floral design and physics, these mid-scale creations are sure to make a statement and can be used to frame a ceremony site, as a photo backdrop or to put the focus on a specific element of your venue. Wherever you choose to place a ground-up design, your guests are sure to remember it-

Greenery and florals beautifully frame this couple. Lighter-toned flowers like peachy Dahlias, Roses and Silver-Dollar Eucalyptus brighten the atmosphere and contrast nicely with the deeper woods, beyond. (Bad Rabbit Flowers and Move Mountains Co.)

Another stunning example of a ground-up design. These organic structures create a dramatic floral expression and are a fabulous way to showcase Fall blooms and color. (Sophisticated Florals)

Your ceremony site or altar is a perfect spot for a floral installation because no one will miss it! With all eyes on you for the duration of your vow exchange, having an interesting and impactful floral display here makes sense. Go lush, make an impact. Talk to your floral designer about the setting of your ceremony and what feeling you hope to evoke.

Olivia Griffin Photography l Charm City Wed

An A-symmetrical floral display adds romance to an iron arch. Florals and greenery soften the setting. Laurel Creek Florals and Olivia Griffin Photography)

A simple Birch structure is dressed for Autumn wearing saffron yellow and shades of copper. Pops of red Gomphrena and Celosia, Rusty Amaranthus, and Zinnias make a seasonal display. (Local Color Flowers and L. A. Birdie Photography)

Oversized pergolas require oversized florals. Here, champagne colored draping softens the look of the structure and dramatic Amaranthus, dried Hydrangea and Fall-hued floral garlands dress-up the site. (floriculture micro farm and Earthmark Photography)

Katherine Elizabeth Photography l Charm City Wed

An arch of greenery, Sunflowers and shades of red umbrella the couple and embody Fall time. (Violet Floral Design and Katherine Elizabeth Photography)

A rustic wood arbor is decorated with a ground-up installation that whimsically wraps to the top. Big, bold rusty Sunflowers, trailing greenery and colorful flowers give this a free-spirited feel. (Sue Hines and Beth Mort)

Floral installations don’t just have to happen, at the altar. A statement tablescape (usually at the head or sweetheart table) offers another opportunity for flaunting fall florals. Mixing elements like a unique place-setting, drinking vessels, candles, and other design ingredients can really create a winsome look.

Katelyn Mallett Photography l Charm City Wed

Black plates and candles really set the tone of this beautiful Fall tablescape. A stout floral runner that mixes wine colored flowers, grapes, and Feathered Eucalyptus is a textural dream and emanates a moody, Autumnal scene. (Bad Rabbit Flowers and Katelyn Mallett Photography)

Phillipa Sian Photography l Charm City Wed

This very romantic floral install includes a suspended centerpiece that is lush with florals, leaves, and grasses. Here brighter florals are used to set the feeling of Fall-check out those Oak leaves. The table boasts a matching, low arrangement that is simply gorgeous. (Floribunda Roses and Phillipa Sian Photography)

Autumn is the opportune time to plan a wedding. Nature provides a delightful background and a pleasing palette. Think through your wedding and decide if there is a space you want to highlight then chat with your florist about floral installation options.

Local Contributors, to this Post:

Local Color Flowers

LA Birdie Photography

Floriculture Micro Farm

Earthmark Photography

Violet Floral Design

Katherine Elizabeth Photography

by April

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