Blizzard Wedding at National Museum of Women in the Arts

Blizzard Wedding at National Museum of Women in the Arts

Snowzilla!! A short story of a blizzard wedding at the Nationar Women in the Arts…

As some may remember, the Washington, DC area had the dubious treat of getting more than 2′ of snow dumped on us in January of 2016 over the course of one weekend. Unfortunately for everyone involved, that weekend we had two weddings booked. With the help of all of their guests and vendors pulling together, this bride and groom still got their dream wedding! The wedding was held at the National Museum of Women in the Arts on a Friday night just as the snow started falling. To try to get ahead of the storm, the wedding was moved up a day. And entire day! All of the vendors were able to move from a Saturday night event to Friday so that we avoided the worst of the snow.

Nyleen’s gorgeous bridal bouquet included ivory and pale pink roses and snowball white peonies for an elegant, lush and wintry look. The bridesmaids carried simply elegant ivory roses.

black and white wedding party attire

Photo by Ian Sbalcio Photography

Winter bridal bouquet

Photo by Ian Sbalcio Photography

Winter peony bridal bouquet for blizzard wedding

Photo by Ian Sbalcio Photography

corsage

Photo by Ian Sbalcio Photography

rose bridesmaid bouquets

Photo by Ian Sbalcio Photography

Ethereal and cloud-like puffs of baby’s breath set on silver stands and pillars flanked the ceremony space, and were later repurposed for table centerpieces. The low centerpieces included classic domes of ivory roses in mirror strip vases. Greeting the guests as they arrived in from the cold was a dramatic spray of callas, orchids, larkspur, gladiola, snapdragons and silver glitter branches.

women's museum wedding ceremony

Photo by Ian Sbalcio Photography

Blizzard wedding ceremony at National Museum of Women in the Arts

Photo by Ian Sbalcio Photography

white rose bridesmaid bouquets

Photo by Ian Sbalcio Photography

rose boutonniere

Photo by Ian Sbalcio Photography

Ceremony at National Museum of Women in the Arts during blizzard wedding

Photo by Ian Sbalcio Photography

Photo by Ian Sbalcio Photography

Photo by Ian Sbalcio Photography

Escort card table design of white orchid calla silver glitter branch centerpiece at National Museum of Women in the Arts, Washington, DC

Photo by Ian Sbalcio Photography

baby's breath table centerpiece

Photo by Ian Sbalcio Photography

baby's breath table centerpiece

Photo by Ian Sbalcio Photography

white rose mirrored cube

Photo by Ian Sbalcio Photography

We are so pleased to be a part of the team that helped this couple have their day despite the weather!

Ceremony & Reception: National Museum of Women in the Arts

Caterer: Main Event Caterers

Photography: Ian Sbalcio Photography

Florist: Petal’s Edge Floral Design

Baker: Cakes by Linda

Music: DJ Chris Styles

Pipe & Drape: Fabrications

Wedding Coordination: HJ Planners

We call it the creep…

Everyone talks about the rising cost of flowers, but there’s another story behind the numbers: time. Over the years, wedding timelines have stretched. First looks, detail shots, getting-ready portraits, ceremony and reception setups starting hours earlier than before, and more complex with event breakdowns. Florists are often still paid by the piece, not by the hour, yet the hours have multiplied.

What was once a 2 to 4 hour delivery day has quietly turned into a 12 to 16 hour production days with setup, standby, and late-night breakdowns. And flowers are still perishable, so they cannot sit out waiting for the photography timeline to catch up.

When couples ask why flowers cost more now, this is part of the answer. It is not just about stems or supply chains. It is the labor, the logistics, and the reality that perfection takes time, often a lot more than it used to.

Cover @masonphotography

77 6

Open post by petalsedgedc with ID 18294771121257479

We call it the creep…

Everyone talks about the rising cost of flowers, but there’s another story behind the numbers: time. Over the years, wedding timelines have stretched. First looks, detail shots, getting-ready portraits, ceremony and reception setups starting hours earlier than before, and more complex with event breakdowns. Florists are often still paid by the piece, not by the hour, yet the hours have multiplied.

What was once a 2 to 4 hour delivery day has quietly turned into a 12 to 16 hour production days with setup, standby, and late-night breakdowns. And flowers are still perishable, so they cannot sit out waiting for the photography timeline to catch up.

When couples ask why flowers cost more now, this is part of the answer. It is not just about stems or supply chains. It is the labor, the logistics, and the reality that perfection takes time, often a lot more than it used to.

Cover @masonphotography

Head tables call for drama.⁣
⁣
At the International Spy Museum, Danielle & Peter’s head table became the focal point of the reception. Suspended florals brought color and scale into a sleek, modern space, while candles and layered textures grounded the design to create intimacy beneath. The effect was both dramatic and inviting, a statement that marked the couple’s place in the room. For us, flowers aren’t just about filling space, they’re about shaping it: directing attention, softening architecture, and transforming even the most contemporary venue into something romantic and unforgettable.⁣
⁣
📍 @spymuseumprivateevents⁣
🍽 @occasionscaterers⁣
📷 @photomat22
💐 @petalsedgedc⁣
🪑 @perfectsettingsllc⁣
📋 @bellanottedc

5 5

Open post by petalsedgedc with ID 17909598372097743

Head tables call for drama.⁣
⁣
At the International Spy Museum, Danielle & Peter’s head table became the focal point of the reception. Suspended florals brought color and scale into a sleek, modern space, while candles and layered textures grounded the design to create intimacy beneath. The effect was both dramatic and inviting, a statement that marked the couple’s place in the room. For us, flowers aren’t just about filling space, they’re about shaping it: directing attention, softening architecture, and transforming even the most contemporary venue into something romantic and unforgettable.⁣
⁣
📍 @spymuseumprivateevents⁣
🍽 @occasionscaterers⁣
📷 @photomat22
💐 @petalsedgedc⁣
🪑 @perfectsettingsllc⁣
📋 @bellanottedc

A floral palette of rich jewel tones have a way of redefining a room... For Alex & John`s wedding at the Hotel Monaco, layers of burgundy, eggplant, and textured seasonal blooms brought depth and drama to the ceremony space. The architecture was already striking, but the flowers changed the atmosphere, creating warmth, intimacy, and focus where guests gathered. That’s the impact of investing in floral design: it goes beyond color. Flowers set the mood, shape the experience, and ensure your wedding feels unforgettable from the very first impression.⁣
⁣
📍@monacodc⁣
📷 jencody⁣
💐 @petalsedgedc

4 1

Open post by petalsedgedc with ID 17964694433976924

A floral palette of rich jewel tones have a way of redefining a room... For Alex & John's wedding at the Hotel Monaco, layers of burgundy, eggplant, and textured seasonal blooms brought depth and drama to the ceremony space. The architecture was already striking, but the flowers changed the atmosphere, creating warmth, intimacy, and focus where guests gathered. That’s the impact of investing in floral design: it goes beyond color. Flowers set the mood, shape the experience, and ensure your wedding feels unforgettable from the very first impression.⁣
⁣
📍@monacodc⁣
📷 jencody⁣
💐 @petalsedgedc

Did you know that baby’s breath can be a showstopper all on its own? 🌟

At Meaghan & David’s Willard Hotel wedding, we used this delicate bloom to create everything from airy, elevated centerpieces to rings of the tiny flowers to circle candles and lush runners on the head table. The result? A look that’s both ethereal and elegant, proving that baby’s breath can be more than just a filler flower. It’s a versatile, often budget-friendly option that brings a soft, romantic vibe to any wedding. Who’s ready to fall in love with this understated beauty? 😍

📍 @willard_intercontinentaldc
📷 @kellylossphoto
💐 @petalsedgedc

9 3

Open post by petalsedgedc with ID 17858944599510431

Did you know that baby’s breath can be a showstopper all on its own? 🌟

At Meaghan & David’s Willard Hotel wedding, we used this delicate bloom to create everything from airy, elevated centerpieces to rings of the tiny flowers to circle candles and lush runners on the head table. The result? A look that’s both ethereal and elegant, proving that baby’s breath can be more than just a filler flower. It’s a versatile, often budget-friendly option that brings a soft, romantic vibe to any wedding. Who’s ready to fall in love with this understated beauty? 😍

📍 @willard_intercontinentaldc
📷 @kellylossphoto
💐 @petalsedgedc

Backyard weddings come with charm built in. Intimacy, laughter, the feeling of home. And flowers should be designed to meet that atmosphere! For Kristel & Jordan`s celebration, we leaned into their pastel floral palette paired with texture, and movement, keeping the palette playful but elevated. The result was a design that felt one-of-a-kind, deeply personal, and still refined. It’s proof that whether it’s a ballroom or a backyard, thoughtful floral design always sets the tone for the experience.⁣
⁣
📷 @apkephotography⁣
🍽 @getplateddc⁣
💐 @petalsedgedc⁣
🍰 @sweettreatsdmv

9 3

Open post by petalsedgedc with ID 17866221273463778

Backyard weddings come with charm built in. Intimacy, laughter, the feeling of home. And flowers should be designed to meet that atmosphere! For Kristel & Jordan's celebration, we leaned into their pastel floral palette paired with texture, and movement, keeping the palette playful but elevated. The result was a design that felt one-of-a-kind, deeply personal, and still refined. It’s proof that whether it’s a ballroom or a backyard, thoughtful floral design always sets the tone for the experience.⁣
⁣
📷 @apkephotography⁣
🍽 @getplateddc⁣
💐 @petalsedgedc⁣
🍰 @sweettreatsdmv

Candlelight does something flowers can’t do on their own: it shifts the entire atmosphere. At Capitol View at 400, the skyline is already a showstopper, so we kept the florals for Rachael & Andrew`s wedding refined and layered, then added candlelight to transform the tables after dark. The flicker reflects off petals, glassware, and linens, making every detail feel more intentional. Especially in fall, when evenings arrive earlier, candles extend the life of the flowers and create a sense of intimacy that photographs beautifully.⁣
⁣
📍@capitolview400⁣
📷 @darcytroutman_weddings⁣
🍽 @corcorancaterers⁣
💐@petalsedgedc

9 5

Open post by petalsedgedc with ID 18093132931688396

Candlelight does something flowers can’t do on their own: it shifts the entire atmosphere. At Capitol View at 400, the skyline is already a showstopper, so we kept the florals for Rachael & Andrew's wedding refined and layered, then added candlelight to transform the tables after dark. The flicker reflects off petals, glassware, and linens, making every detail feel more intentional. Especially in fall, when evenings arrive earlier, candles extend the life of the flowers and create a sense of intimacy that photographs beautifully.⁣
⁣
📍@capitolview400⁣
📷 @darcytroutman_weddings⁣
🍽 @corcorancaterers⁣
💐@petalsedgedc

Follow on Instagram

Categories

Leave a Reply Cancel reply