Enchanted Forest Wedding at Hotel Monaco

Lauren and Alan’s October enchanted forest wedding at Hotel Monaco reflected an enchanted forest aesthetic that felt both immersive and refined. From the very first impression, guests were welcomed into a space that balanced the grandeur of the ballroom with the quiet beauty of the natural world. Texture, movement, and the colors of autumn punctuated the design.

Lauren carried a bouquet filled with enchanting textures. Paired with her striking black bridal gown, it set the tone for the entire celebration at the Hotel Monaco. Built from a tapestry of ferns and foliage, the design was deeply textural, accented with burgundy ranunculus, red hypericum berries, and pops of orange asclepia. Hints of plum and wine tones added depth, creating a bouquet that felt gathered rather than arranged, as though it had been foraged from the forest floor. The groom’s boutonniere echoed these elements in a more restrained, foliage-driven expression, tying the look together seamlessly.

Before entering the Hotel Monaco ballroom, guests were greeted by stately lanterns filled with fairy light and surrounded by soft tufts of moss. Open books inscribed with guest names and marked with black velvet ribbons added a thoughtful, storybook detail, offering a warm transition into the celebration.

Inside, the design leaned into atmosphere. Towering columns installations climbed upward with smilax and curly willow, softening the architecture of the Hotel Monaco ballroom and drawing the eye through the rotunda. At their base, wetland-inspired plantings of ferns and cattails grounded the look. Overhead, chandeliers were draped in loose greenery, bringing an organic, almost untamed quality to the space while maintaining elegant restraint.

Tables were intentionally understated, allowing the larger installations to shine. Moss, loose greenery, and lanterns created intimate moments of glow and texture, while trees flanked the sweetheart table, drawing the forest further into the room. The result was a wedding that felt transportive yet grounded, an autumn story told through layers of foliage, subtle color, and thoughtful restraint.

Venue: Hotel Monaco

Photography: Carl Elixir

Florist: Petal’s Edge Floral Design

September, we’ve missed you!

September weddings get to have it both way: Summer flowers are still hanging around. Dahlias are at their absolute BEST. And little hints of fall start making their way into our buckets.

This is the month we start getting excited about foliage again. Berries, branches, grasses, pods, vines - all those slightly weird botanical things that make an arrangement more interesting!

Hello again, September!!

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No inspiration photos. No flower list. No detailed design brief. Just a color palette and the freedom to run with it.

We took fuchsia, purple, and blue and turned them into layers of saturated color, unexpected textures, and flowers that made the whole room feel alive.

There’s something pretty magical about a client giving us a direction and then getting out of the way. They know their brand. We know flowers. And this is what happens when everyone trusts each other to do what they do best.

Give us the colors. We’ll take it from there. 🌸

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The bouquet is often the first place a couple’s floral vision comes to life. It is the piece everyone notices up close, and it quietly sets the tone for the entire wedding design.⁣
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For Mandana & Jan’s St. Francis Hall wedding, Mandana carried a cascading bouquet of white anemone, burgundy hanging amaranthus, roses and spray roses in shades of burgundy and cream, and burgundy protea accented with eucalyptus and jasmine vine. The shapes were bold and sculptural, which gave the bouquet a modern feeling while still feeling elegant against the historic backdrop of the hall. When a bouquet reflects the personality of the couple, it becomes more than just flowers. It becomes part of the story of the day.⁣
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📍@stfrancishall⁣
📷 @sotenderishumanity⁣
💐 @petalsedgedc

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There’s something really special about designing flowers for a venue that already feels immersed in the landscape around it.⁣
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At the Dockmaster Building, the water, sky, reflections, and light become part of the experience. The floor-to-ceiling glass and panoramic waterfront views create a setting that feels airy, modern, and completely different from the more traditional DC wedding venues we work in so often.⁣
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We loved leaning into that atmosphere for Claire & Sean`s wedding with flowers that felt organic, textural, and romantic without competing with the architecture or the view.⁣
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📍 Dockmaster`s Building @thewharfdc⁣
📷 @kir2ben⁣
🍽 @maineventcaterersdc⁣
💐 @petalsedgedc⁣
🍰 @fluffythoughts⁣
💄 @makeupbyanab⁣
📋 @idaroseevents