Classic Josephine Butler Parks Center Wedding

Kate and Nick exchanged vows and celebrated their marriage in a beautiful wedding at Josephine Butler Parks center, and we were thrilled to be part of it! The couple chose a soft palette of whites and ivories with a touch of light blue, for a classic Josephine Butler Parks Center wedding.

For the ceremony, Kate carried a French hand-tied bouquet of white peonies, ivory garden roses, white lilac and Queen Anne’s lace, accented with light blue delphinium and variegated ivy. Many of the same blooms were incorporated into the bouquets carried by the bridesmaids and groomswomen. Meanwhile, Nick’s boutonniere was created from an ivory rose footed with ivy leaves, and the groomsmen’s boutonnieres incorporated light blue delphinium florets with the ivy leaves. Loose sprigs of baby’s breath, which complemented Kate’s style perfectly, were tucked into her hair.

We adored this couple’s emphasis on exquisite ceremony flowers. A lush wreath of white hydrangea, white stock, light blue delphinium, Queen Anne’s lace, ivory roses and spray roses, and white lisianthus served as a focal point, while striking altar arrangements of similar flowers flanked the ceremony area. We draped an elegant garland of variegated ivy foliage along the podium banisters, and decked both sides of the aisle with pew posies made from ivory roses, Queen Anne’s lace, and light blue delphinium.

Petal's Edge DC | Washington DC Real Wedding | Kate & Nick, Josephine Butler Parks Center

Photo by Photos from the Harty

At the classic Josephine Butler Parks Center wedding reception, guest tables were decorated with centerpieces of white hydrangea, ivory garden roses, ivory spray roses, white stock, Queen Anne’s lace, light blue delphinium and variegated ivory, displayed in a mix of glass cylinder vases or a trio of glass rectangular vases in varying heights and accented with votive candles. The four beautiful fireplace mantels each were graced with long and low arrangements of white and blue wedding flowers enhanced with draping variegated and bush ivies, cocculus, and Italian ruscus.

Photo by Photos from the Harty

This breathtaking wedding and its light, summery color palette has us looking forward to the warmer weather ahead, and many more opportunities to celebrate our wonderful couples’ love! Congratulations to Kate and Nick!

Ceremony: All Souls Unitarian Church

Reception: Josephine Butler Parks Center

Photographer: Photos from the Harty

Florist: Petal’s Edge Floral Design

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

59 1

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

4 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