We had the pleasure of designing the floral decor for a stunning, moody spring wedding at St. Francis Hall in Washington, DC this past March. The venue’s romanesque architecture provided a beautiful backdrop for a celebration imbued with deep, rich hues and a touch of drama. Often, when people think of a spring wedding, they think of a soft, pastel floral palette, blooms branches, spring greens. But not so for Alex and Sam. Their vision was of a moody and romantic event with deep plum hues, touches of mauve, blush, and ecru, and rich sagey green hues. The moody vibe combined the freshness of spring with the rich, dark tones that evoke a sense of mystery and romance. We couldn’t have been more excited as some of the most unique deep plum flowers are in fact spring blooms, such as frittilaria.
The venue, St. Francis Hall, is one of those hidden gem in Washington, DC and truly one of our favorites. Known for its stunning stone architecture and lush gardens, the great hall features high ceilings, arched windows, and intricate wrought iron details that add a touch of old world charm.
For her bridal bouquet, Alex carried an elegant, naturally cascading bouquet that perfectly captured the moody and antique feel of the wedding. The bouquet featured a blend of burgundy peonies, Juliet garden roses, Amnesia roses, burgundy and peach ranunculus, deep plum fritillaria, and brownie sweet pea, all tied together with parvifolia and jasmine vine foliage. The stems were wrapped in sumptuous black velvet ribbon, complementing the drama and sophistication of the event.
Creating a lush focal point for the ceremony was an organic “deconstructed” arch. Designed with a base of smilax foliage, layered with smokebush and eucalyptus, the arch was accented with roses and spray roses in burgundy, mauve and sand hues, blush lisianthus, peach stock, burgundy snapdragons, blush carnations, and airy touches of flowering quince branches. The aisle was accented with petite “meadows” of organically styled flora and foliage low black, ceramic dishes. Each featured burgundy roses and spray roses, hellebores, and fritillaria, mauve Amnesia roses, chocolate lace flower, and Sahara Sensation spray roses, complemented by eucalyptus and smokebush foliage. Gold rimmed glass hurricanes were interspersed between the flowers, each with white pillar candles adding a warm, inviting glow.
The moody elegance continued into the reception, where an opulent head table design served as the focal point of the reception. A captivating tablescape graced the front of the table, completed with candles. The remaining tables featured an eclectic mix of stunning gold candelabras with black taper candles, cathedral candlesticks holding aloft lush designs of flowers, urns with organic arrangements in moody plum, blush and mauve hues, and candles. The florals included Black Magic and Amnesia roses, checker box fritillaria, burgundy snapdragons, burgundy hellebores, and peach stock, finished with airy accents of chocolate lace flower and black parrot tulips. An additional installation of flowers and candles around the piano added a touch of drama and romance to the reception decor. The contrast between the gold and black elements enhanced the moody ambiance, creating a romantic and sophisticated setting for the celebration.
Venue: St. Francis Hall
Caterer: Ridgewells
Photography: Leigh Ann Brader Photography
Florist: Petal’s Edge Floral Design
Coordinator: The Plannery
If you’re dreaming of a wedding that blends elegance with a touch of drama, contact us at Petal’s Edge.
