There’s something magical about a December wedding. As the days grow shorter and the holidays approach, flowers naturally take on a richer, more layered palette. For Claire and Ray’s winter celebration at the Hotel Monaco in Washington DC, we embraced the season with a design that was warm, moody, and timeless. It was a romantic departure from the traditional red-and-green holiday aesthetic!
The color palette centered on soft blush and mauve, grounded by deep plum, touches of navy, and fresh winter evergreens. Rather than creating a holiday-themed wedding, the goal was to evoke the quiet elegance of winter itself. White anemones, Quicksand and Amnesia roses, plum ranunculus, brownie tulips, mauve lisianthus, burgundy scabiosa, blue-black privet berries, and evergreen foliage came together to create a collection of flowers that felt lush, textural, and sophisticated.
The couple’s day began with a first look in the hotel, followed by portraits at the Smithsonian’s Portrait Gallery. Best of all, the Holiday Market was set up outside the hotel. What better way to be photo bombed by Santa, Cindy Lou Who and the Grinch!
Claire’s bouquet embodied that vision perfectly. Designed in a loose French hand-tied style, it combined soft romantic blooms with dramatic seasonal accents, creating a bouquet that felt both refined and organic. The bridesmaids carried coordinating bouquets accented with emerald green ribbon, while the groom’s burgundy ranunculus boutonniere and the remaining boutonnieres incorporated blue thistle and winter evergreens, tying the wedding party together through thoughtful botanical details.
For the ceremony, floral arrangements on pedestals of graduated heights framed the entrance to the rotunda and created a focal point for the vows. Taking advantage of the fact that both ceremony and reception took place in the same room, we used the table centerpieces to frame the ceremony. It is one of our favorite ways of maximize both impact and value, allowing guests to enjoy the designs throughout the evening.
Guests were welcomed by a dramatic urn arrangement on the escort card table, setting the tone for the evening before they entered the reception. At the center of the celebration, the sweetheart table featured a lush floral arrangement accented with holiday evergreens and surrounded by glowing taper candles, creating an intimate focal point for the couple amid the warmth of the celebration. Bud vases on the cocktail tables echoed the same palette, carrying the floral story throughout every space guests experienced.
Inside the reception, the design focused on creating depth and visual interest through a mix of centerpiece styles. Half of the guest tables featured airy low arrangements in elegant gold cage compotes filled with warm blush, mauve, and plum blooms accented with evergreen textures, while the remaining tables showcased eclectic collections of vessels overflowing with flowers and foliage. Mixing centerpiece styles creates rhythm within the room, giving guests a different perspective from table to table while maintaining a cohesive overall design.
One of the things we love most about winter weddings is the opportunity to embrace color in a different way. Winter doesn’t have to mean red roses, pinecones, and ornaments. By layering soft neutrals with saturated jewel tones and fresh seasonal greenery, it’s possible to create a celebration that feels unmistakably winter while remaining elegant, romantic, and completely timeless.
Hotel Monaco has long been one of our favorite Washington, DC wedding venues because its historic architecture pairs beautifully with richly textured floral designs. Claire and Ray’s celebration is a wonderful example of how thoughtful color, seasonal flowers, and layered design can transform a historic ballroom into a space that feels warm, inviting, and unforgettable.
Venue: Hotel Monaco
Photographer: Amanda Robbins Photography
Florist & Planner: Petal’s Edge Floral Design
Music: Dan Goldman Events
