Willard Intercontinental Wedding with Chinoiserie

This past summer, one of Washington, DC’s most historic hotels played host to one of the most simple, stunning weddings we have had the pleasure of producing. This Willard Hotel wedding with chinoiserie featured an abundance of hydrangea and took place on one of the most perfect late summer days of August. The result was a gorgeous mix of east meets west, tradition meets classic! Wendy and Erik’s vision of soft pastels complemented by blue and white chinoiserie vases came to life beautifully. The expression on their faces as they entered the ballroom says it all!

Wendy carried a lush and beautiful bouquet of pale pink and white garden roses accented with white lisianthus. For her bridesmaids, only the softest pink Sweet Eskimo roses would do, offset perfectly by their pale blue bridesmaids’ gowns. And inside the Willard Hotel’s Crystal Room, the tables were set with a similar floral palette designed using hydrangea, roses, and touches of stock and lisianthus. The soft, muted colors made quite a statement within the ornate ballroom.

The couple tied the knot in the Crystal Room. Flanking them were two classic designs in whites and pinks atop glass pilsner vases. The centerpieces for this Willard Hotel wedding were simple and understated. Mounds of white and light pink hydrangea filled blue-white chinoiserie bowls. The true show stopper, however, was the sweetheart table. An eclectic mix of chinoiserie containers each held a bouquet of blooms. Glass-enclosed taper candles and pillar candles were interspersed amongst the vases, both on the tabletop and skirting the front, for a truly romantic and dramatic focal point to the room.

Personal touches really make a difference in a wedding, and this one was filled with them. While we loved the chinoiserie vases at each table, the whimsical bamboo steamer favor boxes really carried the design to the next level. The beautiful elements made Wendy and Erik’s wedding the personal event that they so deserved.

Willard Intercontinental Hotel Wedding with chinoiserie

Photo by Emily Blumberg

Bridesmaid bouquets of sweet escimo roses

Photo by Emily Blumberg

Bridesmaids carry bouquets of sweet escimo roses

Photo by Emily Blumberg

Willard Intercontinental wedding ceremony

Photo by Emily Blumberg

Willard Hotel wedding venue in the Crystal Ballroom Intercontinental wedding reception

Photo by Emily Blumberg

Willard Intercontinental wedding elevated centerpiece

Photo by Emily Blumberg

Willard Intercontinental wedding reception

Photo by Emily Blumberg

Chinoiserie vases for Willard intercontinental sweetheart table with sweet escimo roses

Photo by Emily Blumberg

Willard Intercontinental wedding sweetheart table with sweet escimo roses

Photo by Emily Blumberg

Venue: Willard Hotel

Photography: Emily Blumberg Photography

Florist: Petal’s Edge

Twenty years in business means there are people whose stories become part of yours.

When former Petal’s Edge designer Bree got married in Hendersonville, North Carolina, we knew we wanted to more than just present. So we loaded up supplies, traveled south, turned an Airbnb into a temporary design studio, sourced flowers from a local wholesaler (hats off to Coward Wholesale Flowers for being so helpful in addition to our local ride or die @potomacfloralwholesale), and spent the week creating wedding flowers far from home.

It’s not every day that a florist gets to design for one of their own. The miles, logistics, and long days were worth it to celebrate someone who spent years helping create beautiful weddings for others.

This time, it was Bree’s turn, and we couldn’t be happier.

📍 @eventsatgreenmountainfarm
📷 @karenbolesphotography
🍽️ @828takenbake
💐 @petalsedgedc
🏠 @brexviewcottagehvl

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Open post by petalsedgedc with ID 17991030809805368

Twenty years in business means there are people whose stories become part of yours.

When former Petal’s Edge designer Bree got married in Hendersonville, North Carolina, we knew we wanted to more than just present. So we loaded up supplies, traveled south, turned an Airbnb into a temporary design studio, sourced flowers from a local wholesaler (hats off to Coward Wholesale Flowers for being so helpful in addition to our local ride or die @potomacfloralwholesale), and spent the week creating wedding flowers far from home.

It’s not every day that a florist gets to design for one of their own. The miles, logistics, and long days were worth it to celebrate someone who spent years helping create beautiful weddings for others.

This time, it was Bree’s turn, and we couldn’t be happier.

📍 @eventsatgreenmountainfarm
📷 @karenbolesphotography
🍽️ @828takenbake
💐 @petalsedgedc
🏠 @brexviewcottagehvl

Café au Lait dahlias, ivory garden roses, silver dollar eucalyptus, sea star fern... Rachael`s bouquet was basically a garden you could hold in your hands. 🤍 We love building bouquets that feel loose, unstructured, and alive, like they were just gathered from somewhere beautiful. If you`re dreaming of something organic and lush for your wedding flowers, this one`s your inspo. 🌿⁣
⁣
📍@woodlawnandpopeleighey⁣
📷 @sincereli_⁣
💐 @petalsedgedc⁣
📋 @allthedaintydetails

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Open post by petalsedgedc with ID 17864521713691472

Café au Lait dahlias, ivory garden roses, silver dollar eucalyptus, sea star fern... Rachael's bouquet was basically a garden you could hold in your hands. 🤍 We love building bouquets that feel loose, unstructured, and alive, like they were just gathered from somewhere beautiful. If you're dreaming of something organic and lush for your wedding flowers, this one's your inspo. 🌿⁣
⁣
📍@woodlawnandpopeleighey⁣
📷 @sincereli_⁣
💐 @petalsedgedc⁣
📋 @allthedaintydetails

Eric & David wanted their wedding design to feel distinctly masculine. When we began talking about centerpieces, they shared an idea that immediately captured our imagination: instead of relying on flowers alone, they envisioned tables that felt more like a European picnic spread than a traditional wedding reception.⁣
⁣
They described the feeling of wandering through a French farmers` market. Imagine baskets of fresh produce, crusty breadsticks, jars of pickles, wedges of cheese, a bottle of wine waiting to be opened. Abundant, welcoming, a little unexpected, and full of character.⁣
⁣
It was such a refreshing departure from conventional wedding décor and the perfect source of inspiration for a celebration that felt deeply personal to them. It’s not a surprise that we’re seeing a return to this aesthetic these days. Some of the best design ideas begin not with a photograph or a trend, but with a story. This one painted a picture we couldn`t wait to bring to life.⁣
⁣
📍@decaturhouse⁣
🍽 @maineventcaterersdc⁣
📷 @stephenbobb⁣
💐 @petalsedgedc⁣
📋 @smevents

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Open post by petalsedgedc with ID 17932173972090177

Eric & David wanted their wedding design to feel distinctly masculine. When we began talking about centerpieces, they shared an idea that immediately captured our imagination: instead of relying on flowers alone, they envisioned tables that felt more like a European picnic spread than a traditional wedding reception.⁣
⁣
They described the feeling of wandering through a French farmers' market. Imagine baskets of fresh produce, crusty breadsticks, jars of pickles, wedges of cheese, a bottle of wine waiting to be opened. Abundant, welcoming, a little unexpected, and full of character.⁣
⁣
It was such a refreshing departure from conventional wedding décor and the perfect source of inspiration for a celebration that felt deeply personal to them. It’s not a surprise that we’re seeing a return to this aesthetic these days. Some of the best design ideas begin not with a photograph or a trend, but with a story. This one painted a picture we couldn't wait to bring to life.⁣
⁣
📍@decaturhouse⁣
🍽 @maineventcaterersdc⁣
📷 @stephenbobb⁣
💐 @petalsedgedc⁣
📋 @smevents

What started in my basement — just me, a laptop, and a lot of late nights — has grown into something I could have only dreamed of back then. Today, we’re a team working out of a 1,500 sq ft space, creating events that once only lived in my imagination.⁣
⁣
It hasn’t always been easy. We learned a lot of good lessons early, but the pandemic and the years after have really been the test of all tests. There were times when giving up might have felt easier, but I felt a deep responsibility to the clients who trusted us with their most meaningful days. I found support in the most surprising places when we needed it, and we kept going. I’m endlessly grateful that we did.⁣
⁣
Petal’s Edge has always been more than a business. It’s a team. The faces might occasionally change, but the talent, thoughtfulness, and work ethic always remain. A community of people who show up for one another, challenge each other creatively, and care deeply about the work we put into the world. Together, we’ve built a standard rooted in intention, collaboration, and beauty that lasts.⁣
⁣
The photos show a little of our journey, from our very first studio in Old Town Alexandria to the storage unit we briefly occupied when we lost the space to our current space on Oronoco Street… which, if I’m honest, already feels a little snug some days. 😬

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Open post by petalsedgedc with ID 18121244038676719

What started in my basement — just me, a laptop, and a lot of late nights — has grown into something I could have only dreamed of back then. Today, we’re a team working out of a 1,500 sq ft space, creating events that once only lived in my imagination.⁣
⁣
It hasn’t always been easy. We learned a lot of good lessons early, but the pandemic and the years after have really been the test of all tests. There were times when giving up might have felt easier, but I felt a deep responsibility to the clients who trusted us with their most meaningful days. I found support in the most surprising places when we needed it, and we kept going. I’m endlessly grateful that we did.⁣
⁣
Petal’s Edge has always been more than a business. It’s a team. The faces might occasionally change, but the talent, thoughtfulness, and work ethic always remain. A community of people who show up for one another, challenge each other creatively, and care deeply about the work we put into the world. Together, we’ve built a standard rooted in intention, collaboration, and beauty that lasts.⁣
⁣
The photos show a little of our journey, from our very first studio in Old Town Alexandria to the storage unit we briefly occupied when we lost the space to our current space on Oronoco Street… which, if I’m honest, already feels a little snug some days. 😬

Winter is coming... So this is your seasonal reminder that winter weddings don`t have to be white!⁣
⁣
For Tiffiannii & Minerva`s celebration, we traded icy palettes and evergreen-heavy designs for rich layers of plum, raspberry, mauve, and violet. The result felt warm, vibrant, and full of life in the middle of December.⁣
⁣
Jewel tones can go one of two ways: richly layered or overwhelmingly heavy. The secret is contrast. Lighter accents, varied textures, and flowers with natural movement kept the palette feeling romantic and dynamic rather than dense.⁣
Proof that winter wedding flowers can be colorful, dramatic, and every bit as seasonal as the traditional reds, greens, and whites.⁣
⁣
One of our favorite color stories.⁣
⁣
@wishuponawedding⁣
Planning | @weddingsbykristy⁣
Venue | @citizensballroom⁣
Photography | @emchastainphoto⁣
Videography | @buxtonmediaproductionsweddings⁣
Video + Content Creation | @socialsparkbybetsy⁣
Catering | @spilledmilkdc⁣
Florist | @petalsedgedc⁣
DJ | @mydeejay⁣
Rentals | @dcreventrentals⁣
Photo booth | @bookextraordinary⁣
Live Portrait Painter | @spencergraceartspace⁣
Cocktail Hour Musician | Amanda Tillemann⁣
Typewriter Poet | @wordsbydj⁣
Cake | @plantbakedbysarah⁣
Dessert | @spilledmilkdc⁣
Hair & Makeup | @carlapressleyhairmakeup⁣
Officiant | @weddingceremoniesbyjeff⁣
Donated Flowers | @dcflowersdirect⁣
Floral Donation | @petalshare⁣
Invitations | @slateandbrush⁣
Day-of Stationery | @slateandbrush and @mintedweddings⁣
Dress | @thebridalroomva and @capecodformals⁣
Ceremony Elements | @unityinglass

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Open post by petalsedgedc with ID 18197343079321530

Winter is coming... So this is your seasonal reminder that winter weddings don't have to be white!⁣
⁣
For Tiffiannii & Minerva's celebration, we traded icy palettes and evergreen-heavy designs for rich layers of plum, raspberry, mauve, and violet. The result felt warm, vibrant, and full of life in the middle of December.⁣
⁣
Jewel tones can go one of two ways: richly layered or overwhelmingly heavy. The secret is contrast. Lighter accents, varied textures, and flowers with natural movement kept the palette feeling romantic and dynamic rather than dense.⁣
Proof that winter wedding flowers can be colorful, dramatic, and every bit as seasonal as the traditional reds, greens, and whites.⁣
⁣
One of our favorite color stories.⁣
⁣
@wishuponawedding⁣
Planning | @weddingsbykristy⁣
Venue | @citizensballroom⁣
Photography | @emchastainphoto⁣
Videography | @buxtonmediaproductionsweddings⁣
Video + Content Creation | @socialsparkbybetsy⁣
Catering | @spilledmilkdc⁣
Florist | @petalsedgedc⁣
DJ | @mydeejay⁣
Rentals | @dcreventrentals⁣
Photo booth | @bookextraordinary⁣
Live Portrait Painter | @spencergraceartspace⁣
Cocktail Hour Musician | Amanda Tillemann⁣
Typewriter Poet | @wordsbydj⁣
Cake | @plantbakedbysarah⁣
Dessert | @spilledmilkdc⁣
Hair & Makeup | @carlapressleyhairmakeup⁣
Officiant | @weddingceremoniesbyjeff⁣
Donated Flowers | @dcflowersdirect⁣
Floral Donation | @petalshare⁣
Invitations | @slateandbrush⁣
Day-of Stationery | @slateandbrush and @mintedweddings⁣
Dress | @thebridalroomva and @capecodformals⁣
Ceremony Elements | @unityinglass

When couples ask why large ceremony installations cost what they do, this is part of the answer.

The flowers matter, of course. But so do the ladders, mechanics, installation team, engineering, timing, and experience required to safely transform a space at scale.

This greenery-covered dome at the Omni Shoreham started as a simple structure and became a transformed garden canopy for a few short hours. Then, just as quickly, it came down.
That’s the strange thing about wedding flowers. Hundreds of stems. Hours of work. One beautiful moment.

And apparently one bee who felt qualified to supervise the entire project. 🐝

📍 @omnishorehamhotel
📷 @brigittereneephoto
💐 @petalsedgedc
📋 @smevents