The Look: A Modern Mansion Wedding
The Feel
The overall feel for the wedding weekend of D+G was understated, timeless elegance that felt uniquely organic and naturally lived in. For their wedding, the couple chose to play into tones of the autumn season, incorporating moody accent tones in shades of wine, espresso, and smoke in addition to the lighter, ethereal hues of cream, chartreuse, and peach. We utilized frilly florals full of texture within this color palette, as well as florals with distinct silhouettes such as nerine lilies, hanging amaranthus, calla lilies, and anthurium.
The color story evolved over the evening, with the gilded glamour of Rosecliff manor acting as a beautiful backdrop for the evening’s celebration. The ceremony was classic bridal with white and green florals adorning a lush, modern chuppah. At cocktail hour, the vibe turned moody, with modern floral arrangements in dark autumn hues. While the reception softened into a palette of whites and greens with deep accents, melding together the feel from both the ceremony and cocktail hour.
The attention to design & details were what elevated the event to an evening that felt out of the pages of a magazine. Each place your eye landed was careful considered and curated to create an immersive experience that felt aligned with the bride and groom’s personal style.
The Night Before
The wedding weekend began with a welcome reception that celebrated the ambiance of the season, leaning into warm shades of seasonal blooms in hues of toffee, peach, and saffron. The cocktail reception felt cozy, and lived-in with velvet linens, a plethora of lounge groupings, and glowing votive candlelight. The floral pieces embodied the season, featuring locally grown dahlias, bittersweet berries, and kumquats in addition to staple floral ingredients such as roses and ranunculus.
The mix between color and texture within the arrangements themselves, and how they intermingled with the other design elements of the event created a visually striking evening guests aren’t soon to forget. Brass tabletop lamps and smoked votives styled throughout the space added ambient light and a touch of home to the space.
Each element of the event was considered, resulting in a relaxed, warm atmosphere with stunning details at each turn.
The celebration before the wedding set the tone for the upcoming nuptials, letting guests know to expect a warm, heartfelt evening that is elevated yet distinct to the couple.
The Ceremony
The ceremony took place in the Salon of Rosecliff mansion, under a modern chuppah designed with groupings of florals and billowing chiffon draping. The 4-post chuppah was fully covered with organic vines and was designed floral forward with stunning varieties of blooms in shades of cream and green such as garden roses, hydrangea, hanging amaranthus, phalaenopsis orchids, and lisianthus. The design was romantic and organic in essence, with a modern flare which played nicely off the opulent architecture of the venue. The chuppah was a captivating focal point within the space, perfectly framing the couple as they joined hands in marriage. The feel in the room was romantic and intimate creating a privately ethereal setting for the ceremony.
Following the ceremony, guests were greeted with an immersive escort card display featuring their seating arrangements displayed on moss boards artfully styled with fresh fruit and a focal floral arrangement. This transitional moment subtly starts to bring in the deeper shades of caramel, garnet, and smoke awaiting them in cocktail hour.
Cocktails
Hosted on the terrace, the cocktail party shifted the tone of the evening to a warm, moody affair deepening the palette with hues of caramel, plum, and burgundy. Organic, welcoming arrangements adorned the cocktail tables, naturally styled with pears, grapes, and pomegranates. The arrangements are textural, and incorporate moody blooms such as anemone, lady slipper orchids, calla lilies, and steelberry. Smoked and amber votive candlelight accents added warmth and depth to space, flickering flames casting dancing across the tablescapes.
A focal moment at this juncture of the event was an immersive floral installation that doubled as a photobooth for guests. This installation was composed of two freestanding floral pillars that evolved through a deep, rich palette ranging from peach to plum with transitional tones of wine, toffee, and olive. The pillars were designed at asymmetrical heights and were composed of hydrangea, smokebush, and roses. Staged in front of a draped back-drop, it created the perfect place for guests to take photos together!
A mix of soft seating and cocktail tables added to the cozy feel on the tented terrace, adding an intimate, heartwarming undertone to the evening. Multiple design elements worked in tandem, creating a space that felt both effortlessly welcoming and visually tantalizing.
The Party
Hosted in the grand ballroom, the reception is a beautiful blend of the design from both the ceremony and cocktail hour, reverting back to a floral color palette composed of cream, green, and blush, while still incorporating deeper tones throughout the tablescape in the form of candlelight, and fresh styled fruit. The tables were styled with expert attention to detail, featuring organic compote arrangements composed of stunning blooms such as hydrangea, roses, ranunculus, anthurium, and hellebore. Tucked within the arrangements were cascading clusters of grapes, plums, pomegranates, and tiny glittering trays of blackberries adding depth color and texture to the overall tablescape.
We set the mood with multiple methods of tabletop lighting, incorporating taper and votive candlelight paired with the warm glow of a table top lamp. Chocolate taper candles and smoked glass votives styled with the creamy florals create a contrasting composition that just works. Classic and modern elements pair together in a way that feels effortless and welcoming, from the first toast to the final dance.
Planning: PDR Events
Photography: Stephanie Vegilante
Stationary: Invitorium