A beautiful spring day and a gorgeous young couple was the perfect match to start off Intrigue Design and Decor’s spring wedding season! The Governor Calvert House, a stunning historic inn in Annapolis, Md., was where Katie and Scott shared their love for each other with their family and friends this past March 23, 2013.

The bride put great thought into every detail of her wedding from the color of her shoes to the whimsical touches of her ceremony. Katie wore an elegant half up-do with soft curls that held her fingertip-length lace veil. Her dress was a fitted mermaid gown, which was covered with crafted lace. Katie’s three bridesmaids wore A-line navy dresses with nude heels and Katie wore navy heals to match. They all held rounded bouquets of peonies, Juliet David Austen roses and carnations in soft cream and peach colors.

When Katie made her way to the alter, she and her bridesmaids walked down an aisle lined with ivory garden lanterns tied with ribbon in shades of cream and pink. Down at the alter in front of a ribbon wall of matching cream, pink and peach tones, Scott eagerly awaited his bride. The groom and his groomsmen wore boutonnieres of peach flower buds wrapped in twine and black tuxes with matching navy vests and ties.

Overall the night was a combination of love and excitement as Katie and Scott began their life together as husband and wife. Intrigue Design and Decor is so happy that we got to help this perfect match create their perfect night.

Intrigue Design and Decor | Katie Fine Art | Governor Calvert House

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Intrigue Design and Decor is thrilled to have had the opportunity to contribute to Indian Creek School’s largest fundraising event of the year, “A Night in Havana” Spring Auction. Every year the spring auction brings parents and alumni together, and aims to raise money to enhance the school’s academic, art and athletic programs.

As part of Intrigue Design and Decor’s $50,000 donation towards local charity galas and fundraisers, owner Sarah Campbell matched the school’s decor budget and helped bring a fun theme and stylish design aspects to the event. The school hosted a Cuban themed casino night that featured tropical floral pieces, exotic decor elements and romantic lighting.

Guests enjoyed salsa dancing and live music by Grupo Warachando, as well as delicious food and drinks, and a live action. Tickets also included $20,000 in “funny money” to spend on the roulette, blackjack, craps, and Texas Hold ‘Em tables. 

Overall, the night was a huge success and the school well surpassed its fundraising goal. Intrigue Design and Decor is very grateful to be recognized as one of the Indian Creek School’s Ace of Clubs Sponsors.

Intrigue Design and Decor |

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Even though the sporadic climate change, which is Maryland weather, might be making you think otherwise, spring is finally here! Intrigue Design and Decor is nothing but ecstatic to jump into peak wedding season and help brides transform their wedding with chic floral and decor designs. However, for the budget conscious bride looking to make the most out of her special day, it is important to know what flowers are in season this spring. While certain flowers can be available year round, there can also be a dramatic difference in the price based on the month a bride needs her flowers. Here is a just a couple of popular bridal flowers that in season this spring…

Intrigue Design and Decor | Liz and Ryan | Hamilton Photography | Natalie Lane Photography

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Our lead floral designer Melissa Huston, at Intrigue Design and Decor, just got back from her week-long trip in Philly for the Philadelphia Flower Shower! In addition to accompanying the Schaffer design team for another year to complete a major exhibit piece, Melissa created her own Designer Pod for the show.

The Philadelphia Flower Show, which is the world’s largest and longest-running indoor flower show, was held at the Pennsylvania Convention Center and ran from March 2 to 10, 2013. Premier landscape designers and floral artists spotlighted popular British and urban designs into their work and guests had the opportunity to marvel at world-renowned horticulture and artistic floral arrangement competitions, gardening presentations, and a city-wide Flower Show week celebration.

In line with Intrigue Design and Decor‘s signature style, Melissa’s Designer Pod highlighted the classic style of London but with a chic modern-day twist. Melissa incorporated antique heirloom trends with black and charcoal colors, and then blended it with soft cosmetic tones. Guests and judges saw a piece that was inspired by modern-day London and embraced with the soft side of vintage romance.

With Melissa’s artistic hand, she helped the Schaffer design team put together their major exhibit “Jack”, which was inspired by the factory-driven back-alleys where Jack the Ripper roamed. The Schaffer Design team was led by Bill Schaffer and Kristine Kraft, and they embraced the East end era of late eighteenth century London in hopes to continue their streak of ‘Best Of’ Awards at the show.

Overall the Philadelphia Flower Show was extremely successful and it was a joy to see one of Intrigue’s own up there competing with some of the world’s most renowned floral artists. 

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For most traditional brides, her ceremony will begin by walking down the aisle with her father while wearing a stunning white gown and holding an elaborate bouquet of her favorite flowers. As she walks down the aisle, every single woman in the audience will be dazzled by how beautiful the bride looks and will be eyeing the bouquet until the bouquet toss. While so much thought and envy goes into the beautiful floral bridal bouquet, I wonder if as many women would be so eager to catch the bouquet if they knew only a few hundred years ago that the bridal bouquet was just a bundle of herbs and spices, and not the beautiful flower arrangements we see today.

 Bridal bouquets have been a wedding tradition dating all the way back to ancient times. But instead of brides holding beautiful bouquets of flowers to complement their gown and match their decor, ancient time brides held bouquets of garlic, herbs and spices. Originally, it was believed that by carrying a herb bouquet the bride would help ward off evil spirits during her ceremony.

Traditional Celtic weddings had the same superstition. Bridal bouquets were traditionally made of ivy, thistle and heather, which released a pungent odor. It was believed that the strong aroma from the bouquet had mystical powers that would keep evil spirits away from the bride and groom.

Traditional Rome and Greece weddings had different beliefs, and the arrangements were more of a symbol of hope than protection. Instead of holding a bouquet, a garland necklace would be placed around the bride and the groom. The circle garland was a symbol of new life, hope and fertility for the new couple to take into their marriage.

It was not until 1840 when Queen Victoria married Prince Albert that the tradition of having flowers in a bridal bouquet was adopted. Queen Victoria’s bouquet was made of marigolds and the herb dill, which combined tradition and her favorite flower. The dill from her bouquet, which is the herb of lust, was eaten by the married couple at the reception and thought to help increase sexual desire.

Floral bouquets grew in popularity during Victorian times, and the bride’s bouquet portrayed a secret message to her groom on their wedding day. Florigraphy, which is the flower language, gave specific flowers a significant meaning and lovers would use flowers to exchange secret message. So on the bride’s wedding day, the bouquet flowers were chosen to carry a significant meaning and not so much for looks.

Overall, the bouquet has taken on many different forms, held many different meanings, and will most likely continue to change. However, as I watch the bride walk down the aisle, it is nice to know that the tradition of weddings, bouquets and marriage is something that will continue on forever. 

Bridal Bouquets

Intrigue Design and Decor | Hamilton Photography | Wendy Hickok Photography |

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Have you ever driven on the beltway and seen the Washington D.C. temple peaking up through the trees and glowing in the sun? Well when I was much younger, I was riding in the car with my mom when I saw the temple for the first time. I asked my mom what the big building was and instead of trying to explain a temple to a seven-year-old, she played along with my fairytale fantasies and told me that it was Cinderella’s castle. It took me a couple years to finally figure out that it was not Cinderella’s castle but I always thought that the Washington D.C. temple was fit for a princess.

On June 7, 2012, Beth Johnson, makeup artist for Up-Do’s for I Do’s, looked like a princess for her wedding at the Washington D.C. temple. With the ceremony set at 7:00 p.m., the bridesmaids in light pink and navy, and Beth in an elegant vintage lace gown, glowed as they walked down the aisle. Beth held a rounded bouquet that included a mix of pink wax flowers, Juliet garden roses, gardenias, mauve roses, and ranunculus. To complement her gown, Intrigue Design and Decor’s lead floral designer, Melissa Huston, incorporated vintage broaches, stands of pearls and pieces of lace into the bouquet.

At the reception, Beth and her guests were surrounded by ivory vintage garden lanterns that spilled out pink and grey floral sprays. When Beth was not sitting beside her groom in light pink chaivari chairs ornamented with strands of navy and pink ribbon, she was resting her bouquet on vintage music stand and she danced the night away.

Overall the night was a dream, and Beth and her groom enjoyed the evening together without misplacing any glass slippers.

Intrigue Design and Decor | Balance Photography

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Art comes in so many different forms whether it is a painting, sculpture, poetry, or even a flower arrangement. Intrigue Design and Decor’s lead floral designer Melissa Huston does not consider herself to be a florist, but instead to be an artist who’s medium just so happens to be flowers. Melissa is known for taking classic floral arrangements and giving them a chic and modern twist. But while some would consider Melissa to be the best in the industry, she is constantly looking to raise the bar for floral design and seeking new inspiration.

Many artists find inspiration for their pieces in the most accidental places where most people would look past the extraordinary and just see the ordinary. While I have only visited Lowes or Home Depot for remodeling supplies, Melissa has been known to browse the large, sawdust filled aisles of home improvement warehouses seeking design inspiration. Although hardware stores are usually Melissa’s go to, recently it was when she was out grocery shopping when the produce aisle gave her an idea for a rustic farm-inspired table.

For the Chesapeake Bay Beach Club Bridal show, Intrigue Design and Decor transformed the Beach House into a whimsical wonderland inspired by the classic fairytale Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Intrigue incorporated its classic design with a chic and modern twist to create five unique displays that drew inspiration from the fairytale. But the table that surprised brides the most was the rustic Seven Dwarfs table that incorporated pomegranates, brussel sprouts and artichokes into the floral design.

When I think of vegetables I expect to find artichoke in a warm and cheesy spinach dip and brussel sprouts sautéed alongside a savory roast. The last place I anticipate finding vegetables and fruits is in a wedding centerpiece. Melissa altered artichokes by removing the center and utilizing the vegetable as small vases for miniature arrangements that were scattered across the table. The table got a touch of color by incorporated the deep purple color of an open pomegranate into the larger floral arrangements and by also using whole pomegranates as place settings. Brides who took a closer look at the arrangements noticed pairs of brussel sprouts nestled in between flowers, which gave the illusion of small flower buds waiting to bloom.

The vegetables and fruit gave the Seven Dwarfs table a rustic farm feel that many brides commented as being romantic and inviting. Inspiration is all around us and Melissa artistically transformed grocery store produce into a rustic and unique floral design.

Hamilton Photography | Intrigue Design and Decor | Chesapeake Bay Beach Club

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For most of today’s weddings it is becoming more than just the ceremony and reception, and guests are beginning to expect some wow factor. Whether it is the bridal party dancing down the aisle, or fireworks and performers at the reception, most of today’s weddings now have some element of entertainment. Our lead floral designer Melissa Huston was driven to raise the entertainment value of floral design and created our first living floral center piece for the What’s Up? Spring Bridal Expo January 13, 2013.

Guests at the bridal show were completely wowed by our center piece and amazed when they saw that our center piece moved and was not just a statue. Kaitlin MacCullum, part-time model for Allison Barnhill Designs, graciously modeled as our living center piece. Kaitlin sat on top of a table decorated with matching calla lily and rose bouquets, floating carnation petals in tall cylinder vases, and draped linens by Rentals to Remember. She wore an incredible head piece covered in orchids that wrapped around the back of her head and ended with cascading flowers down the rest of her hair, which was done by the lovely ladies at Up Dos for I Dos. Melissa then created a floral shawl and gigantic bouquet that dripped orchids and incorporated beautiful greens and purples. But the element that amazed guests the most was the simple shoes that Melissa completely transformed into a couture piece by covering in orchids.

Our floral center piece was definitely a surprise that entertained the bridal show and provided an entertainment value that most weddings are seeking. Brides wishing to entertain their guests with surprise elements should consider having wearable floral pieces by Intrigue Design and Decor..

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Come out and join Intrigue Designs & Decor  to make your own sophisticated Christmas holiday arrangement that will last through the holidays.

December 19, 2012 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Where: 2116 Renard Court Annapolis MD 21401
Cost: $95.00 and includes all supplies

To Register Please Contact us at : Flowers@Intrigue-Designs.com or 410-571-3069

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Geoff & Lauri tied the knot on a breezy October day in Annapolis.

The bride carried a hand tied bouquet of Flame Callas bound in custom fabric while the bridesmaids held vibrant Dahlias, dramatic Roses and soft Lisianthus bound in copper fabric.

 
The reception at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation took on a wine inspired theme with the use of reclaimed wood crates, branches and seasonal blooms in fall tones paired with exotic James Story Orchids.  Intrigue Floral Design used local product and growers to create an eco-friendly design that embraced the wine theme by adding touches of corks and natural fibber packing material to accent the centerpieces.

The tent was brought to life with the addition of illuminated paper lanterns giving the open deck a more intimate feel.

Photography: Natalie Lane Photography  Ken’s Creative Kitchen | Intrigue Designs & Decor | Chesapeake Bay Foundation

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