From birthday parties to wedding whimsies…balloons are really on the up and up!
Our own Historic Events used these gigantic balloons as the focal point of their sweets table at this year’s Chesapeake Bay Beach Club Bridal Show.
Drawing the eye up, these balloons add dimension and height to the design. Both sophisticated and fun, hope these inspiring pictures are the pick-me-up that you need for the new week!
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.
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.
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 |
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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Okay…I know 99% of you read that title and thought, “There is no way denim is cute for a wedding.” The other 1%…I’m worried about you.
Yes, denim at a wedding seems completely wrong, but trust me, after seeing some of this inspiration, you will all be changing your mind. Now, most of this inspiration comes from a Tec Petaja wedding featured on Once Wed, but it all started with this set featured on Well Groomed:
Something about this groom’s style seemed elegant and appropriate, but how could it be? He’s wearing…denim!
The key is to completely commit, either with the whole groomsmen or bridal party. And to avoid looking like a wedding rodeo, mix and match denim washes with patterns to create a whimsical feel.
There’s nothing more simply classic than a solitaire diamond engagement ring, but gaining more and more popularity these days are unique and different engagement rings. More women are choosing different golds and stones like rose gold, pearls and emeralds. These unique rings can be much more affordable than diamonds, but are extremely eye-catching. So tell us, do you love the idea of a unique ring?
I am absolutely loving these effortless, whimsical hair styles for a summertime bride. Are you inspired by these gorgeous styles? And if you need a stylist for your wedding day, consider our good friends at Up Do’s for I Do’s!
I would definitely say “yes” to any of these dresses! I adore the beaded backs on these numbers and it really makes a bold statement. Paired with simple, sleek, hair and accessories, the intricate beading on these dresses will be striking.
Do you love this style that’s a little bit vintage?
Two weeks ago, we introduced you to the lovely ladies behind the makeup and hairstyling services of Up Do’s for I Do’s. This week, we’re back again with Danielle who is showing us how brides can achieve a Vintage Hollywood Glam makeup look! Now, we’ll turn it over to the professional to break down this look for us!
The glamorous look of classic Hollywood makeup is making an appearance in wedding makeup. This trend allows brides to be timeless, as well as feel as if they are on the red carpet during the 1930s.
This look consists of a matte finish for foundation, a cat-eye shaped eye liner in black, groomed eyebrows that are filled in with powder, and a red lip. For added glamor, false eyelashes would add even more drama. Brides can choose between a variety of styles, lengths, and thicknesses of lashes, but they are a must to complete this look.
Don’t be afraid of a red lip! There are many shades of red that will go with all complexions. The key is to line the lips with lip liner and fill in before applying red lipstick. To give this a more modern look, instead of using red lipstick brides can use red lip gloss.
Because this look has such a dramatic lip, blush should be light and natural, along with any eye shadow that is used.
How can brides resist this look? When looking back at photographs in 10, 20, or 30 years from now brides will still be in style, they will look timeless, classic, and chic.
Vintage Shoot: Elizabeth Ryan Photography
How To Images: Bobbi Brown | pinterest | pinterest | pinterest
Thanks to Danielle from Up Do’s for I Do’s
for showing us how to achieve this makeup look!
