At some point in the planning process, every bride will question whether or not they want their wedding to be outdoors. After all, nature has some of the best and prettiest decor. Yet, the majority of brides will opt not to have their event uncovered outside. By having any part of the wedding ceremony outdoors, you are taking huge risks when it comes to weather. Many brides do their research, picking a month outside of rain season and looking into past years to see when the most rain hit. At the end of the day, though, there is no sure fire way to know whether your wedding will be rainy or sunny. As a result, the majority of families will take alternative action, picking a safe banquet room in a hotel or the local beach, yacht, or golf club.

Well the time for fear is over. Recently, more and more brides have been turning towards clear tents. Set up similarly to the classic white tent, the clear ones allow the bride and groom to experience the outdoors in its fullness, but eliminates the fear that slow to moderate rain fall will destroy their special day. Unlike the white tents, the clear ones allow you and your guests to experience the beauty in nature, such as sunsets and foliage, as well as human-made fun, such as fireworks and floating lanterns. Decorating is a cinch, too. Drape fabrics in your wedding colors and add lit paper or Moroccan lanterns to the ceiling. You could also go an even simpler route, layering white Christmas lights across the roof to give a soft, romantic feel to your outdoor experience. The simple decor matched with the natural splendor in nature will leave your guests in awe.

Still, if your wedding is during hurricane season, you might want to consider those safe, indoor locations. Though the clear tents add a bit of security, they won’t keep you and your guests dry in category three winds.

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As we prepare to enter the peak of wedding season, the creative team at Intrigue Design and Decor loves to reflect on some of our favorite weddings and our most special brides. We absolutely love when a bride comes in to meet with us with a little inspiration and trusts us to surprise her on her wedding day. Owner and lead wedding designer, Sarah Campbell, is just bursting with ideas to make you wedding one of a kind, so when Stephanie Powell walked into our studio, she let her ideas take wind.

Stephanie was planning her June wedding at the beautiful Annapolis Yacht Club and wanted a theme that would not only match the incredible venue, but also reflect on her and her future husband’s adventurous side. Using the red, navy and yellow colors from the sailing flags that lined the walls of the waterfront dining rooms as inspiration, the Intrigue team fashioned a nautical wedding that any sailor would jump over board for.

Navy Linens decorated the outdoor ceremony space and guests sat on fun red chiavari chairs that were a true pop of color. The aisle chairs were decorated with a simply yellow garden lantern that was stringed with striped navy ribbon. Stephanie’s bridesmaids wore navy strapless dresses and held bouquets of Juliet David Austen roses, yellow Billy balls, white peonies, and yellow calla lilies. When she made it down the aisle, her groom and his groomsmen were sporting true nautical fashion in boat shoes, khakis, navy sport jackets and red striped ties. All the groomsmen wore a simple boutonniere of a small white peony paired with a yellow Billy ball and wrapped in the same navy striped ribbon from the ceremony.

During the cocktail hour, guests gathered around tables draped in navy linens and topped with steel garden lanterns. The lanterns held a red candle, a yellow cymbidium orchid and were tied with navy striped ribbon. Additional tables were decorated with the bride and grooms red and navy wedding invitation, done by Paper in the Park. Cocktail hour also gave guests time to marvel at the beautifully simple white monogrammed wedding cake wrapped in navy striped ribbon made by Fiona’s Cakes.

Once guests made their way into the waterfront dining room, they found their seats at tables decked out with true nautical style. The dining tables were lined with burlap and navy linens. Each table setting was decorated with a simple menu tucked inside a navy linen and a stunning yellow spidermum placed on top for a pop of color. Centerpieces of white hydrangeas and yellow freesias in wooden boxes wrapped with stripped ribbon covered the tables alongside whimsical white nautical rope balls.

Overall, Stephanie’s wedding was nautical at its best and her trust to let us design a spectacular wedding is why she is one of our most special brides and this was our favorite wedding. Thank you Stephanie for letting the amazing teams at Intrigue Design and Decor, Hamilton Photography, Paper in the Park, Fiona Cakes, and the Annapolis Yacht Club for throwing you a night to remember!

Intrigue Design and Decor | Hamilton Photography | Paper in the Park | Fiona Cakes | Annapolis Yacht Club

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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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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. 

Intrigue Design and Decor |

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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 the premiere issue of The Veil magazine, Intrigue Design and Decor is nothing less than ecstatic to see our bouquet on the cover and featured throughout the magazine! The Veil, which is a locally owned and published magazine out of Stevensville, Md., is perfect for the mid-Atlantic bride looking to plan her upscale wedding.

In the featured piece “Behind the Veil,” Intrigue’s bouquets accompanied the latest look into bridal fashion. The classic, all-white bouquets received a modern twist with hanging calla lilies, falling glitter gems, and all caged in gold midelino Italian wicker. “I love adding different elements of texture to my pieces,” said Melissa Huston, lead floral designer for Intrigue Design and Decor. By incorporating non-floral and innovative elements, Melissa reflected on Intrigue’s unique style of giving classic wedding designs a chic twist.

But the real treat was seeing one of Intrigue’s past weddings as the featured article “Best of Both Worlds.” The featured wedding article spotlighted couple Rose and George Cherussery and their redefined Indian wedding. Both Rose and George grew up in America and while they kept their Indian heritage close to them, they also embraced American culture. After dating for ten years, the couple decided to get married in July 2011.  However, the biggest struggle that Rose and George faced was deciding how to combine their Indian and American culture while also having a beautiful event.

With the help of Intrigue’s lead designer Sarah Campbell, the couple hand selected different elements of American and Indian culture to be incorporated into their wedding. Keeping with American tradition, Rose walked down the aisle in a white wedding gown. Rose’s bridesmaids embraced the Indian culture and were animated to wear saris instead of traditional bridesmaids’ dresses. During the ceremony Rose and George tied in the Indian traditions of Thali and giving the Manthrakodi sari.

While the couple had to give up having an outdoor wedding since their church did not recognize weddings outside of the church, they did not sacrifice design. Sarah was able to bring the outdoors inside while satisfying and stunning the couples’ American and Indian guests.

“Sarah did a great job helping us find a sophisticatedly casual decor for inside the church. It was really a perfect representation of what George and I wanted,” said Rose. Overall, guests were impressed with how Intrigue was able to design a beautiful event while bringing together the “Best of Both Worlds.”

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Happy weekend everyone! My last week has come to an end, and let me tell you, it’s much more bitter than sweet. I’ve enjoyed so much posting lovely wedding inspiration for you all! Cheers!

{A Little Change…}
{Color Board: Gold}
{Wedding Inspiration: Winter Nautical} 

via

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