Throwback Thursday: The Renaissance Style Wedding

Today I could not help but feel inspired by Shakespeare. I already posted one blog article earlier that managed to incorporate a wedding-esque version of Hamlet’s speech (“to sit or not to sit” is indeed a question) but I just was not ready to be finished with this guy! Being an actress in my freetime, I have a special place in my heart for Shakespeare. I may not always entirely understand what he is saying, but I do enjoy saying it. That’s what matters. There is no question there. So, continuing with my Shakespeare-kick, I decided to look into wedding trends that would represent a (Thursday) throwback to his era. What I discovered fit my love of Shakespeare well: the trend of his time reimagined for today’s wedding is aptly described as “Renaissance.” How might I describe the Renaissance style? Luxurious, epic, and majestic. With gowns featuring brocade fabric elements, enchanting v-necklines, corset-style bodices, and dual-layered dress-skirting, I could not help but experience a rebirth of my love for all things Renaissance, Shakespeare, and wedding-oriented. The jewelry is intricate and softly ornate, standing as a reflection of the high-gothic art that once hailed across Europe during this time period. Color choices in bouquets, centerpieces, and overall design elements are deep, lush, and earthy, connoting power, strength, and solidarity. Above all, what strikes me as most significant about the influence of this time period on wedding fashion is the fascination with details, artistry, and a true enduring love of beauty. The Renaissance represented a time-period when the European world opened it’s cultural eye to new possibilities and ideas. The art of this time period reflected this new enlightened way of seeing the world. It is no surprise then that within its echo in today’s wedding styles, we see an enthusiastic love for fine art exalted through the celebration of love that is a marriage.

Planning & Inspiration

Wedding Etiquette: Seating Your Guests

by admin

To sit, or not to sit, that is the question. Well, ok maybe Shakespeare isn’t necessary for pondering the significance of who to seat where at your wedding reception. Then again, there are probably some heavier-esque things to consider. Firstly, be aware of any issues of physical ability. If grandma is in a wheelchair, be sure to seat her near an entrance/exit for easy access in case of fire, or in case of something more mundane, like needing to use the restroom. Also consider theproximity of her location to meal and beverage if you are doing a buffet-style reception. Even if she is not making her plate up herself, someone else will be no doubt assisting her, and so the distance to travel should be considered. Now remember, other family will also want to sit near her, like mom, and maybe even yourself, so you’ll have to consider her seat in relationship to other people, as well as her needs.

Weddings

Romantic Wedding at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden and Palm House

by admin

June 8th, 2014 at the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens. The marriage of Tracy and Michael. Photography by Emma McDonald Weddings. Floral Design by Bride & Blossom.

When Tracy first approached us with her floral design request, we were more than delighted to be able to work with her. She picked out a beautiful array of flowers that suited her unique style, as well as fun and festive summertime wedding colors. Her look also connected to a very vintage feel, which went perfectly with the ceremony and reception venue at the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens, as pictured above. Tracy’s bouquets and centerpieces featured a wide-variety of flowers, including peonies, garden roses, spray roses, orchids, succulents, and dusty millers. Her bouquets were lush, vibrant, and made a marvelous complement to her the style of her wedding dress, as well as the look of her bridesmaids, and one adorable flower girl.

Planning & Inspiration

Spotting the Perfect Wedding Invitation

by admin

I have this wonderful morning ritual. It only recently became a ritual, and it began by accident. Still, the importance of it I cannot shake. When I first wake up, before I am even thinking about my cup of coffee, or better yet, that crisp shower and fresh towel, I go downstairs. I sit on the living room couch, gaze out the window and wait usually no longer than 30 seconds before my adorable dog, Peaches, joins me.

Now, there is something truly special about Peaches to me. Before I had Peaches, I was rather afraid of dogs. As anyone who knows anything about dogs can tell you, the worst thing about being afraid of dogs is that that makes them more likely to do the things that make you afraid of them to begin with. Being ancestors of wolves, dogs smell fear as part of their way of understanding who belongs in whatever position in the pack hierarchy: there is always a dominant, or alpha male-female pair, and then subordinates, in the pack. They come to depend on everyone upholding their roles, especially those in the alpha position. When they smell fear, they attribute it to a lack of pack-stability, and attack that which is afraid to establish some kind of dominance and to let them know who is charge. Read More

Weddings

A Wedding at the NoMad

by Rachel Trimarco

Picture this:

[…] over 4,000 square feet of unique indoor and outdoor meeting, event, and private dining space in Manhattan. State-of-the-art audio-visual equipment and turn-key event planning services are available, along with specially-catered menus by Chef Daniel Humm.

This is the NoMad Hotel in NYC. Never heard of it? Take it from us, it is a beautiful place to celebrate your special day. First of all, we love it for its versatility. As NoMad describes its Johnston Room and Rooftop Space:

The Johnston Room, with its outdoor terrace overlooking the Atrium, provides a versatile, spacious canvas able to be utilized for a variety of events and meetings. The 1550-square foot space (1100 indoor / 450 outdoor), can accommodate a myriad of settings–from a board meeting to a cocktail party. The Johnston Room is a fresh alternative to the conference rooms traditionally found in Manhattan.
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Planning & Inspiration

The Sweetheart = The One I Love

by Rachel Trimarco

I love every single floral arrangement we do at Bride & Blossom. If someone asked me to pick my favorite flower, or color, I would have a very hard time. The same goes for the styles of our centerpieces. That said, I do hold a special place in my heart for certain designs.Right now I am really loving the sweetheart table centerpiece style. No other centerpiece style can really compare with the bold lushness of this particular arrangement. A sweetheart table, in case you did not know, is, as The Knot says,

A sweetheart table is a small table set up for just the bride and groom at the wedding reception. The happy couple sits together, facing their guests, with their wedding attendants and families at tables in close proximity. The advantage is that you get to spend time together and enable your wedding party to sit with family and friends. If you’re not comfortable with being the focal point at the wedding reception, you can have a head table. Your head table can be similar to the other reception tables or it can be a dais table (elevated), to stand out. The head table can consist of all the wedding attendants or include the parents, siblings, grandparents and anyone else who is very close to the bride and groom.