Round, Square, Or Curved: Which Type of Wedding Ceremony Arch Is Right For You?

Maddy and Alec Wedding – Ceremony Atmosphere – New York Botanical Garden – Brindamour Photography

The arch is the focal point of the ceremony and for many, the most important decor element in a wedding. All eyes will be concentrated on this structure standing at the end of the aisleway where it frames the couple as they exchange vows. In both indoor and outdoor settings, it anchors a space while establishing the aesthetic tone for florals and decor. Symbolically, the archway represents a couple’s future home as they start their new life together.

Scrolling through Instagram and Pinterest for inspiration, you’ll quickly notice that ceremony arches come in various shapes and sizes. Going back through the Real BB Weddings archives, we narrowed it down to the three most popular shapes: round, square, and curved. Because each design is uniquely beautiful from the next and requires different structural materials to make, deciding which type of archway is right for your wedding ceremony can be difficult. To help make the selection process easier, we are breaking down everything you need to know about round, square, and curved archways.
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From Ceremony to Dance Floor: 12 Dramatic Ceiling Decor Ideas to Elevate Your Wedding

by Kate Murphy

Christine and Matt Wedding – Flower Archway Hanging Flower and Bubble Installation – Tribeca Rooftop – Andy Gaines Photography

When it comes to weddings, nothing elevates the ambiance, literally and figuratively, like dramatic ceiling decor. Hanging flowers and fixtures can completely transform a space, turning it into a dreamscape perfect for a once-in-a-lifetime event. Suspended designs can be used to create a focal point over the archway or dance floor, or to cast an immersive atmosphere all around.

Meeting with clients, we get a sense that hanging florals are thought to fall under the categories of ‘whimsical’ and ‘fairy-tale’ in terms of aesthetic. “I want my wedding to look sophisticated and timeless, and we are getting married at a classic venue. How can hanging decor possibly work in a setting like ours?” We’re here to tell you that hanging decor aligns with every type of wedding style from polished elegance to secret garden romance. We’ve dressed the ceilings of historic castle estates and luxury ballrooms as well as chic downtown lofts. Read on for high-impact ceiling decor ideas that will impress guests while creating a spectacular scene for your special day.
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Alexandra and Alexander Wedding - Bride Bridesmaids Bouquet Chuppah - New York Botanical Garden - Khaki Bedford Photography

Planning & Inspiration

Our Favorite Wedding Decor Trends for 2023

by Kate Murphy

Alexandra and Alexander Wedding – Bride Bridesmaids Bouquet Chuppah – New York Botanical Garden – Khaki Bedford Photography

The top wedding experts seem to be on the same page when it comes to forecasting wedding trends for 2023 – it’s going to be an incredible year to say ‘I do.’ Extravagant welcome and after-parties, mismatched bridesmaids dresses, regal bridal attire, Art-Deco style engagement rings, and cash registries were repeatedly mentioned in conversations about ‘what’s in’ for 2023. Reading through the various lists, we placed our focus on flowers and decor. What struck us about these ‘trends,’ a term we use very loosely, is that they are not trends at all. By this, we mean an ‘of the moment thing’ that looks cool on Instagram, but has no hope of aging well. Rather, these ‘trends’ point toward a collective shift in couples’ perspectives regarding how they want their wedding to look and feel in a ‘post-pandemic’ moment. Our lives have been forever changed. Naturally, the way we approach major life events will be different too. Pomp and circumstance give way to authenticity and sentiment revealing the current mood for 2023 – weddings are to be joyful celebrations bursting with unfiltered love and emotion.
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Brooke and Scott Wedding - Chuppah - Guastavinos - Olivia Christina Photography

Weddings

A Look Back At The Real BB Weddings Of 2022

by Kate Murphy

Brooke and Scott Wedding – Chuppah – Guastavinos – Olivia Christina Photography

To say that 2022 has been an unprecedented year for weddings would be an understatement. It was predicted that more couples would say “I Do” in 2022 than in any other year since 1984. While exact numbers aren’t in yet, our sense is that we’re close to hitting the mark. As wedding florists, we saw firsthand how getting married in a post-pandemic moment influenced our clients’ decisions. Perhaps it had to do with the slowing down and reflection that happened during 2020-2021, but couples were more willing than ever before to take risks and be creative when it came to flowers and decor, attire, food, and entertainment. Expectations about everything being ‘perfect’ gave way to being fully present during this once-in-a-lifetime event. While many of the weddings we are about to highlight look spectacular on an aesthetic level, upon further inspection, you will see that they are speckled with unique and meaningful details that are a sincere expression of the couple’s love and personality. Please join us as we look back at the Real BB Weddings of 2022.
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Melanie & Nick Wedding - High Centerpiece - Suffolk Theater - Sean Gallery Photography

Maximalist Wedding Flowers: Stunning Ideas For Taking Design To The Extreme

by Kate Murphy

Melanie & Nick Wedding – High Centerpiece – Suffolk Theater – Sean Gallery Photography

You’ve probably heard the term ‘maximalism’ used to describe a style of interior design. Rooted in the ‘more is more’ philosophy, this approach to decorating the home is marked by bold colors, mixed patterns, and a play with scale. It’s joyful, dramatic, and emotional all at the same time – everything you want to feel on the day you get married. This got us thinking – we are used to hearing the term ‘minimalist’ applied to wedding flowers and decor. But what about the opposite end of the design spectrum where the sky’s the limit (literally and figuratively)?
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Weddings

Caroline & Ben: An Amalfi Coast Inspired Celebration at Liberty Warehouse

by Kate Murphy

Caroline and Ben Wedding – Bride and Groom Portrait – Liberty Warehouse – Jaymo Jaymes Photography

Caroline and Ben first met in 2015 when they both were working for a tech start-up in New York City. “Ben was my on-board buddy. He welcomed me to the company environment and my role within it,” Caroline remembers. They became fast friends, often going to lunch and happy hour together. “We were both in relationships at the time. Everything was work related, but there was always an underlying feeling that this could be more. Those romantic feelings were finally addressed that following summer.” Not yet on the same page of what they wanted in terms of a relationship, they dated on and off for the following six months. In an age where dating apps play instant matchmaker, their long, more traditional courtship comes across as refreshing. “Looking back, this period helped build the relationship that Ben and I have now,” Caroline says. “We had been colleagues, friends, then ‘more than friends.’ By the time we were ready to commit, we knew each other inside and out.”
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Planning & Inspiration