Working at the stunning Graylyn Estate is always a dream. Its elaborate gardens and enchanting architecture provide the perfect backdrop, and for this shoot, we were inspired by the timeless elegance of British royal weddings. It was an honor to collaborate with an incredible team of North Carolina's finest wedding professionals, led by Significant Events and beautifully captured by Laura Memory Photography. Together, we brought a vision of modern royalty to life, using sustainable techniques taught to me by Shane Connolly, the florist for Prince William and Princess Kate’s royal wedding.

Crafting an English Garden, Sustainably

My goal was to create a lush, romantic floral design that felt both grand and intimate, all while using 100% foam-free mechanics. I’m passionate about sustainable floristry, and this shoot was the perfect opportunity to showcase how beautiful and intricate arrangements can be without the use of floral foam. For the tabletop decor, I created armatures out of grapevine, a technique that provides structure and a natural, organic feel. I also used a simple but effective trick for smaller arrangements: placing grapes in small bowls as natural flower frogs. This method provides a weighted base and a source of water, keeping blooms fresh without any plastic or synthetic materials.

The floral designs themselves featured a romantic blend of creamy whites and soft greens, incorporating delicate orchids, classic gardenias, and soft roses. The result was a design that felt organic and effortless, where every bloom and branch was intentionally placed, just like in a true English garden.

Iconic Blooms for a Royal Bride

For the bridal bouquet, I was thrilled to create a design inspired by Princess Diana's iconic cascade bouquet. However, to keep it lightweight and sustainable, I used a grapevine armature as the base. This allowed me to meticulously wire in each delicate element by hand, including gardenias, hyacinths, stephanotis, and pieris japonica and astilbe which beautifully emulated the delicate look of lily of the valley. The final piece was a stunning, hand-crafted cascade that looked and felt like a true heirloom.

The entire shoot was a testament to the talent and creativity of our local wedding community. It was a privilege to be a part of it, and I hope our work inspires you to dream big for your own special day.