Dreamy bouquets, handsome boutonnieres, sweeping centerpieces and garlands, sweet nosegays, classic wreaths and tiny bud vases…with so many styles, colors and kinds, there are an infinite number of possibilities for wedding flowers. There’s the poetic, of course: every bud it seems has a meaning, a personality and history. And the practical: choosing by what’s in season can often make for the most economical of floral designs and, if regional, eco-friendly, too. In Stems for the Season, we talk with some of the finest Midwest floral designers about their favorite arrangements and beautiful flowers you can enjoy right now.

This stunning table setting comes to us from Natalie Walsh of Chicago’s Hello Darling. Kara Underwood, one of the amazing ladies behind the wedding design firm, Magnificent Milestones (love that play on words!), herself got married this September and was kind enough to share the rehearsal dinner photographs with us. On first look, we completely fell for the gloriosa lilies in these arrangements—so luminous and delicate at the same time—like butterflies have landed in the branches!

Natalie tells us, “Kara and I worked together to come up with a design concept and color palette which was modern yet very warm and inviting. The long table is absolutely my favorite to design on as it gives unlimited freedom to organic shapes and styles. Using the color palette of chocolate, burnt orange, red and gold I combined rich, colorful, textural blooms such as local dinner plate dahlias, velvety celosia and amaranthus, along with tropical mokara and cymbidium orchids, pin-cushion protea, black baccara roses, and mango mini calla lilies.”

“The arrangements mixed along the table with other sculptural elements such as driftwood draped with loose blooms, Manzanita branches with hanging candles and gloriosa lilies, rustic boxy pine planters, and an array of succulents. Each of the floral arrangements were designed in monochromatic textural groupings with unexpected embellishments of chocolate brown fern curls, red lipstick pods, and silvery green stone crop added throughout the designs. Graphic patterns of square votives and earthy glass lanterns lit the table.”

Such a fresh take on autumn! You can find more of Natalie’s lovely work for all seasons in her Hello Darling portfolio found here.

Tags: chicago wedding, floral design, illinois wedding, wedding design