We have a go-to wedding venue in Philadelphia, and it’s the Fairmount Horticulture Center. When Starr Events asked us to team up with them as they reimagined their cornerstone event, Love is in the Air, we were thrilled! Some of Philadelphia’s top wedding professionals were asked to bring their vision to life in order to showcase the style they would most love to create for a couple at the Horticulture Center. As a team who works there frequently, we had plenty of ideas!
While creating our vision, modern style and tons of texture were top of mind, especially because both would highlight the venue’s mostly blank canvas. The space is used most often for indoor ceremonies and cocktail hours, which are just as appropriate during the spring and summer as they are during the fall and winter. As a result, we wanted to create a vision for an indoor ceremony and a peek into how we would style an indoor reception.
Having the best wedding professionals in attendance at Love is in the Air also meant we were able to collaborate with a number of our favorite teams. Sullivan Owen always has a dramatic and artistic take when she designs florals, so we knew we wanted her to add her own unique style to our design.
I think my take was focused on using the soft, romantic colors my work is known for in a more modern setting showing that modern floral designs don’t have to be all the same color, or flower or feel too clean and polished. I think the space we collaborated on felt rich, warm and celebratory which is exactly how you want to feel in January but the spring flowers and colors kept things light and they acted as a reminder spring is around the corner.
I also think that too often pale pink, blush, mauve and violet can feel too little girl and by using them with concrete, marble, brass and velvet we made those colors feel sophisticated and neutral. – Sullivan Owen
While floral is always key, lighting is also a big influence on creating a design, we decided to try something never executed before and hang Edison bulbs all the way across the greenery to create a ceremony backdrop (tip- this also makes a great spot to set up your photo booth later in the evening and re-purpose those lights!). Thanks to Eventions Productions, this detail was the night’s most talked about feature! The modern Lincoln Chair from Maggpie Vintage Rentals suited the space perfectly, plus the copper color welcomes a new metal aside from gold and silver. Modern stationery from The Papery, a patterned wedding dress from Lovely Bride, and a bridesmaid dress from Bella Bridesmaids were all coordinated with our specific vision in mind!
We not only styled the ceremony space with Maggpie’s furniture, but we also created a welcoming lounge space in shades of grey with pieces from the team too. Whenever we can add a lounge for a wedding, we always do because it creates a respite for guests (and couples, too!).
Our tablescape was another highlight! The velvet linen was another great way to introduce texture into our design outside of the florals because patterned linens are one of the top trends for 2018, according to Martha Stewart. Plus, using a patterned linen is a great way to showcase a head table or sweetheart table! Sullivan had a backdrop of blooms in mind, and we love how her inspiration took shape. Plus, the various heights and shapes of the centerpiece vessels created more eye-catching movement on the table, especially when they were paired with candles.
It was a wonderful night filled with creativity and meeting couples in person. We cannot wait to be a part of Starr’s next Love is in the Air event again next year!
Credits:
Design, Planning, and Styling: The Styled Bride
Photography: Sarah DiCicco
Venue : The Fairmount Horticulture Center
Catering: Starr Events
Flowers & Design: Sullivan Owen
Stationery: The Papery
Vintage Furniture: Maggpie Vintage Rentals
Rentals/ Tabletop: Party Rental LTD
Lighting: Eventions Productions
Music – Philadelphia String Quartet
Wedding Dress: Lovely Bride Philadelphia
Bridesmaid Dress: Bella Bridesmaids Philadelphia
