Back in October, we had an amazing day for a photo shoot at New Hampshire wedding venue, Alyson’s Orchard in Walpole, New Hampshire.  By the way, if you’re looking to get married in New England that has a rustic appeal with amazing views for an outdoor ceremony, put this orchard on your list.  We had a wonderful day of local wedding vendors coming together to create some pretty fab table designs. The shoot involved 4 design teams each with a bride.  The task was to design a reception tablescape within a particular wedding budget.  While these designs are certainly meant to be inspirational, we also want them to be practical.

So let’s reintroduce you to the $50k design team:

photography Mark Davidson
floral and event design Perennial Studio
paper products Anastasia Designs
rentals Be Our Guest
hair and makeup MJD & Company (Megan Basset, makeup | Rebecca Cormier, hair)
dresses Madeleine’s Daughter
jewelry and outerwear Puttin’ on the Glitz

Ok, so we already showed you the bridal shots by Mark Davidson (which are absolutely insance), as promised, here’s a much closer look into the table design and the inspiration behind the design concept by Jennifer of Perennial Studio:

The focus for this design is based on natural and pure elements- locally harvested flowers, custom linen napkins and tablecloths, fine metal/glass containers, and native apples picked at the peak of the New England autumnal season. The bridal bouquet features 2 types of perennial anemone: the blush pink “Robustissima” and cream “Honorlie Jobert” as well as the fragrant victorian stock in shades of white and cream – all gathered from the garden that very morning. The groom’s boutonniere is composed of a wild fall orchid and a plum scabiosa. In the copper centerpiece containers we repeat the use of anemone, while adding a burst of color with darker jewel tones, as well as adding bright and textural lady’s mantel as a background filler to help focus the eye on the more interesting blooms.

Inspired by the “Outstanding in the Field” concept used frequently throughout the Napa and Sonoma Valley, the orchard was the perfect place to replicate an authentic, natural design.

The long table reflects the desire for a casual, intimate, yet elegant setting – with a focus on “al fresco” dining – perfect for passing dishes and cultivating conversation.  The palette of the linens, flowers, and accessories complement the surrounding setting – instead of competing with it. The calligraphy place card on each apple is a nice addition and gives a personal touch. The table is aesthetically pleasing – full of color and texture but not overdone.

A budget for this type of design will vary, depending on the quality of materials that you choose. If a cloth or napkin is 100% linen instead of a blend, you definitely will be paying a premium, but the overall look and feel is worth the price. Your guests will notice!  The quality of a linen hemstitch napkin sets the tone for a memorable meal, and should be a “must have” . For accessories such as containers and candles a “do it yourself” bride and groom can collect these items during the months of preparation for the ceremony and reception instead of renting them from the floral designer/wedding coordinator. Browsing the internet, borrowing from friends, and attending auctions/estate sales are a great way to obtain high quality accessories at a reasonable price. For the flowers, it is always best to talk to a qualified gardener from the area – if you are committed to using native and local flowers, they will be able to give you suggestions on where to find them. One point that I always remind my brides – the price of local vs imported flowers is about the same at certain times of the season – so you may not save money by using locally grown blooms. Talk to your floral designer on the best way to stick within your budget without compromising the overall design.

Beauty and integrity go hand-in-hand with the above concept – the most intriguing part of the design is the fact that it is both romantic, yet practical – the bridal bouquet is feminine, soft, and alluring – and because the flowers are local and fresh cut, they have the staying power to last throughout the wedding and reception – the same for the groom’s boutonniere. The table – elegant with timeless pieces – amber glass and copper, custom linens – and practicality again with freshly cultivated flowers and fruits, make this setting an attractive solution for the couple who wants to combine the romance of matrimonial traditions with modern simplicity.

images above by Mark Davidson

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