Emily & Dillon | Bonnet House Museum & Gardens
It is hard not to be completely enamored by the grounds of the Bonnet House. It is a whimsical sand castle and will leave me feeling inspired for quite some time.
The older I get, the more I become inspired by historic properties and their stories. My mom has been dragging me to historic towns, their home tours, and museums my entire life. It wasn’t until recently that I genuinely started to wholly enjoy the experience. The Bonnet House is a place I’ve been enamored by ever since I saw one of my friends in the industry plan a wedding on their grounds. When I received an email from Emily inquiring for florals for her Bonnet House wedding, I squealed a little and texted my mom immediately. Before I knew it, Emily had booked my services and my mom and I were strolling the grounds, learning about the family who built the home and gardens, and becoming more and more enchanted by the whimsical nature the property so easily absorbed and showcased.
I’ve included some photos I took during that tour, with Emily and Dillon’s wedding photos following.
Photography | Chelsea Erwin
Florals and Planning | Port + Palm Co.
Venue | Bonnet House
Catering | Alexander Event Catering
Carly & Niko | Delray Beach, FL
They have the sort of energy you seek out in a life partner. There is a certainty emanating from both of them. They both can’t wipe smiles off their faces when they look at each other, they work hard and respect each other. I mean hell, they somehow survived overhauling their backyard and turning it into their perfect wedding venue. That is true partnership there.
There is something uniquely special about growing up in a small town. Sure, Florida isn’t covered in sprawling cornfields or those usual images that come to mind when you picture a “small town”. But growing up in Delray Beach felt like that. My neighborhood was originally a mango grove, I grew up rollerblading the same 1 mile path to my grandparents’ house and would see at least 10 of my schoolmates while cruising around. My mom saw people she knew from high school in the grocery store on a regular basis, her childhood friend owned the office supply/stationery store that had been in town for almost 100 years. My best friend, Ashley, who I met in high school thanks to our mom’s (former classmates) forcing us together - her best friend in elementary school was Carly. Did you follow that? I barely did. I’ll create a flow chart later.
I had seen both of them go through the ups and downs of serious relationships and serious breakups, mainly because I was close to some of their closest friends. I’d hear about Carly’s through Ashley, I’d hear about Niko’s from the guy I was dating at the time. To see them link up and know that all of that heartache was done felt a bit fairytale like. They have the sort of energy you seek out in a life partner. There is a certainty emanating from both of them. They both can’t wipe smiles off their faces when they look at each other, they work hard and respect each other. I mean hell, they somehow survived overhauling their backyard and turning it into their perfect wedding venue. That is true partnership there.
Carly’s perfected designer’s eye brought every little detail together. She jumped into color, worked with the natural surroundings seemlessly, brought in textures and classic Florida design elements and had a modern but elegant vision for her bouquet that felt so perfectly suited for her. It was the perfect wedding. It was exactly what a wedding should be. A reflection of the couple, a place for family and friends to celebrate and uphold an unbreakable bond, and a damn good dance party.
Photography | Coviello Photo
Floral Design + Coordination | Port + Palm Co.
Catering | Nosh
Band | Girlfriend Material
Rentals | Atlas Event Rental
Taylor & Tyler | Sundy House
Taylor was living in Hawaii but knew she wanted to celebrate in our perfect little hometown, while still pulling elements of Hawaii into her design. Her vision included a variety of florals and greens that would emulate the lush tropical scenery of her current home.
There’s something magical about my hometown. It has a way of pulling me back over and over. This time it was Taylor who helped pull me back in after spending a year away due to the pandemic. Phyllis (my grandmother, a national treasure) had to be protected at all costs. Taylor was living in Hawaii but knew she wanted to celebrate in our perfect little hometown, while still pulling elements of Hawaii into her design. Her vision included a variety of florals and greens that would emulate the lush tropical scenery of her current home. After a visit to a nursery, the flower shop, and my grandma’s backyard- Taylor’s Hawaiian rainforest - with a romantic touch, sprung to life at the historic Sundy House.
Month of Coordination + Floral Design | Port + Palm Co.
Photography | Kirnos Photography
Venue | Sundy House
Clara & John | Domaine Roy & fils, Oregon
Their love is steady and sure, and the love their family shares for them is immense. It was a beautiful night under the stars and amongst the vines.
I visited Domaine Roy during my first trip to Oregon, almost exactly 3 years to the day of Clara and John’s wedding. Being back and being a part of a wedding on their site was something that felt out of reach for a while, but Clara trusted me and pulled me right in. She coped with all the heartbreak and hurdles that come with planning a wedding on the fringe of a pandemic with a level of grace I never would have been able to muster. The process felt a little like a roller coaster, but the day of was anything but that. Their love is steady and sure, and the love their family shares for them is immense. It was a beautiful night under the stars and amongst the vines.
Patricia & John | The Flagler Museum, Palm Beach
The Flagler Museum has been one of my favorite venues since the beginning. Patricia and John dove right into the romantic and regal side of this historic spot. The head table was a showstopper with a lush runner running the length of the table composed of hydrangea, roses, and other garden florals that evoked the elegance of an English garden.
“I am back from my honeymoon and wanted to drop you a quick note to thank you for everything!!! The flowers were all spectacular and just what I had envisioned! I kind of wish the runner was fake so I could take it home and keep it forever on my dining room table. We were all raving about how beautiful the flowers were! It was all so beautiful - my flowers, the bridesmaids, the flower girls…don’t even get me started…between the crowns and the baskets!!!! Oh my… Everything was so perfect and I can’t thank you enough for all the hard work and time that you put into make my day perfect. ”
- Patricia
Patricia & John | The Flagler Museum, Palm Beach
Mary + Spencer are joy bottled up. They illuminate around each other. They look at each other, I mean really look at each other. It isn’t just one of them looking, it is both of them looking at each other with the same, “I can’t believe this is my person” look on their face every single time. During their first dance Mary twirled around the floor as they sang to each other, and I sat on the sidelines weeping like a weirdo. Their love is palpable.
Before scrolling through this gallery any further, do yourself a favor and queue up Mary + Spencer’s first dance song: “I Will Follow You” performed by Toulouse. Got it? Ok great, now a little gush session on these two. There are all kinds of couples in the world. There are serious couples focused on careers and goals. There are playful wander off into the wilderness for years couples. There are some that fall in the middle, some who have known each other since they were five, or those who found each other again after years apart. Regardless of the coupling, it’s those little sparks that ignite two people to choose each other. Mary + Spencer are joy bottled up and it feels electric. They light up around each other. They look at each other, I mean really look at each other. It isn’t just one of them looking, it is both of them looking at each other with the same, “I can’t believe this is my person” look on their face every single time. During their first dance Mary twirled around the floor as they sang to each other, and I sat on the sidelines weeping like a weirdo. Their love is palpable. When I asked Spencer if he was ready right before walking down the aisle all he said to me was, “I’m just so ready to marry her”. Not in a rushed let’s get this over with kind of way. Nope, this was in a way which made you really believe he had been waiting for this moment his whole life - or at least since the moment he had met Mary.
Floral Design + Month of Coordination | Port + Palm Co.
Photography | Erica J Photography
Venue | The Ocean Club of Florida
Tent | Sperry Tents
Rentals | Atlas Event Rental, La Tavola, Perfect Setting
Band | Bay Kings Band
Hair + Makeup | Fiorella + Kate Blake
Cake | Sugar Chef
Stephanie & Cal | Gulf Stream Bath and Tennis Club Wedding
Cal and Steph's wedding marks the 4th time I've been able to design with and for friends and I'm so in love with how everything came together. Cal and Steph wanted something elegant while also being boldly tropical. Their ocean side reception was a little tropical oasis for the evening and the room was quickly filled with plenty of laughs and an electrifying dance party.
I've hit that time in my life where I'm lucky enough to create for friends and for their families. The first few years of business I mostly worked for clients who happened to find me on a vendor list or an internet search, which was amazing and allowed me to meet new people who I still keep in touch with. Cal and Steph's wedding marks the 4th time I've been able to design with and for friends and I'm so in love with how everything came together. Cal and Steph wanted something elegant while also being boldly tropical. For their ceremony we pulled in tropical leaves and more traditional flowers such as hydrangea and calla lilies to line the aisles and adorn an entry arch. When guests arrived at their reception, they were welcomed into a lush tropical affair with vines intertwined in large chandeliers, birds of paradise brightly popping up on tables, and greenery runners sprinkled with bright pops of color and textural florals. Their ocean side reception was a little tropical oasis for the evening and the room was quickly filled with plenty of laughs and an electrifying dance party.
Photography | Chelsea Erwin Photography
Floral Design | Port + Palm Co.
Planning | Sheila Camp Motley Events
Rentals | Atlas Event Rentals
Venue | Gulf Stream Bath and Tennis Club
An Interior Designer's Must-Have Registry Items | Registry
A snapshot of my life a little under 5 years ago: I'm a sophomore in college shoving Nutella covered microwave popcorn in my mouth watching another episode of Barefoot Contessa and vocally disagreeing with her use of capers. It is almost midnight and my roommate, an interior design major, is cutting tiny pieces of paper into various shapes and placing them in a floor plan. She's creating tiny model homes on our dorm room floor, I'm convincing myself I'd be a great Food Network host. Flash forward to this past year, I am engaged trying to start a registry, if not for the pure joy of being handed a scanner gun, but also because it is the easiest way to let your family and friends know exactly what you want and/or need for your next chapter in life. Registries can be daunting, with so many online options and products available, where does one begin? Thank my lucky stars I had my former roommate turned interior designer, Danielle Chase, by my side to fill me in on her must-have registry items so I could create my designer-worthy home.
1. Riedel Wine Glasses ($30-80): Danielle encourages her clients to purchase their everyday wine glasses from IKEA once a year. However, “Riedel is simply the best and it would be a shame not to include these glasses in your registry.” (Photo via@riedelusa)
Interior Designer Tip: Register for at least eight of any glassware. You will want your china and flatware count to match your wine glass count.
2. Luna Marble Bath Decor Set ($35-100): Marble everything FTW. This set is one of Danielle’s a personal favorites: “These bath accessories add the final touch to your at-home spa.”
3. Jaipur/Surya Rugs and Pillows ($40-1,000): These two brands keep up with the trends and are extremely popular in the design world. They are on the more affordable end when it comes to rugs, which is great because rugs can easily become the most expensive piece in a room.
Interior Designer Tip: “A rug holds a lot of power in a design,” Danielle points out, “It is grounding and can add color, pattern and texture to a space.” Ideally, all of the furniture in the room will fit the rug, and not hang over the edges. Add coordinating pillows or poufs to really make the room look seamless.
4. Simply Framed Frames ($75-300): Custom framing can become pricey, so why not enlist a little help from your friends and family? After the big day, you will have more photos than you’ll know what to do with. Having frames on standby will help you get those moments displayed on your walls in no time. (Photo via Simply Framed)
Interior Designer Tip: Order matching frames of different sizes, and BOOM! Your gallery wall is complete.
5. Waterford – Lismore Crystal Collection ($100 – $500): Crystal is like a rite of passage when it comes to weddings, and you cannot beat Waterford. Whether you decide to go the classic route or for something a bit more colorful like these marquis goblets ($50), these pieces will last a lifetime. (Photo via Sylive Gil)
Interior Designer Tip: Do you have glass doors in your kitchen cabinets or china cabinet? Danielle is adamant that, “This is where your Waterford collection should be displayed!”
6. Yves Delorme Bed Linens ($40-$900) This brand offers a fabulous collection of super soft bed and bath linens. You’re married now, so it’s time to nix the sheets you’ve had since college and indulge in these luxurious linens.
7. Nine Space – Throws ($56-144): The Lydia throws by Nine Space are made of bamboo, so they are super soft and environmentally friendly. They’ll be the perfect thing to snuggle up with on your next movie night. (Photo via @shopninespace)
Interior Designer Tip: Throws are great in any room of the house. They add comfort and color to a sofa, bench, chair or bed. Danielle promises you can never have too many.
8. Jonathan Adler Malibu Chair ($1695): This chair is style forward and just the right size for you and your partner to cuddle on.
9. Vietri Flatware ($45-90): Everyone needs a good set of flatware. It’s a registry staple, and for good reason.
Interior Designer Tip: The Aladdin flatware collection is stunning and comes in various colors, complementing any style of China.
10. Hurom Slow Juicer ($300): Hurom makes a powerful juicer that comes with a great warranty. Its slow mastication also allows for the least amount of nutrient loss. “I’m a huge proponent of juicing. It keeps me alert and healthy even during the most hectic days and late nights,” says Danielle.
Now that you know what you need, you must know where to register! Danielle adores the variety of registry items found on Zola.com. They have unique designer pieces and classic staples and allow couples to add items from any other website. Couples can create a completely custom registry experience. Other interior-designer-approved registries include Blueprint Registry and Bloomingdales, and even Target has brought on some pretty stellar designers and stylists (here’s looking at you, Emily Henderson) to build their home collections.
See this and more of my wedding planning tips on Brit + Co!