A Wedding That Proves Once and for All That Sourcing Your Florals Locally Is the Only Way to Go

Melissa Baran
June 26, 2019
Categories: Photo Shoot, The Blog, Wedding Style

I love seeing varying takes on garden-style weddings and today’s slice of inspiration from Events By Sorrell, Emily Herzig Floral Studio and Kate Preftakes makes the rural Vermont countryside look like an absolute dream. From the Bride styled by Gabrielle Hurwitz donning Jenny Yoo and Bella Belle to the colorful tabletop, the New England scenery is transformed into a slightly whimsical, totally romantic atmosphere.

North Mowing is a 230-acre estate in Springfield, Vermont. The property’s nine buildings are arranged on a series of stone terraces which take advantage of expansive views of rural hayfields, Mt. Ascutney, and the Connecticut River Valley. The landscaping and gardens were created by Ellen Biddle Shipman, a Harvard trained landscape architect, who also designed St. Gauden’s gardens in New Hampshire. Known for her lush planting style, she also famously incorporated stone structural elements in both locations. Shipman was one of the first women to break into the largely-male field of landscape design, opening a New York-based office which exclusively employed women in the 1920s and designing most of her work for women.

To pay homage to Shipman, this photo shoot combined the traditional elegance of the landscape with Shipman’s penchant for whimsy. She pushed the boundaries of her time, and her genius is evident at North Mowing. Her ability to juxtapose colors and textures, to combine stoicism with playfulness, and to incorporate artistry into luxury is preserved in these gardens, which represent one of only a few original designs that have survived to this day.

Emily Herzig worked with the colors found all around the property and created a palette that complimented the peaches, blues and yellows. She sourced amazing flowers from local flower farms to create the most gorgeous florals. Her cascading bridal bouquet worked perfectly with the bride’s Jenny Yoo gown and the groom’s boutonniere used Lily of the Valley which was growing all around the property. She and her team decorated a vintage blue VW bus and installed a hanging floral piece above the bar. From Emily: “The Ellen Biddle Shipman inspired table design included Sarah Bernhard peonies, NH grown geranium, and butterfly ranunculus foraged lilac, jasmine vine and “Toffee” roses. The velvet linens and pink terracotta centerpiece containers anchored this display with honor and integrity, a respectful nod to the precise planning that has taken place here for decades!”

Sorrell Downing designed the lush table beginning with velvet La Tavola tablecloths and velvet napkins. She layered cheerful plates, hand dipped beeswax candles on modern gold candlesticks, and water hyacinth woven round placemats. Water hyacinth weave was also incorporated into the rattan chairs. The pink colors carried through with gold rim glassware and pink and gold modern flatware.

Jaime from Autumn Nomad used the historic painted pastel fresco on the property as inspiration for her hand painted cakes and macaroons. She used painted buttercream, the same way an artist would create a painting.

North Mowing will be hosting a limited number of exclusive weddings on their property and our team jumped at the chance to photograph a styled shoot there! The rock walls, historic painted murals, and grand vistas make this property a perfect background for a lush garden party wedding. Sorrell from Events by Sorrell, Emily from Emily Herzig Floral Design and Kate from Kate Preftakes Photography got together and began designing an elegant and whimsical shoot for the property.