Some venues – especially destinations amid waterfront or mountain settings – have so much natural beauty in their landscape that you may only need florals on a more minimalistic scale to enhance the space. Others are a blank canvas, with the versatility to take on your unique vision. In this styled photo shoot captured by Ariel Kaitlin Photography, KatieDid Florals presents a whimsical, garden-like design that the Virginia-based florist is known for.
KatieDid Florals Brings Southern Charm with Local Blooms
Walnut Hill’s open-air chapel and the white walls of its barn offer a fresh canvas and the ability to embrace any color palette while exuding the charm of a country estate.
Floral designer Katie Wright Thomas accentuated each space with the whimsical, garden-like arrangements that are right within her wheelhouse. Katie founded bespoke floral studio KatieDid Florals in 2017, providing her services in southern and central Virginia as well as Raleigh, Durham and Pinehurst in North Carolina.
At Walnut Hill’s open-air chapel, two asymmetrical floral columns by KatieDid mark the altar. Greenery draped along the chapel’s beams and entrance brings an elegant garden feel to the space while accentuating the unique outdoor structure.
“I wanted to create a design that evoked the transition from summer to fall through the use of local, seasonal blooms and timeless wedding flowers,” Katie says. Brightly hued pink and mauve dahlias paired with soft, romantic lisianthus; blush and cream Quicksand and Playa Blanca roses; and ruffled peach David Austin Roald Dahl English Shrub roses from Katie’s personal cutting garden come together in a playful, sweet design. The depth, warmth and dimension that copper amaranthus and textural sedum add to the arrangements hint at the coming of autumn. Katie’s signature loose, organic style results in a lush effect.
The majority of these flowers were sourced locally in North Carolina and Virginia – a foundational element of KatieDid’s operations. “I am passionate about supporting local farmers and growers,” Katie says. “Whenever possible, I source as many of our blooms as I can from local, dedicated flower farms.”
Katie also plans to expand KatieDid’s flower gardens. “I do grow many of my own flowers, and I recently purchased a 1930s historic greenhouse, which I plan to renovate so I can expand our growing operation.”
KatieDid’s romantic creations perfectly complement the ethereal Dora Sasu gown, embellished with floral lace appliques, from White of Raleigh that model – and White of Raleigh bridal stylist – Moira Zipperer wears, along with jewels from Raleigh Diamond Fine Jewelry. Moira’s romantic hair and makeup by Pinup Studio echo the mauve and pink tones of KatieDid’s florals. Moira’s real-life partner, Troy Jones, wears a blue suit and classic black bow tie from Bernard’s Formalwear.
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