Swedish Midsommar Wedding at Tarrywile
Making final adjustments! Photo by Ed Marshall Photography NYC
With Betsy's Swedish ancestry, she and Steve wished to exchange vows on our summer solstice, or longest day of the year and follow in the tradition of the Swedish Midsommar Festivals, which showcase wonderful collections of wildflowers. Striking blue bachelor buttons, white daisies, and native clovers were key elements of all floral pieces. In Sweden, red anemone would have been used aplenty, but, alas, we were a bit late for those here, even with our cooler spring temperatures. We found excellent substitutes in red dianthus and bee balm, among others.
Floral wreaths are important to the traditional Midsommar celebrations. Betsy's mother, Anna, created an absolutely lovely headwreath for Betsy using Butternut Gardens flowers. What a gorgeous heartfelt gift for the day.
Fabulous colors in the tie and the boutonniere.
Steve's boutonniere carried the same wildflower sentiments as Betsy's floral headwreath. Bachelor Button, Coronation Gold yellow yarrow, white clover, and red Dianthus made for a striking combination. Grass seeds leant a natural feel to the finished boutonniere. How about Steve's tie? Fabulous choice for the occasion. Paired beautifully with the floral color palette.
Such a striking couple! The ceremony and reception both took place at wonderful Tarrywile in Danbury, CT. An absolutely gorgeous wide grape arbor, which allows seating underneath, enclosed the couple and guests as they exchanged vows. Then, it was up to the beautiful mansion for the reception.
Congratulations Betsy and Steve on your special day. Photo by Ed Marshall Photography, NYC.
Loose gatherings of flowers give a natural look to all arrangements.
The Tarrywile Mansion exudes warmth and charm, with its breathtaking veranda, welcoming foyer, multiple cozy dining rooms, and indoor atrium. In following with the Midsommar wildflower theme, cocktail high tops received unique bud vases and votives.
The last of the season's lady's mantle flows softly in all directions. Red hot poker provides a bright highlight.
Wild and wonderful, and stunning against the white table linens.
Table centerpieces pulled together natural and ornamental elements in a pleasing medley of color. Bachelor button remained a focal flower in these dear arrangements. Here, Love-in-the-mist looks like a gorgeous star. White canturbury bells, peachy yarrow, deep blue salvia, yellow tickseed and early zinnias provide quite a burst of celebratory color. Pink clovers provide a wild, wandering exclamation point.
I will always consider a dandelion flower worthy of inclusion.
One last look at the centerpieces, to point out a fun insert, and ask, "Why do we so vehemently object to dandelion flowers?" Can you spot that yellow beauty sitting front and center? Wouldn't change it for anything. I say it looks perfectly dashing nestled amongst the lady's mantle foliage and "backlighted" by a crown of red bee balm. Absolutely perfect!
Congratulations to Betsy and Steve and families. It was a real treat for me to work with you to create your Midsommar Celebration at Tarrywile. As I left the venue, I thought to myself, how wonderful to have every last minute of daylight on this gorgeous evening! What a wonderful day for a wedding." Thank you to Ed Marshall Photography of NYC for sharing beautiful photos of the day. It was also a pleasure to work with Chris Angione of Carriage House Events and Catering to get the flowers and votives just right.