Some think "pink and red together - no way!" but I'm here to tell you hues of softest pink and boldest red DO go hand in hand. Bride Taylor asked Katalina Florals to provide bouquets and boutonnieres that would look gorgeous when photographed against a deep plum maroon. The answer was a rich, autumnal palette of ivory, pink, burgundy and red, achieved with hydrangea, astilbe, traditional and Fuji mums, garden roses, and protea. Silver dusty miller, pale seeded eucalyptus, and glossy green/velvet brown magnolia greens rounded out the designs.

Taylor and Alan, may all good things come to you (and to your new baby! Congrats!)

You simply cannot beat the clean, relaxing, fresh look of ivory florals and abundant greens. Bride Courtney knew she wanted exactly that when she contracted Katalina Florals. Her favorite blooms ('Playa Blanca' roses, hydrangeas, and blue-eyed anemones) were featured heavily in the bouquets and centerpieces. A non-fussy circular arbor was adorned with ample greenery and dotted with roses, serving as a subtle backdrop to the wedding vows.

Greenery consisted of nandina, aromatic eucalyptus, Israeli ruscus, and camellia foliage. Centerpiece vases were wrapped with aspidistra leaves to hide the stems and mechanics of the piece. The reception venue featured clean white barn walls, a huge dancefloor, exposed wooden beams and lovely side porches for quieter moments.

Lots of thoughtful, tasteful details added up into one gorgeous event. The delicate jewelry, locally made feather bow-ties, special gifts and letters exchanged, handpicked menu of Southern cuisine, a classic car, and so many more elements culminated in a night to remember.

Happy Life, Courtney and Justin!

When Lake City, SC photographer Devon Carsten shared bride Miranda's bridal portfolio with me, my jaw dropped. I was amazed by the variety of backdrops, the intricate details captured, Miranda's elegant yet easeful posture, and the bright clean light filtering through every image. You don't have to take our word for it, but here are our top five suggestions for a Successful Southern Bridal Portrait.

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​Schedule your portraits for the "Golden Hour," aka just before the sun wanes into sunset and there is an romantic, ethereal haze over everything. This makes you look like the tan, glowing angel you are.

Experiment with a variety of poses and scenarios (i.e. leaning against prop, with and without a bouquet, indoors and outdoors, seated, standing, looking directly into the camera as well as towards the distance, at a 45 degree angle, over the shoulder). You only get one shot at these portraits you'll treasure forever, so get in as much variety as you can in the time allotted! If you're wearing a veil or headpiece for the majority of your photo shoot, be sure to grab a few more casual shots of your uncovered hairstyle - literally, let your hair down!

Remember, you don't have to hold your bouquet up in front of your chest. I've been guilty of this time and again - as a bridesmaid in several weddings, I'd get nervous and clutch my bouquet practically under my chin, making me look anxious in photographs. Just let your elbows bend gently at the hipbones and allow the bouquet to tilt forward slightly. This will create the look of a confident, easy breezy bride.

Staircases, docks, tall windows (or any neat architecture, for that matter) are your friend. Scope out your photo shoot venue a few days in advance and get together a short list of features you want to be photographed in front of. This will maximize the time you have with your photo professional and guarantee incredibly dramatic shots!

Smile. Brooding, sultry photos are awesome but don't forget to take some natural shots that capture your warm, funny, un-stuffy side. You may even treasure these more relaxed photos the most!

To say Miracle and Jimmy Rabon have deep agricultural roots is an understatement. Each of these sweet, hard-working farmers come from multi-generational farming families, so it only made sense they would host an idyllic wedding day at their homestead in Loris, SC.

Miracle gravitated towards sunflowers, baby's breath, and pops of wildflower color for her floral palette. Her bridal bouquet featured purple cockscomb, peach roses, orange chrysanthemums, dried lavender, and cheery billy balls, to set it apart from her maids' bouquets, while Viking mum boutonnieres mimicked the look of the sunflowers! The bride and groom incorporated countless personal touches on their wedding day. A "Generations of Love" table honored the adults that helped shape Miracle and Jimmy's lives, while her grandmother's pie safe offered up delicious, locally made cherry pies to wedding guests.

Guests were then ushered to a festive outdoor reception, serving up an incredible menu of Southern soul food, sweet tea, vintage Cokes, biscuit bar and wedding cake. The meal was enjoyed on thoughtfully collected antique China. String lights hung over long farm tables that showcased local white pumpkin centerpieces with colorful arrangements perched on top. How's THAT for a unique container?

Congratulations, Miracle and Jimmy! ​Like a well-planted tree, may your marriage grow and prosper.

​All images courtesy of Loris, SC-based Stephanie Gore
stephaniegorephotography.com

I've known Lindsay and her big, lively, wonderfully inclusive family for years, and I was truly touched when she requested my floral designs for her big day. She and her beau Drew decided on a traditional wedding in his childhood church, which featured stunning windows and a grand organ. After exchanging their vows, guests were invited to relax with a cocktail at a nearby hotel before being chauffeured to breathtaking Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens for a garden chic reception.

An exquisite dinner, tearful toasts, and special first dances were followed with a raucous party. An absolutely delicious buttercream cake was passed, along with coffee and platters of chocolate dipped strawberries. (My kinda wedding!)

Guests were invited to take home potted succulents (for locals and folks in cars) or "grow your own basil" kits (for faraway friends who needed a suitcase-friendly gift for the plane!) One of my favorite aspects of the entire event was when the couple enjoyed a final dance in the ballroom, just the two of them together, while guests prepared sparklers outside. After sharing a kiss in the twinkling lights, Lindsay and Drew were whisked off to their honeymoon in Bermuda. Happy Life, friends!

Photographs thanks to the absurdly talented, Charlotte-based Julia Tinajero
​amorevitaphotos.com

I was smitten with this venue from the jump. When bride Corrie contacted me about furnishing elegant florals for this classic Columbia venue, I was excited! She wed her longtime beau, Phillip, on Memorial Day weekend. Theirs was a truly unique wedding, filled with prayer, laughter, a thunderstorm (that quickly passed, thank goodness!) an appearance by the Clemson tiger, and a gourmet doughnut truck!

Corrie chose a romantic palette of peach carnations, white hydrangeas, hypericum berries and eucalyptus. Wired succulents added a blue-grey note and cheery magenta celosia gave the bouquets a fun pop of color!

What an honor it was to create the floral elements for this special day.
Congratulations Corrie and Phillip - Happy Life!

All photos used with permission from the gracious, Mauldin, SC-based Jessi Nichols
jessinichols.com

When my dear friend and coworker Leanne asked me to provide the florals for her mother Maria's November wedding, I was honored! The catch? The nuptials would be held at the groom's pepper plantation in South Florida and there was no way I could deliver in person. The solution? Preserved florals, succulents and sturdy magnolia foliage (which holds up, unhydrated, for weeks after cutting!)

Maria was excited about the idea, as it would fit the wedding's casual rustic motif. I selected wheat, millet, cotton, purple strawflower, rosy amaranth, craspedia balls, sola flowers and gold skeleton leaves.

The ceremony was intimate with only immediate family and close friends in attendance. The bride and groom elected not to have attendants, but chose bouquets and wristlets for the daughters and boutonnieres for the sons (and handsome little grandson!) 

The stage was set! The groom chose to create a rustic altar backdrop with hay bales, perfectly fitting for a farm wedding. Magnolia, wheat and cotton arrangements perched on top!

​Congratulations, Maria and Lynn - The best is yet to come!

Photos kindly permitted by South Florida-based phenom Shaye Babb
shayebabbphotography.com

Deciding to go into the floral industry was easy; I'd been obsessing over flowers my entire adult life. The difficult part was deciding on a company name! After brainstorming dozens of ideas, I was struck with Katalina. This was the pet name my mom would call me when I was a child and it brings me happy memories of that house, garden, and season of my life.