Blue Hydrangeas & Coastal Breeze: A Garden Wedding at Eolia Mansion
Set at Eolia Mansion in Harkness Memorial State Park — one of Connecticut’s most stunning coastal venues — this day delivered a masterclass in how to pull off elegant, garden-inspired florals without feeling stuffy or overdone. It had everything we love: wildly romantic bouquets, apple branches snipped from a local farm, dreamy white roses, and the kind of blue delphinium that makes photographers audibly gasp. The venue itself, with its old-world charm and sweeping views of Long Island Sound, only added to the magic.
The couple wanted the day to feel natural and beautiful — like a perfectly styled garden party that just happened to be on one of the prettiest estates in Connecticut. And that’s exactly what we gave them.
a+d
“Working with Emma and her team was an absolute delight from start to finish. She is an incredibly talented florist who really took our exact floral vision and executed it beyond our wildest dreams! She is a fantastic communicator -- from the first intro phone call to the day before the wedding, she was always available, attentive, and fast to respond. The proposal process was seamless and she is competitively priced for the area. Most importantly - the arrangements were BEAUTIFUL. Everyone at the wedding raved about the arrangements and our bouquets - I could not recommend Emma enough. Your wedding will be 100x more beautiful if you go with her!”
ceremony
The ceremony itself took place at a nearby historic church — understated, charming, and totally aligned with the classic-meets-garden vibe of the day.
We dressed the altar with two statement arrangements: tall, wild, and heavy on the texture. We leaned into classic white and blue florals (hydrangeas, roses, delphinium) and filled them out with greenery that trailed and danced, including more of those apple branches. They sat in vintage-style urns on clean white columns, creating a focal point that felt like an extension of the garden itself.
Nothing here screamed for attention — and that’s what made it so good. It was all about balance, letting the couple shine while quietly surrounding them with natural beauty.
And yes, those florals absolutely got a second act at the reception. Because beautiful things deserve an encore.
bouquets + bouts
Let’s talk about that bouquet.
Loose, lush, and just a little windswept, the bride’s bouquet was a mix of white garden roses, crisp white scabiosa, blue delphinium, and foliage that looked like it had been foraged from the grounds that morning. (It wasn’t. But we did use real apple branches from a local grower, because yes — even your bouquet can be hyperlocal.)
The effect was soft and romantic, but with enough movement to feel alive in her hands. It paired perfectly with her sleek, classic gown — no lace, no embellishment, just a clean silhouette and a confident smile. Her look let the flowers do the talking. And talk they did.
The groom and groomsmen wore boutonnières that nodded to the bouquet without being matchy-matchy. A single scabiosa here, a flicker of delphinium there — the kind of detail that elevates a suit without making it feel fussy.
Fun fact? Those simple white flowers popped like magic in portraits, especially with the cool-toned stone of the mansion behind them. One of the perks of working with a Connecticut wedding florist who thinks about all the elements of design.
Now, we’re not fashion stylists (we stay in our lane — ours is filled with stems and water buckets), but when a couple’s look complements the florals this well, we have to say something.
The bride’s minimalist gown was pure elegance, with clean lines that served as the perfect contrast to her billowy bouquet. Her hair was perfect soft curls, her makeup glowy and natural. She looked like someone who had stepped out of a bridal editorial but was still ready to hit the dance floor.
The bridal party wore a deep navy — a choice we always love for summer weddings. It plays beautifully with white florals and lets any touches of blue pop without getting too matchy. Add in the fur wraps for a bit of texture? Perfection. The groomsmen kept it classic in navy suits and subtle floral bouts. Chic, timeless, and photogenic as hell.
centerpieces
Back at Eolia Mansion, we got to work transforming the reception space into something that felt elegant and intimate — without losing the relaxed garden vibe.
Tables were dressed with a mix of low and medium-height centerpieces, all variations on the day’s soft white-and-blue palette. We used white hydrangea, blue ranunculus, delicate scabiosa, and fluffy garden roses, surrounded by soft, sweeping greens that made everything feel light and loose, not rigid or overdesigned. It was the kind of floral that invites people to lean in, relax, and maybe loosen their tie a little earlier than planned.
The mix of compote vessels and clear glass added dimension without making the room feel too formal. And let’s not forget about the lighting — Eolia is one of those venues that practically begs for candlelight, and we gave it what it wanted. Between the glow of votives, the sparkle of glassware, and the soft florals everywhere you looked, the room felt like a summer evening come to life.
Of course, our ceremony pieces made their way to the sweetheart table, where they framed the couple in soft blooms and made the space feel just as intentional as the rest of the design. It’s one of those floral reuse moments that checks both the budget-conscious and sustainability boxes — and we’re always here for that.
design notes worth stealing
Let’s be honest — not everyone is getting married at a historic estate on the Connecticut shoreline. But good design is portable, and there are a few tricks from this wedding worth stealing no matter your venue.
1. Stick to a narrow color palette.
Blue and white might seem simple, but when you let texture, movement, and scale do the heavy lifting, it doesn’t feel boring — it feels luxe.
2. Use local whenever you can.
The apple branches gave us beautiful shape and movement while also supporting local growers and keeping things a little more sustainable.
3. Reuse with intention.
Those altar pieces were too good to leave behind. With a little planning, they became the highlight of the sweetheart table — and guests were none the wiser.
4. Let your florals breathe.
Overly tight arrangements can feel forced. Let your flowers move, cascade, stretch — especially in a venue with this much air and light.
This wedding was everything a coastal garden wedding should be: airy, elegant, and quietly stunning. The florals weren’t there to shout — they were there to support the beauty that was already happening. That’s the magic of working with a florist who understands that your flowers are part of the story, not the whole show.
From the soft hydrangeas to the windswept delphinium, from the mansion views to the sweet ceremony details, every inch of this day was thoughtful, refined, and full of heart.
Thinking of planning a garden wedding in Connecticut? Dreaming of soft blue hues, timeless design, and florals that feel as good as they look? Whether you're getting married at Eolia Mansion, somewhere coastal, or someplace completely different, we’d love to help.
At First Blush, we don’t just show up with flowers. We show up with vision, strategy, and a deep love for helping your day feel like you — just more fabulous.
Let’s talk flowers. Your Connecticut wedding is calling.
the vendor team
*
the vendor team *
Photography: Katie Slater Photography | Venue: Eolia Mansion at Harkness Memorial State Park | Florals: First Blush Weddings + Events | Catering: A Thyme To Cook