Color-drenched Brewery Wedding at The Garden at The Hops

Get ready to fall completely in love with one of the most vibrant, personality-packed weddings we’ve ever designed — the kind of celebration that reminds you weddings don’t need to whisper to feel meaningful. Set at The Garden at The Hops in Derby, Connecticut, this day unfolded like a full-color story: confident, playful, and unmistakably alive. From the very beginning, the goal wasn’t just to create something beautiful — it was to design a wedding that moved, one where energy, emotion, and guest experience mattered just as much as the visual impact.

This celebration leaned unapologetically into bold floral design: coral and hot-pink roses layered with sculptural anthuriums, an ombré carnation ceremony backdrop that quite literally stopped people in their tracks, and reception tables that glowed with candlelight and color as the night unfolded. Add in unexpected moments like a rainbow layer cake and a retro phone-booth guestbook, and the result was a wedding that felt less like a styled shoot and more like the best party you’ve ever attended.

This is what we mean when we talk about beauty with a pulse. Design that isn’t precious or frozen — but lived in, joyful, and deeply personal.

a + s

“When I walked up to the venue for our first look I got my first glimpse at the work Emma and her amazing team created. From the dreamy reflexed roses in the centerpieces to the gorgeous hanging carnations at our ceremony site, Emma absolutely nailed it. My bouquet was even more beautiful than I could imagine…”

bouquet + bouts

Let’s talk bouquets — because this is where the couple’s confidence really came into focus. From the start, we knew personal flowers were going to play a starring role, not as accessories, but as extensions of the overall design language. The palette was bold and saturated, but never chaotic: coral, pink, and red roses layered intentionally with statement anthuriums to create depth, contrast, and movement.

The bridal bouquet was designed to feel expressive and editorial without tipping into “overdone.” Reflexed roses created a lush, open shape, while vivid pink anthuriums added a sculptural edge that felt modern and playful all at once. Cascading phalaenopsis orchids softened the composition, draping naturally and adding a sense of flow — like the bouquet itself was in motion. It was a true showstopper, but one that felt effortless in the bride’s hands rather than overpowering.

Bridesmaids carried complementary bouquets that echoed the same palette and energy, scaled slightly smaller but no less intentional. Each bouquet felt like a variation on a theme — cohesive, but not copy-paste. Texture and color were allowed to shine, reinforcing the idea that bold design doesn’t need rigid symmetry to feel polished.

Boutonnieres were intentionally simple but high-impact. Compact arrangements of spray roses and textural accents were tied neatly, offering a crisp contrast against tailored suits. These small details mattered — proof that personal flowers don’t need to be oversized to hold their own. Every bloom was chosen to reinforce the couple’s confident, joyful approach to design.

ceremony

The ceremony design centered around one unforgettable element: an ombré carnation curtain that transitioned seamlessly from soft blush to bold, fiery magenta. Rows upon rows of carnations created a backdrop that felt both graphic and romantic — modern in its color story, but emotionally grounded in texture and scale.

This installation wasn’t about excess for the sake of drama. It was about intention. Set against the rustic-meets-industrial backdrop of The Garden at The Hops, the carnation curtain softened the architecture while introducing a strong visual rhythm. It framed the couple beautifully without overshadowing the moment, creating a sense of intimacy even within an open, airy space.

What made the ceremony especially powerful was how it felt. Guests were drawn in visually, yes — but more importantly, the design supported the emotional gravity of the vows without feeling staged or static. The backdrop guided the eye forward, grounding the space and allowing the people — not the décor — to take center stage.

This is one of those moments where florals functioned as architecture. Not decoration layered on top, but structure that shaped how the ceremony lived and breathed.

centerpieces

Walking into the reception, the energy shifted — not abruptly, but intentionally. The space was designed to build momentum, transitioning guests from ceremony reflection into full celebration. Table layouts, florals, and lighting all worked together to guide movement and encourage connection rather than create rigid, overly styled moments.

Each table featured bold centerpieces designed to command attention without overwhelming conversation. Red, coral, and hot-pink roses were arranged with sculptural pink anthuriums in fluted glass cylinders, allowing light to pass through while still delivering color and presence. Reflexed roses added fullness and movement, keeping the arrangements feeling fresh and dynamic rather than tight or traditional.

Candlelight played a major role in shaping the mood. Glass votives with gold detailing surrounded each centerpiece, casting a warm, inviting glow that softened the bold palette as evening set in. As the night unfolded, the space felt increasingly intimate — less like a tented reception and more like a curated dinner party that gradually turned into a dance floor.

The sweetheart table was given special attention, without isolating the couple from their guests. Blush-painted anthuriums were used here as sculptural accents, subtly distinguishing the table while tying it seamlessly back to the overall color story. It was a moment of elevation without separation — a detail that felt intentional, not performative.

This reception wasn’t designed for perfect symmetry or stillness. It was designed for laughter, clinking glasses, and movement — the kind of space where guests linger instead of rushing.

details

f the florals set the tone, the details sealed the personality. This wedding was full of thoughtful, playful moments that reflected who the couple is and how they wanted their guests to feel — welcome, entertained, and part of the story.

One of our favorite elements was the retro phone-booth guestbook. Instead of a traditional sign-in, guests stepped inside to leave voicemails for the couple — candid, heartfelt messages that will live on long after the flowers fade. It was nostalgic, interactive, and perfectly aligned with the day’s joyful energy.

Escort cards were designed to resemble hotel room keys, a clever nod to the couple’s love of travel and storytelling. These graphic moments weren’t just cute — they reinforced a cohesive design language, blending typography, color, and concept in a way that felt intentional rather than gimmicky.

And then there was the cake. A rainbow layer cake by Marblemade Cakes brought the color story full circle, delivering one last burst of joy that felt playful, celebratory, and completely on brand for the day. Because sometimes, the best design choice is simply saying yes to fun.

Insider tip: Bold weddings work best when the confidence runs through every layer — florals, paper goods, fashion, and experience. This wedding succeeded because nothing felt like an afterthought. Every decision, from the ceremony installation to the guestbook, reinforced the same story.

the vendor team

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the vendor team *

Photography: Arika Mendenhall | Venue: Garden at The Hops Company | Floral Design: First Blush Weddings + Events

This wedding at The Garden at The Hops was a reminder of why we do what we do. Not to chase perfection, but to create experiences that feel alive — weddings where design supports energy, where florals shape space, and where guests leave talking about how the day felt, not just how it looked.It was bold without being overwhelming, playful without being chaotic, and deeply personal without trying too hard. In other words, everything we believe modern weddings should be.

If you’re dreaming of a color-forward Connecticut wedding — one that prioritizes experience, movement, and intentional design — we’d love to help bring that vision to life. Whether you’re planning a garden celebration, a brewery wedding, or something entirely your own, First Blush Floral Design is here to create florals that don’t just photograph beautifully — they live beautifully, too.