The Garden Party of Our Dreams (with Color to Match the Energy)
Picture this: a July afternoon at Smith Farm Gardens, sunlight spilling through the trees, and the air humming with the scent of flowers and laughter. Beneath a billowing sailcloth tent, guests clinked glasses while vibrant florals swayed in the breeze—a scene that felt plucked from a modern garden fairy tale.
For this full-service Connecticut wedding, we leaned all the way into summer’s color story. Think butter-yellow garden roses, coral and fuchsia dahlias, peach and apricot-orange roses, magenta sweet peas, golden zinnias, and the perfect pop of blue delphinium. Each bloom was hand-selected for its personality—cheerful, bold, unapologetically fun. The goal? To create a design that felt like a love letter to the season itself: warm, joyful, and entirely alive.
Smith Farm Gardens’ rolling lawns and historic charm made the ideal backdrop for this kind of floral maximalism. The venue is pure New England magic—expansive green space, a timeless white farmhouse, and gardens that seem to stretch right into the horizon. It’s the sort of place where flowers don’t just decorate; they belong.
bouquets + bouts
Every wedding has a floral muse, and this bride was ours. She envisioned something bright but refined, garden-inspired yet couture. Her bridal bouquet was a cascade of color and texture: coral and fuchsia dahlias, butter-yellow garden roses, magenta sweet peas, raspberry scabiosa, apricot spray roses, and a few locally grown echinacea for that perfectly untamed edge. Soft blue delphinium threaded through the bouquet like sky peeking between clouds—a subtle nod to the summer day itself.
Each bloom was nestled in local foliage sourced from Connecticut flower farms—a sustainable touch that gives every First Blush bouquet its signature, slightly wild elegance. The scent alone could have stopped traffic: a mix of rose petals, sweet pea, and the faint spice of dahlia leaves warmed by the sun.
The bridesmaids carried smaller, hand-tied arrangements that echoed the main bouquet’s palette—peach, coral, and sunny yellow blooms with hints of delphinium and zinnia—creating a cohesive yet individual look for each attendant.
The boutonnieres and corsages stayed true to the theme: miniature ranunculus and scabiosa blooms accented with delicate greenery, small but statement-making. Even the flower girl carried a petite bundle of locally grown zinnias that looked freshly picked from the farm.
Every piece was designed foam-free and fully compostable because sustainability isn’t just a trend for us—it’s a core part of how we design. Beautiful flowers should feel good in every sense of the word.
fashion + things to note
We’d be remiss not to mention the fashion moment that perfectly complemented all that color. The bride’s off-the-shoulder gown was timeless and elegant—a perfect canvas for her vibrant bouquet. Her mother’s floral dress echoed the palette of the day in painterly pinks and corals (we love a coordinated moment). The wedding party’s mix of modern suiting and colorful attire felt fresh, fun, and photogenic.
From a design perspective, this event nailed the balance between sophistication and playfulness. The florals were bold, but the styling kept everything chic. The sailcloth tent added an airy, coastal feel, while the historic farmhouse and manicured gardens grounded the look in timeless New England romance.
ceremony
And then—that aisle.
If there was one moment that stole the show, it was the planted ombré aisle meadow. Starting in soft butter-yellow blooms and fading through peach, coral, and bright pink before ending in deep, velvety fuchsia, the design looked as though color itself was blooming from the ground up. Each section melted seamlessly into the next, creating the illusion of a living rainbow growing straight out of the grass.
We used an eclectic mix of dahlias, garden roses, zinnias, cosmos, butterfly ranunculus, scabiosa, echinacea, and sweet pea, accented by local greenery and textural foliage. Every stem was placed intentionally to maintain that soft, “grown-not-arranged” look—our signature First Blush garden style.
The aisle led directly to Smith Farm Gardens’ existing floral arch hedge, already lush with greenery and climbing blooms. We added bursts of magenta blossoms woven into the structure, creating a natural continuation of the ombré journey. The result was both organic and theatrical—a floral crescendo worthy of the moment two people say I do.
When the bride stepped onto the lawn, bouquet in hand, framed by her parents and surrounded by color, you could hear a collective inhale from the guests. It was one of those rare design moments that felt both effortless and epic.
After the ceremony, our team swooped in to work our favorite kind of magic—repurposing. The aisle meadow and arch florals were carefully moved to frame the band stage and bar area for the reception, ensuring every single bloom continued its starring role well into the night. Sustainability with style: that’s the First Blush promise.
dinner + dancing
As the sun dipped behind the trees and the sailcloth tent began to glow from within, guests found their seats at tables dressed in low compote centerpieces bursting with color. Each vessel held its own miniature garden: butter-yellow roses, apricot spray roses, coral dahlias, magenta sweet peas, golden zinnias, blue delphinium, and raspberry scabiosa, balanced with fresh greenery and a touch of whimsy.
The effect was lush yet breathable—abundance without clutter. The bright tones contrasted beautifully against soft neutral linens, making every table feel alive. Between the arrangements, we added clusters of bud vases—tiny pops of color in amber glass and clear cylinders—to create rhythm and movement along each table.
At the head table, romance reigned. Soft pink taper candles flickered among an artful mix of bud vases and loose petals, giving the long table a glow that felt straight out of a European garden party. The combination of candlelight and floral color created depth and dimension under the tent, transforming the space into something truly cinematic.
And because this was a full-service wedding, our team didn’t stop at flowers. We styled every element—the place settings, linen folds, and candle placement—to ensure the design felt cohesive from every angle. It’s the difference between “pretty flowers” and “a full-sensory experience,” and it’s what we love most about our work.
The repurposed ceremony blooms found their second life as vibrant band-front installations and bar accents, tying the whole event together. Guests sipped cocktails framed by florals they’d admired during the vows—a subtle continuity that makes a celebration feel intentional and elevated.
By the time the dancing started, the tent glowed with golden light, laughter, and color—proof that thoughtful design can turn a field into pure magic.
A few First Blush takeaways for couples dreaming of their own color-forward wedding:
Don’t fear bright hues—when used intentionally, they feel joyful, not overwhelming.
Mix local blooms with luxe imports for texture and depth.
Repurpose ceremony florals to stretch both your budget and sustainability impact.
Layer candles and bud vases for natural movement across long tables.
And always, always trust your floral designer when they say, “Let’s go brighter.”
This wedding proves that color, when done thoughtfully, can feel just as elegant as an all-white palette—maybe even more so.
At First Blush Floral Design + Event Planning, we live for weddings like this one—where intentional design, natural beauty, and pure joy collide. From the ombré garden aisle to the glowing head table, every detail at Smith Farm Gardens was crafted to celebrate love in full color.
If you’re planning your own celebration and dreaming of eco-friendly wedding flowers, Connecticut wedding florals, or a floral designer who can transform your venue into living art, we’d love to chat. Whether it’s a cozy coastal affair or a bold summer garden party, we’ll help you tell your story—one stem, one candle, one perfect detail at a time.
Because at the end of the day, flowers shouldn’t just look beautiful—they should feel like you.
the vendor team
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the vendor team *
Photography: Jennifer Nichole + Co Photography | Venue: Smith Farm Gardens | Planning + Coordination: Rachael Mary Weddings | Catering: Catering by Christine | Band: Silver Arrow Band | Dress: The White Dress | Hair + Makeup: Larissa Lake + Co | Lighting: EZ Occasions | Floral Design: + Event Management: First Blush Weddings + Events