Whimsical Romance Meets Modern Elegance: A Styled Shoot at The Duke Mansion
This styled shoot at the iconic Duke Mansion in Charlotte, North Carolina, is a love letter to romance, modern whimsy, and just a hint of that effortlessly chic je ne sais quoi the French do so well. From playful pops of color to textural avant-garde floral designs, this is where timeless elegance meets a fresh, bold vibe.
From the whimsical florals to the unique table layout, this styled shoot aimed to bring a fresh perspective to modern wedding design. The creative clustering of round tables, paired with unexpected decor, offered a striking alternative to traditional layouts and allowed for a dynamic floral display that felt both organic and expansive. Every detail, from the playful texture of the flowers to the carefully selected decor elements, came together to create a sophisticated yet fun atmosphere.
the ceremony
For the ceremony backdrop, we wanted to frame the iconic beauty of The Duke Mansion in a way that felt modern yet organic. I chose lush, textural floral meadows that grounded the space with their natural elegance. To embrace a more contemporary ceremony setup, we designed the couple’s placement in the center of the florals, ensuring the blooms weren’t just a backdrop but a focal point of the scene. After all, if you’re going to have gorgeous florals at your ceremony, why hide them? Stand among them and let their beauty surround you! The color palette featured neutral greens, soft ivory, and pops of chocolate brown, coming together to create an arrangement that felt both timeless and effortlessly organic.
the bouquet
This petite bouquet beautifully blended airy elements with a touch of whimsy—a perfect match for a bride who embraces playfulness while staying rooted in timeless sophistication.
The neutral palette of greens and whites set a serene tone, while soft draping orchids added movement. Lotus pods, allium, and poppy pods introduced playful, unexpected textures, and hellebore and sweet pea brought everything together.
the tablescape
For the tablescape, we embraced the trending ‘caterpillar’ table design, a creative layout that clusters round tables together to mimic the look of longer banquet-style tables. This design is a perfect alternative if your venue only offers round tables but you love the aesthetic of a more elongated setup. By pushing the tables together, we were able to create a striking visual effect while giving us more space to play with the floral design, allowing the blooms to spread down the entire length of the table rather than just sitting in the center. This open, flowing design feels expansive and dynamic, and it allowed us to incorporate unexpected decor elements like silver trays holding charcuterie, fresh fruit, garlic, and baguettes. These touches added both texture and whimsy to the table, complementing the organic floral arrangements and creating a vibrant, inviting atmosphere. It’s a playful yet sophisticated setup, perfect for couples looking for a modern take on classic elegance.
If you're drawn to this style of floral artistry, I'd love to help bring your floral vision to life. Let’s collaborate to create floral magic for your special day!
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Vendor Love
Venue: @dukemansion // Florist: @edenrose.florals // Menus: @hannahturnerstudio // Rentals: @curatedeventscharlotte // Photography: @mazzuccophotography // Design + Coordination: @clt.thegatheringco // Models: @abbikiollar // Content Creation: @halohousemedia // Bridal: @lovelybrideclt // HMU: @blissfulmuse.co
