Botanical Garden Wedding with Glass Ceilings
It’s no secret that greenhouse weddings are, well, kind of my thing. It just so happens that Planterra Conservatory is the queen mother of all greenhouses, complete with the most incredible glass ceilings we’ve seen in a while! Kelly Sweet Photography captured every bit of Melissa and Sean’s lush botanical wedding day.
From the bride, Melissa: Sean and I live in Baltimore, Maryland and got engaged in Ocean City in October 2014. He proposed in the ocean, on one knee, and his exact words were, “Honey, let’s take the plunge!” and then dunked both our bodies under water. He didn’t have a ring at the time, so we walked along the beautiful boardwalk and bought a simple silver claddagh ring to honor Sean’s Irish heritage. A few weeks later, my Grama generously offered us a diamond that her mother had given her — my great grandmother — and together Sean and I bought a beautiful antique-looking setting. Sean’s ring — this huge turquoise and silver thing — is a real treasure. He didn’t want a traditional wedding band, and found something that would suit him better at (of all places!) a pawn shop in downtown Detroit. He was with my dad at the time, and it was a nice bonding experience for the two of them.
Fast forward to November 2014: Sean and I got married in a gorgeous, high-ceilinged greenhouse in West Bloomfield, Michigan, where my parents and family live. The setting was very romantic: lots of lush, organic florals in rich berry hues and long family-style tables for friends and family. My bouquet and chuppah (the traditional Jewish wedding canopy) were made of delicate pale pinks and creams with wild flowy greenery thrown in for balance.
Our ceremony was so special. Sean is Irish Catholic and I’m Jewish, and our Rabbi and Cantor did a wonderful job weaving together our two traditions and backgrounds. I walked down the aisle to an instrumental version of “Falling Slowly” played by a string quartet. Rabbi Yedwab incorporated words and stories that Sean and I had written about each other, so the words felt so intimate and genuine. All our guests feel welcome, and our personalities stood out alongside traditional Jewish prayers and traditions. I remember thinking to myself towards the end of the ceremony, “When will everyone stop talking so I can KISS MY HUSBAND?!” It was a wonderful moment in time. Hopeful and full of love and joy.
After the ceremony guests feasted on specialty cocktails, a simple, rustic menu, and wedding cake from Sweet Heather Anne. Our band, The Persuasion, played a great version of “L-O-V-E” by Nat King Cole for our first dance. Our little cousins, nieces, and nephews wanted in on our first dance, so I picked one of the little flower girls up to dance with us. Sean got jealous and said, ‘You’re my wife and this is our first dance and I’d like you to myself for a few moments.” Ha! The band had the entire crowd of 150 out of their seats and dancing all night. At the end of the evening my bridesmaids and I changed into our street clothes and danced to an iPod. Sean and I felt so incredibly supported and loved and cherished, and will think fondly of our wedding day forever. We’re expecting a baby next year — and the due date is right around our wedding date! Who knows… we may have a little baby bundle to love on our first wedding anniversary!
Love it! So stunning. The best thing about greenhouses is that you never have to worry about the weather.
Wow! Outstanding lighting and floral arrangements, the cake looks amazing, the bridesmaids dresses are so striking and in love with those bridal shoes!
Thanks for the feature! It looks gorgeous!
Wow! Loving the pictures and all the details. Very well done decorations!
Preciosa la foto de los novios con una bicicleta como las bicicletas antiguas que tenemos nosotros para las bodas.
Hi! I love every detail of this wedding so much. I am especially in love with the arch and am trying to emulate it for my own wedding. Could you possibly tell me the types of flowers used in the arch? Specifically, if you could share the name of the white flowers hanging the longest from the top, I would be so grateful!!!