Written By Melissa Reardon
Photographs By Lucy Cuneo
A transplant from Virginia, Weston “Wes” McAfee vividly remembers the first time he saw his future bride-to-be. Charleston native Dana Elaine...
Florist Sonny Sisan sculpted a dramatic floral fountain inside the reception tent of this artful Gibbes Museum wedding.
When Brooklyn-based couple Caroline Brown and Joe Arduini decided to marry in Charleston, the city where they were engaged and his family lives, the Gibbes Museum of Art proved the ideal canvas for an artful autumn reception imbued with romance and an air of nostalgia. Caroline wanted to set a tone that felt moody but also bright and whimsical, and she knew florals would be the key to that end. So the bride hired Sonny Sisan of Floral Studies, who drew up a design concept blending the fresh, energetic, sculptural feel of New York City with the loose, natural look of the Lowcountry—something classic but avant garde. The result was a dazzling display of contrasts: showy blooms set off by soft, textural greenery; delicate blushy pinks punctuated by rich burgundy hues; and a mix of sizes and shapes for added drama and dimension. And the pièce de résistance? A towering “water fountain” of blooms that served as a central focal point. Arranged atop a pedestal and bird bath with locally harvested ferns at its base, a spray of orchids, anthuriums, and amaranth mimicked the energetic beauty of a fountain—that powerful symbol of eternal love.
Florist Sonny Sisan offers tips and tricks for attaining the ultimate romantic aesthetic through flowers
