SHABBY CHIC

Lately many brides have told me that they want to decorate their weddings in the “Shabby Chic” style. This is a pretty, romantic style that evokes a “lived in” feel elevated with beautiful and sometimes slightly weathered vessels and props. A hallmark of this style is to utilize not just one, but sometimes an eclectic array of vessels for your centerpieces such as garden urns or groupings of mason jars, tea tins, mercury glass vases, etc. Oftentimes, there are assorted props incorporated as well. For example, an arrangement in a garden urn could be placed on a stack of old books or perhaps would have Ivy cascading down and then wrapped around an antique statue. The color palette can be varied, but is usually a pleasant combination of White, Ivory, Dusty Rose, Mauve and Blush. In the arrangements, “Silvery” greens, like Artemisia and Seeded Eucalyptus or even Succulents are nice additions and enhance the sense of agedness.

One common misconception with this look is that it can be done inexpensively. To begin, collecting various vessels and props – your florist might have some – is time consuming and an obvious expense. Perhaps you have some pieces, maybe heirlooms, that you would like to use. I would strongly warn against it, as delicate, sentimental things can get broken or lost at an event. Consider that centerpiece vignettes with multiple arrangements and props means perhaps more flowers utilized and definitely more time spent decorating. This means higher costs. Even when there are fewer flowers in smaller vessels, there are still often multiples on each table or display. Also the flowers that define this look are more high-end flowers, and therefor more costly – Roses, Garden Roses, Peonies, Hydrangea, Ranunculus.

But aside from the expenses and efforts, “Shabby Chic” is a lovely look for a wedding. The charming romanticism and playful whimsy make for attractive and visually interesting decoration. And, of course, the usual soft color palette lends itself well for weddings. It is a creative way to acknowledge things past while looking to your bright, new future together. So I say, in with the old!