Winter Bridal
Cascading bouquets and pocket boutonnieres on trend for 2025
By LAURA RUBY
The Northern Virginia Daily
While one 2025 trend in wedding flowers is a nod to the past, another is a fresh new take on boutonnieres.
Cascading bridal bouquets and pocket boutonnieres are among the top trends in wedding flowers for this year, according to Katie Bonnet, owner of Fussell Florist on 2nd Street in Front Royal.
“Cascading bouquets were really popular in the 70s and 80s,” said Bonnet, adding that unlike a typical, gathered bouquet, cascading bouquets have trailing flowers that create a waterfall effect.
The trend has grown in popularity over the last two years, she said.
“We’ve noticed that brides have been asking a lot for those. Maybe not as much trailing — maybe just some greens trailing or just a wisp trailing. It feels to us like it’s sort of a nod to their mothers or grandmothers who had that style. They request to have a little cascade is really common,” Bonnet noted.
And for men, the pocket boutonniere — sometimes called the pocket square boutonniere — offers a fuller, more elaborate arrangement for grooms and groomsmen. Attached to a card, it slips into the breast pocket of a suit and doesn’t require pinning like traditional boutonnieres, Bonnet explained.
“It looks like a little garden growing out of the pocket. It’s cute because you can make it ahead of time and just slip it in,” she said, noting that pinned-on
boutonnieres can cause pin pricks and get out of place if not well secured.
“They’re bigger and more elaborate. It’s like a miniature bouquet in his pocket.”
Bonnet said that if couples prefer the classic boutonniere look, they might consider asking their florist to use magnets so that the boutonniere can be attached without pins.
Bonnet, who purchased Fussell Florist in 2021, also advised couples to invest their wedding flower money on the altar arrangements.
“When you focus on the altar, it’s really good for photos. It makes for a beautiful ceremony and you’ve created a really unique landscape for your photographer,” she said.
Bonnet suggested flowers for each aisle to bring color and life to the ceremony — noting that those arrangements can do double duty, serving as table top arrangements for the reception.
Bonnet said that flower budgets for weddings vary wildly, noting that flowers are often more expensive than people expect since they are delicate and perishable.
When working with couples, Bonnet likes to provide a breakdown of flower costs so that they can decide where they’d like to spend their money, and make cuts to save.
Courtesy Photo
Popular in the 1970s and 80s, cascading bouquets are once again a favorite for many brides.
Courtesy Photo
The pocket boutonniere offers a more elaborate, put together look for grooms and groomsmen.
Beautiful brows for a bride’s big day
By ASHLEY MILLER
The Northern Virginia Daily
Laura Stiffler, owner of LS Brow Studio in Mount Jackson, is perfecting the magic of microblading, ensuring that brows look done without any effort on a bride’s big day.
“Microblading is a technique in permanent cosmetics that creates hairlike strokes for your eyebrows,” said Stiffler, a licensed and certified permanent cosmetic tattoo artist. “A microblade itself is comprised of tiny little pins that shape into a blade, but the pins allow for a very delicate and precise hairlike stroke. It’s supposed to mimic your actual hair.”
Microblading ideal for those who don’t have a lot of eyebrow hair to achieving the most natural brow possible.
“It’s about creating those strokes to make it look like you have brows,” she said. “Or for those people who have brow hair, that just want a more defined look. It’s great for both situations.”
Since permanent makeup was first introduced in 2015, it has continued to grow in popularity.
“I’ve had people who have gone through chemo come to me and we’ve been able to build them some beautiful brows or people who have really lovely brow hair, but they kind of want to shape it a little bit better. Or they want more simplicity in their life,” she said.
Stiffler, who opened her business in 2002, often works with clients seeking ways to cut down their beauty routines in the morning. A quick brush of eyebrow gel before walking out the door can save a few minutes.
“When I started, I was very much focused on brows because that’s kind of the gateway I feel like for a lot of permanent cosmetic artists and there’s a lot of information about it,” Stiffler said. “In fact, they have so many cool techniques in the industry. People who
Wedding receptions are the culmination of a lot of planning. Though there may not be any insignificant decisions when planning the postceremony party, some choices will loom larger than others, including which foods will be served. When planning a wedding reception, couples can choose a venue that provides the food, such as a traditional reception center; otherwise, the reception may take place at an outdoor location or a venue that is not equipped to prepare and serve food. In the latter instances, couples will contract with an outside caterer. In both situations certain factors can help determine who to use for reception food services.
Planning
A traditional reception center/catering hall is likely a wise choice for couples who prefer simplicity in wedding day meal planning. These facilities are experts at addressing all of the components that go into a reception. Such venues offer access to a cocktail area and banquet room, and the facility likely has a staff of chefs at the ready to dish up meals. While many reception centers offer restaurantquality offerings,
have had hair loss or a lot of men in particular who maybe have a receding hairline; they can go in with permanent cosmetic makeup and so a simulation of what looks like little hairs.”
With so many methods and techniques saturating the industry, Stiffler said she prides on helping clients find their most naturallooking brow.
“That’s the beauty — you pick the artist that matches what you like best,” she said. “There are different artists for different reasons.”
Stiffler likes a more minimalist, natural look to her brows. She said it’s more appealing in the long term.
“Especially for brides,” she said, adding that she always starts with a consultation, followed by mapping out and then the actual service.
Clients typically return six to eight weeks later for a touch-up.
“I tell everybody I don’t want to see them before a year because they have to wait at least a year for healing,” she explained, noting that there are minor risks related to the procedure and shouldn’t be performed on those under 18 or those who are pregnant, nursing, immune compromised or suffer from a metal allergy.
Stiffler encourages brides to contact her shortly after their engagement to make sure there’s enough time for proper planning and healing.
“When it comes to the actual service, we need to do something that is going to stay very close to their natural brows because on your wedding day you want to look like yourself — just a little bit better.”
Less shock value, more enhancement.
In the spring Stiffler will add a new technique called nano brows, a technique that’s done with a tattoo machine similar to what would be used with a combo brow or a powder brow but will mimic more along the lines of microblading with hair strokes.
“It will be able to reach a larger spectrum of skin types,” she said.
Originally from Baltimore, Maryland, Stiffler and her husband moved to the Shenandoah Valley in 2019. Aside from making brides and clients have beautiful brows, Stiffler said she’s a homebody who loves to spend time with her animals.
“I definitely, in general, live like I think most of my clients like to live, which is I want to be able to get up, put on a couple of layers of mascara and not have to deal with the whole thing,” she said. “A minimalistic lifestyle is where people are kind of headed towards, at least that’s what it feels like.”
Microblading services are $500 and touch ups, between 6 to 12 weeks, are $100.
scouting venues and sampling dishes will provide an idea of how foods taste and help couples narrow down their choices.
Preferences
Some receptions are multi-course events starting from the moment guests arrive and snack on hors d’oeuvres to the dessert display served as a final course. Others are low-key and may not have full sit-down service. If you prefer a cocktail atmosphere only, certain venues may make more sense than others. Identifying how much food to have and the type of service desired can help pinpoint caterers to interview.
Chef access
Having a specific chef or cuisine in mind may
require separating the food from a venue.
Reception centers likely will not allow couples to bring in their own food. Therefore, you will have to find a venue where outside food is possible. Then you can work with a favorite chef for catering services.
Location
Some couples prefer to combine their ceremony and reception at one spot. This may be at a beachside location or in a converted country barn. If this seems like a scenario you are considering, then the venue will take priority and you’ll have to find an outside caterer to service the wedding.
Allergies
Food allergies and intolerances are on the minds of many nowadays. It is
important to be mindful of food restrictions when speaking with caterers. Take careful inventory of workarounds so that every guest at the wedding can be enjoy a safe, delicious meal.
The wedding reception menu is an important variable for engaged couples to consider. A host of factors may come into consideration as couples try to determine how to feed their guests come their wedding day.
LS Brow Studio is located upstairs at 5585 Main St. in Mount Jackson. www.lsbrowstudio.com
HONEYMOONS
Photo courtesy LS Brow Studio
Microblading is a technique in permanent cosmetics that creates hairlike strokes for your eyebrows.
How to create a backup plan for an outdoor wedding
A wedding day is a magical and memorable day for a couple and their family members. Months or even years of planning may go into making a wedding day special.
For some, an outdoor wedding and celebration amid the beauty of nature is the ultimate setting in which to tie the knot. When Mother Nature is your decorator, the setting can be hard to match. Perhaps that’s why 62 percent of couples opted for outdoor nuptials in 2023, according to The Knot 2023 Real Weddings Survey. However, there may be some extra work involved when exchanging vows outdoors, hosting a reception outside or both. That work includes having a contingency plan in place if the weather does not cooperate. Here’s what couples should know about having a backup plan for their outdoor weddings.
• Identify a second location. Couples who book outdoor receptions at catering halls can inquire how they handle inclement weather. Many will have a clause built into the agreement to move the party indoors in the event of bad weather. Others may enable the wedding to move to a different space for an added fee. Smaller, less formal weddings
taking place at other locations may require a bit of ingenuity when looking for a backup space. Perhaps a friend has a large house where everyone can gather, or an employer may have a warehouse, loft or even a barn that can be transformed into unique venues at the last minute?
• Choose outdoor spaces with covered areas. The wish might be to have blue skies overhead, but it’s impossible to control the weather. So it’s safe to select outdoor spaces that offer a measure of weather protection, such as a pavilion in a park or a covered deck at a beachside locale. Such sites offer a little security without detracting from the ambiance.
• Look into a tent rental. A tent is a great investment because it keeps everyone out of the elements rain or shine. Even on a lovely summer day, the blazing sun can make being outdoors uncomfortable. A tent is the solution. Couples should coordinate with a wedding planner or the venue itself to be sure that a tent is allowed on the grounds.
• Think about event insurance. Special event insurance may protect against financial
loss in the event that severe weather throws a wrench into outdoor wedding plans. Poor weather may make moving around the venue treacherous and might force a postponement. Liability and cancellation protection in an insurance policy helps couples avoid financial hardship.
• Hire a wedding planner. The Knot suggests hiring a wedding planner or coordinator who can pivot to plan B in the event of bad weather. This helps take some of the stress off of the couple so they can enjoy the day.
• Plan wardrobe and hair/makeup accordingly. Brides and bridesmaids can choose fabrics for dresses that will be comfortable and not become blown around or see-through due to rain and wind. The wedding party can ask hair stylists to create a wedding hairstyle that is somewhat weatherproof. Experienced makeup artists likely know some tricks to keep makeup looking flawless even when the weather isn’t.
Outdoor weddings can be beautiful events, but it is important to have a backup plan in place in case weather doesn’t cooperate.
Katherine Roper Photography
Franzi Lee Photography Katherine Roper Photography
By TABITHA REEVES
When it comes to saying “I do,” not many couples opt to tie the knot in the
But, if you ask some local wedding businesses, there’s plenty that’s appealing about wintertime nuptials.
Brianna Lauren Photography
Brianna Orndorff of Brianna Lauren Photography captured a winter wedding this January, which was
Monument on the Loudoun Street Mall in Winchester, allowing for a photo shoot on the walking mall
lights still on the trees.
In the United States, just 11% of weddings take place between December and February. Eliminate December from that three-month span and the two months that remain are tied for the least popular to get married, with 3% of weddings happening in each, according to 2023 data from wedding planning company The Knot.
“There’s a lot to be said about a winter wedding,” said Frederick County florist Liz Borst. “I think it’s very romantic, and it’s a nice way to bring families and friends together in months that we might feel isolated.”
For Brianna Orndorff of Front Royal, who has been photographing weddings for 15 years, winter is becoming her favorite season to shoot lately.
Through her business, Brianna Lauren Photography, Orndorff has captured numerous nuptials this January, and her clients’ reasons for picking a winter wedding date range from aesthetics to affordability. Some love the “cozy elegance vibe” of winter or want a particular date for sentimental reasons. Others choose the season for vendor availability and cost, she said.
Winter vibes
Borst, who owns Moonflower Farm near Stephens City, had two winter weddings in 2024. One took place when there was snow on the ground, while the other did not. In both cases, with or without snow, Borst described there being “striking winter landscapes.”
“[Winter] really gives us a beautiful background that we sometimes forget about in the spring, summer and fall,” Borst said. “In the winter, we can see further and we can see deeper into landscapes.”
Colette Hawes, the operations manager at Historic Rosemont Manor near Berryville, recalled a recent Rosemont bride who “spent six months hoping and praying for snow” leading up to her big day. And it actually happened. That resulted in wedding photos at the tucked away Clarke County venue that the woman had dreamed about.
Sometimes, like in the case of prayed-for snow, winter weather works in favor of the happy couple, but not always.
“I always say the weather is an uninvited guest,” Hawes said. “People laugh when I say that, but it truly is, to be honest. And you just have to be flexible and have the best Plan B that you can possibly have.”
That’s another subtle advantage of the cold season, Hawes noted. Because most couples plan to have the ceremony and reception indoors when it’s frigid outside, there’s less concern about rain, snow or shine. No matter which forecast comes to fruition, the set up is already under roof and out of the elements.
The sun setting sooner in winter is a benefit for those dreaming of twinkle lights or a candlelit evening for their reception, Borst added. Plus, Hawes said, there’s room for seasonal themes, wearing furs and having a rich color palette to contrast a dreary season.
The women came to the same conclusion: While the weather outside is frightful, the fire inside can be delightful. Some local venues, such as Rosemont, have a wood-burning fireplace to add
warmth and soft light to a reception.
“People want that elegant dinner under candlelight,” Borst said. “Nothing is better than a fireplace in your wedding venue and adding those natural pine cones and twigs around that. It is really beautiful and it gives it that warm, comfy, cozy feeling.”
Cost benefits
Winter is often considered the most inexpensive time of year to get married. Due largely to having fewer clients and bookings, venues typically offer lower prices, and vendors like photographers and caterers are sometimes willing to give discounts.
For instance, at Rosemont, the most expensive package — called The Jacqueline Kennedy — is $4,000 cheaper during its designated “low season,” which starts in November and goes through March.
Flowers, however, can be pricier, since most cannot be grown locally without having a greenhouse, according to Borst. If the wedding falls near Valentine’s Day, couples can expect to pay roughly 25% more for floral arrangements than they would during spring, summer or fall, Borst said.
Borst’s flower farm peaks in the summer, with sunflowers, zinnias and other hot-season blooms popping up in abundance. Once the chill rolls in, though, she outsources most florals for bouquets, boutonnieres and table centerpieces from a wholesaler near Washington, D.C.
Even without as many locally-sourced stems during the winter months, Borst finds a way to showcase the region’s nature year-round. She collects evergreen branches, red berries and twigs from her property and others nearby.
“That’s my favorite part, bringing in natural greenery that matches this beautiful landscape that we have in the Shenandoah Valley,” Borst said. “And, of course, the added bonus is that they could have that snow-capped mountain behind them.”
To learn more about Historic Rosemont Manor, Brianna Lauren Photography or Moonflower Farm, visit their websites: rosemont1811.com briannalaurenphotography.mypixieset.com moonflowerfarmllc.com
Molly Majher Photography
Stephens City-based Molly Majher Photography captured a couple who had a winter wedding at Rosemont Manor in Clarke County.