By Kat Castagnoli, AIFD, CCF

For better or worse, 2020 profoundly changed the landscape of the wedding industry. But if there’s one thing last year has shown us, it’s that love doesn’t stop for a worldwide pandemic – and neither do florists. For over two decades, Florists’ Review Magazine has proudly showcased the stunning design work of hundreds of talented designers, and 2020 was no different.

While COVID-19 forced many to scale down their nuptials, it certainly didn’t hinder the level of creativity and innovation seen in so many gorgeous bouquets and wearable flowers, not to mention lavish arch pieces, centerpieces and installations.

We asked you to show us how you brought color, joy and beauty to couples for our 22^nd annual Picture-Perfect Wedding Contest – and boy, did you deliver! From a stunning smilax installation and ghoulishly gorgeous Halloween reception to a bright and joyful cascade bouquet and over-the-top floral wedding, congratulations to the following designers who wowed us in 2020.

When you’re Tim Farrell, AIFD, AAF, PFCI, of Farrell’s Florist in Drexel Hill, PA, and your daughter is getting married, COVID-19 or not – you go all out on the flowers. This classically romantic – and oh so very floral! – wedding in early October was originally planned indoors for more than 300 people, according to Farrell.

But because of the pandemic, a church ceremony and reception of about 100 was moved to the outdoor terrace of the Radnor Valley Country Club in Villanova.

For this classically romantic – and very floral – wedding, the bride wore a timeless, off-the-shoulder, A-line gown and carried a full bouquet of pale pink peonies, Sahara roses, Patience garden roses and astilbe with silver dollar and gunni eucalyptus. Her bridesmaids, all in blush gowns of varying styles, carried similar bouquets accented with mint succulents, while her groom wore a navy suit with a blush tie.

The couple married at St. Dorothy Roman Catholic Church in Drexel Hill in an intimate ceremony where Farrell left no detail to chance. Square door frames were lushly decorated both inside and out of the church in Italian and variegated ruscus, white snowberry, roses, white campanula, peonies and lisianthus, accented with hanging white wisteria. Soft gunni and silver dollar eucalyptus, white roses, hydrangea, hybrid white delphinium and lisianthus decorated each individual candle stand, as well as the two overflowing silver urns on the wedding altar itself.

Even the tall white floral pieces flanking the aisle – as well as the house crests of both the bride and groom, Farrell and Coleman, respectively – were designed as a clever way to keep every other pew empty in the church to allow for social distancing, according to Farrell.

The lavish floral details continued at the reception. A magnificent escort card table awaited the 16 attendants and 100 guests, featuring a large gold urn atop a marbled column overflowing with hybrid white delphinium, blush roses, silver dollar eucalyptus and flowing white phalaenopsis orchids, also from which a flowing garland of similar flowers lushly wound around the column and down to the table.

Gold footed centerpieces, both high and low, featured hanging crystals, white phalaenopsis orchid blooms, and more white and blush florals with eucalyptus accents. For the sweethearts, a white floral wall served as a backdrop, accented with pink spray roses, while a heavy white and blush floral garland decorated the couple’s table for two.

An airy, industrial feel warmed by planks of weathered wood at The Turnbull Building in downtown Chattanooga, TN., provided the ideal canvas for the ivory, bronze, peach and brown toned florals that Cleveland-based Flowers by Tami brought to this winning ceremony. Owner Tami McAllister played up the warmth of the wooden beams, burnished tones, and even the bride’s reddish locks, with her draping, asymmetrical arch of pampas grass, silver dollar eucalyptus, Italian ruscus, magnolia leaf, cappuccino, blush and ivory roses, scabiosa pods and delicate champagne mini lisianthus, highlighted with natural manzanita branches.

Planner Rebecca Ellington of An Ellington Event further set the scene of this early June ceremony by placing McAllister’s accompanying floral piece on the floor just behind the bride and groom at their arch, essentially framing them perfectly for their audience of 120 guests. Lining the aisle were garlands of leather leaf and silver dollar eucalyptus with the merest touch of ivory pampas grass. Trailing vines of greenery falling from the upper corners of the wooden beams and natural lighting accentuated the overall warmth of the space.