hops bridal inspiration—A beer themed shoot in a brewery

SEPTEMBER

Capturing His Creation | Map Brewing | Plume Bridal |

One of my farmers told me she had hops that were going to be completely gone in few weeks, so we put together this beer-themed shoot in a brewery in a matter of weeks. I used only local flowers to underline the hops vines and lead with texture and drapiness, and after that, I just let all the magic flow. The shoot came from a desire to explore something a little unexpected within myself and the bridal world. I wanted to create florals that felt modern and intentional, but still grounded and organic—nothing overly polished or overly tight. The goal was to let texture, movement, and natural materials do the talking. At the time, I’d done a lot of “traditional” weddings and I really wanted to push myself to work with the materials at hand. Whatever was fresh and in season that the farmer had were my parameters with “neutral” colors as the only constraints. This bouquet was a frontrunner to the current vision of Rowan & Larch. Formative you might say.

Using hops as a design element was a big part of this vision. The hops brought such a beautiful softness and rhythm, and I loved how they added a slightly wild, architectural quality to the bouquet. They’re not traditionally “bridal,” which is exactly why they felt right. I’m always drawn to materials that surprise people a bit, and hops offered a way to create something fresh without feeling trendy for the sake of it. The only problem was that the hops were starting to turn and I was morning sick at the time…which did not go well together. The florals for this shoot were designed to feel loose and effortless, while still being thoughtfully composed. I wasn’t aiming for perfection—I wanted the arrangements to feel like they belonged in the natural world, floating, draping and interacting with the surroundings and movement of the bride. Bridal inspiration can sometimes feel distant or unattainable, and I wanted this to feel more approachable. Something that sparks ideas without telling anyone what their wedding should look like.

What I love most about this gallery is how calm it feels. There’s a quiet confidence in the design and execution, where nothing is fighting for attention. The florals support the overall story instead of overpowering it. They’re meant to complement the gown, the setting, and the moment—not steal the spotlight.

This shoot felt like a reminder of why I love creating wedding florals in the first place—a tapping back into my creative drive. It’s about translating feeling into form, using natural elements to reflect personality and intention. My hope is that this gallery encourages couples to think beyond expectations and lean into what feels true to them, even if it’s a little unconventional.