Venues: St. Joseph Catholic Church, Michigan Shores Club
Photographer: Erin Hoyt Photography

A Classic Green and White Wilmette Wedding

Kathryn and Denis celebrated their elegant summer wedding in Wilmette, Illinois with a romantic ceremony at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and a chic reception at Michigan Shores Club, one of the North Shore’s most beloved venues. Their floral design centered on a classic white and green palette—timeless, fresh, and full of mid August charm.

Lush antique hydrangeas, delicate greenery, and airy white blooms brought a refined garden-inspired feel to both the ceremony and reception. Every detail felt thoughtful and intentional, creating an atmosphere of effortless romance that perfectly suited the couple’s classic style. As bride Kathryn said, “It’s like an English garden… with an edge!”

The Bride’s Luxe Orchid Bouquet

Kathryn carried a stunning white bridal bouquet featuring cascading phalaenopsis orchids, a modern and floral-forward design that felt both timeless and editorial. White garden roses and ornithogalum created soft, layered texture, while minimal light greenery added a touch of natural movement. The bouquet’s asymmetrical shape and monochrome palette highlighted the beauty of each bloom without feeling overly “rounded”—perfect for a North Shore bride seeking a modern-yet-classic wedding look.

Elegant Ceremony Florals at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church

The historic St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Wilmette was the perfect setting for Kathryn and Denis’s vows. Two large statement floral urns framed the altar, overflowing with white delphinium, white hydrangea, antique hydrangea, and trailing greenery. To soften the space, we added delicate aisle florals featuring hydrangea mounds and airy greenery, staggered for a sculptural, garden-like effect.

After the ceremony, these pieces were repurposed for the reception, bringing the church’s romantic atmosphere into the evening celebration at Michigan Shores Club.

A Garden-Inspired Reception at Michigan Shores Club

The Michigan Shores Club ballroom was transformed into a lush, candlelit garden with layered greenery installations and floral centerpieces in varied heights and textures.

Two grand fireplace installations draped in greenery and scattered hydrangea softened the room’s dark stone and added a luxurious indoor/outdoor feel. At the top of the staircase, a statement hydrangea arrangement greeted guests with an instant “wow” moment—a true reflection of the couple’s fresh, romantic aesthetic.

Three Types of Centerpieces for a Layered, Boutique Look

We designed three distinct centerpiece styles to bring visual variety and elegance to the reception tables.

Tall, greenery-forward centerpieces drew the eye upward and grounded the ballroom’s grand scale.
Sculptural, hydrangea-forward tablescapes added an editorial, modern edge.
Footed compote arrangements filled with garden roses, lisianthus, and ranunculus offered a more classic, romantic look.

Mercury glass votives and taper candles in soft tones added layers of candlelight for a warm, glowing ambiance that felt intimate yet sophisticated.

Repurposed Ceremony Florals & Thoughtful Details

We love finding ways to repurpose ceremony flowers to create impact throughout the day. Kathryn and Denis’s aisle florals were reimagined as a lush focal point in front of the band, bringing texture and fullness to the stage area. Altar urns and meadows were later repositioned to enhance the head table, tying the design together seamlessly from ceremony to celebration.

An August Celebration Full of Romance

From Kathryn’s orchid-filled bouquet to the hydrangea-draped fireplaces, every floral detail of this Wilmette wedding reflected the couple’s refined, timeless taste. The result was a day that felt both fresh and classic—an elegant celebration of love surrounded by lush, romantic white and green florals designed to complement the beauty of the North Shore in midsummer.

For couples planning their own Wilmette or Evanston wedding, this celebration is proof that classic design, thoughtful layering, and a few standout installations can transform any venue into something unforgettable.