A Stunning Hudson Valley Wedding at The Garrison
Photography by Arika Mendenhall
Hudson Valley wedding at the garrison in Late November
There are some weddings that feel especially meaningful to design, and this stunning Hudson valley wedding at The Garrison was one of them. Set against the sweeping mountain views in the Hudson valley on November 21, the day carried a quiet, romantic atmosphere that perfectly reflected the season — soft light, crisp air, and a landscape transitioning into late fall.
This wedding was particularly personal for me- the bride is one of my closest friends. being entrusted to design the florals for such a meaningful celebration in a place I know and love made the creative process especially moving. I designed the full floral experience for this November weddung at The Garrison, from personal flowers and ceremony installations to thoughtfully repurposed reception arrangements.
The overall floral aesthetic centered on softness and restraint: a refined white and neutral palette, layered textures, and organic movement that complemented the surrounding scenery and the couple.
Photography by Arika Mendenhall
About The Garrison as a Hudson Valley Wedding Venue
Located only an hour from Manhattan, The Garrison is an ideal venue for couples who want the convenience of the city while still being surrounded by the mountains and natural beauty of the Hudson Valley. The outdoor ceremony lawn provides panoramic views and overlooks the rolling landscape, creating a naturally dramatic backdrop. Something I personally find to be so special about The Garrison is that, even from the inside, the views are unmissable. The elegant indoor spaces feature large windows that let in so much light, regardless of the season, and allow you to take in the breathtaking views from wherever you are.
Photography by Arika Mendenhall
The Floral Vision: A Soft White & Neutral Palette
From the beginning, the bride expressed a love for white florals and a soft, neutral aesthetic. Instead of leaning into heavier autumn tones often associated with November weddings, the vision focused on timeless elegance with a seasonal sensibility.
To honor that request, I designed a palette of creamy whites, soft neutrals, and delicate textural blooms. Since we didn’t want this design to feel greenery- heavy, I kept the foliage minimal, layering it beneath the flowers to provide movement. The goal was not a stark or minimal look, but rather a romantic and garden-inspired interpretation of an all-white palette that reflected the transition of late fall in the Hudson Valley to winter.
This approach allowed the florals to feel refined and cohesive while harmonizing beautifully with the moody landscape and mountain backdrop present at The Garrison in late November.
Photography by Arika Mendenhall
The Bridal Bouquet: A Personal and Intentional Design Moment
Delivering the bridal bouquet was by far one of the most special moments of the day. Knowing the bride personally gave me a deep understanding of her style, which leaned toward romantic, timeless, and understated rather than overly structured or trendy.
The bridal bouquet featured soft, layered blooms in a natural, organic shape, with gentle movement and texture that complemented her Delicate, Draping, gown effortlessly. Against the muted late fall scenery, the white florals felt luminous and elegant without appearing overly seasonal or heavy.
When she first saw her bouquet, she told me it was even more beautiful than she had imagined — a moment that felt especially significant to me, not only as a florist, but as a close friend entrusted with such an important part of her wedding day. It was an emotional moment for both of us- one I will always remember. Arika, the ever-talented photographer, captured the moment beautifully, as seen in the photo below.
Designing Outdoor Ceremony Florals at The Garrison
The ceremony took place outdoors in the Ceremony Garden overlooking the Hudson Valley mountains, making intentional floral placement essential. With such a breathtaking natural backdrop, the design needed to frame the space rather than compete with it.
The statement ceremony arch, or pergola, is constructed of interwoven bittersweet vines and can be left natural or decorated. In this case, we opted to leave it natural and instead designed pedestal arrangements to provide height and structure while still feeling airy and organic. Grounded aisle arrangements added softness and romance to the ceremony space while maintaining a cohesive visual flow throughout the aisle. Designing these movable pieces also allowed me to repurpose them for the reception for a truly stunning sweetheart table. (Photos to come.)
Because outdoor ceremonies here can be influenced by wind and open-air conditions, designing florals for a wedding at The Garrison requires both creative sensitivity and logistical planning. Outdoor installations must account for scale, wind, and sight-lines, while still aligning with the venue’s architectural features and natural surroundings. Each piece was thoughtfully secured and designed with both aesthetics and environment in mind.
The result was a ceremony setting that felt elevated, romantic, and deeply connected to the Hudson Valley scenery.
The Garrison in Late November
THE RIVER ROOM RECEPTION
To create a cohesive floral experience from ceremony to reception, I intentionally repurposed key ceremony arrangements into the reception space, allowing the soft, neutral palette to flow seamlessly throughout the entire wedding day. (Photos coming soon)
Tips for Getting Married at The Garrison
As beautiful as the Garrison’s outdoor ceremony space is, the reality is that the elements can add a level of unpredictability so planning and preparing with this in mind is a must. For their wedding, the bride and groom provided a blanket on the chair of each guest, which was a thoughtful and practical detail. Such small, thoughtful details for guest comfort can significantly enhance the overall experience while also contributing to the visual design.
Here are a few ideas when planning your wedding at The Garrison:
-For late fall and winter weddings, offering lightweight blankets or shawls draped over the backs of ceremony chairs can add both warmth and an inviting, intentional touch to the setting.
-In warmer months, parasols, hand fans, or small ceremony programs placed on each chair can provide relief from direct sun while also serving as a functional design element.
-During early spring or breezier days, pashminas or light wraps can create a more comfortable experience for guests without distracting from the ceremony design.
These subtle additions enhance both the guest experience and the overall aesthetic, allowing the outdoor ceremony to feel as comfortable as it is beautiful.
Creative Team
This wedding came together with the support of a wonderful team of vendors who helped the day feel calm, seamless, and beautifully cohesive at The Garrison. From the soft late fall light captured throughout the day to the relaxed and joyful atmosphere of the celebration, each element felt thoughtfully documented and well cared for.
The photo booth in particular captured the reception in such a candid and genuine way, preserving the energy of the evening and the moments guests shared together as the celebration unfolded.
Venue: The Garrison
Florals: Fleur & Forage
Photographer: Arika Mendenhall
Hair: Laura Almaguer
Makeup: Merve Celentano
Photo Booth: photoPOP!
If you’re planning a wedding at The Garrison or elsewhere in the Hudson Valley, you can explore more about my floral design services and approach on my services page.
