A Soft & Romantic August Wedding at Rydges Formosa Auckland
There’s something especially beautiful about a winter wedding — quieter, calmer, and deeply intimate. This August celebration at Rydges Formosa Auckland felt exactly that. Soft light filled the ceremony room, the harbour view sat gently beyond the windows, and every floral detail was designed to bring warmth, romance, and a sense of ease to a mid-winter day.
As an Auckland wedding florist, I’m always mindful of how flowers behave and feel in winter. The goal here wasn’t abundance for the sake of it, but balance — letting each bloom breathe and allowing the space, the couple, and the moment to shine.
The Bridal Bouquet: Soft, Sculptural & Thoughtful
Sarah wanted her bouquet to feel soft and romantic, with a modern edge. She was drawn to a gentle palette of blush and white, beautiful texture, and a natural sense of movement — and she was very clear that she didn’t want any green foliage included. Instead, the focus was entirely on the flowers themselves, creating a clean, refined look that feels both timeless and contemporary.
I find that more and more brides are moving towards flower-only bridal bouquets, favouring a cleaner and more refined look over traditional greenery. By designing Sarah’s bouquet without foliage, the blooms were able to take centre stage, allowing their shapes, tones, and textures to speak for themselves in a way that feels both modern and elegant.
I designed her bouquet using layered premium roses, delicate seasonal blooms, and a soft cascade of white Phalaenopsis orchids. A single blush anthurium was added as a subtle focal point, bringing a sculptural element that felt contemporary while still maintaining softness and femininity.
The groom’s boutonnière was designed to subtly echo the bridal bouquet, using similar tones and floral elements to create a cohesive look across the couple’s florals. Soft white blooms with gentle texture were chosen to sit beautifully against the black tuxedo, keeping the overall feel clean, elegant, and understated.
Ceremony Plinth Arrangements
For the ceremony, Sarah chose a pair of floral plinth arrangements positioned on either side of the aisle. This style was intentionally selected not only for its clean, modern look, but also for its versatility. Designed to frame the ceremony beautifully, the plinth arrangements were later moved and repurposed to style the head table at the reception — allowing the florals to flow seamlessly from ceremony to celebration.
Each arrangement was kept soft and balanced, using the same blush and white palette to maintain consistency throughout the day. Gentle cascading elements added movement and romance, while grounded floral clusters and candlelight at the base brought warmth and intimacy — especially fitting for a winter wedding.
Along the aisle, simple bud vase arrangements were paired with soft candlelight to create a warm and intimate atmosphere for the ceremony. Each vase was filled with delicate blush and white blooms, echoing the overall floral palette without overpowering the space.
After the ceremony, the bud vases along with the candles were thoughtfully moved and repurposed to decorate the guest tables at the reception. This is a beautiful way to make the most of the wedding florals, allowing them to be enjoyed throughout the day while also being a practical way to save on floral styling without compromising on overall impact.
Reception - Floral Magic Reimagined
The head table was styled using the ceremony plinth arrangements, creating a seamless transition from ceremony to celebration. Positioned at either end of the table, the florals framed the couple beautifully, while a low, lush arrangement along the front added softness and depth. Candlelight was layered in to bring warmth and intimacy, especially against the winter light filtering through the windows at Rydges Formosa Auckland.
Cake Flowers
The wedding cake was finished with fresh florals in the same blush and white palette, tying it beautifully into the overall floral story of the day.
Sarah and Sam’s wedding at Rydges Formosa Auckland was a beautiful reminder that thoughtful floral design isn’t about excess, but about intention.
From the soft, flower-only bridal bouquet to the carefully repurposed ceremony and reception florals, every detail was designed to feel cohesive, refined, and deeply personal.
If you’re planning your wedding and looking for an Auckland wedding florist who specialises in bespoke, romantic floral design — especially for winter weddings — I’d love to hear about your vision and help bring it to life.
The Amazing Vendors
Photos by Forever By Diana
Cake by K Cake
Venue at Rydges Formosa Auckland