Wedding Flowers at 1155 Incline Rd

The floral opportunity at 1155 Incline Rd lies in the tension between its moody, historic interiors and the boundless light of the Tennessee mountains. Successful designs here use high-contrast palettes—whites, creams, and buttery yellows—to pop against the dark wood of the barn and the 1860s farmhouse. This is a venue for organic, garden-style textures that feel as though they were gathered from the surrounding 65 acres of forest.

The Spaces

Main House

The original 1860s farmhouse is a labyrinth of vintage charm, featuring sloped ceilings, patterned wallpaper, and antique wood floors. Because the interior architecture is so visually dense, the floral strategy must be one of restraint.

• What works: Petite, airy arrangements in vintage vessels that look at home on a bedside table or the kitchen island. Use delicate textures like sweet peas, ranunculus, and maidenhair fern to match the lace curtains and antique furniture.
• Skip: Massive, modern installations or heavy “flower walls” that will clash with the historic wallpaper and overwhelm the small rooms.
• Watch out: The lighting in the farmhouse is warm and domestic; avoid muddy or overly dark floral tones that will disappear in the shadows.
• Budget hero move: A lush, trailing garland for the front porch railing to bridge the gap between the white farmhouse exterior and the wooded grounds.

Carriage House Barn

The barn is the structural heart of the property, defined by its grand stone fireplace and exposed wood beams. It is a large, rustic space that can feel cavernous without strategic floral placement to draw the eye.

• What works: Large-scale installations on the stone fireplace. This is the room’s natural focal point. Use “climbing” floral techniques to make the arrangement look like it is growing up the stone. Long-row farm tables benefit from low, textural garlands or “bud vase clusters” that allow the wood grain to show.
• Skip: Short, stumpy centerpieces. The high ceilings and dark walls require either height or significant horizontal spread to feel proportional.
• Watch out: The barn has limited natural light. If you use a dark, moody palette (burgundies, deep purples), the flowers will likely be lost in photos. Stick to high-value, light-reflecting colors.
• Budget hero move: A statement asymmetrical mantle installation on the stone fireplace. It anchors the entire room and serves as the backdrop for both the sweetheart table and the dance floor.

Outdoor Spaces

The grounds are expansive and naturally beautiful, featuring a spring-fed pond and a hillside that looks out over the valley. The terrain is sloped, which dictates the physics of your floral design.

• What works: Ground-anchored “floral nests” or deconstructed arches for the ceremony. These feel more organic to the forest setting than a rigid, four-posted structure. Utilizing the small bridge or the stone well for secondary floral moments creates a cohesive journey for guests.
• Skip: Tall, top-heavy arrangements on pedestals. The wind exposure on the hillside and the uneven grass make these a significant tipping hazard.
• Watch out: The 45-mile view is the venue’s greatest asset. Do not design an arch that is so tall or dense that it cuts off the horizon line in ceremony photos.
• Budget hero move: Ground-level florals at the base of the ceremony site that can be easily repurposed to the front of the fireplace or the sweetheart table after the ceremony.

What Works at 1155 Incline Rd

• High-Contrast Palettes: To combat the dark wood paneling and dim lighting in the Carriage House Barn, prioritize whites, creams, and pale pastels. These tones catch the light and ensure your flowers are visible in photography.
• Organic, Garden-Style Shapes: The venue is surrounded by unmanicured forest. Rigid, spherical, or overly manicured arrangements feel out of place here. Embrace movement, varying heights, and “reaching” branches.
• Fireplace Focal Points: The stone fireplace is the most important architectural feature indoors. Dedicate a significant portion of the budget here to create a “wow” moment that defines the reception.
• Transitional Porch Florals: The front porch of the farmhouse is a major photo location. Garlands or potted floral statements here help transition guests from the outdoor ceremony to the indoor festivities.
• Ground-Anchored Ceremony Designs: Because the ceremony site is sloped and open to the wind, designing low to the ground is both a stylistic and a practical win. It keeps the focus on the couple and the view while remaining structurally sound.

Budget Guide

The character of 1155 Incline Rd is rooted in its history and its height; your floral budget should prioritize the spaces where guests linger longest—the ceremony view and the reception fireplace.

Tips

• Prioritize the fireplace over the beams: While the exposed beams offer rigging points, an installation on the stone fireplace has more visual impact and is easier to repurpose.
• Stabilize for the slope: If you are doing ground-level ceremony florals, ensure your designer uses weighted bases or stakes to account for the hillside incline.
• Contrast is king: Always choose a floral palette at least three shades lighter than you think you need for the barn; dark wood absorbs light and color.
• Repurpose with intention: The ground-level ceremony florals are the easiest items to move; have them placed at the foot of the sweetheart table or the barn entrance post-ceremony.
• Respect the wallpaper: In the farmhouse guest rooms, stick to clean, simple vessels that won’t leak or damage the antique furniture and historic finishes.