What first began as a bridal shower inspired by a boho dessert rose garden, quickly transported us to desert-like mountain gardens of Greece once bride to be, Sandy saw Elia’s lovely room — a simple, airy space but with a stunning climbing bougainvillea, rich in pink magenta hues that had taken over the ceiling. That beautiful simple but grand statement of colorful nature, so synonymous of Green gardens, mixed in with a prominent and distinctly blue Greek painting hanging the room…our vision pivoted to reflect a more refined Mediterranean take on the boho desert garden….
Our main focus was to play alongside Elia’s bright but modern Greek design aesthetic. {Btw the outdoor draped seating area they created was just beautiful, it really made you feel you were in on a Med beach, and I was just passing by, can’t wait to try it out personally next season}. And I was going to do that by incorporating different natural textures and colors, likes stones, terracottas, and dried stems, like the always whimsical and striking Sunpalms and Bunny Tails.
We took a bit from the look of US deserts and European gardens, adding in mixed Cacti and Succulents which is a big love of Sandy’s. Along with bringing more depth to the tablescape, these potted greens served as each lady’s favor to then take home.
With the room itself being mostly white, the splash of color from the bougainvillea was certainly a splash, and our original floral design was more subdued in color. So nestled in small ceramic dishes I created an organic floral blend of blushy sand colored Quicksand Roses, Peachy Simmer Roses, White Ranunculus, peachy cream Carnations, white Chrysanthemum mixed with Sunpalms, Wheat Pampas and Bunny Tails. To blend the centerpieces with the room’s aesthetic, we added in magenta Wax Flower that was just the right touch of color the tables needed to pop.
The florals we’re all about textures and colors, and so were all the other details placed atop each table. Each place setting was styled on woven rattan placemats, these days they’re the ultimate boho detail aren’t they? Cheesecloth linen has that organic flow and feel of nature, especially the lightness needed for a desert look. To compliment the sheer dusty rose colored runner, we paired them with blushy peach cotton napkins tied into a knot — because that’s the cool thing to do 😉
Another design change were the table numbers, which now became the only other rich blue element in the room; it’s a detail very much Greek/Mediterranean inspired and not truly desert. These Greek design inspired tiles were custom made and hand painted, it’s something I’ve actually done in the past for other events, as well as gifts and for home decor pieces. It’s a small detail but one that can be completely customized to fit your design vision, but more importantly a great way to showcase your personality.
Minimalist clay taper holders with varying dusty rose and blush colored candles added that perfect cozy touch, even if it was a warm late June afternoon.
Since we were limited on space in the room, and to keep things as safe as possible for the small group of guests — games and activities were kept to ones they could do at their tables. Custom designed activity cards and game sheets, matched each favor tag and were inspired by Sandy’s Bridal Shower invitation.
Sometimes bridal shower games can become repetitive, so we went with classic and easy to play games, written in both English and Portuguese, including “Would She Rather?” and “Who Knows the Couple Best?” Prior to arriving, guests were asked on their invitations to come prepared with a Recipe to share with the married couple, which they then wrote onto cards atop their tables.
But I’ve been talking about all the details and I’ve yet to mention one of the elements first seen by Sandy and her loved ones — one of which has become a favorite styling of mine! This unique and beautiful Seating Chart display was created with various vintage and upcycled jugs in colored glass, stone and clay textures, which were the perfect blank slate for calligraphy table lists. With space limited, our small table was styled with stone painted vases with single roses, dried grasses, potted cacti and layers of textured rattan and cheesecloth.
Featured behind the display was a wooden box for each guest to place their Gift and Recipe Cards. Oh, you may have spotted a hint of blue…that would be another custom tile Recipe Card Sign.
The dessert table was actually the first thing guests saw upon entering the room, in fact restaurant guests would be able to catch a glimpse of this display while dining or headed to the main bar, as well. Actually on the weekends they have a DJ for brunch, and he was stationed right outside Sandy’s shower, playing great laidback beats! With the bright pink flowers hanging above, we wanted the dessert table to be a vision of sandy and cream desert hues, with pops of more magenta wax flower.
We incorporated more natural wood elements and styled a cream velvet linen, various cacti, florals and dried stems and layered with colored candlelight, stone textured vases, woven rattans and of course the loveliest final touch…a photo of the beautiful couple.
Every time I look back at photos from Sandy’s bridal shower and the details we put together, it truly makes me feel like I’m sitting off a Greek cliff, feet in the ocean…and I haven’t ever been to Greece. The details; simple but styled in a lush and soft way was only made more perfect because of Elia’s beautiful aesthetic. It’s what really gave Sandy’s bridal shower that unique and special feel. What a pleasure and joy it was to work together and bring this design to life.
Now who’s ready for a Mediterranean adventure….
Planning, Styling, Florals + Calligraphy :: Dreamery Events || Photography :: Dreamery Events || Stationery Template :: Minty Paperie Shop || Venue :: Elia Mediterranean Restaurant || Welcome Wood Sign :: Sweet N Collective || Succulents :: The Succulent Source ||
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