With the arrival of May, we embrace peak Springtime. With luck, the longer days have warmed, the gardens now display a kaleidoscope of seasonal pastels and delicate flowers that favor the warm yet still cool breeze. And we welcome with it, a season of outdoor gatherings celebrating the extraordinarily simple moments from golden hour to hours of star filled skies. May and June might be my favorite months, especially when it comes to designing an event, including one taking place al fresco.
It’s also a season for many celebrations; weddings, school events, and religious milestones like christenings and communions. My longtime client’s youngest daughter Adelaide, celebrated her holy communion and how special it was to create this sweet design for her, just as I had done for her sisters Olivia and Delia. With a smaller group and the coziest location in their yard, our every intention was to make this intimate celebration one that playfully highlighted soft spring colors and delicate textures.
Delicate layers. It’s how I’d describe the intention behind this event design. With Addie’s input, I designed a tablescape with five larger arrangements full of texture from wildflower-like blooms in every shade of blush and peachy pinks, creams, whites and mauvey lavenders. Different varieties of Cosmos and Chrysanthemums, white Tulips, cottage peach Yarrow, Alstroemeria, Creola Carnations, Ladies Mantle and Berzilia Berries all gathered together. While tiny glass vessels with dainty sprigs of Feverfew Daisies, Ranunculus and off-shoots from Larkspur and Chocolate Lace, filled the spaces in-between.
Although this gathering was a religious celebration, I still wanted to ensure there was a sweetness to every detail. That there was a youthful vibrance, even in its muted color palette and airy layers of textures and patterns. The more effortless way to achieve this is by mixing candle holders of different materials {like glass and ceramic}, sizes and designs — including the candles themselves, which were white, cream, blush and peachy browns featuring smooth, ribbed and honeycomb textures.
The featured pattern I wanted to shine, were these pretty dusty rose floral block print linen napkins; one of the first details I knew would be perfect for this event design. They are the right blend of contemporary floral fun. Especially paired with the other detail I knew almost right from the start I wanted to create — place cards that evoked a more romantic garden. Hand-torn deckle paper featured a delicate design of cosmos and each guest’s name, and all tied with long fern green ribbons. At first you may think the colors are too contrasting for such an airy style, but they beautifully carried the colors from the centerpieces throughout the table.
When we mention playful patterns, we’re also talking about texture as a form of a pattern. Without this element, a tablescape lacks the kind of depth and intrigue that immediately draws one’s eye to come closer. To sit and admire the details. The base is a pretty rose organic linen draped with a sheer cream gauze fabric. While our main characters {the napkins and place cards} couldn’t have looked better placed amongst The Finery Studio’s dinnerware pieces.
Here we chose more contemporary pieces, still in neutral finishes, but with fluted, dotted and ribbed shapes. Their collections are just beautiful, featuring pieces for every style that work incredibly well when mixed with one another. Our third pop of color seen within each place setting, came from the amber colored goblet drinking glasses that perfectly picked up the peachy hues amongst the flowers.
It may have been a tent, but we made sure to make the space feel every bit intimate, inviting and soft. On the opposite side of where guests were seated, we created a draped backdrop perfect for photographing cherished family moments and highlight the oh-so pretty cake make by Lady Lia’s Cakes. While one side featured soft fabrics showcasing the ruffly pink tiered cake surrounded by mounds of pink and green hydrangea — the other side was for the flowers.
A hanging piece of branches and dried hydrangea, in the prettiest yellow and terracotta tones was the loveliest juxtaposition to the more organic European garden feel of the flowers below. Ceramic and stone vases styled naturally and filled with taller blooms of Larkspur, Aster, Viburnum, Limonium, and Chocolate Queen Anne’s Lace were a floral delight.
And there’s one more beautiful and personal detail that beautifully evoked the story seen throughout this design — the favors. Custom-made Dough bowl candles featuring three dimensional flowers were tied with a similar designed thank you card as the place cards, and the fern colored ribbon. This could have easily been an afterthought, but for us, it’s the joy in making even the smallest element of a celebration or gathering uniquely carry on the design story. A tiny glimmer that encapsulates the cherished details from a singular moment.
Every element seen within this event design makes a statement on its own. Yet, it’s when one sees them all highlighting one another, that allows for their magic to really shine. When they come together, that’s when these styled details become truly special.
Design, Styling, Flowers & Custom Decor :: Dreamery Events || Venue :: Private Residence || Chairs, Table and Table Linen :: Party Rental Ltd || Dinnerware Rentals :: The Finery Studio || Cake :: Lady Lia’s Cakes || Favors :: MonLix Candles ||
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