Sweet Ceremonies (Part 1)

There are so many beautiful ways to frame a couple as they say their "I Do's" and I find, time and again, that it is the decor element that couples have the strongest and clearest thoughts on when we are planning their wedding design. I personally like to create ceremony spaces that provide a strong visual focal point, but that are not so huge and overwhelming that the structure or design itself overpowers the couple. I suppose it all ties back to connectivity... I love seeing the couple enveloped in a design element like this, giving them connectivity to each other and to the environment around them. 

 This series of curly willow arches detailed with cherry blossoms and white denrobium orchids led the bridal party down the aisle to a fuller version of the arch under which they were married at Capitale in NYC.

Photo: CAVA Weddings

 This delicate arch was supported by lush flower bases and was well scaled to a smaller wedding in an intimate space - 620 Loft and Garden. 

 

A traditional fabric chuppah was detailed with bunches of orchids on the back wall that appeared to be floating in mid air.

Photo: Sofia Negron

 With such a stunning natural setting at Belle Mer in Newport, RI, this couple wanted a simple arch covered in lush greens so that it would frame their ceremony while simultaneously blending in with the environment. 

Photo: Fred Marcus Studio

 For a traditional Hindu wedding at Gustavinos, we built a mandap that was anything but traditional.  A teal fabric canopy was detailed with bright orange floral garlands and full floral bouquets on each corner. 

 Twisted grapevine provided the structure for this chuppah covered in green garlands and full white floral bouquets featuring hydrangea, roses, stock and orchids.

Photo: Gustavo Campos

 Another simple fabric structure at The Altman Building in NYC featured soft, cascading floral bouquets with white orchids seemingly floating down the side posts.

Photo: Gustavo Campos

 Blue, green and white hydrangea provided a garden vibe, while the simple, tailored structure made this chuppah at home within the New York Historical Society Reading Room.

Photo: Roey Yohai Photography

Stay tuned for more favorites in Part 2 coming soon!

:-) Lindsay

Dalia's candy-themed Bat Mitzvah

When a long-time corporate client asked me to design his daughter's Bat Mitzvah celebration, I couldn't be more thrilled. Dalia wanted to have a candy theme for both her daytime luncheon for the adults and the evening party for her friends, so my challenge was to create decor that was true to the theme and that could translate appropriately to two different venues and two different crowds. This whimsical look totally worked at the New York Historical Society for a formal sit-down lunch for 120 and then was deconstructed and re-constructed for an adorable cocktail-style party for the kids at Helen Mills Event Space that same night. It was a tiring day (topped off with 18 inches of snow!) but both parties were amazing successes!

When guests arrived for lunch, they found their tables on giant Whirly Pops arranged in a bed of gumballs. Behind the table, photos of the Bat Mitzvah girl and her friends and family were suspended on coordinating ribbons.

top, Sofia Negron; bottom, David Wentworth

Guests were seated at long tables adorned with domes of brightly colored flowers to mimic the feel of a "field" of lollipops.

photos by Sofia Negron

The black polka dot runner was the key element in pulling this design together. The colors that the guest of honor selected (lime green, orange and hot pink) were feeling very summery for this December celebration, so when I spotted this fabric, I knew it was the perfect thing to ground the colors and make the look more seasonal.

photo by Sofia Negron

For the evening celebration for Dalia's friends, the flowers were re-arranged on illuminated cocktail tables and the ceiling above the dancefloor was adorned with paper lanterns wrapped in cellophane to mimic the look of hard candies.

photos by David Wentworth