Peacock-palooza

I worked on this event a few months ago here in Chicago when I was with Botanicals. It was a wonderful success, as all the top wedding planners in the city were invited as the guests. The Ivy Room and Blue Plate Catering were the gracious hosts, and we designed the transformation of the space's lovely yet blank canvas!

I worked with both the lovely Kara Superfine and Jesse Deckard on the design of this unique event. We started off using a cool jewel-toned peacock feather as our inspiration. Jesse came up with the idea to create the gigantic orbs of actual feathers to hang from the ceiling above each and every table. The tables themselves were custom made of white lacquered wood complete with a platinum inlay (and were surrounded by acrylic ghost chairs...swoon!). The centerpieces were kept low to not obstruct the guests' view across the table, and were designed of a lush mass of fresh chartreuse viburnum and deep dark purple sweet pea designed in a white lacquered box. Warm candlelight completed each tablescape.

Additionally, a series of lounge settings were placed in front of each window bay creating intimate areas to enjoy a drink and good conversation. Each setting was made up of sleek yet comfortable white furniture, a white rug and a white square coffee table finished with a layer of horizontal peacock feathers carefully placed under the top glass. Completing each lounge was a dramatic display of deep blue taffeta curtains pulled back to perfectly frame a sparkling chandelier.

We are honored that Illinois Meetings + Events Magazine actually chose one of the photos as the cover shot for the current issue!

{all photos by Jai Girard}

Toast, Taste, and Tour II

Here are the last few shots to share from Sunday's Toast, Taste, and Tour bridal event. This dinner table and cocktail table shown above were set up to show off what would be a lovely match with the rest of the event. These seasonal French tulips are SO beautiful right now - and check out those huge succulent blossoms down at the base of the flared crystal vase!  The smaller wooden box is packed full of fragrant peach hyacinth blossoms - one of my favorites!
































The custom canopy was covered in rich gold and dusky nile blue damask fabric which went so beautiful with the touches of gold (from the amazing chandeliers {thanks to Frost Lighting} as well as the urns and the rental dishes).  The featured flowers were all in tones of soft peach flowers. These amazing focal pieces placed at the end of the aisle featured so many beautiful flowers including open champagne roses, apricot parrot tulips, cognac anthurium, peach amaryllis, and garden stock. Love!

















Photos by Erica Barraca
Decor by Botanicals, a branch of HM Designs

Event Coordination by Kara Underwood of Magnificent Milestones

Toast, Taste, and Tour I

These are the first of some images that I wanted to share from an event I worked on this past weekend. I designed the following with the wonderful Kara Superfine of Botanicals, a branch of HM Designs for the Toast, Taste, and Tour bridal event put on by the adorable Kara Underwood of Magnificent Milestones.

It was a progressive event that took brides on a trolley led tour through four of Chicago's best venues. Our designs were featured in the historic Cafe Brauer in Lincoln Park Zoo. The event had a great turn out for a cold Sunday morning, and they were all happy to warm up while enjoying the delicious treats from The Entertaining Company (the white hot chocolate finished with a chocolate dipped marshmallow detailed with a bit of edible gold leaf was my personal favorite!).

These are some of the bouquets we made for the event. Each one was designed in a different style and color palette - to appeal to every taste! This first one of various tones of white, ivory, silver, and taupe was so elegant. Silver brunia berries and dusty miller foliage perfectly accented the open garden roses. The stems were gathered and bound in luxurious taupe velvet.
















This one is a vivid combination of rich raspberry and bold orange tones. Cattleya orchid blossoms and ruffly spray roses were combined with gloriosa lilies, ranunculus, and fresh kumquots (!). The bouquet was detailed with glossy green coffee foliage and coordinating satin ribbons.
















I loved every one of these bouquets - from the open peach amaryllis; to the fluffy white peonies; to the cascading and unusual anthurium; to the highly textural green collection of succulants, maidenhair fern, lotus pods, and cymbidium orchids!
















More to come on this fun afternoon!
Photos by Erica Baracca.