Urban Garden Rehearsal Dinner by Pineapple Productions

Happy Thanksgiving SMP-ers!  We have so much to be thankful for: the fact that we get to look at gorgeous weddings day after day and, of course, you!  We hope you have a love and food-filled holiday surrounded by friends, families, and lots of pie!  As an extra special treat, we have a phenomenal fall rehearsal dinner by Pineapple Productions with decor that is fitting for the holiday table or a casually chic al fresco wedding.  Click here to get all the autumn inspiration in the full gallery!

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From Pineapple ProductionsWhen Mary and I first started working together, she showed me photographs of a beautiful al fresco dinner set within a community garden in an urban area.  She hoped her rehearsal dinner would have the same feel — from the casual-but-chic outdoor setting to the seasonal fresh-from-the-garden cuisine.

We were all set with the perfect venue, the perfect caterer and the perfect floral designer when Mother Nature threw us a curve ball.  Record high temperatures hit Washington, DC, and the extreme heat and humidity made it impossible to be outdoors, even in the late evening.  Vendors worked together at the last minute to move the event to an indoor location and then to craft a plan that preserved Mary’s urban garden style inspiration.

To keep the al fresco feeling alive, rather than cancelling the market umbrellas, we kept them.  We just moved them into an art studio space with lofty ceilings.  From those lofty ceilings, Holly Heider Chapple hung an assortment of lanterns — some weathered wood, some nickle, some bronze — and interspersed them with suspended clutches of baby’s breath to add an ethereal and natural quality to the studio setting.

We completely re-worked the floor plan, using a mix of long rectangular tables and rounds dressed in heavy natural linen in a seamist and ivory color.  Some linens were striped, and others were in a graphic Grecian key pattern for a dressed up picnic feel.  Holly placed more lanterns on the tables, as well as herb pots and wooden boxes filled with dahlias, roses, hydrangeas and thistle in cheery coral, red  and blue tones.

The menu reflected favorites from Mary’s home state of Texas and her new home of Michigan.  Texas style watermelon margaritas and cans of Michigan’s own Vernor’s Ginger Ale were passed on trays as guests arrived for the party.  We also set up a beer bar featuring Mary and John’s favorite Michigan microbrews.  The buffet featured firecracker tenderloin of beef, pecan crusted chicken, crab cake sliders and Texas “caviar” made from black eyed peas and colorful peppers.  Dessert included Southern style caramel cake as well as hand pies made from Michigan cherries.

Venue: Halcyon House / Event Planner:  Allison Jackson of Pineapple Productions /Caterer: Design Cuisine / Photography: Kate Headley / Floral Design: Holly Heider Chapple Flowers LTD / Invitations: Just Paper and Tea / Calligraphy + Signage: Arney Walker Calligraphy