I’ve always known the designers behind Easton Events are amazing, but when they transformed a downtown Raleigh parking garage into a reception venue that stopped me dead in my tracks? Well, I think they officially earned a standing ovation. They designed a space to accommodate the couple’s 450 guests, that still managed to feel every bit as inviting and special as the most intimate of celebrations. Do yourself a favor and head to the gallery captured by Corbin Gurkin, and don’t miss the film by Blueberry Creative below!
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From Easton Events…Where to begin with this wonderful Raleigh, NC wedding? First, we should note that the tented reception took place on a parking deck. A privately owned portion of the parking garage in downtown Raleigh opened up to the outside and ended up being the perfect size to accommodate a frame tent that was large enough to accommodate 450 guests. The tent nestled in perfectly within the deck that was one story above ground; therefore, when the infrastructure began, the tent materials and restroom trailers had to be crane-lifted onto the deck.
The Sky Line team had a full week to install the structure with weather unfortunately not on their side, before Blossoms Events came in to start in on the draping and laydown the custom laminate gold and ivory marbled dancefloor. The tent was draped in beautiful shades of neutral silk dupioni with two ceiling medallions that added depth and texture as well as helped break up the tent into two areas: one for dancing and the other to showcase the bar.
Our custom made 20’ oval shaped bar was one of the central focal points of the space. For a guest count of 450 guests, we knew a large, prominent bar with access points on all sides was going to be the key for a successful event. Touches of lush garland and washed out mirrors were incorporated as a design element and barstools were added which made it even more inviting.
Custom tablecloths adorned the bar height tables with the addition of La Tavola linens for the high/low cocktail tables. A side lounge tent provided an area for guests to kick back their heals and enjoy their surroundings with lounge vignettes from Snyder Events. The florals selected had an English garden feel with bright greenery, touches of blush pinks, and magnolia leaves.
One of the biggest hurdles, in addition to the fact we were one story above ground, was what to do with the 3 cement bases that were left from dismantling the parking lot light fixtures – one of which was directly in the middle of the tent. Our solution was naturally, to cover them! Two were utilized as bar height food stations and the one in the middle of the room was covered with a tufted, round banquette. We placed another on the other side to create symmetry, and then mirrored this look in the side lounge tent. This then led to providing an amazing base for very large, prominent floral arrangements in custom painted urns, which created both height and depth within the space.
A draped and chandelier lined marquee acted as the main entrance and exit for the event and was utilized for the special confetti getaway. The bride, in her Monique Lhuillier gown and the groom, in his custom tux departed at the end of the evening and spent their night together in a suite at the Renaissance Hotel and as guests departed, they were handed leftover slices of wedding cake as an end of the night treat.
Photography: Corbin Gurkin Photography | Cinematography: Blueberry Creative | Floral Design: Blossoms Events | Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier | Cake: Mitchell’s Catering & Events | Invitations: Charlottes | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Monique Lhuillier | Catering: Mitchell’s Catering & Events | Makeup: Makeupforyourday | Hair: Salon 21 | Lighting: Technical Event Company | Band: Liquid Pleasure | Ceremony Music: NC Symphony | Venue: The Aspen Institute At Wye River | Custom Linen Rentals: Designing Linens | Dance Floor + Draping: Blossoms Events | Event Styling + Production: Easton Events | Linen Rentals: BBJ La Tavola | Paper Goods: Charlottes | Rentals: CE Rentals | Rentals: Snyder | Tent Rentals: Skyline Tent Company | Welcome Bags: A Signature Welcome
