An Unforgettable Evening with Dramatic Drapery, Rich Florals, and Romantic Ambiance
The vision for this event was to create an atmosphere that brought a sense of depth to a typically light, airy, and bright venue and aesthetic. We wanted something very dreamy and romantic, unlike anything we had seen before. Drapery was at the core of our vision, and how it would all come together after sunset would be the most important for us to capture. What we wanted didn't quite exist yet; we couldn't find a way to describe this vision of drapery enveloping a dinner in rows of gorgeous, perfect swoops. Ellen from On Q Productions nailed it and custom-built everything to create this gorgeous scene.
Cairnwood Estate, a very well-known venue outside of Philadelphia with a rich history, provided the perfect backdrop. The colors of the venue itself allow for a canvas that is easily adaptable, and its castlelike accents bring a sense of drama and luxury. We chose the terrace for the dinner vision because of its beautiful columned arches and untapped potential, as we had never seen the terrace used in this way before. It felt fresh and exciting. Cairnwood has hosted so many stunning events over the years, so doing something with an entirely fresh perspective felt perfect.
The Gigi gown, our ceremony portrait look, is made out of luminous satin. She supports a gorgeous scooped structured bodice and a wrapped cinched waistline design and the long skirt features a sexy slit and just the right amount of train. Lace up back for a perfect shapely fit. The reception gown brought some more flirty and fun energy with a feathered bodice and gorgeous a-line silhouette that is comfortable to dance the night away while maintaining an elevated dramatic look.
When creating the tablescape, we brought in deeper tones to elevate the venue's neutral space. The velvet hunter-green linen grounded the tablescape, while the florals added texture and brought our color palette to life. Fluffy touches of soft peach, muted yellows, and deep burgundy pulled the color throughout our entrance moment and into our centerpieces. The asymmetrical floral installation framing the dinner scene added the perfect touch.
Of course, the drapery is the star of the show. I also loved how the floral installation created this unexpected moment outside of the terrace and framed the tablescape perfectly. The menu design and stationery by Christy at Paper Tree Studio also were absolutely stunning and a stand-out moment.
The lighting and the candle-lit energy are an absolute must. If you're going to go all out on floral and drapery, it only makes sense to light them so those elements can shine. Pin spotting the foral and table made so much of a difference, so while all the beautiful dramatic elements make the vision, don't forget to do it justice with professional lighting.
Not exactly a DIY moment but a special touch is we had a cafe on-site throughout the entire event with signature espresso & coffee drinks. Something I think would add such an extra touch to long wedding days for not only the bride and groom, and their VIPs but for guests as well.
