Ceremonies are my favorite part of the wedding. Of course, I enjoy the reception too, but the ceremony is where all the love is captured. Here is where the stories of the couple are told by the officiant. This moment is truly a great way to learn more about a friend or family member. On April 24th, guests learned that Lindsay and Andrew loved cherry blossoms!

Chuppah’s are always fun to create, especially when cherry blossoms are involved! When Lindsay arrived at my studio, she had cherry blossoms on her mind.  This is when I knew that they would be the focal point of the design. They would be the center piece of this magical evening, and I would need bushels of them to complete this romantic look.

On Lindsay and Andrew’s day, blossoms were everywhere! Guests would enjoy them in the cocktail arrangements, aisle pieces, chuppah, and side tables which framed the bridal party as they entered the room.

Photographer, Cliff Mautner captured the love of Lindsay and Andrew under a natural cherry blossom chuppah that I designed. The picture above reveals a “secret garden” atmosphere with tall glass vases down the aisle and hundreds of cherry blossom branches and hanging candles. With so many cherry blossoms and wisteria branches, the Rittenhouse Hotel ballroom resembled an outdoor fairy tale.

Congratulations, Lindsay and Andrew!

Tip of the day, April and May are the best months to enjoy the beloved cherry blossoms!

The night was filled with white and ivory roses, snapdragons, dahlias, and orchids, and tea embroidered linens with hand-sewn pearls. Etched candleholders and gold pillar candles gave an aura of romance. It was such an amazing combination for a memorable night.

Thanks to Lynda Barness (I Do Wedding Consulting), Susan Stripling Photography (pictures above and below), Ritz-Carlton Hotel, and my staff for creating such a wonderful event.

Congratulations Kate and Jeff!

*Correction in the magazine article: The article should read that Lamsback Floral Decorators created and provided all escort cards and table numbers.

I decided to take this advice. I planned a dream trip to the Maldives. Beautiful flowers and architecture have inspired me. I have taken the time to rejuvenate myself and I am surrounded by the awe of the environment and natural wonders.

One needs to reconnect with their core, so they are able to create crisp new designs and floral extravaganzas. I’m looking forward to part two of the season!

Over the years I have had the opportunity to observe many “big days.” With that being said, I have compiled a few things couples must do and must not do when attending their own wedding. Be sure to read carefully, especially in the do not section. Don’t let me catch you enlisting a pushy made of honor!

So Do…

Room Décor: As a decorator, it is important for me to have my clients see the reception room before anyone else. We have spent so much time over the past year/months preparing for such a wonderful event, and I feel they should be the first to see the exquisite design. Coordinating a time during cocktail hour when the family is able to walk around the room is a must!

Wedding Dresser: There should be no question about this. Every wedding party needs someone on call to sew the possible button, zipper, or piece of lace etc. You don’t want a mishap on the big day. Enough said.

Hors d’oeuvres: Make sure to order a large selection of food when your wedding party is getting ready. One of the biggest disappointments I hear from my clients is that they did not eat enough because they were too busy talking to guests. I suggest not only having food before the ceremony and reception, but also ask your catering director for a plate of hors d’oeuvres to be given to you at the cocktail hour. What a great way to fully enjoy your cocktail hour!

So Don’t…

Cascade Bouquet: Ladies, we aren’t in the 70’s. I will make one if you ask me, but its very fragile and it just isn’t the right time period anymore. Get out of the time machine, this is 2010.

Excessive Drinking: No one likes a sloppy host. Have a glass of champagne or two, but monitor your intake.

Maid of Honor: Ladies, when choosing the right woman for the task make sure she understands your wishes and does not make it her day on your day.

The bouquet should be an accessory to the total design of the bride. It should be in proportion to the bride and compliment the design of the gown.

I love mixing different shapes and textures in various tones of white. Lilacs, orchids and roses are my absolute favorite when creating the perfect bridal piece.

Tip of the day: Remember you do not want the bouquet to be oversized and be the only item the guests are looking at.

This past Wednesday, May 12th, the MANNA Nourish Awards 2010 were at the 23rd Street Armory. This was a special night, which honored the MANNA organization and volunteers for its achievements in Philadelphia.

The night was filled with dinner, dancing and an auction for the MANNA guests. I was so excited to be a part of such an outstanding event.

The look that I designed was Asian inspired. The main colors were green and white and accents of black tied the whole look together.

Orchids are my absolute favorite, and I love to use them any time I can. Within this design I used tons of green orchids and green goddess calla lilies in tall glass pieces. I decided to give the flowers more of an edgy and contemporary Asian vibe by adding black bamboo into the glass containers. Each design was placed on a square table with green table linens. The linen had an intricate detail of texture that lifted the design to a whole new level.

This was such a great honor for such a wonderful organization. Thank you to MANNA for including us in such a wonderful event! We loved helping celebrate MANNA and all of their work.

April 5th was a beautiful day. There was not a cloud in the sky. A year preparation and a week installation were in order for this fairytale event. Both the ceremony and the reception were at Beth Shalom Synagogue in Elkins Park. The synagogue was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and is absolutely beautiful.

In the beginning of “wedding week,” as I like to call it, my staff and I began the installation. I draped the entire reception space and hallways in an ivory fabric. Thousands of flowers were flown in from Ecuador, Holland and Singapore to showcase the plethora of floral selection.

The ceremony began at 7PM just as the sun went down and all was lit by magnificent candlelight. Dan and Dara were married under the chuppah designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, which I embellished with beautiful flowers. The sentiment was to keep the original design, which mirrored the chuppah that Dara’s parents were married under. Such a beautiful idea!

After the ceremony guests entered the foyer and outside garden area for cocktails. When it was time for dinner, guests moved through a draped hallway filled with large flowering candelabras arrangements with beautiful phalaenopsis orchids, roses, hydrangea that were extended eight feet to the ceiling.

 The goal of the dinner reception was to resemble old world elegance that included arrangements and table linens in a beautiful gold embroidery specifically designed for the event. Gold beaded charger plates, glasses and chairs completed the look. The hanging orchids from the arrangements and in glass containers truly created a delicate look.

What I created for the couple was a classic, timeless design that will always be “in.” The beauty of the flowers, the traditions of the designs and overall GORGEOUS made for a spectacular event.

I always make sure to see the movies that have been nominated for Best Picture weeks before the big event. When is the best day to see them all? Superbowl Sunday. Everyone is watching the game, but my crew and I are watching the movies! After seeing a good portion of them (it was hard to see all of them because there were so many nominated this year) I knew I was in the Oscar spirit.

Once I arrived in Los Angeles I made sure I got some sleep because I was going to the Kodak Theatre the next day. At the theatre I was able to get a behind the scenes tour. The tour guide gave me the inside scoop of what was going to happen the next night. This is where all the decorators (flowers, lights, sound and props) were working around the clock to ensure everything would be done for the big night. It was so exciting to see such a wonderful event starting to come to life.

The next morning, I reviewed the schedule and my choices on who should win. I could not wait to hear what the outcome was. Among some of the stars that I spotted: Gabourey Sidibe, Meryl Streep, Perrey Reeves, Morgan Freeman, Queen Latifah, Mark Wahlberg and many more! 

At the Governor’s Ball, Wolf Gang Puck served chicken pot pie and baked alaska. Delicious!!! Can’t wait until next year!

On this winter day, I cannot help but think of my favorite summer weddings. One in particular, was for a well-known, Washington, DC event planner. Ellen arrived at my studio, so excited to plan her wedding, and more importantly with a plan. What else should I have expected from an event planner?

Ellen knew exactly the colors she wanted at her wedding… PINK and BLACK! “Bob, the other designers who I have had meetings with, just don’t get my theme.” She told me I had the vision and to make her dream come true.

It was an August wedding. Such a perfect day for such a wonderful occasion. The sun beamed perfectly in accordance with the chuppah, in the Four Seasons Philadelphia courtyard (it was so great to work with Eric Allen, a Catering Manager at the Four Seasons Philadelphia, he is such a professional!)

As guests entered the foyer to the ballroom, black sheer drape outlined the lucite place card table with fuchsia orchids placed in it. After cocktails, guests collected their hand-made place cards and made their way into the ballroom.

Without a doubt, the ballroom was designed to WOW its audience. Contemporary chandeliers hung over top of square and rectangular tables. Glass and metal spiral ornaments with candles were lit for a romantic atmosphere. Each table was dressed with black velvet swirl linen and was decorated with hot pink roses, orchids, calla lilies etc. The print from the linen was duplicated on the table numbers. We do have to give credit to Ellen, the edible chocolate menus were such a great idea!

When Monday came around, Ellen called and was gushing about the wonderful look that I had designed for her. I was very thankful that such a wonderful planner let us plan her event!

To so many people, love means something different. It takes so many different forms. That is exactly why; “Love isn’t just black and white,” is a perfect title for my design.

Therefore, black and white is key in the overall concept. Love isn’t just black and white; there are so many things that add to it, hence the red bouquet! Also, let’s not forget, texture is in this season! That is why I knew feathers and leather would be perfect for the design. The floor of the display is an alternating pattern of black and white ostrich feathers. The table is made out of a lucite structure covered in white leather. Phalaenopsis orchids and black containers are a part of such a gorgeous display. Not to mention my favorite part, hanging orchids on black ribbon and crystals! Don’t forget to go to the Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia to see our display window!

With a touch of red for the holiday, this display definitely wins the hearts of everyone!