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Best Reception Decorations

    The couple requested a classic look with a twist for this winning reception. Flowers primarily in white along with blue ribbons and sparkling accents fulfilled their dream.

    Dawn Kelly and her Soirée Floral staff created three centerpiece styles that graced 21 reception tables in alternating fashion. Tight, mounded arrangements of all-white blooms, including hyacinths, peonies, Hydrangeas and Nerines in glass cylinders, were balanced by two taller styles. One featured delicate crystal garlands trailing down from lush displays of white peonies, Hydrangeas, ‘Majolica’ roses, stocks and French tulips, and the other featured long-stemmed French tulips emerging high above ruffly white Hydrangeas. The vases in the latter style were partially filled with clear crystals for a shimmering effect against the candlelight.

    A floral dog created of white carnations added a whimsical touch to the reception. Representing the couple’s beloved “Finnegan,” the novelty creation was a surprise for the groom from his bride. The florist also created a custom dog collar embroidered with Finnegan’s name and bearing a crystal paw embellishment.

best reception decorations

Dawn Kelly
Soirée Floral
Rowayton, Conn.
Date: May 10, 2008
Ceremony site: St. Mary’s Church; Nantucket, Mass.
Reception site: White Elephant; Nantucket, Mass.
Number in wedding party: 25
Number of guests: 200
Approximate retail floral bill: $18,000
Photos by Claudia Kronenberg

	This centerpiece, the most compact of the three alternating styles, features hyacinths, peonies, Hydrangeas and Nerines arranged in a tight mound, with the blooms resting atop the glass cylinder vase.
	Hydrangeas and French tulips created a tiered presentation in a footed glass vase. Crystals in the bottom of the vase add a shimmering effect against the light of the votive candles surrounding the grand centerpiece.

	Representing the couple’s beloved dog, this canine companion, created from white carnations and sporting a custom collar embroidered with the dog’s name, was a surprise gift from the bride to the groom. The novelty creation added a whimsical touch to the escort table.		The confectionary flowers on the cake mimicked the blooms in the centerpieces and were accented around the table with the bridesmaids’ hand-tied bouquets of white lilacs, peonies and sweet peas.
	The couple’s initials, created with white carnations, hung from blue ribbons inside the cocktail tent.		Simple spring arrangements of white sweet peas, white hyacinths and blue Muscaris graced the cocktail tables. Each square glass vase was accented with a blue satin ribbon band and a rhinestone buckle.

Click on any of these categories to see more of the 2008 winners
Picture Perfect Wedding - Best Wedding Winner
Picture Perfect Wedding - Best Ceremony Setting Winner
Picture Perfect Wedding - Best Bouquets & Best Cake Decorations Winner
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