Florists' Review Magazine® :: Your monthly magazine for operating a successful floral business

feature story

picture-perfect weddings

Best Reception Decorations

     Bright colors with tropical influences created a fun atmosphere for this reception, at which the energetic and vivacious couple wanted a comfortable environment that would encourage guests to stay and enjoy the evening. With an abundance of colorful paper Chinese lanterns, floral garlands and three centerpiece styles, florist Tracy Barlow, AIFD—who worked with The Window Box staff on-site from a 20-foot refrigerated truck and two garage bays for three days—brought the couple’s desired look to fruition.

     The festivities began with a preceremony luncheon for 120 family and friends and culminated with a flowing wedding reception of 1,900 people. Mr. Barlow explains that a flowing reception, for which the couple invites their church congregations, business associates and other acquaintances, is common for weddings in his region.

     At the luncheon, round tables covered with orange cloths featured two styles of centerpieces—a shallow dish holding an arrangement of Hydrangeas, stocks, lilies, Gerberas and button spray chrysanthemums, with dragonfly jewel picks alighting on the flowers, and a glass cylinder with submerged Gerberas wedged inside. Water-tubed Gerberas and ‘Stargazer’ lilies, linked to one another with looped aluminum wire, created a collar around each cylindrical centerpiece. At the flowing reception, where vibrant purple and lime-green cloths adorned additional tables, these centerpieces joined another style—a Dendrobium orchid “lamp.”

     Vibrant colored paper Chinese lanterns and coordinating floral garlands of carnations and Dendrobium orchids created “curtains” around the large reception tent as well as a hanging fixture inside.

     The shop uses the Chinese lantern hanging fixture as a rental item and adds the florals. “It’s an actual light structure that our production person made,” Mr. Barlow explains. “It has aluminum bars that extend in a sort of wagon wheel formation, and we can drop down as many light cords as we want so it glows. From there, we fasten the flowers to the power cords.”

     Mr. Barlow shares that this wedding was featured in Utah Bride magazine.

Vibrant colored paper Chinese lanterns and garlands of carnations and Dendrobium orchid blossoms made a festive statement around the large reception tent.

(top left) This centerpiece style, featuring Gerberas submerged inside a glass cylinder, brought interest to the tables at the luncheon before the wedding ceremony. Water-tubed flowers adorned the outside of the vase, connected by colorful aluminum wire.

(top right) This orchid “lamp” was one of three centerpiece styles at the flowing reception. It was topped with a bare wire lampshade onto which ribbons were tied and Dendrobium orchid garlands were laced. Also descending from the wire lampshade were hanging tealights.

(left) The ribbons and blossoms placed on the eye-catching cake reflected the colorful décor used throughout the reception.

(right) Suspended from the ceiling of the reception tent, this multidimensional composition was created by production staff at The Window Box.

Click on any of these categories to see more of the 2009 winners
Picture Perfect Wedding - Best Wedding Winner
Picture Perfect Wedding - Best Ceremony Setting Winner
Picture Perfect Wedding - Best Bouquets & Best Cake Decorations Winner
Picture Perfect Wedding - Sponsors