Meet the man behind some of the most creative weddings, Rrivre Davies of the Los Angeles-based event design firm Rrivre Works. This full-service company, which services Southern California, specializes in custom creations with a team of artisans that build your dream sweetheart table, canopy or structure. Plus, a massive showroom boasts a vast selection of props and rentals that will help make your wedding as unique as you dare dream. We sat down with Rrivre to find out a little more about his award-winning and dream-making operation.
CWD: How did you become involved in the event design and planning industry?
RD: I was working as a production designer/floral stylist/food stylist and prop master in the film industry. My roommate was a caterer. One day he took me to a meeting to help him design the buffets for the premiere of Disney’s Pocahontas. In the meeting I was bombarded with questions about tent size, floor layouts, number of people to seat and more; all things I knew NOTHING about for events. They asked me on the spot to design the event in my notebook. The design part was easy, but I hadn’t learned all I would come to know about crowd flow and other logistics. I turned bright red I’m sure, but I did the event and apparently it was a huge success because I got tons of calls to do more.
CWD: What makes Rrivre works unique?
RD: I’m building something in this business that will last and continue to offer unique, custom designs for years to come. We have all of our Event Design Artisans in house that execute all of the crazy event architecture that comes out of my head. We do sewing, carpentry, painting, upholstery, and welding in house. I like to say we are the designer’s designer.
CWD: Describe one of your recent projects.
RD: I would say that designing Kim Kardashian's wedding was a great experience. Every item we used for the wedding was custom designed. Being able to design so freely and without constraint is when I really get to create something spectacular. While the design was over the top, and may not be everyone’s taste, it was truly spectacular and exactly what she wanted.
CWD: What can an engaged couple expect when touring your warehouse?
RD: First, a couple can expect a glass of Prosecco upon arrival. We then walk them through the workshops to impress upon them that we have in-house artisans and are completely hands-on in the design process. This allows a couple to get a sense that if they can dream it or allow me to dream it, we can build it. Then we walk them through the prop house to show them the vast selection of items that they can use as is or customize. And just when they think the tour is over, we open the door to our 8,000-square-foot showroom and their jaws drop.
CWD: Describe the experience of seeing the showroom.
RD: This is where everyone really feels their event design come alive. They enter under a
huge Eiffel tower into a park-like setting, fountain and all. Then wander into a room that could very well be in a palace. Turning the corner they find themselves in a set that could be from Arabian Nights. We have hundreds of chandeliers to choose from, dozens of cabanas and wedding canopies, nearly limitless table selections. Really I could go on and on, but let me say everyone who comes swears they have never seen anything like this. I often hear people say, “I should just have my wedding here!”
CWD: Is there a particular piece of décor that is one of your favorites?
RD: My LOVE table which is part of my Love Letters by Rrivre collection is truly a huge hit. Once I had a really spunky couple and they had a great sense of humor. They wanted to use the table as a gift table. I sent it with a sign to put on the table that read, "We showed you some love, now show us our gifts." The guests laughed and the gifts piled up on the table.
CWD: Is there a particular style that you gravitate towards?
RD: I love it all. If you come to my showroom you will see we really have no boundaries. I change styles like I change clothes. They all have their time and place. I like to give couples exactly what they want.