(above) Escort cards from Katrina Calligraphy
Bring Out the Bubbly
Davia Lee of Davia Lee Wedding &
Events was inspired by the combination of deep Spanish colors and light,
feminine shades when creating this elegant display on an antique beverage cart.
Davia sourced miniature champagne bottles and dusted the bottles in gold and
black metallic spray-paint. Handwritten escort cards are delicately hung from a
metallic thread attached to the cork, allowing guests to “pop” open their
seating assignment. A burst of burgundy peonies, pink ranunculus, café au lait
dahlias, and honeysuckle vine in delicate Soto silver flutes and gold compote bowl
complete the exquisite look. Designer:
Davia Lee Weddings & Events; escort cards: Jill Velez, Copper Willow Paper Studio; florist: Corinne Smith, Panacea Event Floral Design; Kensington brass cart and Soto silver flutes: Found Vintage Rentals
Let Them Eat Cake
Inspired by the Parisian design of the
Langham Huntington Hotel’s Viennese Ballroom, Kat Minassi honed in on the
venue’s Marie Antoinette elements and designed a luxurious and feminine
setting. While the display is decidedly glamorous, it is also budget friendly, as
it combines seating assignments with dessert. Gorgeous lemon tea cakes with a
white chocolate mousse filling and gold-leafed tops hand painted with edible
gold paint are nestled among pink peonies, yellow roses and mint green
ranunculus. Guests can locate their seat via the metallic-printed cards
prominently displayed on antique 24K gold forks that are speared into the
cakes. Designer: Kat Minassi Events
& Design; escort cards: Creative
Works Designs; flatware, plates, mirrors,
dresser and trunk: Etablir Vintage Event Rentals; flowers: Eddie Zaratsian Custom Florals and Lifestyles; tea cakes: Rafi’s Pastry & Cakes
Something Borrowed
Incorporating items in her personal
collection—from her father’s pipe to her great grandmother’s buttons—designer Susanna Davidson’s
heartfelt display takes guests on a journey through a family’s history.
Enclosed in a variety of picture frames, each handwritten escort card on
linen-textured metallic paper—which also doubles as a table card—pays homage to
a family member and the item he or she is known for, such as an aunt’s paint
brushes. Adding to the vintage feel, the heirlooms rest atop a distressed
gray bar and are nestled among white peonies, hydrangeas, scabiosa, garden
roses and mock orange. Designer: Susanna
Davidson of French Buckets Florist; escort cards:
Darla Marie Designs; heirlooms: Davidson’s
personal collection; Huntington gray bar:
Found Vintage Rentals; flowers:
French Buckets
Between Two Ferns
Beginning with the concept of combining
a bronze color palette with green foliage, designer Beth Helmstetter’s vision
results in a lush, contemporary design that functions as both an escort table
and a seating lounge. Circular cardstock inscribed with soft gold calligraphy
hangs from golden ribbons on an overgrown fern wall, a floral design that is
modern, sustainable and a nod to the recent ’20s trend. Helmstetter’s design of
an emerald velvet ottoman, stack of books and bronze lanterns create an inviting,
upscale home-like setting. Designer:
Beth Helmstetter Events; escort cards:
Laura Hooper; Esmeralda ottoman:
Found Vintage Rentals; florist: Hollyflora;
Pillows, lantern, candleholders and books:
Beth Helmstetter’s private collection