Evolution of a Wedding Show Exhibit

In the past year, we've done a few wedding shows at various venues. Each time, we changed up the color scheme and concept, while still maintaining key elements. We like to show detailed work (such as boutonnieres and bouquets) because that's something you don't always get to see. We love us some reversible, tall glass vases so we use them when we can. And if we can build a cake in there somewhere, we will do that too! Here are some of our past shows:

*our first show at the Westin Bonaventure. it was a mixture of eggplant, purple, muave, and lavendar with accents of black

*show #2 was at the Cerritos Performing Arts Center, sponsored by Patina. We went in a completely different color direction and picked a fresh color palette to complement the modern and newly renovated room

*our 3rd show at the Sheraton LAX. we purchased a screen to display our bouquets and did a mini photo booth with the brides.

*at the Langham Hotel, where we went with a more antique color scheme, and built 8ft walls as the backdrop.

By the fifth time, we figured we were good on the basics, but wanted to present a focal piece that was really interesting. We also liked the idea of using our finds at our local Salvation Army and mixing that with more modern pieces. After numerous drawings/redraws/doodles/brainstorm sessions, we decided that we wanted to do a "Cake Reception". The final sketch as inspiration:

We were originally going to use a table that Kendra had sitting in her dining room, but upon further hunting, we came across this buffet/console at a consignment shop:
This was the springboard to the color scheme and we pulled in mustard, honey, blush, pewter, teal, persimmon, and cranberry. Sounds like a drink...a very bad one!

I think the best part of being a designer is that the ideas you dream up in your head can be a reality!

Here are some of the details, up close and personal:

*our birds nest, filled with privet berry, kumquats, and berzillia

*floral cupcakes made up of carnations, ranunculus, button mums, roses, and beads

*cake topper of mini cakes of ranunculus and galax leaves

*our boutonniere board

*the cake with button mum and china mum layers. we folded poly satin ribbon for the trim of the cake, and wrapped an octagonal cake stand with honey toned velvet.

*mix of roses, privet/hypericum/berzillia berry, kumquat, cabbage, and leucadendron

*the lone bouquet that held down the fort (we were moved to a corner to accomodate our giant wall and ended up being blocked by a massive pillar)

*the guestbook area on a bed of red carnations in a wooden box with antique knob handle

*1 of 2 main pieces, the floral art frames inspired by Preston Bailey. We purchased the curved corners and moulding from a specialty store, and carefully cut the moulding with a miter saw. Tricky but fun.

*what is a cake reception without the cake - we were placed very near the
Cakes by the Pound table. The pastry tables are usually the most popular at wedding shows (rightly so) so we enjoyed the atmosphere it added to our exhibit! You must call them and order their chocolate BLACKOUT cake.

Hope you enjoyed the show! :)