I arrived at the airport about mid-afternoon, lugging around my new suitcase and proudly donning my Aspen, CO sticker. This would be my second trip to Colorado for MAXIT and ever in my life. I was looking forward to going back again, this time to Denver. I always get butterflies whenever I travel for work - foremost from the anticipation of a new destination, new people, and a new opportunity to create. Secondly, from the expected nervousness for the unknown. Did we bring enough carts? Will the boys driving the UHAUL from Texas to Colorado have a breakdown? Will our focal point phalaenopsis orchids come in blue instead of gray? (Which they did - thank god for floral spray paint).

But for this wedding, I was feeling more confident. After our recent trip to Aspen, we had more travel experience under our belts and a greater understanding of how to prepare for the hiccups we could run into along the way. In Aspen, we produced out of the mother-in-law's suite and the backyard of an Airbnb. While we had a gorgeous view of the mountains, the threat of flower-eating deer every night gave us quite the arm workout when it came to moving buckets. To alleviate some of these issues, we contacted a hotel and booked one of their conference rooms to work out of. While I will always miss having a view of the gorgeous mountains anytime I design, this set-up proved perfect. Ample tables brought by the gracious and kind hotel staff any time we needed them, a water hook-up in the kitchen that was one door over, and direct access to a loading area for our UHAUL. Probably not the most exciting aspect of event design, but these are the small things that make or break the production of successful events.

What excited me most were not the dumpsters that were close by, but the unique concept of Lauren and Eric’s wedding. The design for the wedding was the definition of cool. Dramatic, moody, and modern - perfectly matched to the style of the venue, Space Gallery. A spacious art gallery filled with paintings, sculptures, ceramics, and prints located in Denver’s art district.

And trust we came ready to fill that space with our works of art. Giant, fluffy, eye-catching rings were the main focal point of the space, created entirely out of chicken wire and spray-painted Baby's Breath, fern, and leaves. These were complimented by gorgeous orchids placed in smoked glass and dynamic blooms running down the center of each table. 

And I can’t forget to mention the other show-stopper - a mirrored aisle with runners of lavender, tan, cool-toned pink, and mauve that climbed their way up to the matching mirrored arch. With such a dazzling design concept, all that was running through my mind throughout the week was - “Who IS this couple?”

From the moment I laid eyes on Lauren and Eric, it all made sense. Of course, a couple so chic would have a wedding of the same tier. My eyes gravitated towards Lauren the moment she walked in sporting a sleek, blunt bob and a gorgeous floor-length lace wedding dress. But it was hard not to notice Eric as well in his stunning metallic floral suit. They were bold and glamorous and we made sure they had a wedding to match.

The long hours at the hotel and the magic of watching this event come to fruition are at the forefront of my mind when I think of Denver, but the moment I remember most fondly is one I hardly ever get to experience as a floral designer - listening to the bride and groom exchange vows. A helper and I went back to the venue a couple of hours after the completion of set-up to flip the aisle florals to the reception area. We got there a little early, so I had the joy of sitting and listening to this intimate moment between a couple that loved each other with so much passion and devotion, it was a gentle reminder of why we do what we do. To create a memorable day to commemorate the beginning of the rest of their lives.