closeup-maxit-flower-design-orchid — *Photographer:* James x Schulze│ jamesandschulze.com
*Venue:* Space Gallery│spacegallery.org
*Design & Decor:* Eclectic Hive│eclectichive.com
*Rentals:* Little Mad Events│littlemadevents.com
*Wedding Planner:* Banks & Leaf│banksandleaf.com

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.

table-runner-maxit-flower-design — *Photographer:* James x Schulze│ jamesandschulze.com
*Venue:* Space Gallery│spacegallery.org
*Design & Decor:* Eclectic Hive│eclectichive.com
*Rentals:* Little Mad Events│littlemadevents.com
*Wedding Planner:* Banks & Leaf│banksandleaf.com

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.

hanging-installation-maxit-flower-design — *Photographer:* James x Schulze│ jamesandschulze.com
*Venue:* Space Gallery│spacegallery.org
*Design & Decor:* Eclectic Hive│eclectichive.com
*Rentals:* Little Mad Events│littlemadevents.com
*Wedding Planner:* Banks & Leaf│banksandleaf.com
*Catering & Bartending:* GB Culinary│gbculinary.com

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?”

arrangement-maxit-flower-design — *Photographer:* James x Schulze│ jamesandschulze.com
*Venue:* Space Gallery│spacegallery.org
*Design & Decor:* Eclectic Hive│eclectichive.com
*Rentals:* Little Mad Events│littlemadevents.com
*Wedding Planner:* Banks & Leaf│banksandleaf.com

aisle-runner-maxit-flower-design — *Photographer:* James x Schulze│ jamesandschulze.com
*Venue:* Space Gallery│spacegallery.org
*Design & Decor:* Eclectic Hive│eclectichive.com
*Rentals:* Little Mad Events│littlemadevents.com
*Wedding Planner:* Banks & Leaf│banksandleaf.com

altar-installation-maxit-flower-design — *Photographer:* James x Schulze│ jamesandschulze.com
*Venue:* Space Gallery│spacegallery.org
*Design & Decor:* Eclectic Hive│eclectichive.com
*Rentals:* Little Mad Events│littlemadevents.com
*Wedding Planner:* Banks & Leaf│banksandleaf.com

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.

flower-detail-maxit-flower-design — *Photographer:* James x Schulze│ jamesandschulze.com
*Venue:* Space Gallery│spacegallery.org
*Design & Decor:* Eclectic Hive│eclectichive.com
*Rentals:* Little Mad Events│littlemadevents.com
*Wedding Planner:* Banks & Leaf│banksandleaf.com
*Bridal Boutique:* Little White Dress Bridal Shop│lwdbridal.com
*Gown Designer & Veil:* Galia Lahav│galialahav.com
*Bride’s Shoes:* Jimmy Choo│us.jimmychoo.com
*Beauty:* Salon Joa│salonjoa.com
*Groom’s Attire:* Dolce & Gabbana│dolcegabbana.com
*Groom’s Shoes:* Versace│versace.com
*Groom’s Hair:* Forma + Collective Salon│formacollectivesalon.com
*Groom’s Beard:* Ollie’s Barbershop│olliesbarbershop.com

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.

altar-ceremony-maxit-flower-design — *Photographer:* James x Schulze│ jamesandschulze.com
*Venue:* Space Gallery│spacegallery.org
*Design & Decor:* Eclectic Hive│eclectichive.com
*Rentals:* Little Mad Events│littlemadevents.com
*Wedding Planner:* Banks & Leaf│banksandleaf.com
*Bridal Boutique:* Little White Dress Bridal Shop│lwdbridal.com
*Gown Designer & Veil:* Galia Lahav│galialahav.com
*Bride’s Shoes:* Jimmy Choo│us.jimmychoo.com
*Beauty:* Salon Joa│salonjoa.com
*Groom’s Attire:* Dolce & Gabbana│dolcegabbana.com
*Groom’s Shoes:* Versace│versace.com
*Groom’s Hair:* Forma + Collective Salon│formacollectivesalon.com
*Groom’s Beard:* Ollie’s Barbershop│olliesbarbershop.com
*Officiant:* Temple of RA│@temple.of.ra

Entry arch covered in flowers, with coral charm peonies, garden roses, roses, ranunculus, spirea, black berries and smilax. Keely Thorne Event Planning, River Oaks Country Club, Maxit Flower Design

Something super odd about myself I must confess. I look back at the work we do and love it more once I have had some time to review. I just looked back on a wedding we did a year ago and I absolutely love it. On the day I thought we produced good work, but I could not get out of my head about a couple things I though we could do better.

As a creative entrepreneur I have to say that I am incredibly hard on myself. I love what I do, but there isn’t a time I don’t think we could have done it better. Not that everyone didn’t do an amazing job and that the client wasn’t super happy. (And that is what is most important!) But that I can improve.

One random thing I got hung up on was during set up was that I didn’t plan for the floral chandeliers needing to fit through the door. Sounds so absurd, but you guys…. they wouldn’t fit through ANY of the front doors. We had to truck them through the whole entire back end of the country club, roughly two city blocks. Ok, maybe just one, but when you have 4 floral chandeliers it started to feel like a stinking marathon.

Compote arrangement of lush, premium flowers. White ceramic container with coral charm peonies, garden roses, roses, ranunculus, spirea, black berries and smilax. Keely Thorne Event Planning, River Oaks Country Club, Maxit Flower Design

That happened Friday as we got access a day early. From that moment forward I could not get that out of my head. I began to have a pity party in my head and it would not go away. I lost sleep, and set up on Saturday feeling like I let my team down.

A year later I have perspective, learned lessons, and can totally appreciate the hard work and pieces of flower art we created for our amazing clients.

I never received professional pics, so please excuse the lack of quality. But sometimes we have to still share what we’ve created no matter the quality of images, right? Otherwise how is everyone going to see what we can make happen for you on your special day? Can I get an Amen?!

Hanging floral chandelier with coral charm peonies, garden roses, roses, ranunculus, spirea, black berries and smilax. Keely Thorne Event Planning, River Oaks Country Club, Maxit Flower Design

Small vases with taper candles. With coral charm peonies, garden roses, roses, ranunculus, spirea, black berries and smilax. Keely Thorne Event Planning, River Oaks Country Club, Maxit Flower Design

Garden compote with coral charm peonies, garden roses, roses, ranunculus, spirea, black berries and smilax. Keely Thorne Event Planning, River Oaks Country Club, Maxit Flower Design

Cross alter with coral charm peonies, garden roses, roses, ranunculus, spirea, black berries and smilax. Aisle covered in blooms. Keely Thorne Event Planning, River Oaks Country Club, Maxit Flower Design

Cross alter with coral charm peonies, garden roses, roses, ranunculus, spirea, black berries and smilax. Keely Thorne Event Planning, River Oaks Country Club, Maxit Flower Design

Room shot of Mollie & Alejandro’s wedding. We combined tall arrangements, low garden style compotes, with hanging floral chandeliers. Keely Thorne Event Planning, River Oaks Country Club, Maxit Flower Design

Floral Design Blog

Lauren + Eric - Maxit Team Member POV

is this weird?

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