Week 10 - Event Design, Installations Chandeliers

Thinking About the Event as a Whole

As we discussed in lesson 8 it is vital to consider each section of your event as a singular design as well as the elements within that design. When I look at a ceremony, cocktail hour or reception I look at the room as on fluid design. So I apply the same elements and principles of design to that end. For example I know that the room needs a focal point, some sweeping space, design from the floor to the ceiling if the budget allows. It needs foreground and background for the photos.

I like to look at the room from two vantage points.

Entrance to Each Space

The first is the entry of the guests to that space. Technically their first impression. I want the view from the first look to wow the guests and to lure them into wanting to discover more. So I would want them:

A View of a Large Ceiling Floral or Installation

An Interactive Welcome Experience (i.e. champagne garden or photo wall)

Aisle Flowers, Table Arrangements or Lounges that Lure Them Into the Space


From The Primary Guest Perspective

The second vantage point is where the guests will be spending most of the time in the space. So if it is a ceremony it would be the seating, if the cocktail area it may be the food stations or in the reception it would be the dance floor.


I want the floral budget to create immersive experiences and or beautiful visuals from where they will spend the most time. So if I am creating centerpieces I will put most of the budget into the tables or area around the dance floor since that is where the guests will be most of the reception. I do not randomly place tall and low centerpieces throughout the room. The room should be balanced but also have rhythm. Within each floral there will be lots of movement and then the placement should carry the eye around the room. The same rules of transition apply as they would in an individual design. So for example if I have a large chandelier over the dance floor I may balance that with a pergola over a long table in the center of each section of seating. It is better to utilize the budget for larger impactful pieces than just fill the room with smaller florals that don't provide any wow factor.


Design Boards and Proposals


In lesson 8 we created a Design Board for a single table. This same concept can and should be applied to the overall event proposal. Let's go back to the Design Sanctuary Workshop. We had multiple spaces to consider and did not want to create the same experience over and over. We stayed within our palette for each space but chose colors from the palette to emphasize in each space culminating in the final dinner where all of the colors would be evident.


The Barn Space

Let's consider the Barn space. We decided to use all dried materials in the barn space in all neutral and stone tones. We knew that the floral would saturate the tent and tent entrance and wanted to save that guest experience for later. We also planned to transform the Barn from a "Painter's Lunch" to an "Equestrian Dinner". Although our Andrew Wyeth theme did not include the Equestrian theme we felt the vibe fit with the multiple horse farms in the Chadd's Ford area and reflected the color's of Wyeth's work. We knew that we would need to do a large installation as a centerpiece of the room and we also wanted to focus on doing something creative on the bar. Because both of these would have to remain in place we planned to make them fit both events. The existing chandeliers were dated and did not work with our updated plan so we foraged loads of local pampas grass and covered them completely adding basket lights for drama. We also draped the room to add gesture and movement to the ceiling and also to cover some areas that were unsightly.


The Painter's Luncheon

For the "painter's luncheon" we used paint splattered drop-cloths, frames and paint brushes to create a light whimsical feel but also to give the guests multiple places to enjoy and stir their creativity.



The Equestrian Dinner

In contrast, we needed to now transform this space into a cool and sophisticated cocktail party dinner. The main installations remained but we wanted to add tables, lounges and a photo-booth to create an immersive and interactive event.


The Design Board

We created an individual design board for each space and then for each event.

This is the design board for the Equestrian Dinner.

This design board was created from images and rentals that we knew we had access to. This would give us the ability to flip this room from the painter's lunch easily and these elements created the vibe we were trying to achieve.

This board is then shared with the paper company so they can do signage, escort cards and menus that will be further layer the event.

These images from the dinner show how this board was brought to life.







Watch the Video

https://www.dropbox.com/s/1i14b1xcv4iq9s1/Florist%20Class%209%20%28No%20Intro%29.mp4?dl=0

This weeks recipe is designed in amounts per cage. Doing Chandeliers can go from a simple recipe of one box of southern smilax to an elaborate design like the one in the video. I suggest you recipe your chandelier in two parts.


Part 1

Frames and Base Covering Materials

First you need a base. There are so many ways to create frames. I have included live video that I did to show you how to use simple wreath frames to create a 5 foot round chandelier

Part 1 - https://www.instagram.com/tv/B-r6m9vlaE2/

Part 2 - https://www.instagram.com/tv/B-r7oJhFK_0/

Part 3 - https://www.instagram.com/tv/B-r7zpWFPQZ/


If you need to work a chandelier around a pole in a tent then the hoop that I used in this weeks lesson is great. You can create it in two halves and then put it together around the tent pole on site.


If you need a very large chandelier my friends at Sweet Root Village use a bail feeder where they cut the bottom off and keep two sections for wider or flatter chandeliers.

My friend Lauren from Belovley uses a trampoline hoop to get a large 8 to 12 foot round. If you can find one on craigslist or marketplace this is a great option. They also come in large squares and rectangles so they give you lots of choices. Here is a link for an 11ft trampoline frame. https://www.amazon.com/JumpKing-Steel-Trampoline-JK1106A-Silver/dp/B085B5J5KN

I have even used a galvanized steel area wall for a nice wide chunky chandelier.

You can completely cover your structure using chicken wire and greenery or if you like the structure you are using and would like to see parts of it then you can chicken wire sections of your frame only where you want to put product.


To create a rectangle or a square you can use wood and L-brackets or even 4 straight pieces that are done individually in your shop and then connected on site. You can bolt them together or if you use poles you can zip-tie them. Boards will work better if you are going to hang them from one center point.


More options for smaller chandeliers:

https://www.koyalwholesale.com/products/long-rectangle-floral-chandelier-set-of-3

https://www.koyalwholesale.com/products/round-floral-chandelier-set-of-3

https://www.koyalwholesale.com/products/wire-floral-chandelier

https://www.shopwildthings.com/overhead-banner-frame-2tier-hanging?gclid=Cj0KCQjw38-DBhDpARIsADJ3kjnZ6Rz5YAxWMnm_cUfckc6ulC4iB7DsbC9rNiSCLaKqU7SFZItcEr0aAo0-EALw_wcB


When it comes to hanging your chandelier I like to use long wrought Iron S hooks. Here is a link to get the sizes you want.

I keep 16", 24" and 36" in the shop so I can mix and match them. I get mine at Terrain Garden Center but here is an Etsy Link if you don't have access. https://www.etsy.com/listing/898778700/forged-iron-s-hooks-and-extenders?gpla=1&gao=1&&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_us_christmas_Home_and_Living&utm_custom1=_k_Cj0KCQjw38-DBhDpARIsADJ3kjnutjP1rycK35Mv4NP-gMnHWW5z9zzU0HyGzTKh8tM_U5a3dtb0CtQaAnShEALw_wcB_k_&utm_content=go_1707294370_69268674649_331635229806_pla-303628061699_c__898778700_266904797&utm_custom2=1707294370&gclid=Cj0KCQjw38-DBhDpARIsADJ3kjnutjP1rycK35Mv4NP-gMnHWW5z9zzU0HyGzTKh8tM_U5a3dtb0CtQaAnShEALw_wcB



Base Covering Materials

You can cover the base of your chandelier with any type of greenery or bleached material that you want. I suggest you order by the square foot. The best way to do this is to figure on 1 to two bunches of greenery per square foot. Often we will make two super chunky garlands and then just attach them to the inside and outside of the chandelier frame.


Part 2

Flowers

Again this is very subjective to the type of chandelier you are creating. In the video we used a lot of product with the intent that this could be reused as a rental. That being said I suggest that you order based on one oasis cage per 1.5 linear feet. This is for full coverage. For each cage I suggest at least 12 blooms that are a mix of medium rounds, large rounds and laterals and then 8 larger filler or dancing flowers like queen annes lace or spirea to give dimension, movement and gesture. That being said you can always use just greenery or sporadic florals by placing cages farther apart and joining them a few blooms just place into the chicken wire in between.


Time to Practice

Please write your recipe down in the style format (medium rounds, laterals etc...).

Please record yourself designing the chandelier and watch it. Critique your work using the principles and elements of design.

After you finish then photograph it from the angle that the event guests would see it. You can hang your chandelier from a tree if you like. No need to make it extra high. Just get down on the ground and get the best angle.


Complete and Continue