As we head into the end of 2011, we just couldn’t help looking back to this glittering New Years Eve wedding at The Rittenhouse in Philadelphia!  This stunning celebration was all about sparkle, shimmer and shine!

{Photos:  Tyler Boye}

Brian Kappra designed a stunning hand-tied bouquet for the bride composed of delicate textures and soft fragrance.  The traditional wedding flowers, Stephanotis and Lily of the Valley, were combined with white Akito Roses and Gardenias. The stems of the bouquet were wrapped in silk organdy ribbon and detailed with tiny vintage crystal pins. Little crystals were also added into the heart of the star-shaped Stephanotis blossoms.  Just enough twinkle to catch the romantic lighting in the ballroom as Jaclyn glided down the aisle!

The groom, Neville, as he waits for his bride-to-be to arrive at the Philadelphia Museum of Art for their “first look” photo session.  The day was brisk and cold but you wouldn’t know it from these two lovebirds!  Working closely with their photographer, Tyler Boye, Jaclyn and Neville spent over an hour outside in the Winter chill to get the these fantastic photographs!

As guests arrived for the ceremony they were greeted by long contemporary dark wooden and mirror-topped tables in both the Ballroom Foyer and in the back of the Grand Ballrooom.  Down the length of each of the tables was a collection of glass vases and crystal votive candles to create a beautiful initial setting upon entering the ceremony space.  Each vase was filled with fragrant white flowers such as Casablanca Lilies, Roses, Stock and Snapdragon.

The ceremony setting itself was designed simply with white gossamer drape as the backdrop, a long white line aisle runner, classic white pedestals holding blown glass and crystal lamps, and clear lucite Chivari reception chairs.  The main decor element was the ceiling treatment of dozens of suspended crystals and strung orchids that like the chandeliers, caught the light and added sparkle to the celebration.  After the ceremony, the shimmering crystals remained adding a little extra glamour over the dance floor and head table for the dinner dance.

The bridesmaids were all attired in elegant black dresses and black pashmina wraps. All gorgeous ladies themselves, their bridesmaids’ bouquets of tightly gathered miniature white Calla Lilies were a lovely accessory.  The groomsmen (photographed below in the Boathouse Row Bar in The Rittenhouse) were smartly suited out in classic black tuxedos, traditional hand-tied bow-ties, personalized cufflinks and coordinating boutonnieres.

After the ceremony, wedding guests enjoyed cocktails in the Cassatt Tea Room while the Grand Ballroom was revamped into a silver and white New Year’s wedding reception.  Soft, elegant lighting around the ballroom added warmth and romance to the space.

The round dinner tables were dressed with floor-length pleated white organdy linens, silver satin napkins, silver beaded glass chargers and clear lucite Chivari reception chairs.  On the center of each table, including the long rectangular head table seating twenty-five, we placed a variety of different centerpiece designs which incorporated beautiful glass vases of different heights and stunning collections of white flowers.  Gorgeous imported blossoms from around the globe were used, including: Amaryllis, Tulips, French Stock, Hydrangea, Dendrobium Orchids, Calla Lilies, Akita Roses, Snapdragon, Casablanca Lilies and Cape Green.

In addition to flowers on the dinner tables, candles played an important role in setting the tone for the evening.  Like the glass vases used around the room, the candles varied from table design to table design for visual interest.  Tall crystal drop taper holders were used on some tables, crystal pillar stands on other tables, and crystal lamps and votives on others.

The bride and groom take their first turn around the dance floor together. (above) Later in the evening, Jaclyn and her father share every emotion on the dance floor, from joyous laughter to bittersweet tears.  (we love Jaclyn’s feather and organza flower fascinator!)

But when it was time to ring in the New Year, EVERYONE was on the dance floor with noisemakers, clappers and champagne in hand!

Sneaking out into the night for one last photo session, the bride and groom take advantage of the sparkling holiday lights suspended from the trees in Rittenhouse Square Park.

 {This wedding was featured on Hostess with the Mostess}

]]> http://evantinedesign.wordpress.com/2011/12/28/real-stories-a-new-years-eve-winter-wedding-sparkles-in-rittenhouse-square/feed/ 7 evantinedesign kiss in the lightsof philadelphia, holiday weddings, rittenhouse square park, evantine design, hotel weddings Bride and bridesmaids philadelphia high end weddings luxury hotel weddings evantine design winter weddings wedding gown layered ruffles philadelphia weddings wedding rings philadelphia luxury weddings evantine design diamond rings bridal bouquet white flowers winter wedding evantine design rittenhouse hotel bride black and white photos from wedding luxury weddings philadelphia weddings evantine design groom waiting for the bride philadelphia weddings wedding tuxedo groom preparations rittenhouse hotel first look on the day of the wedding formal wedding photos winter weddings philadelphia art museum evantine design weddings first look admiring glance by groom philadelphia high end weddings winter weddings evantine design tyler boye formal wedding photos at the waterworks philadelphia winter weddings secret smile bride formal photos in philadelphia black and white photos of bride and groom evantine design weddings hotel weddings ceremony flowers winter white weddings luxury hotel weddings ceremony aisle suspended crystals white wedding winter wedding white ceremony aisle white linen aisle runner suspended crystals white drape flower girls wearing white gowns with black sashes white winter wedding hotel weddings philadelphia evantine design bride and her father walking down the aisle winter weddings philadelphia wedding photos evantine design luxury hotel weddings groom smiling during wedding ceremony winter wedding luxury hotel weddings philadelphia ceremony recessional winter weddings luxury hotel weddings in philadelphia evantine design tyler boye bridesmaids black gowns winter wedding white calla lily bouquets black pashmina shawls groomsmen formal photo boathouse row bar rittenhouse hotel evantine design weddings room shot white winter wedding rittenhouse hotel evantine design suspended crystals from ceiling place card table rittenhouse hotel weddings evantine design holiday weddings new years eve weddings room with wedding cake rittenhouse hotel evantine design white floral centerpieces for weddings white lilies white roses white peonies glass vases crystal details long white and silver wedding tables luxury hotel weddings evantine design first dance philadelphia hotel wedding rittenhouse hotel evantine design bride dancing with her father rittenhouse luxury hotel wedding evantine design weddings new years wedding kiss winter weddings holiday weddings evantine design rittenhouse hotel walk in the park after the wedding winter wedding photos with snow philadelphia high end weddings evantine design http://evantinedesign.wordpress.com/2011/12/24/happy-holidays-from-our-home-to-yours/ http://evantinedesign.wordpress.com/2011/12/24/happy-holidays-from-our-home-to-yours/#comments Sat, 24 Dec 2011 22:26:58 +0000 evantinedesign http://blog.evantinedesign.com/?p=5500 ]]>

Our Corporate Gift Division has spent the better part of two days preparing and delivering just over 100 stunning Phalaenopsis Orchid plants to recipients located all over Philadelphia. One client chose to present their clients with white orchids in modern square glass containers, whereas another corporate client chose magenta purple orchids planted in classic terra cotta pots lined with moss.  In either case, these are lovely holiday gifts that will provide elegance and good cheer long into the cold Winter months!

For more information on our Corporate Gift Division and Personal Shopping Services, call 215-790-2576.

Upcycling at its best!  The talented creative minds at Waverly and Irving have repurposed salvaged coffee cans, tea tins, antique boxes and Depression-era glass to design some adorable candles for the home. Ideal for holiday gifts, these handmade, aromatic soy candles are not only super stylish but eco-friendly!  {not to mention affordable}

Hand-poured natural soy wax, cotton wicks and carbon neutral; these delightful candles last forever (50-100 hours) and are not overpowering in fragrance.  Scents available include Hydrangea, Linen, Green Tea, Milk, Champagne, Chamomile, Bamboo Teak and Bergamot.  Waverly and Irving thought of everything, right down to including a small old-fashioned matchbook with each candle!

Waverly and Irving hand-poured soy candles in vintage cans and antique boxes are NOW AVAILABLE at Evantine at The Rittenhouse, our retail boutique located in the Upper Lobby of The Rittenhouse Hotel and Condominiums.  210 West Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, Open Monday-Saturday 10:00am-6:00pm.  Gift wrapping and shipping services available.

{Photos courtesy of Marie Labbancz}

Big thank you to wedding photographer Amie Schroeder for featuring one of our late Summer weddings on her blog!  Not once, but twice!  The vintage-inspired garden theme was a wonderful way to celebrate this wedding in the already-fabulously designed Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia.

One of our favorite designs we created for the event was this eye-catching twelve foot weathered table which greets guests as they arrived for the ceremony.  We covered the old farmhouse tables with a varied collection of salvaged bird cages, oxidized copper vessels, old leather boxes, wooden trays filled with moss or grass, recycled books, mini-chalkboard signs and groomed topiaries in terracotta pots.  The nooks and crannies of this collection were designed to showcase Diane Schaffer’s clever ceremony program that doubled as “place cards” as each program had a paper band that shared seating assignments.

Click here and here to see more photos of the event – from our whimsical bridal bouquet to the incredible French iron candelabra centerpieces used on some of the dinner tables in the hotel ballroom.

More fabulous photos to come soon! Not to mention the sensational wedding we produced at The Rittenhouse… it was a BUSY weekend for the Evantine Design Team!

The new seasonal Wildwood collection of home fragrances from Thymes is now in stock!

One of our most popular lines, (which always make sensational hostess gifts, by the way), the three woodland-inspired fragrances of Wildwood capture the feelings and scents of Autumn:  Bitter Orange & Cedar, Magnolia Fig & Vetiver, and Juniper Berry & Sandalwood.  Choose your aromatic preference:  fragrance mist, home candle, potpourri or diffuser.

As usual, the design studio is buzzing with activity this week! The Fall is notoriously known as “the busy season” for weddings, bar/bat mitzvahs and charity galas.  All of which keep the talented floral design team cutting and arranging long into the night.  Today the studio was filled with buckets of creamy roses, white lilies and tulips, as well as lavender roses and purple tulips, mini calla lilies, lisianthus, lilac, orchids and hydrangea.  We even managed to find several bunches of autumn Clematis! For the most part, all of these lovely flowers will be monochromatically arranged in simple, straight-edged glass vases of all widths and heights. Now, tomorrow, we’re on to the next sensational event!  Fiery reds!

Within a matter of hours, we transformed the streamlined, efficiency of a conservative Jewish synagogue into the glamorous, complexity of an elegant wedding celebration.

 [Photo:  Ash Imagery]

The bridal party gathered at the bride’s parents’ home in Ventnor, New Jersey to leisurely prepare for the wedding day festivities.  With all the flurry of activity and non-stop pre-wedding excitement, having the opportunity to insulate themselves from the commotion was a sentimental (and stress-free) luxury.  The stylish bride and groom chose the royal tone of purple as their dramatic signature color for the celebration.  The bride glided down the aisle in an ivory strapless lace gown, a gossamer finger-tip veil and, of course, shimmering Christian Louboutin slingbacks.

The GORGEOUS bride carried a monochromatic bouquet of purple parrot and plum fringe tulips wrapped in aubergine double-faced satin ribbon and detailed with crystal pins.  The lovely bridesmaids wore black matte jersey evening gowns and carried tightly composed bouquets of plum-colored miniature calla lilies.  Small boutonnieres were designed for the groom, groomsmen and fathers of the bride and groom with flowers taken from the corresponding ladies’ bouquets. The stems of the gentlemen’s boutonnieres were wrapped in black satin ribbon to completely disappear into the black label of the men’s elegant tuxedos.

As guests are seated in the sanctuary for the ceremony, the bridal party and families gathered for the traditional ketubah signing.  Afterwards, the champagne corks were popping and glassed were filled to mark the momentous occasion.

The simply stunning white organza chupah was sheer sophistication! The bimah was soft and romantic with the beautiful bridal couple as the only adornment. (Well, almost.)  Finishing touches are vital.  A long, wide, white aisle runner ran from the back of the aisle and all the way to behind the chupah for a clean look and lavender rose bouquets anchored the drapery sashes.

Orchids, Orchids, Orchids! After the ceremony, champagne drapes were pulled back to welcome wedding guests into adjacent rooms where cocktails, passed hors d’oeuvres and specialty food stations awaited.  A large mirrored cocktail bar held gold circular shelves filled with purple flocked candles.  Low and high cocktail tables were dressed in plum velvet linens, gold chivari reception chairs and purple candle lanterns.  Small upholstered seating areas with purple velvet sofas and modern gold tables were placed throughout for pops of lounge-style groupings.

The everyday function of the synagogue’s event space was freshened up with miles of floor-to-ceiling champagne drape and washed with dramatic purple lighting.

As most party hosts know, a beautifully dressed table is a key element in any wedding celebration.  It reveals just how much thought and care has gone into making the party a success.  Rectangular dining tables were covered with aubergine satin linens to the floor and overlaid with jeweled lavender lace for an opulent look.  Champagne satin napkins were slipped into a plum velvet sash and secured with a Swarovski crystal buckle.  The centerpieces were composed using several designs including faceted glass lamps holding white linen drum shades with low lush design of flowers; and tall glass stemmed hurricanees filled with water and floating candles flanking square glass and mirrored vases filled with mixed bouquets of purple flowers.  The flowers used in all of the dinner table designs, and throughout the event itself, included tulips, roses, dendrobium orchids, cymbidium orchids, phalaeonpsis orchids, Italian carnations, hydrangea, hyacinth, lisisanthus and mini calla lilies.

From the spirited Jewish hora to the sentimental father-daughter dance, at one time or another, everyone took a turn on the dance floor!

The soft lighting around the room and on the dancefloor created a dreamlike quality that actually emphasized the the deep purple floral creations and highlighted the fun dessert food stations that appeared late into the night.  Yet, as the bride and groom expected, the energetic dance floor and sexy lounge area were popular with their friends all night long.