Candlelight and Diamonds!  A couple weeks ago, we posted a photo of the stunning chuppah we designed for Betsy and Jake’s wedding at the Hotel duPont.  Our good friend, the talented Michael Leslie, just sent us some of his photos capturing the beauty of the day.

Working with Jennifer Houser at the classic boutique Hotel duPont in Wilmington, Delaware was a pleasure – as always!  She is a tremendous professional and is always ready to offer assistance with every detail, no matter how small or inelegant.  We love partnering with her, especially for a couple like Betsy and Jake, who were enthusiastic, amusing and loads of fun to be around!  Their joy was contagious!  In fact, when Jake smashed the glass under the chuppah, there were loud cheers and a standing ovation from everyone in the room, including the floral staff and event planners!  You could literally feel how much their guests loved them and truly wished them well.  And the cheering continued as the entire bridal party recessed down the aisle!

The Grand Ballroom was the setting for the ceremony as well as the dinner dance.  To make both happen in a timely fashion, our installation for the ceremony would require thorough concealment of  the dinner tables behind white drapes along the side walls of the ballroom.  Thankfully, the hotel was extremely cooperative and accommodating with our plan.  A gossamer white fabric-draped chuppah was “crowned” with bundles and bundles of baby’s breath to create an ethereal cloud over the ceremony stage.  Behind the chuppah we lined up 60 pillar candles on white shelves to create a soft backdrop of flickering light.  The wide, polished wooden floor was lined with modern glass cylinders filled with submergged white cymbidium orchids and floating candles.

Betsy’s favorite flower – the classic and perpetually fragrant PEONY – was the only bloom used in her bridal bouquet.

Cocktails were held in the DuBarry Room upstairs and guests then returned to the ballroom to find the space transformed into a shimmering dinner dance!  The ballroom was now resplendent with pearl and silver embroidered linens, charger plates, linen napkins, engraved menu cards and magnificent floral centerpieces!  A variety of modern glass vessels were filled with monochromatic displays of white flowers such as delphinium, peonies, hydrangea, stock, lilac, orchids and tulips.  When transposed against the ornate facade of the Old World ballroom, the modern elements added an updated charm that reflected the couple’s personal taste.

As you can see, the Hotel duPont has one of the most incredible cake artists in the area. This stunning white wedding cake with quilted fondant was a show-stopper!

The sparkles in Betsy’s eyes as she walked in the room were matched only by the glittering diamonds on her ears (a thoughtful gift from her handsome groom that very morning).  Betsy and Jake, we LOVE you!