Crisis Averted: Planning the Perfect Wedding After Everything Falls Apart

Photos courtesy of Anna Zajac Photography

True story: Two months before I do’s, Leah and Ed’s venue burned to the ground. Sure, planning the perfect wedding is just as much about planning for contingencies, but this particular contingency was a biiit more than they bargained for. However, (spoiler alert) this story has a happy ending. We at Sweet Talk sprang to action with the coordinators at Lo-Fi Events to find a last-minute spot that didn’t feel like a compromise. Amazingly, the way it all came together on the big day—with colorful and eclectic flowers galore—resulted in one of our favorite weddings ever.

THE SPOT

Once we found out their original venue was off the table, we started making calls and pulled together three potentials in the area to check out. Ed and Leah chose the boutique hotel Dye House for its light-filled, minimalist rococo architecture (it was built in 1880 as part of the historic Weybosset Mills). We love how the stark backdrop of white, black, and hunter green in the studio event space contrasted all the color in the design.

THE VIBE

Speaking of color, Ed and Leah came to us with a fully-formed, vibrant vision for the floral palette. Leah’s an artist and designed a lot of the details herself, like the stationary, seating chart, signage, and table numbers. In reconceptualizing for the new space, we decided to draw attention to the strikingly high ceilings. So we brought in some hanging elements: garlands of multi-hued carnations and disco balls topped with floating floral arrangements.

THE FLOWERS

Because obviously we’re not done talking about the flowers. To hold Leah’s bouquet was to hold a rainbow in the palm of your hand. Excuse us while we geek out: It had dyed blue tulips and asparagus ferns, tall yellow eremurus and purple delphinium, burnt sienna butterfly ranunculus, giant allium, sunny marigolds and zinnias, and pastini gerbera in a brilliant fuschia. And note the dangling strands of pink pom poms and real (yes, real!) golden dates. 

For visual consistency, we incorporated many of the flower varieties from the bouquet into the arrangements throughout. We also wove in olive foliage and amaranthus to fill them out, a bunch of roses (because why not?), and dyed palm fronds for added intrigue.

Clearly we went big on the installs, so we pared things down at the table. The smaller vessels and fewer blooms brought focus to the delicate, organic intricacies of the petals and stems. We also low-key had way too much fun with all the different vase shapes (a tablescape design choice surging in popularity right now).

THE REVELRY

After the ceremony, daylight conceded to candlelight and the colors glowed against flickering flames. Voices rang out. Did everything go to plan? Not exactly. But was it perfect? Beyond a doubt.