Venue: The Belle Haven Club, Greenwich, CT
Photo credit: Pearl Paper Studio
Every year, there’s always one wedding that keeps me on my toes. This time, it was “The Tree Wedding.”
Just hearing that name might make you wonder: why trees?
Well, it revolved around turning a tent into a magical forest canopy with twinkling lights. And believe me, it’s a bit more complicated than hauling in plants from a nursery or working with what’s naturally growing on-site.
Let’s talk about Amanda and James’s big day.
It was far from your everyday wedding. We set our stage at The Belle Haven Club – imagine it: sprawling trees lining the dance floor, and tables beautifully adorned with vivid fall flowers, all enhanced with charming touches of figs, peaches, pears, and a variety of local fruits.
But bringing this dream to life was no walk in the park. It required heaps of planning and collaboration with the lovely couple, some seriously out-of-the-box thinking, and a whole lot of elbow grease to make everything come together just right.
Today, I’m inviting you to take a peek behind the scenes of one of the most demanding, yet absolutely exhilarating weddings I’ve ever put together.
Why am I sharing this?
Because my goal is to turn your fairytale event into reality and let’s be honest, the path to get there isn’t always a smooth ride.
But, when you team up with me, you can bet I’ll be in the trenches, working tirelessly to ensure every detail is perfect, so you can relax and relish both the process and your special day.
THE PLANNING PROCESS
Meeting Amanda for the first time, I just knew we were going to get along great! She’s the youngest of four sisters, and all of them hosted their weddings at the same venue.
From the beginning, Amanda’s energy indicated that we were going big– really big (I’m talking, 20-foot tree big)!
We weren’t planning just another wedding in Greenwich. This was going to be the standout event of the year. Amanda dreamed of something really special, with loads of flowers and fruits everywhere – it was going to be expansive!
We planned to transform her event into a captivating color story, unfolding from the ceremony to the final dance, by incorporating an array of fruits and florals, lush greenery, and trees of varying heights.
And you know what? The wedding turned out even better than we imagined. It was so fantastic that I’ve even showcased it on my website.
Amanda was daring and full of ideas. When she suggested using trees in her wedding, I was all ears. It was new to me, but I was excited to make it happen.
This is why picking the right floral designer matters so much.
It’s all about turning big dreams into reality. Without the right person, even the best ideas might not work out (even with good intentions). Collaboration is one of the cornerstones of my process, and it truly makes all the difference in the floral design experience and the final product.
We took our time to carefully plan everything out. I did a lot of research, talked to our local flower farmers and even New York City Event Designers, and figured out how to make it all happen.
After doing my homework, I presented Amanda with a few choices. We talked about each one, thinking about how they’d look and how easy they’d be to handle. Taking her vision and logistical needs into account, along with the challenge of maintaining the display’s vitality throughout the evening, we developed a strategy that ensured a perfect aesthetic while keeping the trees looking vibrant from day to night.
Amanda’s wedding showed what happens when good ideas meet great planning and resourcefulness. It was about taking big, bold dreams and making them come true, and I was so glad to help make her day special.
PREPPING FOR THE WEDDING DAY
The day before most weddings involves putting the finishing touches on designs, prepping the blooms, organizing materials, getting everything packed up and ready to go, and finally, getting a good night’s rest.
This was not “most” weddings.
The night before the big day (no pressure) I found myself out on a late-night foraging adventure with two of my floral designers, scouring for oak tree branches. While we had secured branches from a local farm, I needed to be sure we had a backup plan.
Yes, you read that right – foraging. Because in the world of luxe weddings, sometimes you’ve got to get your hands a little dirty.
We had to do this the night before the wedding because getting them any earlier wasn’t an option. We were concerned that if we waited too long, they’d start to wilt, and we couldn’t risk that for the big day.
At one point, the bride mentioned that her father had offered to go out and cut branches himself. While we graciously declined his kind offer, it highlighted the team spirit surrounding this wedding.
It was heartwarming to see everyone so involved and willing to pitch in!
THE DAY OF
The adventure continued the morning of the wedding. Picture us with several 20-foot ladders and a huge 30-foot box truck loaded to the brim with all the trees, flowers, and decorations.
(Side note: surprisingly, you don’t actually need a special license to drive these behemoth trucks, but I definitely felt like I was piloting a city bus!)
Just as we started, the skies opened up and it began pouring rain. We had to work carefully to keep everything dry and safe as we loaded the truck in the torrential downpour.
Finally, we had done it! We safely transported the trees and floral designs in our careful bungee corded travel construction and were ready for installation!
We’re unloading these majestic trees, installing them in the tent, and just when we thought we could pat ourselves on the back, enter stage left: the fire marshals.
“Add water sources or take them down,” they said.
Water wasn’t part of our plan which was actually why we decided to use this particular variety of tree.
Plot twist!
But if I’ve learned anything over the years it’s this: in the world of weddings, you’ve got to be flexible and ready to pivot at any moment!
We quickly came up with a plan for a water source, thanks to the super helpful professionals at the venue. They were lifesavers! We managed to keep our original vision and still meet all the fire marshal’s safety requirements.
This wedding was hands-down the toughest I’ve ever tackled, but it was also incredibly fulfilling.
For Amanda’s wedding, I made it a point to hang around and see the festivities unfold. Watching everything come together – the trees, flowers, fruits, and the fantastic work of other pros who handled the lighting, music, and catering production– I was just in awe.
I felt so proud to be part of Amanda and James’ special day. Seeing the happiness on their faces and the wonder in their guests’ eyes as the night unfolded was truly satisfying.
GOT A BIG DREAM FOR YOUR WEDDING?
“The Tree Wedding” at Belle Haven wasn’t just about spinning a fairytale. It was a journey filled with planning, hard work, and yes, a few tears, that all led to creating something truly magical. Once everything wrapped up, I’ll tell you, I needed a long rest – it was that epic.
At Barn Door Blooms, our mission goes beyond just weaving fairytale moments. We’re all about the authentic, sometimes tough, yet always rewarding process of bringing those dreams to life.
Envisioning a wedding that breaks the mold? Let’s chat.
Whether your idea is wildly unique or elegantly traditional, we’re ready to roll up our sleeves and dive in with you. From climbing trees to navigating stormy weather, and even handling those unexpected fire marshal visits, we’re here to make sure your wedding day is as perfect as you’ve imagined.
We don’t just design florals. We craft stories. Your style, your love story, is what guides us.
From our first consultation to the final installation, we collaborate closely with you to curate a look that’s personal and packed with local, seasonal blooms and decor.
Our goal?
To create the perfect floral plan, allowing you to focus on enjoying your big day with your loved ones, stress-free and full of smiles – especially when you see that stunning bouquet in your hands.
So, if you’re ready to bring your vision to life with floral designs that speak your heart, reach out to us at Barn Door Blooms.
Let’s collaborate and turn your wedding into an unforgettable chapter of your love story. Cheers to a journey filled with joy, beauty, and maybe a sprinkle of fairy dust!
