Elegant Montecito Birthday Celebration in Clear Tent with Chandeliers, Tree-Inspired Installations, and Colorful Summer Blooms

11/16/2021

When Planner Michelle Karam approached me and my team to partner with her to design a special birthday celebration in Montecito, we were so excited! This 40th birthday party was one to remember.

The celebration took place at a private estate in Montecito, California. Guests entered the space and were greeted with cocktails on the patio, where we created a large greenery installation on the fireplace and two large urns of greenery on the bar. We wanted the natural, Italian-inspired stone work on the patio to be the focal of the design, so we used white and green textured floral arrangements in this space.

As guests entered the tent, a large arrangement of greenery and hydrangeas grew over the entrance. We wanted to create the illusion of “trees” growing up the sides of the tent in and around the dinner space, so we created trees ranging twelve to eighteen feet, to surround the area inside the tent. On the “trunks” of the trees, we had moss, small blooms, and seed pods to add drama and texture. Chandeliers adorned with greenery were placed in the center of the tent to bring the ambiance together. We also added a garden of blooms growing in front of the stage to soften the structure and add color to the dance floor.

Guests dined at feasting tables with french-inspired chairs and bright, colorful blooms, including peonies, dahlias, garden roses, ranunculus, poppies, and more. Each napkin ring was a different silver herb the from Theoni collection and the soft blue carter linens from La Tavola served as table runners. To make the event feel a little more modern, we incorporated smoke glassware and earth-toned china. The multi-course meal from Chef Ray Garcia was unforgettable!