We love planning weddings, but when we have the chance to plan a party to celebrate with some of our absolute favorite people in the industry (as well as amazing vendors we’ve never met before!), we jump at the chance! When we were invited to plan The Knot’s annual market event in Denver, we couldn’t wait to round up the team and let the ideas start flowing.
It all started with the venue, the Denver Botanic Garden. There’s nowhere we’d rather be on a gorgeous May afternoon, and the weather didn’t disappoint. Inspired by the stunning floral surroundings, we came up with a Japanese Garden theme, then turned to some of Colorado’s best to bring it all to life.
Prema blew us away with her take on Ikebana-style floral arrangements, Minimalist and modern, these ancient techniques let the blooms really shine and blended seamlessly into the natural surroundings.
Pink Monkey helped us set the scene from the beginning, building an 8’ by 12’ frame to hold the three welcome screens created by Richard’s Notebook. They also custom-built a wooden arch reminiscent of a Japanese Torii gate, which served as a gorgeous and dramatic entryway!
We arranged modern lounge furniture and Asian-inspired accent pieces in vignettes throughout the West Terrace and the Orangerie at the Botanic Garden, then turned to Wildflower Linen for brocade fabrics and textured pillows that helped tie the theme together. We loved having the opportunity to play with color and texture!
And it wouldn’t be a party without great food and delicious cocktails! Catering by Design put together a menu of ahi poke in bacon cups, skewered fiddlehead fern with soft cheese, and lamb on house-made chips, a station serving udon with pork and poached eggs, and green tea ice cream sandwiched between macadamia nut shortbread. Peak Beverage served up two signature drinks, the sake and melon “Spring Rain” and a whiskey and mint “Yuzu Julep”, the perfect refreshing sip in the late spring sun. Don Sebastiani and Sons provided red, white, and rosé wines.
When guests weren’t listening to the sounds of Starkey Productions, they were gathered around our live event painters, Impressions Live Art, as they captured the scene. Tamara Gruner took amazing photographs, and Smith & Shearer caught all the fun on video. We were ready for our closeups, thanks to Divine Beauty Artists of Colorado!
We also got to spend some time with members of WIPA Colorado, as Bernadette Baillie, Director of Education at The Knot, gave us her insight into what today’s brides are considering for their weddings, from seasons and destinations to trends and spending habits.
The Bella team is so incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to plan The Knot Rocks Denver 2016. Thank you to The Knot for asking us to be a part of your celebration, to our partners for donating their time and services to bring the event to life, and to Colorado’s loving, friendly, enthusiastic, and oh-so-fun wedding industry for coming out to party with us!
Planning & Design: Bella Design & Planning
Venue: Denver Botanic Gardens
Photography: Tamara Gruner Photography
Videography: Smith & Shearer
Floral Design: Prema
Décor: Pink Monkey Solutions
Rentals: Event Rents
Linens: Wildflower Linen
Catering: Catering by Design
Bar: Peak Beverage
Wine: Don Sebastiani & Sons
Entertainment: Starkey Productions
Hair & Beauty: Divine Beauty Artists of Colorado
Signage: Richard’s Notebook
Live Painting: Impressions Live Art
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