A Royal Affair: Esther and Damola’s Opulent Loews’ Portofino Bay Wedding

March 29, 2019

Not a petal out of place, not a color overdone, and certainly no question of the love between Esther and Damola.

If there is one word to describe Esther and Damola’s dream day, it would be illustrious. From the attire to the location to the furniture to the flowers - every ounce of detail was astoundingly exquisite. And we were honored to be a part of it all.

Working with Andrea Pavone of Pavone Events, Lana knew this wedding (to be held at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel) would be as majestic as the inspiration boards conveyed. Esther and Damola didn’t just create a logo for their wedding - but rather a family crest that was the foundation for the regality of the overall look. It would be absolutely enchanting for them and their guests - traveling from the Northeast for this Tuscan-inspired wedding.

Because of this grandiose conceptualization, floral design planning started with endless ideas of how to bring it all to life. But throughout the process, the floral motif became more defined, complementing additional peripheral elements such as unique gold chairs, a gobo and uplighting, a covered dance floor, sparkling linens, and a delicately adorned cake.

On the day of the wedding, Esther carried a cascading bouquet of peonies, garden roses, spray roses, and greenery stock; her bridesmaids held matching hand-tied arrangements. And in a beautiful twist, rather than wearing a traditional boutonniere, Damola opted for a dazzling brooch!

Their ceremony, which took place in the Citrus Piazza, was adorned with large arrangements of hydrangeas, roses, and greenery flowing out of the perfect garden-inspired urns on top of matching pedestals. The low aisle flowers were a perfect addition to bring together the look and were later used at the reception.

And speaking of reception - it was stunning! The looks on their faces when they saw the room says it all!

The outdoor designs were brought indoors for a beautiful transition to the evening and a faux boxwood hedge wall made for a gorgeous photo booth in the room.

In addition, Lana and her team accented the room with mercury glass, tall glass vases, and hanging crystals. To add to the glimmer, loose crystals were also placed on the sweetheart table for extra sparkle!

But at the end of the night, it was clear Esther and Damola didn’t need any extra panache. The love they have for each other shines bright - which made it a true pleasure to work with them in creating a day that communicated this love.

Wedding Professionals: Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Pavone Events, Cricket’s Photo and Cinema, Fairbanks Florist - including staff Lauren, Anna, Samantha, Jeff and Joanna, Soundwave Entertainment, Beautiful Music, Letz Dance On It, Swag Decor, Sprinkles Custom Cakes, Bridal Gown Designer Eddie K with BHLDN, Jo Michelle Pro Makeup, Nuage Designs, Orlando Wedding and Party Rentals, Bubble Event Rental Furnishing, Groom’s Attire from Christian Louboutin, Bride’s Shoes from Manolo Blanhik, Love Couture Bridal

For the Love of Flowers: Jenna and Stephen’s Stunning Soiree

January 12, 2019

There is no denying it…Jenna loves flowers.  And pairing that love with the love her and Stephen share was nothing short of magical when it came to their wedding on January 12, 2019 at The Alfond Inn.

The couple, who met in dental school and share a new practice, knew from the start that they envisioned a timeless, clean, yet modern look. It would be all white flowers with no greenery.

Lana and their wedding planner, Andrea Grier of Weddings Unique, knew it would turn out to be the perfect choice for their garden backdrop as the white contrast within the greens of nature would be breathtaking.

And it was.

Jenna and Stephen’s ceremony design was dramatic.  The women all carried lush complementing bouquets to accenting the overall look. Large planters filled with tightly packed white hydrangea welcomed guests at the beginning of the aisle and a large square arch at the altar with matching packed white hydrangea and roses was the piece de resistance - the perfect structure under which to say “I do!”

This structure was a quite a feat for the Fairbanks Florist team and one which would only get more purpose as the wedding continued.  Designed to be taken apart in three sections, this skillful design allowed the square arch to be transitioned into the ballroom for the reception.  

Boasting itself behind the sweetheart table and providing an exquisite vignette for the wedding cake, this hydrangea-packed arch donned hanging crystals and candles with romantic drapery created behind it by Swag Decor for the reception - a complete wow for the couple and the guests!

To complement this jewel of the reception, tablescapes consisted of white hydrangea and roses, uniquely detailed glass and candle pieces, as well as mirrors and crystals to give just the right amount of sparkle.  

The overall look was sleek, buttoned-up, and modern - yet, it all has a classic feel that will be awed for years to come.

Wedding Professionals: The Alfond Inn, Weddings Unique, Fairbanks Florist, Vitalic Photo, Swag Decor, Lon Tosi Officiant with Sensational Ceremonies, Harpist Christine McPhail, Over the Top Rental Linens

Anthony and Eddie’s Chic Celebration

October 12, 2018

“After our first meeting with Lana we felt she listened to our wants and needs, she was on time, professional and brought her own ‘out of the box’ creativity to the table.

We met with several florists and, walking out of Lana’s office, my fiancé and I knew right away she was the one for us.” - Anthony

With their hearts set on a wedding design that revolved around two-toned blue orchids immersed in water complemented with manzanita trees, Anthony and Eddie set out to find the perfect floral designer to make their vision come to life.

Embarking on their journey around Central Florida to find just the right designer, they eventually found themselves at Fairbanks Florist, creatively brainstorming with owner and creative director, Lana Faulkner.

“At our initial consultation she had tons of ideas, suggestions and took the time to show us photos and materials on the spot,” say Anthony and Eddie.

The talent that Lana showed that day, paired with her caring nature and desire to exceed all expectations, inspired Anthony and Eddie to trust her expertise when it came to their special day.

Due to her keen sense of design and her getting to know Anthony and Eddie’s tastes, Lana recommended she create a sample of their requested centerpiece. Although there was a cost for this (due to the hard costs of the flowers, the price of individual orders through a wholesaler, and the time it takes), Anthony and Eddie happily agreed to see their vision in real life before their big day.

After seeing a mock-up version of their original thoughts, they knew there was something not quite fitting. Instinctively, Lana had thought that would be the case, so she had a plethora of fresh ideas influenced by the current design.

The result?

A chic new version that was perfectly them!

On a very special day in October, the Alfond Inn dazzled for Anthony and Eddie’s wedding. The ceremony in the Conservatory was beautifully set in a round with large white pedestals boasting full arrangements of white roses and hydrangeas. In the center of the room was a white circle of rose petals - simple and pure for the vows they would take.

And while the ceremony was filled with airiness and natural light, their reception room was drenched in candles and specialty lighting.

White orchids submerged in water-filled glass vases, manzanita trees with hanging crystals surrounded by a base of lush flowers, a sublime amount of sparkle enveloping floating candles and delicate white flowers, and exceptional lighting design by Wendy at Soundwave Entertainment made the entire room feel dreamy as each centerpiece was perfectly aglow.

This all led to a once-in-a-lifetime wedding for a very happy couple with excellent advice for others…

“The best piece of advice I can give to other couples in regards to design and flowers is to ask for a mock up version. I requested one for my wedding because I’m a very visual person and I was able to know right away what we had planned wasn’t how I pictured it.

We quickly went back to the drawing board, brainstormed again, got more examples and were much more confident about the look we envisioned!

If we didn’t do that mock up our wedding wouldn’t have been the same. Lana was positive and encouraging the entire time, even though we changed a lot of our initial plan.

We really loved working with her.”

And what a pleasure it was working with these two open-minded visionaries on a wedding that was absolutely dazzling.

Wedding Professionals: Alfond Inn, Just Marry!, Fairbanks Florist, Lora Rodgers Photography, Soundwave Entertainment, A Chair Affair, Inc., Sprinkles Custom Cakes

A Floral Wonderland: Melissa and Issac’s Four Seasons Orlando Wedding

October 29, 2018

When renowned Orlando wedding planner Michele Butler, of Michele Butler Events, brought Melissa and Isaac to meet with Lana at Fairbanks Florist, it was truly a match made in heaven. She knew they wanted to make a splash with their wedding and Lana’s vision for floral and decor was one of the ways they would do just that.

Taking just a few elements (inclusive of white and light blush pink roses, hydrangea, and calla lilies) and using them in abundance was the strategic design for Melissa and Issac’s Four Seasons Orlando wedding. Their outdoor ceremony was staged with an ivory rose petal aisle and cream, rectangular pedestals with lush arrangements filled with hydrangeas and roses that popped amongst the natural green foliage.

Melissa held a tightly packed bouquet of light pink roses, blush hydrangea, and white calla lilies - an extra element that made her and her bridesmaids bouquets stand out from the other floral. Issac donned a boutonniere of two small white roses accented by gold wire and a touch of greenery.

This abundant, clean, and classic design style became even more bountiful at their reception, when guests were greeted with layers of soft white fabric surrounding the room that was filled with lush, white and blush arrangements with gold accented chairs and table details.

Lana designed the entire room including the layout, drapery, table elements, cake table, and the sleek white dance floor with the couple’s initials. She even accented the custom made seating chart with graceful drapery and fresh floral. However, the highlight of the evening was the unique curved sweetheart table that was drenched in their wedding flowers - down to the floor. What a WOW!

It was truly a floral wonderland.

Wedding Professionals: Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resor, Michele Butler Events, Fairbanks Florist, Cricket’s Photo and Cinema, A-List Wedding DJ’s and Entertainment, A Beautiful Ceremony, LeJeune Artistry, Over the Top Rental Linens, A Chair Affair, Inc., Bubble Miami, Dazian Creative Fabric Environments, Letz Dance On It, Dogwood Blossom Stationery & Invitation Studio, LLC, Morilee by Madeline Gardner