Spirited Soiree
When floral designer and author Ariella Chezar set out to craft a reception on the grounds of La Posada de Santa Fe Resort & Spa, she quickly saw why so many artists—most famously Georgia O’Keeffe—have been inspired by New Mexico’s natural surroundings. She captured the lively Hispanic culture so prevalent in the Southwest and channeled it into a whimsical wedding fete. This bride’s predominantly red bouquet is less structured and more free-form than traditional arrangements. Bouquet of Festiva Maxima peonies, ranunculus, Parrot tulips and poppies, $350, by Ariella Chezar, ariellaflowers.com. Dress by Claire Pettibone, clairepettibone.com. Veil by Marie Teresa Couture Veils, headpiece.com. Shrug by Saeyoung Vu Couture, vucouture.com. Shot on location at La Posada de Santa Fe Resort & Spa, Santa Fe, NM, a RockResort, laposada.rockresorts.com. —Elaine Stuart
Bright Ideas
Small shadowbox frames called nichos, which are typically used in religious shrines, become creative displays for the escort cards, $8.50 each, by Janel Claire Design, janelclaire.com. The table is adorned with a mix of tissue-paper and silk flowers, which reflect the fiery color scheme and serve a practical purpose—they won’t wilt outdoors from the heat.
Santa Fe Style
The bold invitations set a celebratory tone, $23 each, from Janel Claire Deisgn, janelclaire.com. Calligraphy by Papineau Calligraphy, papineaucalligraphy.com.
Counter Culture
Chezar centered the reception decor on vibrant hues of red, orange, magenta and stark white, accented with a touch of turquoise (paying tribute to the stone that’s locally mined). "The use of color is unrestrained here because the landscape is nearly all beige," she explains. The arid environment also influenced the choice of flowers—poppies grow in the area and can withstand the dry heat. This eclectic display of candles, frames and knickknacks for the guest-book table stems from the elaborate altars some Santa Fe locals have in their homes. Fresh geranium blossoms mixed with silk and paper flowers pull the presentation together.
Scarlet Fever
Layering varied shades of red livens the tabletops. A cluster of ruby breadseed poppies in a pewter vase next to a mirrored star votive makes a casually elegant centerpiece. Other tables feature unripened apricots and peonies in an assortment of black and silver trophy vases, pitchers and teapots. The table numbers, $10 each, by Janel Claire Design, janelclaire.com, are wrapped around tall red candles.
Festive Food
The inventive starter course is as colorful as the decor. Butter-poached Red Spot prawns with watermelon jus, shellfish essence, tomato broth and horseradish oil, by executive chef Rahm Fama for La Posada de Santa Fe Resort & Spa, laposada.rockresorts.com.
Tropical Punch
The well-suited signature cocktail, a tequila sunrise by head bartender Judy Vanderbeck for La Posada de Santa Fe Resort & Spa, laposada.rockresorts.com, is artfully garnished with a blood-orange slice. A braided red cord from M&J Trimming, mjtrim.com, is used as a decorative border on Classic Hotel cocktail napkins, $12 for six, from Pottery Barn, potterybarn.com.
Flying Colors
The trees are festooned with garlands of papel picado (traditional Mexican cut-paper streamers), silk and tissue-paper flowers, paper stars and lanterns. Candlesticks with tall taper candles help balance the busy table dressings. Tables, chairs, china, crystal, flatware and napkins, all from La Posada de Santa Fe Resort & Spa, laposada.rockresorts.com.
Table for Two
The sweetheart table’s chairs are draped with white Battenberg lace covers; tin and blue-foil frames hung with red satin ribbon from M&J Trimming, mjtrim.com, secure the bride’s and groom’s place cards, $10.50 each, by Janel Claire Design, janelclaire.com.
Strawberry Fields
Ripe berries and real flowers accented with red and white ribbon bring a fresh feel to the wedding cake. Joconde cake filled with vanilla cream and hibiscus bavarois, covered with white fondant and decorated with vintage lace, strawberry blossoms, ranunculus, begonias and geraniums, serves 130, $1,300, by pastry chef Maxime Bouneou for La Posada de Santa Fe Resort & Spa, laposada.rockresorts.com.
Red Hot
Cinnamon candy and Jordan almonds in cone-shaped doilies make fine favors. Adorned with tin wedding milagros (devotional charms), $8 each, from ¡Mira!, mirastore.com, they are presented in a bowl of dried peppers and corn.
