Last week I attended a wedding professionals networking event at Rein Fire Ranch. Just as I had my favorite venues in Colorado, I knew that Rein Fire Ranch (RFR) was going to be one of my favorites in Washington. RFR is a 45 acre former horse facility. Outside there are gardens, a pavilion, and a fire pit. And a 4,000 square foot newly renovated barn is a lovely setting for a reception dinner. The positive energy that can be sensed at RFR is heavily attributed by the owners, Rich and George, who are warm and welcoming. You can feel how much love and thought they have poured into their venue. RFR is beautiful, expansive, and so, so peaceful.

We were hoping for good weather at our networking event so we could take full advantage of all the outdoor areas at RFR. Dark clouds loomed over us as we made our way to the ranch and during set-up a full on thunderstorm ensued. Coming from Colorado where there are crazy, intense thunderstorms, I found it quite comforting. I have always been drawn to the sky and will spend time just watching the cloud formations. And I love rain and thunderstorms. A good shower is always soothing and energizing simultaneously. For a moment I felt like I was back home.

Since rain is considered good luck on a wedding day, as it signifies that your marriage will last (the knot that becomes wet is extremely hard to untie), I thought it would be fabulous to create a ceremony backdrop that looks like a rain shower. How wonderfully grand would that be?!?! For the rain I envisioned a curtain of satin ribbon strands interspersed with hanging white and blue delphinium. The clouds would be constructed mostly with puffy balls of hydrangea – white hydrangea, light blue hydrangea, and dark blue hydrangea. There would also be cotton pods and dusty miller, with a touch of quicksand roses and peach stock, which would mimic the warm glow created by the sun. The sun, which would definitely be a must, would be created from crem de la crem roses, yellow spray roses, light yellow stock, and dancing lady orchids. How utterly magnificent would it be to get married in front of a floral rain shower???

 

I also was inspired to sketch out a design for the entrance to the reception barn. The entrance to such a beautiful space needed something just as magical to greet guests. Originally, I was thinking I would create a sunset design, as glorious sunsets generally follow rain showers. But looking at the architectural structure of the building, an image of two trees flanking either side of the entrance popped into my head. These trees would be created from long branches of curly willow for the trunk and for the tree branches. For the leaves I would use willow eucalyptus or perhaps even silver dollar eucalyptus. And warm white fairy lights on these trees would add an illuminated, magical feeling. Any time I can incorporate fairy lights into a design is always delightful!

 

I cannot wait to create designs for a wedding or event at Rein Fire Ranch sometime in the future. I would absolutely love to make a rain shower backdrop for your wedding ceremony. Bestowing good luck and wishes for a long married life together is something that can even be conjured through thoughtful, intentional floral design. Let it rain!