Wedding Flowers at Emerald Falls Event Center

Emerald Falls Event Center is a study in verticality and neutral textures. For a floral designer, the opportunity lies in the venue’s height and its clean, black-and-white color palette, which allows for high-contrast palettes and ambitious installations. We know this venue well from our work here and focus our designs on grounding the large-scale architecture with organic, intentional movement.

The Spaces

Main Ballroom

The ballroom is defined by its soaring ceilings and dark wood beams. While the natural light is abundant during the day, the space can feel cavernous if the floral design is kept strictly to the tabletops.

• What works: Hanging greenery or “floral clouds” suspended from the beams. These installations draw the eye up and make the large room feel more intimate.
• Skip: Short, compact centerpieces. They disappear in the scale of this room.
• Watch out: Rigging requirements. Any installation on the beams requires specific coordination for ladder or lift access during setup.
• Budget hero move: Focus your investment on two or three beams directly over the dance floor or head table rather than spreading a smaller budget across every beam in the room.

Outdoor Ceremony Pad

Situated near a pond, this space is a clean concrete pad that acts as a blank slate. The challenge here is the lack of natural shade and potential wind coming off the water.

• What works: Ground-level “meadow” arrangements that curve around the ceremony space. They look like they are growing out of the concrete and don’t fight the natural landscape.
• Skip: Tall, top-heavy pedestals or lightweight arches. The wind exposure near the water feature can easily tip over unstable structures.
• Watch out: The sun can be intense on the concrete; choose hardy blooms like roses, carnations, or tropicals that won’t wilt before the processional.
• Budget hero move: Use heavy-based, floor-seated arrangements that can be easily moved to the fireplace or the front of the sweetheart table for the reception.

Lobby & Grand Staircase

This is the first impression for guests and a frequent site for photography. The wood beams and stone fireplace provide a modern rustic texture that pairs well with lush greenery.

• What works: A “crawling” staircase installation where greenery and blooms appear to climb the banister.
• Skip: Small, isolated bud vases on the mantel. They look like an afterthought against the massive stone facade.
• Watch out: Ensure the staircase greenery is secured tightly so it doesn’t shift as people move past it.
• Budget hero move: A lush, asymmetrical mantel arrangement on the fireplace. It creates a focal point for the room without the labor costs of a full staircase install.

What Works at Emerald Falls Event Center

1. High-contrast palettes. The neutral black, white, and wood tones of the venue are the perfect backdrop for crisp white florals with deep green foliage, or even bold, saturated autumnal tones like burgundy and mustard.
2. Architectural greenery. Use the existing lines of the building. Smilax or plumosa fern trailing along the beams looks natural and sophisticated.
3. Symmetry at the fireplace. The stone fireplaces are massive. Using symmetrical flanking arrangements helps frame the space and brings a sense of formality to the rustic interior.
4. Textural variety. Mix soft blooms like ranunculus with architectural elements like dried palms or pampas grass to lean into the modern rustic aesthetic.
5. Intentional repurposing. Because the ceremony and reception spaces are often separate but nearby, moving ground-level ceremony pieces to the base of the grand staircase or the bar area is a seamless way to maximize your budget.

Budget Guide

The architecture here is strong enough to stand on its own, but it truly comes alive when softened by thoughtful, large-scale floral design.

Tips

• Weight your outdoor structures. Ensure any arch or arbor used at the pond site has a weighted base or is secured to the concrete to prevent wind-related accidents.
• Coordinate rigging early. If you want beam installations, confirm the venue’s policy on lift rentals or ladder use well in advance.
• Prioritize the “eye-level” view. In a room this tall, make sure there is visual interest at the height where guests are sitting and standing, not just on the ceiling.
• Embrace the neutral. The black and white bones of the venue mean you can go in almost any color direction without clashing with the carpet or walls.
• Think about the transition. Since the patio is often used for cocktail hour, ensure there is a small floral “thread” that carries the design from the outdoor ceremony to the indoor reception.