Hosting a glamorous dinner party is always an exciting albeit nerve-wracking experience. As host, you need to ensure that your guests have the most enjoyable time possible, and decorating with flowers is one great way to do so. As a champagne lover, with a background in event production and floristry, I always give extra thought to the floral selection and overall style of the event.
Choosing the right flowers is essential for several reasons. Flowers can enhance the ambience and atmosphere, creating a warm and inviting environment for guests, but consideration must also be given to selecting blooms with subtle fragrance. As pretentious as this may seem, it almost certainly will interfere with the delicate aromas of the champagne, let alone the culinary experience.
Roses have traditionally been used in the vineyard. They are planted at the ends of the vines as a beacon to warn of coming disease, mainly downy mildew, as the petals will stain before the vines. They attract beneficial insects that then prey on any vine pests. Historically, marking the end of the rows alerted horses they had reached the end of the row during vineyard work. These heritage roses contain beautiful fragrances, but for table décor, imported roses are preferred as they are hothouse grown and are therefore without fragrance.
Florals also function as a central point for the dinner table and help tie together the event's overall look and vibe. Placement of décor embellishments are also a visual aid in the story of champagne. The use of seashells and chalk clusters, for example, can enhance the appreciation for champagne's unique terroir and sense of place.
I’ve always possessed an extensive memory of aromas and taste. My love of flowers and champagne naturally comes together because of this and allows me to interpret selected champagnes for an event via blooms.
At a dinner with Egly-Ouriet in Sydney, hosted by Tyson Stelzer, I was inspired to use simple countryside flowers featuring daisies, Queen Anne’s lace, white cornflowers, and delphiniums mixed with the elegance and simplicity of miniature phalaenopsis orchid plants.
