Folger Shakespeare Library Gala

White feathers, gold leaves, and a little theatrical flair at the Folger Shakespeare Library

There’s something undeniably magical about the Folger Shakespeare Library, especially when it transforms for a black-tie spring gala. As floral designers, we loved the opportunity to create one of our favorite DC gala flowers installations to date. This year’s annual fundraiser for the Folger Shakespeare Library leaned into drama with white ostrich feathers, gilded monstera leaves, and a monochromatic floral palette that whispered Gatsby without getting costume-y.

The evening unfolded inside the historic Folger Shakespeare Library, and the florals took their cues from the architecture: classic, sculptural, and a little moody. Tall arrangements towered over guest tables atop gold Harlow stands in a monochromatic floral palette of white hydrangea, white roses, white stock and white hybrid delphinium, softened with floating ostrich feathers and flecked with gold-painted palm foliage for just the right amount of shimmer. The low arrangements played the same tune in a quieter register, textural, tonal, and candlelit.

The band front was our favorite moment: a luxe fringe of white baby’s breath and feathers that wrapped the base of the stage and caught the light just so. It’s not often we get to do florals that double as set design, but when we do, this is what we love.

We kept everything in that white-and-gold lane, letting the textures carry the room: velvety petals, metallic shine, soft feather movement. No neon. No overkill. Just layers of softness and shape that felt right for the space and the crowd.

Designing DC gala flowers means striking the balance between opulence and storytelling, something the Folger Shakespeare Theater makes especially rewarding. For a gala like this, one that aspires to be formal, cultural, and a little over-the-top, the key is editing. Let one or two bold floral moments take center stage, then keep the rest polished and intentional. That’s what makes it feel luxe, not loud.

Tall design of feathers and gilded foliage for DC gala floral design — Elman Studio

DC gala floral design for reception — Elman Studio

Flowers for DC gala floral design at the Folger Shakespeare Library included gilded monstera leaves, white roses, and bleached Italian ruscus. — Elman Studio

Cocktail arrangement for Folger Shakespeare Library gala — Elman Studio

Folger Shakespeare Library gala floral design low centerpiece — Elman Studio

Luxe band front of feathers, roses and baby's breath for Folger Shakespeare Library gala — Elman Studio

Venue: Folger Shakespeare Library

Photography: Elman Studio

Caterer: Design Cuisine

Rentals: DC Rental

Tenting: Curated Events

Lighting: 4Wall Entertainment

Florist: Petal’s Edge

When Mother Nature takes her cues from the tablescape. 😉⁣
⁣
At River Farm, the serpentine table looked as though it had grown right out of the landscape. Florals in plum, blush, taupe, and eggplant wound between wood candle holders and fruit, creating a rhythm that felt perfectly in step with the surrounding gardens. The palette was moody but soft, a study in texture and tone rather than contrast. It is our favorite kind of designs: one that blurs the line between what is arranged and what simply belongs.⁣
⁣
📍 @riverfarm_va⁣
📷 @ashleewilcoxphoto⁣
💐 @petalsedgedc⁣
🪑 @curatedeventsdmv
📜 @thestationeryarchitect⁣
📋@simplybold_events

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Open post by petalsedgedc with ID 18071126419997470

When Mother Nature takes her cues from the tablescape. 😉⁣
⁣
At River Farm, the serpentine table looked as though it had grown right out of the landscape. Florals in plum, blush, taupe, and eggplant wound between wood candle holders and fruit, creating a rhythm that felt perfectly in step with the surrounding gardens. The palette was moody but soft, a study in texture and tone rather than contrast. It is our favorite kind of designs: one that blurs the line between what is arranged and what simply belongs.⁣
⁣
📍 @riverfarm_va⁣
📷 @ashleewilcoxphoto⁣
💐 @petalsedgedc⁣
🪑 @curatedeventsdmv
📜 @thestationeryarchitect⁣
📋@simplybold_events

We call it the creep…

Everyone talks about the rising cost of flowers, but there’s another story behind the numbers: time. Over the years, wedding timelines have stretched. First looks, detail shots, getting-ready portraits, ceremony and reception setups starting hours earlier than before, and more complex with event breakdowns. Florists are often still paid by the piece, not by the hour, yet the hours have multiplied.

What was once a 2 to 4 hour delivery day has quietly turned into a 12 to 16 hour production days with setup, standby, and late-night breakdowns. And flowers are still perishable, so they cannot sit out waiting for the photography timeline to catch up.

When couples ask why flowers cost more now, this is part of the answer. It is not just about stems or supply chains. It is the labor, the logistics, and the reality that perfection takes time, often a lot more than it used to.

Cover @masonphotography

123 15

Open post by petalsedgedc with ID 18294771121257479

We call it the creep…

Everyone talks about the rising cost of flowers, but there’s another story behind the numbers: time. Over the years, wedding timelines have stretched. First looks, detail shots, getting-ready portraits, ceremony and reception setups starting hours earlier than before, and more complex with event breakdowns. Florists are often still paid by the piece, not by the hour, yet the hours have multiplied.

What was once a 2 to 4 hour delivery day has quietly turned into a 12 to 16 hour production days with setup, standby, and late-night breakdowns. And flowers are still perishable, so they cannot sit out waiting for the photography timeline to catch up.

When couples ask why flowers cost more now, this is part of the answer. It is not just about stems or supply chains. It is the labor, the logistics, and the reality that perfection takes time, often a lot more than it used to.

Cover @masonphotography

Head tables call for drama.⁣
⁣
At the International Spy Museum, Danielle & Peter’s head table became the focal point of the reception. Suspended florals brought color and scale into a sleek, modern space, while candles and layered textures grounded the design to create intimacy beneath. The effect was both dramatic and inviting, a statement that marked the couple’s place in the room. For us, flowers aren’t just about filling space, they’re about shaping it: directing attention, softening architecture, and transforming even the most contemporary venue into something romantic and unforgettable.⁣
⁣
📍 @spymuseumprivateevents⁣
🍽 @occasionscaterers⁣
📷 @photomat22
💐 @petalsedgedc⁣
🪑 @perfectsettingsllc⁣
📋 @bellanottedc

5 5

Open post by petalsedgedc with ID 17909598372097743

Head tables call for drama.⁣
⁣
At the International Spy Museum, Danielle & Peter’s head table became the focal point of the reception. Suspended florals brought color and scale into a sleek, modern space, while candles and layered textures grounded the design to create intimacy beneath. The effect was both dramatic and inviting, a statement that marked the couple’s place in the room. For us, flowers aren’t just about filling space, they’re about shaping it: directing attention, softening architecture, and transforming even the most contemporary venue into something romantic and unforgettable.⁣
⁣
📍 @spymuseumprivateevents⁣
🍽 @occasionscaterers⁣
📷 @photomat22
💐 @petalsedgedc⁣
🪑 @perfectsettingsllc⁣
📋 @bellanottedc

A floral palette of rich jewel tones have a way of redefining a room... For Alex & John`s wedding at the Hotel Monaco, layers of burgundy, eggplant, and textured seasonal blooms brought depth and drama to the ceremony space. The architecture was already striking, but the flowers changed the atmosphere, creating warmth, intimacy, and focus where guests gathered. That’s the impact of investing in floral design: it goes beyond color. Flowers set the mood, shape the experience, and ensure your wedding feels unforgettable from the very first impression.⁣
⁣
📍@monacodc⁣
📷 jencody⁣
💐 @petalsedgedc

4 1

Open post by petalsedgedc with ID 17964694433976924

A floral palette of rich jewel tones have a way of redefining a room... For Alex & John's wedding at the Hotel Monaco, layers of burgundy, eggplant, and textured seasonal blooms brought depth and drama to the ceremony space. The architecture was already striking, but the flowers changed the atmosphere, creating warmth, intimacy, and focus where guests gathered. That’s the impact of investing in floral design: it goes beyond color. Flowers set the mood, shape the experience, and ensure your wedding feels unforgettable from the very first impression.⁣
⁣
📍@monacodc⁣
📷 jencody⁣
💐 @petalsedgedc

Did you know that baby’s breath can be a showstopper all on its own? 🌟

At Meaghan & David’s Willard Hotel wedding, we used this delicate bloom to create everything from airy, elevated centerpieces to rings of the tiny flowers to circle candles and lush runners on the head table. The result? A look that’s both ethereal and elegant, proving that baby’s breath can be more than just a filler flower. It’s a versatile, often budget-friendly option that brings a soft, romantic vibe to any wedding. Who’s ready to fall in love with this understated beauty? 😍

📍 @willard_intercontinentaldc
📷 @kellylossphoto
💐 @petalsedgedc

9 3

Open post by petalsedgedc with ID 17858944599510431

Did you know that baby’s breath can be a showstopper all on its own? 🌟

At Meaghan & David’s Willard Hotel wedding, we used this delicate bloom to create everything from airy, elevated centerpieces to rings of the tiny flowers to circle candles and lush runners on the head table. The result? A look that’s both ethereal and elegant, proving that baby’s breath can be more than just a filler flower. It’s a versatile, often budget-friendly option that brings a soft, romantic vibe to any wedding. Who’s ready to fall in love with this understated beauty? 😍

📍 @willard_intercontinentaldc
📷 @kellylossphoto
💐 @petalsedgedc

Backyard weddings come with charm built in. Intimacy, laughter, the feeling of home. And flowers should be designed to meet that atmosphere! For Kristel & Jordan`s celebration, we leaned into their pastel floral palette paired with texture, and movement, keeping the palette playful but elevated. The result was a design that felt one-of-a-kind, deeply personal, and still refined. It’s proof that whether it’s a ballroom or a backyard, thoughtful floral design always sets the tone for the experience.⁣
⁣
📷 @apkephotography⁣
🍽 @getplateddc⁣
💐 @petalsedgedc⁣
🍰 @sweettreatsdmv

9 3

Open post by petalsedgedc with ID 17866221273463778

Backyard weddings come with charm built in. Intimacy, laughter, the feeling of home. And flowers should be designed to meet that atmosphere! For Kristel & Jordan's celebration, we leaned into their pastel floral palette paired with texture, and movement, keeping the palette playful but elevated. The result was a design that felt one-of-a-kind, deeply personal, and still refined. It’s proof that whether it’s a ballroom or a backyard, thoughtful floral design always sets the tone for the experience.⁣
⁣
📷 @apkephotography⁣
🍽 @getplateddc⁣
💐 @petalsedgedc⁣
🍰 @sweettreatsdmv

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2 Responses

Wedding Photographer in Washington DC says:

September 9, 2025 at 12:09 am

I have attended a show here and I thought it would make a beautiful and interesting wedding space.

Reply
1. Gerry says:
  
  September 9, 2025 at 9:01 am
  
  I don’t know if they open for weddings, but it was fun to do a gala there!
  
  Reply

Folger Shakespeare Library Gala

Folger Shakespeare Library Gala

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