Last weekend the Seattle Met Bride and Groom crew set up at the Seattle Wedding Show for a weekend of cake samples, runway styles, and the grand unveiling of the winter/spring 2015 edition of the magazine (on newsstands now).

We were blown away by the romantic French-country booth design, flawlessly pulled off by event designer Kaleb Norman James. After the show wrapped, we chatted him up about all the elegant details. Get inspired, below. 

How'd you dream up the booth?
“The theme and inspiration for the booth stemmed from my love of anything French country. From reclaimed wood to architecturally inspired furniture and the beauty of a mature outdoor garden, we pulled pieces that you'd find in a countryside manor home. This time of year, Seattle can be so grey and dreary, so I wanted the overall look to feel fresh and inviting, hence the moss green draping and cascading greenery on both the mantel and branch chandelier.”

What did you imagine about the hypothetical couple getting married here and their celebration?
“I really pictured it as an outdoor setting. In the real world, the mantel would sit under a big oak tree, serving as the altar for the ceremony; the aisle would be flanked with large, wild arrangements full of wildflowers and trailing vines. I see the couple as being experienced and well-traveled—they've had their wild adventures and now decided to settle down, so the feeling of their wedding evokes an air of groundedness and home.”

Favorite thing about the design elements:
“Working within this theme was really enjoyable because it allowed for the flowers to be really loose and free, which is my favorite. I really focused on greenery and had the actual flowers almost as filler pieces, which is a little counter-intuitive. I love the movement it created, and felt like it was more appropriate given the French country vibe. Also, that mantel has been something I've had my eye on for so long and knew I wanted to use it for an event that allowed it to really stand out. With the size of the booth it was my perfect opportunity.”

What types of flowers and foliage did you pick?
“I used just about every type of eucalyptus known to man, which is one of my favorite kind of greenery for its desaturated sage tones and looseness. I also incorporated a lot of branches to add to that outdoor, natural feel. We used deciduous elm from a local grower that was starting to sprout leaves, as well as quince which was just beginning to form blossoms. As for flowers, I focused on peonies, garden roses, and ranunculus (which are my favorite flowers to work because of their texture, heavy petal-count, and beautiful aroma).”

Vendor Resources
Flowers and event design: Kaleb Norman James
Mantel and chandelier: Ivy Gift and Home
Draping and couch: Rented Elegance