ORCHID MANIA: THE 11th ANNUAL NYBG ORCHID DINNER

Photos courtesy of Patrick McMullen

Designer  Katie Ridder with sponsor Veranda Magazine's Editor in Chief, Dara Caponigro, event Chair.

As one of the standout table setting events of the year, The New York Botanical Garden's Orchid Dinner the week before last amazed and enchanted. The annual event, sponsored by, among others, Veranda and Hearst Corporation, raises funds for the New York institution and marks the start of their Orchid Show, now in it's 11th year. Seeing tables in the Mandarin Oriental ballroom completely transformed and adorned by orchids, over 25 designers and floral artists showcased their talents, channeling the theme, Exotic Inspirations.  Outstanding creations using the delicate flower literally took your breath away. It is one of those moments in time that is so hard to capture on camera, to do it justice. If you looked one way and you saw masses of orchids. If you looked another, you saw the twinkling city lights and cabs racing by 36 floors below.

 If you love orchids,  then a visit to the NYBG Orchid Show is a must.  Rare orchids of every size and color are masterfully displayed in the Enid Haupt Conservatory at The Garden until April 22nd. I plan on making a weekend jaunt up there soon, so expect to see some snaps soon on my @stylebeat twitter and instagram feeds.

Here are some of the design standouts of the evening:

Mark Cunningham's Alex Gaston created a centerpiece with masses of white orchids in a low rounded arrangement. Organic designs from Canvas are at each place setting. Chairs and tablecloth are covered in all white Sunbrella fabrics.

Another look at the orchids, lit from beneath by small votives.

Green and white  looked fresh and classic on the table from Tiffany by Richard Moore White orchids in a round arrangement in a tall white urn are teamed up with a green and white lattice printed fabric.

Digitally printed place mats carry the floral theme forward.

One of my favorite florists, Connie over at Plaza Flowers created an elevated dome of white orchids high enough to stand full-height candelabras below. Pretty amazing.

A flowering tree emerges from the center of Steven Elrod's gorgeous table for Brunschig and Fils.  As if the tree was not enough of a piece de resistance, he added hanging lanterns.

Chairs covered in vibrant red and white pagoda fabric.

Robert Couturier created the most spectacular tree out of orchid stems.

Incroyable.

What fun Sherill Canet had. A tall pagoda studded with orchid blooms held sway amongst a low orchid  surround. Yellow studded mats add a bit of glamour and texture to the table.

Orchids around the base of the pagoda.

Tiny yellow orchids are a welcome sight amidst all the white. A crown of yellow orchids hang above a centerpiece made from hanging blown-glass orbs with floating votives inside.

A detail of the hanging votives. What a great idea. It was stunning.

Lee Cavanaugh for Cullman and Kravis brought the brights of India to the top of the Time Warner building. Paring turquoise, hot pink and orange fabrics, swags of orchids and vases of oranges and lemons the vision enchanted.

Touches of gold complemented the riot of color.

Bamboo branches and hot pink orchids with paper lanterns gave James Rixner for Saint - Louis and Puiforcat a dreamy escapist feeling.

 Puiforcat flatware and red crystal stemware from Saint - Louis are paired with a rich red and gold palette.

Shawn Henderson worked with Baccarat, pairing large crystal vessels and a stark modern white structure that housed potted white orchids.

Hilary Pereira for Christofle created a white peacock centerpiece out of orchids. Wow.

The Flower School of New York in Tudor City created a tight centerpiece of low, brightly colored orchids. Guests of this table got to take home miniature potted orchids. Mine may need to be put on life support soon.

Jeff Lincoln covered his table in Fortuny fabric. Tall rock crystal candlesticks surrounded a white orchid arrangement.

A close up of the juxtaposition of rock crystal and white blooms.

Nicolette Owens had a low, flowing arrangement of pale pinks and yellows. I liked how she added a shimmery bronze sequin tablecloth for a different texture.

Richard Mishaan, recently re-opened his NYC store Homer. He stands by his tropical vision of colored orchids and ikat.

Mishaan told me his table was tropical-meets-Dr Seuss. Agreed! He covered a vase in colored cord trim creating stripes.

Roric Tobin's high arrangement was potted in a stunning tall antique urn.

Vincente Wolf put orchids on display in a bright red birdcage