My Top 5 Event Design Moments of 2019
Great designs leave their impact long after their initial creation. While trends come and go, certain design choices rooted in bold creative vision leave a mark that lasts long after the event itself.
The year 2019 was one rooted in deep creativity for Eddie Zaratsian Lifestyle & Design. The design projects we took on in 2019 pushed boundaries and confirmed that styles that truly work don’t belong to a single moment in time. I am so appreciative for all of the wonderful clients, events and opportunities that came our way!
Here are some of my top five design moments of this time and why they meant so much to me.
Luxury Brand Activation Floral Design
When a brand calls on us to design an installation, the stakes are different. It's not just about beauty. It's about embodying what that brand stands for — in flowers, in scale, in every detail.
We created breathtaking installations for a range of brands through the year, from beauty brands like Patrick Ta, Kosas and Dose of Colors celebrating pop ups to high end fashion brands having openings.
One of my most memorable installations was the reopening of Hermès in Waikiki in 2019. I had set an intention at the start of that year: I wanted to work more with major fashion houses in the year. A few months later, I was in Hawaii building a floral chandelier over nine feet tall using tropical birds of paradise, anthurium, orchids, ginger, and cascading hanging greens I call "Bo Derek Hair." The palette was bold — hot pink, orange, red, yellow — grounded by lush tropical foliage.
The result was immersive. It felt like Hermès. That's the goal with every brand activation we take on.
Want to create that kind of brand moment? Explore our corporate event design services →
2. Jewel Tone Wedding Decor Ideas
While blush and nude tones are popular wedding decor choices, bold jewel tones are stunning for wedding design. Jewel tones provide a level of sophistication and depth that is unparalleled when it comes to wedding decor. Jewel tones do something that soft palettes simply cannot — they command a room.
I like to push my clients to think outside of what I call the “blush box” when it comes to wedding design. Jewel tones in shades of rich fuchsia, purple, emerald, and gold create a visually magnetic and energetic look to a wedding banquet that leaves guests mesmerized. Jewel tones are perfect to use not just in wedding decor, but also for bridal showers, pop ups, birthday parties, and more.
One of my favorite jewel tone weddings was at Taglyan Complex in Hollywood. The bride, Armine, trusted me completely — and that trust is everything. We built a candle wall with mirror-backed shelving that made hundreds of LED candles reflect endlessly into the room. We surrounded the sweetheart table with fuchsia spray roses, peonies, orchids, and garden roses against rich emerald greens. When we stepped back and turned on the lights, the room was transformed.
That's what jewel tones do. They don't whisper. They declare.
Dreaming of a bold, luxurious wedding design? See our wedding design and production services →
3. Wedding Chuppah Floral Design
Wedding chuppahs are a meaningful and impactful addition to wedding ceremonies, symbolizing the new home and life the couple will build together. Wedding chuppahs range from simple structures adorned in a light fabric to ornate installations topped with fresh florals, greens, ribbons, and more. From the many chuppahs I design for weddings, one of my favorites is the one I created for Ashley and Lior at the Four Seasons in Westlake Village.
To design a chuppah that screams grand, we surround it with an abundance of roses, wisteria, and smilax that completely envelope the couple. Guests were sending messages all evening about how beautiful the ceremony felt.
The chuppah doesn't just decorate a ceremony. It holds it.
Planning a Jewish wedding or a ceremony that deserves its own moment? Learn more about our wedding design services →
4. Milestone Birthday Party Decor in Los Angeles
Milestone birthday parties are one of the most memorable celebrations in clients’ lives and we love to design and plan them, from Sweet Sixteen pirates to grand 40th, 50th, and 60th birthday party celebrations.
Milestone birthdays deserve milestone design. For my sister-in-law Yana's 40th at the Sunset Room in Hollywood, we went completely out of this world — literally. Oversized inflatable installations hung from the ceiling to create a galaxy atmosphere. Iridescent and metallic materials caught the light from every angle. Every corner of the room was a photo moment.
The goal with milestone events is always the same: give people something they've never seen before, designed specifically for them.
Ready to design a celebration that's as unforgettable as the person you're honoring? Explore our private event design services →
5. Monochrome Event Design
Sometimes the most powerful design choice is the use of one color, done with intention. The monochrome trend can make for a beautiful event design when done right. Monochromatic design can be the perfect choice for baby showers, where pink and all blue tones make for big impact. One particular color repeating can be magnificent when you vary textures, heights, and materials in the same color. Instead of pattern mixing and color distractions, monochromatic design lets you display the full beauty of one color explored completely.
The monochromatic approach is one I believe will remain relevant for years to come. It forces you to be creative within constraints — and that often produces the most striking results.
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