Rooted in a palette of deep, rich tones and elegant Victorian references, this welcome party design blended warmth, texture, and modern refinement.
Set in the historic Ellsworth Block in downtown Madison, Wisconsin, the venue’s high ceilings, exposed brick, and natural light offered the beautifully raw foundation we built upon. The perfect intimate venue for hosting your welcome party, rehearsal dinner, or intimate wedding. We layered warm lighting, saturated hues, and thoughtful details to enhance the venue’s personality without overwhelming it.
The design was grounded in intimacy and intentionality. Wines from a local queer-owned shop were woven throughout to reinforce the evening’s wine-forward mood and sense of place.
At the heart of the space, we placed a bold tablescape beneath the venue’s glass-ceiling sky deck. During the day, light softened the color story; by night, the glow of table lamps cast the room in a rich, moody glow. Textured dupioni silk linens and botanical-print napkins in deep navy anchored this table design, while florals by Daffodil Parker added depth, movement, and color. The flower palette gradually moved from oxblood to merigold to merlot, creating the feeling of a wine-soaked canvas.
Each place setting mixed heirloom-inspired plates with delicate glassware; wine bottles were nestled among the florals—some open and ready to pour, others set aside as if waiting to be discovered. The result felt effortless, full of warmth, and made for intentional gathering.
Rather than a standard escort display, we created mini champagne towers wrapped around a floral pedestal. Each coupe held a name tag, offering a playful, unexpected way for guests to find their seat.
The couple wore soft, neutral tones—sandstone, beige—that quietly contrasted with the richer surroundings. Every element—linens, light, florals, and textures—was chosen to balance richness and restraint, history and modernity. Design is our specialty, and we loved styling every element of this day.
Photo: Valerie Halling
Video: C Lee Creations
Design, Styling & Planning: Q Jancola
Venue: Ellsworth Block
Florals: Daffodil Parker
Stationery: FEST Paper & Design
Rentals Event Essentials, Velvet Rentals, BBJ La Tavola
Wine: Square Wine Co.
