Las Vegas Wedding Planner and Event Designer Andrea Eppolito. Images by Patrick Quezada.

Can you use black at a baby shower? Yes, yes, and yes!

One of the things that I have enjoyed most about revitalizing my website is the opportunity to review some of my older work. I love looking back, and could not be happier with the way that these designs have held up over the years.

Every client that invited me into their life becomes a friend and in some way a part of my family. Our relationships are forged in fire, rooted in trust, and built on intimacy. But what happens when those elements already exist? When planning and designing with a friend, the process moved faster and takes on a life of its own.

When my floral partner and much-loved friend Javier told me that he and his wife were expecting their third baby, I knew that the celebration was going to be ethereal, full of personal details, and just a tad over the top! What I did not know was that Javier would invite me to work with him on the details, or that it would mean so much to me.

With two little boys already at home, the only person who knew Baby No. 3’d gender was Javier. He would not even share it with me! With no pink or blue to guide us, the color palette was going to be decidedly neutral, but very upscale. Many people wonder if you can use black at a baby shower, and the answer is yes! A black and white base allowed us to really focus on the texture and details of the design. To create a dreamlike space, Javier built lush, towering trees that he has become known for.

The green was carried through to create an ethereal garden atmosphere with arches of soft greens dotted with baby's breath and soft pastel florals. Generally speaking, I avoid baby’s breath. It reminds me of grocery stores and flowers bought on the side of the road pre-Valentine’s Day. But when used en masse and a major statement, or tucked into a cluster of roses, baby’s breath can add a soft texture and a beautiful element of surprise to a design. Especially for a baby shower! Baby’s breath is so sweet in real life, and the hint of it in Javier’s floral design was genius.

I am an avid reader and Javier loves books; specifically, books on couture fashion. They fill his studio and his home, and so it was only natural to create book jackets celebrating all things baby. There were book wraps that alluded to baby boy names, baby girl names, and the many high-end fashions Javier would undoubtedly dress his little one in.

Knowing how much Javier and I love mini-cakes, it isn’t a surprise that we had to incorporate them into the gender reveal. I wasn’t 100% certain if the ultrasound image on top of the cake would work, but given the black and white base, it was seamless and fun. This wasn’t the only edgy element Javier requested. He wanted entertainment! While most people want soft and sweet for a baby shower, Javier wanted drama and excitement to match how he and his family felt about their new bundle of joy! Cirque entertainment and neon lighting brought the energy of the room up a level and amped the anticipation as guests waited for the reveal.

So many people assume that when a couple has one gender, they immediately want the other. There is this idea that a family needs “balance” or that they are missing out if they don’t have one (or more) of each. Every couple says the same thing, “We just want a healthy baby.” But the truth is that Javier and Tania wanted boys. From the moment they met, they agreed that they wanted a family with three little boys - which is exactly what they got.

Always….a

INSTAGRAM CREDITS:

Planning @andreaeppolito  | Photo @patrickquezada  | Floral & Event Design @javier_valentino | Carpet & Drape @nfpevents  | Lighting and Dance Floor @eventsbyblisslv  | Rentals @rsvppartyrentals  | Hair & Makeup @paperbagbeauty  | Catering @culinaryartscateringlv  | Cirque Performer @diana_voropaev  | Theatrical Makeup @lastlooks_davidday  | Video @newflyfilms  | Cake @cakedlasvegas