Toscana Dreams and Earthy Elegance: The 5th Annual Folino Wedding Open House

Apr 16

Written By Karla C

Back in October, I got a special invite to the 5th Annual Wedding Open House at Folino Estate. This was my second year participating, and let me tell you—I walked in feeling so much more ready this time around. I already knew the level of artistry this expo needs, and I couldn't wait to reunite with my vendor community to see what kind of magic we could dream up together.

This year’s theme was Villa Toscana, and it was stunning. Curated by Andrea Folino, the palette was a gorgeous mix of olives, burgundy, and terracotta. It had that perfect "modern vintage" aesthetic that I am absolutely loving right now.

The Power of Contrast

While I was designing for the Barrel Room, I spent some time looking at the long table Jessie the Florist and Spoon and Salt, were putting together. It was filled with greens, light browns, and terracotta. At first, I thought about staying safe and going monochrome with greens, but then I realized—my decor needed its own moment to shine.

I decided to go bold instead! I went with a deep burgundy—think of the estate’s grapes—and mixed it with textured silks and silver to pull the whole look together. The result? A signature Standing Balloon Garland that was a total social-media magnet. I paired it with a velvet chair and my drape pedestals topped with custom floral arrangements by Jessie. Just like that, we turned a corner of the room into an interactive experience where couples could actually picture their future together.

Texture & Experience

For 2026, I’m really focusing on creating moments that guests want to live in. We mixed silks, fruits, and organic balloon silhouettes to make the space feel multi-dimensional. We set up a station right in our booth area so guests could really immerse themselves in the installation.

Whether it was the silk-finish on the balloons or that pop of burgundy against the rustic wine barrels, every single detail was intentional. Seeing people interact with the space reminded me exactly why I do this: we don’t just decorate rooms at Ll’amour Events & Decor, we create memories.

The Process: A Real Family Affair

The "behind the scenes" is always where the heart is. This setup was months in the making, and on the day of the event, my daughter and I headed out an hour early to make sure everything was perfect. We pulled off a 90-minute "blitz" to get the station ready for the cameras.

Everything was a total success, but the day definitely had its "real life" moments—like when it was time to head home and I realized our car battery had died! Even with that long day, I wouldn't trade the memories I made working alongside my daughter. There is just something special about seeing a family effort turn a simple sketch into something breathtaking.

That "Magical" Feeling

Villa Toscana was such a beautiful experience. The venue was packed with so much talent—it was great to see old friends from last year and meet some new faces. The Barrel Room felt like a trip to old-world Italy, complete with a musical trio and a gelati cart. I loved hearing all the sweet feedback as families stopped for photos at our station. From the food to the fashion show, the whole day was magic. I’m already counting down to 2027!