Her Royal Eighth — Princess Garden Tea

Concept and palette were locked two weeks out: storybook royal garden in lilac and gold, built around lilac, crown gold, petal. Florals — lavender stock, garden roses, trailing wisteria — were prepared in our studio the day before.

Eight-year-old royalty demanded a "real castle" — two balloon towers and forced perspective delivered one on a townhouse patio.

Twenty-two crowned guests took the royal portrait; the birthday girl refused to abdicate at pickup time.