Western-Inspired Rehearsal Dinner at Top of the Rock in Ridgedale, Missouri

When Kristin, the Mother of the Groom, reached out to me about designing the florals for their rehearsal dinner at Top of the Rock by Big Cedar Lodge in Ridgedale, Missouri, she had a beautiful vision in mind. She dreamed of a western-inspired aesthetic to honor the Groom and his Texas roots while incorporating elements that paid tribute to Native American heritage—a perfect nod to the Wine Cellar’s incredible collection of historic artifacts.

The Bride, Julia, brought her own inspiration to the table. As a Missouri native with a love for wildflowers and feminine details, Kristin requested that the florals also reflect Julia’s style in an elegant and thoughtful way.

One of the unique challenges of this event was the venue’s large, grand tables. While stunning, their size can make floral design tricky—they need to feel lush and full without becoming overwhelming. To strike the perfect balance, I used loose, flowing Italian ruscus to create a lush greenery runner down the center of each table. This softened the dark wood, brought life to the moody space, and served as the foundation for the overall design.

For a touch of color and texture, we lined the tables with bud vases filled with local flowers, including larkspur, delphinium, zinnias, scabiosa, yarrow, foxglove, and coneflowers. To honor the Native American influence, we incorporated feathers into the arrangements. The bright, summery colors brought so much joy and celebratory energy to the room, creating a vibrant yet elegant atmosphere.

It was such an honor to be part of this special celebration. And that sunset view? It’s hard to top those golden Missouri skies!

Photography by Melissa Hailey Photo