The reveal of the Cindy Chao Black Label jewelry collection for 60 guests. In a departure from the Asian custom of using many rounds or the Western style of using long rectangles, the event designer uses one huge round that sat all 60 guests. The circle represents both the sense of equality of King Arthur's Round Table and a theme of reunion. The circle itself is vital in Chinese culture.
Four thousand green lotus seedpods and 1,800 hydrangeas are used to create the two-tier floral chandelier.
Below the hanging hydrangeas on the table itself is a round flower arrangement, like a full moon. Event designer Kao Yi-Ching avoided putting a large centerpiece on such a large table; had she done so, it would have looked "like a giant pizza pie," she says.
Bouquets are made of grandiforus, roses and hydrangeas, all connected by white rose petals.
From the centerpiece on the table, 60 strands of crystal beads shoot out like stars to each place setting.
At the end strand of crystal beads stands an artichoke, which resembles a lotus flower, a motif from the chandelier above.
The inner layer of the floral chandelier is made of thousands of white hydrangeas, suggesting a cloud. Crystals add sparkle.
Every hydrangea needed to be lined up and hung precisely to create a clean, white line; any shadows would have marred the intended effect.
The outer layer of the chandelier is made of thousands of lotus seedpods, which were in season in Beijing in July, the date of the event. The designer aimed to create a summer lotus pond above guests.
Many silver ribbons and crystal beads dangle from the chandelier, suggesting rain falling from the sky.
The combination of the huge round table and chandelier suggested "one heaven, one earth."
The table features 42 bouquets and a carpet of white rose petals, all accented with warm votives.
The centerpiece floral uses a simple palette of white and green.
The clean white of the centerpiece floral stands out in the darkened room.
All told, the chandelier is 25 feet wide and 9 feet tall.
Despite its mammoth size, the chandelier appears light and nearly transparent.
The dining table is a nearly 43 feet in diameter.
The designer says the chandelier represents a lotus pond and the table sparkles with "stars," "reversing the sky and earth."
Another view of the dining table with chandelier.
And behind the scenes: Assembling the chandelier took six steps for each flower--measuring, providing water, adding hangers, arranging each strand, transporting the strand and finally placing it in position.
With an 1,100-pound weight limit for the chandelier, each element used had to be measured precisely.
The team at work 48 hours before the event; 40 workers assemble the chandelier.
The team putting the 5,600 blooms in place.
Although guests admiring the chandelier probably didn't know it, computers were used to plot hang points.
For more outstanding tabletop design from The Precious Moment, click
here.
This event is a 2011 Gala Award Nominee; for a list of all this year's Gala Nominees, click
here.
For more beautiful Photo Galleries, click here.
