Mamma Mia! The Cozy Comfort of an Intimate Italian Restaurant, Amplified in Editorial at Essence Event Center

Green Goddess Floral channels la bella vita in this elevated rustic design starring fresh fruit and vegetables at The Essence Event Center in St. Paul. Eye-catching details transform the space into a verdant indoor garden bursting with color from start to finish. Warm strings of light illuminate tables topped with red gingham tablecloths reminiscent of a hole-in-the-wall trattoria. Lush dahlias and roses interspersed with in-season vegetables are artfully tucked into vintage-inspired tomato cans while pots of basil and fresh bread loaves infuse the air with a delectable scent. Whimsical touches add a joyful feel to the setting, such as the retro-designed menu. One of the standout moments is the escort card display. “The seating chart was a 360-degree experience complete with a wooden wire spool and cutting boards calligraphed with seat assignments,” says Jeni Becht of Green Goddess Floral. “It also had fun accents like vintage scales, pasta containers, basil plants, olive plants, bread loaves and cabbage vases.”

Tomatoes make a playful appearance throughout the design, from the cherry tomatoes atop each napkin to the signature cocktail, “The Tomatini.” The bridal bouquet also captures the fresh-from-the-garden vibe with its array of brightly-hued local blooms accented by plump, on-the-vine tomatoes, garlic cloves and cattle horn peppers. The flourishing setting is a veritable journey to Italy—without boarding a plane.

All the details involved vegetables from my own garden to add vibrant color and an amazing aroma.

—Jeni Becht, Green Goddess Floral