A Decade of Todd Events

To commemorate the 10th anniversary of Todd Events, acclaimed floral and event designer Todd Fiscus takes us for a stroll down memory lane with his top 10 favorite floral moments of the decade

toddport3-246x300Everything is bigger in Texas, so it’s not surprising that Dallas-based event designer Todd Fiscus is celebrating the 10th anniversary of his firm, Todd Events, in a very big way. Throughout September and October, “Team Todd” has planned 10 unique experiences that will share the “Art of the Party” with friends, clients, and nonprofit groups in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Fiscus has good reason to celebrate in such grand fashion. Since opening his doors in 2004, his business has blossomed from a neighborhood flower shop with four employees into an event powerhouse with two offices statewide and a team of 66. He’s conceived and created thousands of events around the globe—each one as individualized and as inspiring as the next.

“Parties are my personal bliss,” Fiscus says. “They are my art; they are my craft. When an event is 100% installed, there is no greater pleasure for me than to sit back and enjoy the beauty of that moment—even if it’s for just a few hours.” Following, Fiscus presents his own top 10 list.

For the cake table at this Dallas wedding, we created a custom tablecloth from 3,000 fresh daisies, and wrapped the cake stand in a boxwood wreath. It was Southern simplicity at its finest. I loved that this table had a classic feel but was softly modern at the same time. | Photo by Stephen Karlisch
For the cake table at this Dallas wedding, we created a custom tablecloth from 3,000 fresh daisies and wrapped the cake stand in a boxwood wreath. It was Southern simplicity at its finest. I loved that this table had a classic feel but was softly modern at the same time. | Photo by Stephen Karlisch
The handwork design of these bouquets amazes me. The bride was no stranger to couture so her flowers needed to reflect her high-fashion sensibility. To complement her bridesmaids’ J. Mendel gowns, we painstakingly cut manzanita branches to fit the wrist and silver-leafed them before attaching stephanotis, tuberose blossom, and Brunea Berry with sterling silver wire. Although she wasn’t Catholic, the bride loved the idea of carrying a rosary so we threaded gardenia, majolica roses, and silver lamb’s ear with sterling silver wire and beading to create that effect. I’m thrilled when clients want to think outside the box. | Photo by Perez Photography
The handwork design of these bouquets amazes me. The bride was no stranger to couture, so her flowers needed to reflect her high-fashion sensibility. To complement her bridesmaids’ J. Mendel gowns, we painstakingly cut manzanita branches to fit the wrist and silver-leafed them before attaching stephanotis, tuberose blossom, and brunea berry with sterling silver wire. Although she wasn’t Catholic, the bride loved the idea of carrying a rosary, so we threaded gardenia, majolica roses, and silver lamb’s ear with sterling silver wire and beading to create that effect. I’m thrilled when clients want to think outside the box. | Photo by Perez Photography
For the past several years, I’ve donated my services to the TWO X TWO for AIDS and Art annual gala and auction at the Rachofsky House in Dallas. For their 2012 benefit, we employed a navy blue and fuchsia palette—the pairing was so sharp. The back wall of the tent was like a tidal wave of boxwood with a top-cuff of pink hydrangea and heather. For the banquette that lined the wall, we photographed the boxwood and digitized the image onto fabric that was used to slipcover the cushions. You could hardly tell where the wall ended and the seating began. | Photo by Roderick Pena
For the past several years, I’ve donated my services to the TWO X TWO for AIDS and Art annual gala and auction at the Rachofsky House in Dallas. For their 2012 benefit, we employed a navy blue and fuchsia palette—the pairing was so sharp. The back wall of the tent was like a tidal wave of boxwood with a top-cuff of pink hydrangea and heather. For the banquette that lined the wall, we photographed the boxwood and digitized the image onto fabric that was used to slipcover the cushions. You could hardly tell where the wall ended and the seating began. | Photo by Roderick Pena
The whimsical styling of this wedding was inspired by a display in the storefront of Mulberry in Paris. We covered the tent’s 92-foot-wide exterior wall in varying shades of green “PeeGee” hydrangea, and formed the illusion of an arched entry from 12-foot-tall manzanita branches dotted with periwinkle hydrangea. On the opposite side of the door, we pinned a flock of handmade, hand-painted butterflies to the wall. They were actually the place cards.| Photo by Gigi de Manio Photography
The whimsical styling of this wedding was inspired by a display in the storefront of Mulberry in Paris. We covered the tent’s 92-foot-wide exterior wall in varying shades of green ‘PeeGee’ hydrangea and formed the illusion of an arched entry from 12-foot-tall manzanita branches dotted with periwinkle hydrangea. On the opposite side of the door, we pinned a flock of handmade, hand-painted butterflies to the wall. They were actually the place cards.| Photo by Gigi de Manio Photography
This was a really beautiful couple and we wanted all eyes on them. Without an altar, we needed to designate a focal point so we designed a giant ring of white hydrangea, garden roses, and Hawaiian dendrobium and suspended it above them. It crowned them as they said their vows. |Photo by Stephen Karlisch and Steve Wrubel
This was a really beautiful couple and we wanted all eyes on them. Without an altar, we needed to designate a focal point, so we designed a giant ring of white hydrangea, garden roses, and Hawaiian dendrobium and suspended it above them. It crowned them as they said their vows. | Photo by Stephen Karlisch and Steve Wrube
This was my own wedding last New Year’s Eve in New York City! The palette of cream, black, and gold was inspired by the Ralph Lauren store. I love modern design, but I’m a classicist at heart so my designs often mix the two styles. We created a garden wall using nearly 10,000 garden roses, hydrangea, peonies, ranunculus, sweet peas, and lisianthus—all in shades of white. Having something so lush and natural was the perfect foil for the sleek venue. | Photo by Donna Von Bruening
This was my own wedding last New Year’s Eve in New York City! The palette of cream, black, and gold was inspired by the Ralph Lauren store. I love modern design, but I’m a classicist at heart so my designs often mix the two styles. We created a garden wall using nearly 10,000 garden roses, hydrangeas, peonies, ranunculus, sweet peas, and lisianthus—all in shades of white. Having something so lush and natural was the perfect foil for the sleek venue. | Photo by Donna Von Bruening
 
For this Cabo wedding, we custom-designed a 165-foot-long table to wind around the palm trees of the pool deck. Having that single table connected guests and provided an intimate feeling. The scenery was so inherently beautiful that we didn’t need much to capture a luxurious, beachy vibe. | Photo by Stephen Karlisch and Steve Wrubel
For this Cabo wedding, we custom-designed a 165-foot-long table to wind around the palm trees of the pool deck. Having that single table connected guests and provided an intimate feeling. The scenery was so inherently beautiful that we didn’t need much to capture a luxurious, beachy vibe. | Photo by Stephen Karlisch and Steve Wrubel

For this at-home wedding, we gave the dining tent the feel of a secret garden. The exterior was skinned in boxwood, and when you entered through the tiny entry door, the sight was breathtaking—like a fairy tale. | Photo by Stephen Karlisch and Steve Wrubel
For this at-home wedding, we gave the dining tent the feel of a secret garden. The exterior was skinned in boxwood, and when you entered through the tiny entry door, the sight was breathtaking—like a fairy tale. | Photo by Stephen Karlisch and Steve Wrubel
 
This tablescape is the epitome of classic. It was done 10 years ago and it still looks fresh today. Trumpet vases filled with baby’s breath en masse stood roughly four feet tall and anchored the extra long banquet tables. We carried out the crisp green-and-ivory palette with the damask tablecloth. | Photo by Stephen Karlisch
This tablescape is the epitome of classic. It was done 10 years ago and it still looks fresh today. Trumpet vases filled with baby’s breath en masse stood roughly four feet tall and anchored the extra long banquet tables. We carried out the crisp green-and-ivory palette with the damask tablecloth. | Photo by Stephen Karlisch
Wow, what fun this was! This couple was adventurous and wanted something all their own for their big day. The ombré flower wall was an incredible feat of manpower and engineering. It took 30 people and 24 hours to complete. The flowers that line the aisle— hydrangea, roses, tulips, ranunculus, and azalea— are a combination of those used on the wall. | Photo by Stephen Karlisch
Wow, what fun this was! This couple was adventurous and wanted something all their own for their big day. The ombré flower wall was an incredible feat of manpower and engineering. It took 30 people and 24 hours to complete. The flowers that line the aisle— hydrangea, roses, tulips, ranunculus, and azalea— are a combination of those used on the wall. | Photo by Stephen Karlisch
 

By Margaret Zainey Roux