Il Mercato Tasting Dinner - Spring 2026

Il Mercato Tasting Dinner

There’s something really special about the Il Mercato tasting dinners. They’re part dinner party, part preview, part excuse to linger a little longer with a glass of wine and take it all in. And enjoy the florals of course.

Hosted by Joel’s Catering, these evenings are designed to give couples (and planners) a true feel for what an event at Il Mercato can be — from the flow of the space to the food, the lighting, and all the in-between moments that make a night memorable.

It’s elevated, but relaxed. Polished, but never stiff.

The Setting

For this tasting dinner, our goal with the florals was to enhance what’s already so beautiful about Il Mercato without overpowering it. Think garden-grown, textural, and intentional — like everything just naturally found its place.

The courtyard immediately set the tone, with soft light, layered textures, and plenty of space for guests to gather and mingle before heading inside.

Courtyard Mantel Installation

We started outside with a full mantel installation on the courtyard fireplace. Lush greenery spilled over the edges, layered with garden roses, café au lait dahlias, nerine lilies, and cymbidium orchids. It became an immediate focal point — soft, romantic, and grounded — especially as guests gathered around cocktail tables in the courtyard.

The moss, trailing greens, and warm-toned blooms gave the space a relaxed, garden-at-dusk feeling that felt perfectly at home in the courtyard.

A Floral Welcome

At the entrance, we created a floral installation over the doorway to welcome guests as they arrived. Framing the doors with flowers is one of our favorite ways to set the tone early — it feels inviting and a little magical, without being over the top.

It’s a small moment that makes a big impression, signaling that the evening ahead is thoughtful, layered, and intentional.

Tablescapes & Floral Meadows

Throughout the space, we added floral meadows and clusters of bud vases to keep things feeling intimate and organic. Each arrangement was nestled into fresh moss, which added texture and that just-cut, just-placed feeling we love.

Inside, long tables were lined with glass candlesticks and soft blooms, letting candlelight and florals play off one another as the evening unfolded.

The mix of blooms kept things light and romantic, without feeling overly styled.

The Overall Feel

The overall look was romantic but unfussy, layered but approachable — florals that complement the food, the architecture, and the experience, rather than compete with it.

These tasting dinners are always such a good reminder of how powerful collaboration can be. When the food, the flowers, and the space are all working together, everything just clicks. If this night was any indication, events at Il Mercato are going to be very good this season.