San Antonio Botanical Shines With Stunning Al Fresco Gala
By Jake Gaines Photography by Greg Harrison
THE SETTING: Over 500 guests in fashionable floral and garden-inspired attire enjoyed a beautiful breezy evening at the San Antonio Botanical Garden for its annual Splendor in The Garden gala. The décor, living walking florals, by Artisan Oddities was a delight to behold. The floral, ribbon decor, and sparkling tree lights by Trinity Flowers’ Danny Cuellar, Danesa Woehrle, and Alex Woehrle were a feast for the eyes.
THE STYLE: The gala was a wandering affair through the San Antonio Botanical Garden as guests were serenaded by Carlos’ Guitar. Greeted by butterfly ballerinas, attendees strolled down the promenade to the iconic Lucile Halsell Conservatory Courtyard for the cocktail hour featuring live music, butterfly ballet vignettes, and delicious hors d’oeuvres. As the sun was setting, guests were escorted to the Greehey Lawn, set ablaze in twinkling tree lights. The beautiful new space is ringed with a massive canopy of oak and cypress trees. The seated dinner consisted of 68 beautifully adorned tables at which a gourmet meal was served. Following a Ballet Conservatory of South Texas performance of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, complete with glowing butterfly wings, guests heard remarks from San Antonio Botanical Garden Board of Directors’ President Karen Greenwood, Mayor Ron Nirenburg, Botanical Garden CEO Sabina Carr, and Event Chair Susan Shown Todd. The afterparty in the Betty Kelso Center had guests dancing to DJ Catwalk’s beats into the night.
THE PURPOSE: The record-breaking signature fundraising event raised nearly half a million dollars to support the San Antonio Botanical Garden. The mission of the organization is to enrich lives through plants and nature. One way the Garden does that is by connecting more than 60,000 children to the natural world by funding educational programs throughout the year. Programs include Little Sprouts, Terrarium Ecosystem, Early Childhood Lifecycles, the Children’s Vegetable Garden, summer camps, culinary health and wellness, drop-in programming, and the Family Adventure Garden.
