Inside a Dutch Still Life Luncheon at The Stoneleigh with Forma Management & Anais Events

On Monday, September 14, 2026, the Grand Salon at The Stoneleigh in Dallas became a hidden sanctuary for some of the city’s finest wedding planners. Hosted by Katie Hendricks of Forma Management, with planning and design by Anais Events, the afternoon luncheon traded a hectic Monday in the thick of wedding season for something far slower and more romantic.

The inspiration came from the hotel itself. The Stoneleigh’s interiors were shaped by legendary decorator Dorothy Draper, famous for her high-contrast “modern baroque” style, moody palettes, heavy drapery and rich textures. “The core anchor of this entire design was Dutch Golden Age still life and chiaroscuro,” says Amrit Dhillon Bains of Anais Events, “with an intentional focus on dramatic contrast, pairing deep shadow with rich, moody light to create a sense of dark romanticism and decadent abundance.”

The palette followed the painting: deep crimson, antique gold, patina green, burnished bronze, dark mahogany and soft amber. The design began at the door. Floor-to-ceiling botanical installations and moody drapery swallowed the daylight, creating an instant sensory shift. “It slowed their pace and encouraged them to leave the city rush behind,” Amrit explains. Over cherry-infused Old Fashioneds and hibiscus margaritas, guests discovered hand-embroidered velvet favor pouches and intricate floral moments designed “to encourage guests to touch, look closely and mingle.”

Each place card was tied with a silk tassel and finished in calligraphy, and it doubled as a favor guests actually took home.

Then came the table: a single communal banquet dressed in deep plum damask, vintage china, gold flatware and low, glass-encased candles. Blood oranges and dark grapes spilled between the place settings, “literal elements lifted from a 17th-century oil painting.” The botanicals completed the painting, combining sprawling grasses, wild ferns and gnarled branches with lush roses and tulips. “All elements mimicked the classical painterly theme of nature in full, fleeting glory,” Amrit says.

Guests enjoyed a Mediterranean lunch, from pearl couscous and grilled skirt steak to olive oil cake and ricotta cheesecake, set to live harp music. After lunch, Katie led “World Café” table discussions on the most pressing topics in the event industry, true to the invitation’s promise of “an afternoon of connection and conversation.” Over coffee and dessert, planners could tour The Stoneleigh’s historic 11th-floor penthouse suites and its Gatsby-era music and dining rooms, and the afternoon closed with a raffle for a complimentary night at the hotel.

That layered, tactile table is the detail Amrit would most love to see couples bring into their own weddings. “I would love to see more couples embrace multi-layered, tactile tablescapes that elevate the guest experience through texture and movement,” she says. “High-contrast textures, keepsake calligraphy and atmospheric lighting turn a table into an experience.”The mood of the afternoon, in three words? “Opulent, moody and enchanted.”

WedVibes is honored to serve as media sponsor for this unforgettable afternoon, brought to life by a brilliant creative team and shared with some of the most inspiring planners in Dallas.