Season three of Netflix's hit romance series, Bridgerton, has captivated audiences with its intricate storytelling and breathtaking visuals. Production designer Alison Gartshore aimed to preserve the established aesthetic while pushing creative boundaries, and the botanical ball in episode six exemplifies this perfectly.
A Ballroom Transformed: The Botanical Ball's Magic
Gartshore revealed to The Hollywood Reporter the meticulous planning and execution that went into creating the memorable botanical ball. The scene required an abundance of faux florals and a mechanical pop-up garden designed to impress the queen and viewers alike.
The Pop-Up Garden Challenge
The creation of the pop-up garden proved to be a significant challenge. With only three days to complete the structure, the special effects team and the set design crew had to coordinate closely. Gartshore described the process as a dance between departments, where work had to be paused whenever the special effects team needed to test the opening mechanism. Once closed, the entire team would rush in with paintbrushes, scalpels, and glue to finalize the details.
“Every time the special effects people needed the box opening, we couldn’t work on the outside to get it ready,” Gartshore explained. “We had to work with them and stand off when they wanted it open, and then when it was closed, we all jumped in with our paintbrushes and scalpels and glue, and it was just one of those things that we had to get done.”
Romance in Bloom
The third season centers around the blossoming romance between Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) and Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton). Their dance in front of the floral pop-up garden is a pivotal moment, symbolizing the growth and unfolding of their relationship.
Beyond the pop-up garden, the ball scene featured walls adorned with paintings commissioned specifically for the set. The floral choices were carefully selected to reflect the styles of the 18th and 19th centuries, adding to the authenticity and visual appeal of the scene. The entire creation pushed everyone involved to their limits, resulting in a truly unforgettable moment in Bridgerton’s history.