Mark Held of Mark's Gardens has been the man behind the gorgeous floral arrangements and tablescapes at the Oscars Governors Ball for 19 years. We had the chance to catch up with Mark today at a preview of the event, which is the official afterparty for the Academy Awards. This year, Mark went in a new direction, focusing on an all-red theme. He didn't limit himself to working with just roses, however. In fact, he even found ways to incorporate crimson-tinged succulents, tulips, amaryllis, and calla lilies, culled from sources as far away as Holland and Singapore. Check out the gallery for more details from our chat with Mark, as well as his tips for re-creating the gorgeous, oversized rose centerpieces he and his team created for the party!

The Oscars are still nearly three weeks away, but the party planning for the annual Academy Awards Governors Ball is already well underway. I was lucky enough to get a behind-the-scenes look at the decor and floral arrangements, along with the food and drinks by Wolfgang Puck and Katie Lee, who are setting the theme for this year's afterparty.

Mark Held, who has been designing the florals and tablescapes for the ball for nearly two decades, says this year, he took a more "whimsical" approach than in the past. Each table will be unique, but Held is incorporating metallic accents, feathers, tropical leaves, and exotic orchids — along with cabaret lamps and candles— into the designs. He's also focusing on three different color combinations: blue and purple, amber and red, and green and amber. Held says if you'd like to emulate one of his creations at home, it's all about contrast. He says, "I would say you should do something with a few small pieces rather than one, because that's what we're doing on every table. So take three small vases and put a different kind of flower in each one, and make the whole table one color . . . and then incorporate some candles with it, and that will add the ambiance and atmosphere."

If you're thinking of hosting a viewing party, you can also visit the Oscar's official site for games, recipes, ballots, and other tools and tips to help you throw a truly Academy-worthy soiree. Click through for even more details and facts about the ball's stunning decor!