Ixora Floral Studio

Chic Palm Desert Wedding

2011-11-15T22:16:00.000-08:00

Anytime I have the opportunity to do a wedding or event in the Palm Desert area I start packing- I practically will do it for free- well, not quite but my clients will get a great deal!! This is my go-to spot for a quick getaway with my fam (and most recently, without the girls- happy 9th anniversary to my husband and myself!). So anytime I can turn a job into a bit of a break I can't wait. Well...although we did just recently design a Friday wedding at Rancho Las Palmas it was all work for me....I had to drive back the same day to the shop and finish up for my weddings the next day. It did help that it was RAINING and not the 110F that I am used to. Rain in Palm Desert- not possible, right? Well, it did- but we did get a bit of a break to still have the ceremony out on the fairway under the most dramatic sky with the mountains as a backdrop.

Although the clients live in Arizona we were able to meet frequently enough to come up with a design that was dramatic yet not over "flowery". The groom wanted a lot of sexy red lighting, candle light and floral design with a bit of a contemporary twist. The bride, who also liked those ideas, still wanted something that was a little more full and "contemporary classic".

The design I came up with included a crisp black and white color pallet with accents of deep rich red created with about 6 different, yet consistent, design concepts. Hundreds of various size candles added interest, warmth and intimacy to the large room. Custom black and white striped runners accented the long tables, a whimsical paper lantern design added height and interest in the lounge area of the reception- thank you to the bride and groom for allowing some leeway in the creative process. These are always the most fun events for me to produce!

Can't wait to see the pro pics!

Thanks to Jill form Miller Hawkins Productions for introducing us to the clients!

Some Recent Favorites!

2011-11-10T20:46:00.000-08:00

A few pics of recent bouquets we have done over the last few weeks ( I would say about 9 out of the 40 or so bridal bouquets we've created since the last post!).... Definitely noticing a trend in the looser, more natural or garden style bouquets... It's fun to experiment with textures and alternative additions to bouquets. I am loving the different combos of colors and elements like feathers, herbs and unusual foliage. BUT, there are a few classic, more compact styles I had to include that have some of the most beautiful peonies ever !!

Wedding at the Vibiana

2011-07-19T16:09:00.000-07:00

Whew! That's all I can say about the last month or so but here are a few photos- (from my little IPhone so not the greatest) from this past Sunday's wedding At the Vibiana. Can't wait to post the pro photos!

Spring Wedding

2011-06-17T15:29:00.001-07:00

On the way out the door to the Langham to deliver this perfectly spring wedding for this perfectly spring day (complete with June gloom drizzle early this morning but now it is gorgeous!)... We used our private collection of vintage cut glass vases filled with maiden hair fern, dusty miller, scented geranium, cream and blush peonies, peach Juliet garden roses, gardenias, mood moss, succulents and jasmine...wish you could smell them!
The bride will be carrying a bouquet of blush and cream peonies, cream garden roses, blush rununculas and viburnum....while her maid of honor has a bouquet of blushy pink peonies, peach tea roses, peach Juliet garden rose and dusty miller....gotta go deliver them now!

A Marie Antoinette Inspired Wedding

2011-05-26T13:19:00.000-07:00

Natasha and David had to have been one of the sweetest couples I have had the pleasure to work with! After months of planning and collaboration with the bride, groom and the bride's mother, the princess- like Marie Antoinette/French inspired wedding finally happened. The ceremony and reception took place at the Nixon Library in Placentia....a perfect garden setting for the ceremony. We brought in large cone topiaries in classically shaped urns, garlands of pale pink, warm pink, cream and green flowers that wrapped around the base of the topiaries and pedestals. The bride and her bridal party (including the cutest flowergirls and ringbearers ever!) walked down an aisle decorated with a soft swirl pattern of pink rose petals and draped with pink and gold cording accented with roses and golden tassels. The reception took place in the ballroom which had the perfect ambiance for the the event- lots of beautiful gold and crystal chandeliers, huge mirrors over grand fireplaces and dramatic gold drapery. The photographer happened to take the best shot-one that I hope captures the expression of all of my clients- as soon as Natasha and David walked into the room for a preview. The many tables had three coordinating, yet different color and textured linens and were topped with either crystal candelabras with lush pink and cream arrangements topped off with decadent ostrich feathers. The rest of the tables had low versions to compliment. Speaking of decadent ... the dessert bar was the most elaborate and Marie Antoinette- worthy dessert bar I have ever seen. This was a very sweet wedding for a very sweet bride, groom and families. Thank you for letting me participate in your big day!
Special thanks to Mathieu Photography for the great photos!

Traditional Home Magazine Photo Shoot

2011-04-11T23:50:00.000-07:00

We recently had the pleasure of working with Rachel Hollis of Chic Events on a photo shoot she designed for the May issue of Traditional Home Magazine. Check it out....

Summer Beach Elegance

2011-04-05T17:14:00.000-07:00

With all this beautiful weather we have been having (just ignore that little bit of rain we had last week!) it put me in mind of some great beach weddings we had this last wedding season. This wedding was held at a private residence in Pacific Palisades overlooking the water...it has one of the best panoramic views in the area- south to the Santa Monica pier and north towards Malibu. The house has a great movie history and its casual yet classic design was perfect for the bride who was envisioning a traditional wedding with a touch of contemporary glam.The floral palette consisted of white roses, hydrangea,and orchids, accented with platinum linens and crystal chiavari chairs (a nice modern take on a traditional chair).Again, another great event coordinated by Gianna from Gianna and Companyhttp://wwwgiannacompany.com/

New Fantastic Location!!!

2011-03-30T15:27:00.001-07:00

I have had the pleasure of working at some really great locations through the years but I recently had the opportunity to take a tour of a new location in downtown LA- The Majestic Halls . Although many movies and videos have been filmed at this space, they have just recently opened the venue up to private events- weddings, corporate, etc. It is a huge bank building in the heart of Downtown that has been beautifully restored and offers so many options as far as how you can use the space for your own event. It is big and lofty but with correct use of space, lighting and decor the space could easily handle a more intimate event of 100/150 to a larger gala for 500. I would highly recommend checking it out if you are on the look out for something new- It is a perfect spot for an urban contemporary event but with enough tradition and old history to add interest. The space really can go any direction you want it to go...plus Ashley, the director of the space, is a sweetheart! Here are just a few images from their web-Check it out for more!

My 2010 Brides Are the Best!!

2011-03-23T13:35:00.000-07:00

As soon as I put an email out to my 2010 brides the reply emails and discs have been arriving like crazy! Thank you to all of you who responded so quickly and were able to share images with us.
As I look through the images I am reminded how lucky that I have the job that I have! I meet some many fantastic people and really get to know them through the planning process. Each bride and her wedding is so different and so personal to her and her husband there is no possible way to be bored .... even when a color scheme might be the same, the style might be the same, or there is an image that a client wants me to "replicate" I try to find a way to not only make it Ixora but to reflect the client as well (who wants to have a wedding that someone else already had, right?!)

Now looking back, the images really do reflect each couple's personal aesthetic and style. 2010 was a bit of a transition year... I still had my BLING brides who wanted the classic, opulent beautiful and classic design but I also had what I call my "Anthropology" girl....eclectic with a bit vintage but cool and current.

That being said, I thought I would post some of my favorite bouquets from last year

Carey & David

2011-03-16T11:36:00.000-07:00

Carey and David were the best kind of clients....Carey new exactly what she wanted and had a fantastic aesthetic and David only wanted Carey to be happy! What a great pair! Myself and my team worked closely with Carey over the months leading up the big day. We knew that at our initial consultation we wanted to design a warm, elegant wedding that had a touch of vintage beach inspiration but was still casual enough that guests would feel relaxed and welcome. Our journey started with establishing a soft color palette with a bit of punch. Soft creamy blushes, sage green and cream were stepped up with a punch of salmon, coral and golden yellow. Carey, a girl after my own heart, loves milk glass so it was fun for the both of us to source all the multiple pieces used to create her centerpieces ( I figured whatever I bought that we didn't end up using would just go to my own personal collection!!).

The ceremony and reception, both held at The Beach Club in Santa Monica, contained many personalized details that brought the whole event together. A hand painted wooden sign led guests to the sand deck where the ceremony was being held. David's dad, a superb craftsman, built the canopy for the ceremony, which we then decorated with billowing soft ivory chiffon and suspended glass vases filled with frilly dahlias. The aisle was lined with large hurricanes filled with sand and shells alternating with raffia and starfish "tassels" on the chairs. One important detail that I can't emphasize enough was a white carpet on the boardwalk so Carrie and her bridal party could walk comfortably down the aisle without fear of their heels getting stuck in the slats! The cocktail hour followed on the nearby deck. We brought in dark wood ottomans, benches with white pads and tall wooden cocktail tables so the guests could relax and listen to the steel drums while enjoying a cocktail or two.

For the reception we wanted to create a warm and lush gardeny feel on the tables. The tables had either a combination of different milk glass vessels each with their own unique, yet cohesive floral combination or a singular large container filled with a matching arrangement. Tons of candles and additional warm lighting was brought in to enhance the space. As the night went on and guests enjoyed the DJ all the windows were slid open to let in the fresh beach air. Two other great details completed the event...we custom made a large photo wall with empty frames for the guests to pose in and additional framed family photos completed the "Family Portrait Wall". Carey found great hand props to pose with on Etsy. It was such a hit and all the guests had such a great time with it. [Unfortuently, no imgaes :(!] Another great element was that each guest's favor was a pair of flip flops which were perfect at the end of the night for sore feet and a walk onto the sand for the large bonfire complete with smores!

Thank you to Ian Grant http://iangrantphotography.com/ for the great images and Ronette at The Beach Club for such a successful event!

Katy & David

2011-03-09T14:42:00.000-08:00

My close friends David and Katy recently tied the knot on a romantic chilly December evening in Burbank at Castaways. I love doing flowers for my friend's events- especially their weddings. It often doesn't happen that I am given fairly free range with the design with limited input from my client- who happens to be a close friend! I guess they have seen me do "my thing" for the last 15 years and have total trust! It is so important to me to make their day unique and special, reflective of how they are as both the individual and now as a couple.

Katy gave me essentially one word of inspiration for her and Dave's design, "PURPLE"....and that is exactly what she got! She carried a classic compact all white nosegay bouquet, while her girls in beautiful amethyst dresses carried mixed shades of lavender and purple anenomes, scabiousa, mini calla lilies and roses. For the ceremony we knew it was going to be dark (6:00 p.m. on a chilly December night) so I wanted to use tons of candles lining her plum aisle runner to add a romantic touch and a visual reference to warmth. White rose petals designed in a scroll pattern added a bit of whimsy and lightness to the darker color scheme. Both at the entrance to the aisle and flanking the bride and groom during the ceremony were large all purple floral arrangements consisting of purple hydrangea (hard to get in mid December but only the best for my friends!!!), plum tulips, purple stock, purple alstromeria and curled red ti leaf. Both sets beautifully framed the bride as she entered with her father and during the ceremony. Small crystal drop votive lit chandeliers accented the interior of the existing gazebo.

For the reception we used chunky square vases lined with purple-ish red ti leaf and filled to overflowing with purple hydrangea, plum tulips and purple alstromeria.

Congratulations to you both! We love you guys!

Christina & Andrew

2011-01-21T10:19:00.000-08:00

Christina was one of the most relaxed brides I have dealt with in a long time! Even when her bridesmaids dresses went awry and she had to start all over- about 6 weeks before the wedding! - she always seemed calm and relaxed about her wedding planning. That made my job extremely easy since she was open to new ideas and allowed us to create unique designs just for her and Andrew's big day.

The wedding ceremony and reception was held at the Bel Air Bay Club on a beautiful, perfect day in the Palisades. We wanted the ceremony to feel like a natural setting so the riser for the ceremony was covered in faux grass to blend into the existing lawn, which offered some additional drama and height for the altar area. Christina did not want two traditional big arrangements flanking the altar so we created designs of bamboo poles, curly willow and blush and cream cymbidium orchids. The aisle added a jolt of color and freshness with a chartreuse lime runner (really fun contrast to her white dress when she walked down the aisle). The pink rose petals were designed in a soft scroll pattern for a bit more whimsy.

The reception emphasized clean, contemporary design in a classic color palette of pale pinks and lime green. The tables alternated low cluster vignette centerpieces with taller vignette centerpieces with added height. Beautiful crystal chandeliers were suspended from the existing wooden beams and along with tons of floating and votive candles the room really glowed.

We couldn't have made this event as successful without the talent of Gianna Provenzano of Gianna and Company. Special thanks to Alyssa Nicol for the beautiful images!

One of my favorite dresses ever! What a cool shot!

2011-01-19T12:30:00.001-08:00

Whew! That is all I have to say about this past holiday season....and Happy New Year! As you can probably tell by lack of posts since October it has been a tad busy around here! I thought I would start posting some of the parties and events that we had during this time.

This was a really fun wedding shower hosted by a group of friends for the bride-to-be. The portico at Annandale Golf Club offered a perfect indoor/outdoor setting for this fun, yet elegant take on hot pink and black color scheme with a Sex in the City flair. We did various size square vases each with their own unique black and hot pink ribbon wrap detail. Variegated pink and white tulips, hot pink roses, hot pink hydrangea, rununculas and hot pink mocara orchids accented with black feathers filled each vase, which were clustered in groupings down the table.

Such a fun and chic party!

2010-10-09T11:12:00.001-07:00

Another free slideshow design by Smilebox

Just thought I would post a little slideshow of some of our recent or favorite weddings. Enjoy!!

Bold and Beautiful: Ixora Downtown LA

2010-09-08T16:22:00.000-07:00

This is an arrangement that was designed at our downtown LA location inside the Jonathan Club. The gentleman who ordered this arrangement wanted something that was big, colorful and fragrant to welcome an old colleague back to Los Angeles. This arrangement included: antique hydrangea, pink hydrangea, casa blanca lillies, green cymbidiums, red roses and the most beautifully fragrant yves piaget roses.

Erin and Nick

2010-09-01T14:07:00.000-07:00

Erin and Nick's wedding ceremony took place at Holy Family Church in South Pasadena. The following reception was held at The Langham Hotel, which was a natural choice for the couple since Erin's Dad is the General Manger of the hotel. A color palette of cream, green and white was chosen to compliment the couple's desire for a sleek, slightly modern design while still maintaining a sumptuous, timeless overall feel. Floral choices were greatly influenced by both families backgrounds. Nick's family hails from South Africa so we incorporated various types of protea, blue thistle and green anthiriums. Erin definitely wanted Bells of Ireland incorporated into the designs to reflect her Irish heritage.

The brides' bouquet was a mix of green miniature cymbidiums, green and white lady slipper orchids and the most gorgeous white peonies I have ever seen (they were almost 8" across!!). Another personal touch was using lace from her mothers wedding gown for the "something old" tradition

Nick, who wore a boutonierre made from a rolled green miniature anthirium accented with a fishing lure, is from South Africa so to honor his side of the family, king protea were used as single stem arrangements to contrast with the more traditional white peonies, hydrangea, parrot tulips and green cymbidiums, which were a favorite of the bride. The use of different sized and color glass vases on each of the dining tables created a neat, modern and chic presentation. Bells of Ireland in two tall vases at the head table honored the bride's Grandmother.

The napkins were accented with bundles of horsetail bamboo, a blue thistle all bound with pink flax

Special Thanks: Cat Krantz Benner of Next Exit Photography

Angelina and David

2010-08-24T15:03:00.000-07:00

Angelina envisioned transforming her Arcadia home into a romantic, rose filled paradise for her wedding ceremony. The realization of Angelina's dream would have been impossible without Coordinator Amanda Ma of Fresh Events. Not only did Amanda assist in fleshing out Angelina's vision, but she served as the Chinese/English translator as well! For the bride's grand entrance, a bridge was built over the pool. Low, lush arrangements in pink and lavender tones lined the sides of the bridge and were later transferred to the dining table after the ceremony.

Three tall and large monochromatic arrangements in lavender, white and pink tones were evenly spaced on the guest table to add visual interest. Votives were added through out the table to produce a warm, romantic glow.

The head table was adorned with 4 tall, rose encrusted candelabra that had been previously been used to decorate the four corners of the pool. Large and small votives were used to balance out the table.

It was truly a pleasure working on Angelina and David's wedding. The bride wanted a LOT of flowers, and she definitely got them! The end result was a lavish, warm and romantic floral design that could rival any Hollywood movie set.

David and Maggie

2010-08-23T13:58:00.001-07:00

One of our very own decided to tie the knot! After 8 years of dating, David and Margaret celebrated their love with an intimate ceremony in Dana Point on August 14th, 2010.

The flowers for this Mexican themed wedding were a mix of orange,white and burgundy dahlia's and red daises.

David has been a dear friend and loyal employee for the past 10 years and we wish him a lifetime of good health, love and happiness with his beautiful bride Maggie.

Shannon and Phil

2010-08-18T16:52:00.001-07:00

I got a really nice thank you note from Shannon that I wanted to share with everyone:

Lisa,
Thank you so much for everything you did to make our wedding day special! You were so helpful, patient, and flexible and I cannot thank you enough for everything. During such a stressful time, it was so reassuring to have someone like you to guide me and help me with everything you could. (not to mention the flowers were absolutely gorgeous!) I will remember the flowers forever- they absolutely made our wedding! Thank you!
Shannon and Phil

4-5 years ago I designed the flowers for Shannon's sisters wedding. When I met with Shannon for her own wedding, she was having lots of issues with her locations so I helped her through some of the issues and found solutions that everyone was happy about. Not only did we keep costs within her in budget, we created a floral design that, if I do say so myself, looked like it could have easily been twice what she budgeted for the flowers.

Thank you Shannon for allowing us to be apart of your wedding day!

Guide To What's In At The Mart Starring Faye-B

2010-08-17T15:30:00.000-07:00

Presenting Faye: The Sunflower Princess

Faye and I took a trip down to the mart so I took a few quick snaps of all the beautiful flowers.

Make a pretty smile for Mommy!

I just love purple hydrangea.

Summer Favorite: The Dahlia

2010-08-11T16:58:00.000-07:00

Summer greetings all! This past weekend we designed some centerpieces for a simple yet intimate wedding. We used seasonal dahlias in white, red and burgundy to create centerpieces that alternated between the low square vase and the tall branches. I took a few quick snaps with my cell, so I will be sure to post brighter, more detailed pictures soon.

Sample Centerpiece

2010-08-03T14:49:00.000-07:00

Here are a few photos of a sample centerpiece that I am working on for a wedding that is taking place in a couple of weeks. The 4 ft. candelabra is covered in pink and lavender roses, white hydrangea and kale.

New Orchid Vendor At The Mart

2010-07-30T13:18:00.000-07:00

I'm so excited that we have a new orchid vendor at the mart that I just had to snap a few quick photos to show all of you. If you see anything that suits your fancy, give us a call and it would be our pleasure to create a beautiful arrangement especially for you.

Sneek Peak: Reception at the Athenaeum

2010-07-29T13:46:00.000-07:00

Hello All! Here are a few pictures off my cellphone of a reception we did at the Athenaeum over the weekend. Better pictures (and more details) to follow!

Violet's 5th Birthday Party

2010-07-28T15:29:00.000-07:00

Violet turned 5 yesterday and we threw a huge party on Sunday…..I have been planning, collecting and brainstorming since December. Everyone was greeted by Cheshire cat and balloons (yes, I painted him)

The birthday girl in her balloon crown.

Guests were offered a bit of Lemonade with a “drink me” tag to make everyone shrink- ok maybe just the adults to shrink- and fit through a bright yellow kids size door.

Here is the Mad Hatter’s tea party table. Pink pipe and drape canopy were hung with different color and style paper lanterns. A pink table cloth was laid and different style tea pots, tea cups and cookie jars with tags that said “try me” and "taste me” decorated the length of the table.

I added to my collection of chairs - most were free off the side of the road and enhanced with paint and re-upholstered colorful pads, some I already had. All the kids sat around it for cake, they were so cute.

The balloon guy was awesome and could make anything. He made me a queen of hearts hat. He even made an “O” “R” and “u” for my caterpillar (Whoooo are youooooo” ). The Caterpillar was painted by grandpa. The bubble machine behind the caterpillar mimicked smoke.

Here is a photo of me in my queen of hearts balloon hat. In the background is the bouncy. You can’t have a kid’s party without one. Our play equipment and airplane kept kids entertained.

Craig says "Aaarrrg"

The Wyoming pirate played a supporting role in Violet's Wonderland.

The face painter was awesome and very creative. Violet was painted like Cheshire cat.

Faye was a Cheshire cat too.

Whether by cup....

...or pot, tea was enjoyed by all.

Violet's Birthday cake was a two-tier, home made, Mad Hatter wonder.

Happy Birthday Violet!!!!

Andrea and Robert

2010-07-22T15:16:00.000-07:00

Andrea, Robert & Baby Isabella

Andrea had a vision of a Miami style, Great Gatsby themed wedding and graciously left it up to me to interpret her dream! To appeal to her Miami, contemporary side, a classic white color palette with pops of yellow were chosen. Art-Deco inspired furnishings, black & white damasks patterned linens and mirrored tables alluded to the Great Gatsby theme.

Andrea and Robert were married at a beautiful beach estate in Malibu. Yellow rose petals lined the aisle while the white canopy with a suspended chandelier framed the ocean in the distance.

The bride's bouquet was an asymmetrical nosegay of white phalaenopsis orchids, white tea roses and white peonies. The exposed stems with a band of ivory silk ribbon and a silver broach added a touch of vintage detail. The bridesmaid's bouquets were a mix of yellow vanda and cymbidium orchids wrapped with platinum silver ribbon.

Baby Isabella had her own floral wand of yellow vanda and cymbidium orchids. When I had first met Isabella, she wasn't walking yet and Andrea was hoping that she could walk down the aisle during the ceremony. Isabella could walk by the time the wedding date arrived, however she decided to stride the aisle in style....in the arms of Grandma.

The swooped white couch and mirrored table beneath the white canopy alludes to the glamour and decadence of the 1920's.

The bride and groom enjoy their first dance on the black dance floor. Black and white damask linen runs the length of the table while floral arrangements of white hydrangea, white lilies, white roses and white orchids adorn the table.

Pops of yellow also appeared on the dinning table. The white centerpieces were in mirrored vases with votives all around to reflect light onto the table.

The wedding party enjoys themselves under the warm glow of crystal chandeliers that were hung from the trees.

The name of this band escapes me, but they definitely rocked the house! They played songs from the 70's and they looked great in their Miami white suits.

Special Thanks to: Gianna Provenzano from GP Events and John Boone Photography.

Thanks to everyone who voted for us!

2010-07-15T13:25:00.000-07:00

Natasha and David

2010-07-14T16:28:00.000-07:00

It was an absolute joy to work with the lovely bride Natasha and her Mother Janis. Natasha and Janis make a perfect team! The Marie Antoinette theme perfectly matched Natasha’s desire for a girly, richly textured and ornate ceremony. The romantic bouquet of cream peonies, cream garden roses and mini gardenias gave a classic touch while the collar of thin white feathers played to the bride's girly side.

Natasha + David = Most in love couple

The pair exchanged vows in the picturesque gardens of The Richard Nixon Library. The altar was adorned with manicured topiaries placed on top of coordinating pedestals. Lush, pave styled arrangements of white and blush roses, white hydrangea and green hanging amaranthus decorated the base of the topiaries.

The adorable flower girls held white tea rose nosegays accented with small white feathers.

White and pink rose petals adorn the bride's and groom's path to wedded bliss.

One step in to the wedding hall and you were immediately transported to the royal palace of Versailles. Each of the twenty tables were lined with three different linens of varying textures and colors. Tall gold candelabras with lush and full arrangements of pink, blush and cream roses, white hydrangea and green hanging amaranthus added beauty to the dining tables.

Special thanks to:

Molly from Mathieu Photography and Ashley from Agape Planning
for helping us create and capture the classic elegance of Natasha and David's special day!

Dessi & Clinton

2010-04-22T16:06:00.000-07:00

Has it really been that long since my last post? Time flies when you're having fun, right?!

Sorry for any delay but here are some recent photos we just got back from a wedding that we did at the Castle Green in Pasadena.

Dessi and Clinton were fantastic to work with - they knew exactly what they wanted... a fabulous, elegant, timeless wedding with fantastic decor and lighting...Along with their coordinator, Gianna Provenzano from GPEvents, we did just that! An all white floral palette including hydrangea, roses, orchids and lilies was perfectly set off and highlighted with pin spots, golden uplights and additional chandeliers that were brought in specially for their wedding.

Elegant hurricanes with pillar candles, loads of rose petals and impressive large arrangements flanking both the entrance to the aisle and the altar area created a romantic setting for the vows. The room was immediately flipped to the reception and tall fluted glass vases topped with garden inspired designs of hydrangea, roses, orchids and lilies and lots of candles finished off each table

Joelle and Curtis

2010-03-11T10:41:00.000-08:00

When I first met with Joelle she had a good sense that she wanted a classic, warm, slightly vintage inspired design...but her dad wanted the classic, white, cream, ivories....well, we did a few samples for the family and we came up with a beautiful palette of rich warm pink, blush, burgundy, antique lavender, sage green and cream, The bride carried a soft romantic bouquet in tones of blush and cream anenomes, roses, lisianthus and hydrangea, while her bridesmaids contrasted with the darker hues of the bridal palette - burgundies, sage green and lavender.

Joelle and Curtis were married in the family church and large arrangements of hydrangea, roses, lisianthus and hanging amaranthus on gold stands, placed on top of champagne silk pedestals flanked the altar.

The reception was held in the Viennese Room at the Langham Hotel. The tables were drapped in a ridge champagne satin linen and multiple candles accented the large arrangements on vintage style gold stands. Thank you to Asgier fotographica for the fantastic images...and to Ruth Wang of Plan to Perfection Coordinating for another successful event!

Classic Country Wedding

2010-02-26T14:21:00.000-08:00

Julia and Anthony were married at the Brookside Equestrian Center in Walnut- never even knew it was there and I went to College right over the hill- It is beautiful! If you love horses, rolling hills and rambling white fences - and don't want to have your wedding in Kentucky- this is the place for you! Julia wanted a sophisticated, elegant, yet casual design that would compliment the surroundings. We decided on multiple vintage jars and containers each with a different eclectic cluster of flowers in pale blushes, creams, greys and greens, accented with lots of candles. Enjoy the photos- Thanks to Stephanie Williams!

Cool Detail Shots!

2010-02-22T20:49:00.000-08:00

A recent photo shoot that we did just proved to re-enforce my awe of flowers...the ordinary rose becomes an infinite rabbit hole.......the dahlia is a friendly little sunburst or even a crazy sea anemone in technicolor...

...Although I wasn't as familiar as I am now with the Lady Slipper orchid, when I was a kid I always imagined that there was a little fairy with the perfect size foot to fit into each Lady Slipper.......My clients are usually surprised when I tell them that these are tulips- just slightly, delicately tweaked a little bit. It is so interesting what details can be exposed and highlighted by just paying attention to each individual bloom...something that so easily can be overlooked in my day's busy schedule. This photo shoot truly inspired me and re-enforced my love for every little detail of my business.

Don't forget your Sweetheart!

2010-02-04T12:55:00.001-08:00

I am sure everyone knows that Valentine's Day is right around the corner (just a friendly reminder to those who forgot!). Next Sunday is the big day and what is nicer than sending a custom arrangement to your sweetheart- it shows you thought ahead and no last minute reservations to a packed restaurant or a last minute card purchased to the local Rite Aid!

Give us a call to discuss options to the traditional long stem red roses (yes, we will have those, too!). A mixed Valentine color arrangement can offer more "bang for your buck" and last longer. Also, to our past couples, we keep records of your weddings ...so guys- if you really want to score points with your little wifey poo call us and we will make an arrangement based on the flowers used for your wedding! How cool is that!

Congrats to the Newly Engaged!

2010-01-26T16:32:00.000-08:00

Ever since I started this business there has been a typical pattern- work your tush off every weekend for 10 months out of the year from March through December then re-coup for a little bit in January and February. It is always a nice time to catch up on little projects and clean shop- our version of the Spring Clean! But the other great thing about these few quieter months is that I meet with so many potential clients who have been recently engaged over the holiday season and are excited and eager to get going with their wedding planning. The new year offers a great platform to start scouting and booking locations and vendors, planning design concepts...and even day dreaming about the most beautiful, unique wedding possible.

Here are a few of my suggestions to get you on your way in regards to envisioning and planning all the little design details:

*Tear Sheets from magazines are a great way to find color palettes, design concepts and inspiration. Pull what you like- even it is just one aspect of the image like the colors, the types of flowers, etc. If there is something that caught your eye- pull it!

*Keep a little camera/phone (obviously!) in your purse to snap spontaneous photos of things that catch your eye. You may see a window display or a blooming plant in someones yard that can offer great inspiration.

*Ask your friends that have gone through this process who they like and recommend as good vendors. If you are the first of your friends/family to get married hold onto that big ol' book of yours because when it is their turn they will be asking for your opinion and info!

*Look at as many locations as possible. Just like your dress, you may think you know exactly what you want until you try it on! Visiting different locations of all types can open your mind to new inspiration and could get you thinking out of the box

*Speaking of visiting many locations, ask for their recommended Vendor List. These are vendors that have worked many times at that specific location and are well received by the staff there. BUT, also keep those lists in mind even if not booking at that location. For a vendor to make it on to a Preferred Vendor list they would have shown to the Catering Managers that they are professional, competent, friendly and talented- A great resource to start looking for vendors if you don't know where to start.

*As far as time frame goes, 6-10 months pre-booking is about the average for us. We do book up quickly for May and the summer and fall months, which tend to be the busiest wedding times for most vendors. But, we have also had those random weddings that we book two weeks before the big day! I would recommend at least calling and making appointments to meet with vendors to get proposals and ideas of a realistic budget. We personally always offer preference to the client we happen to meet with first. So, if there is a popular day it doesn't hurt to get started early and receive bids.

* Be prepared to be somewhat flexible with the budget. I would imagine that planning a party as big and intricate as a wedding is a first time thing for most people. I know when I planned mine I had very little knowledge of what things cost until I started to call round, get bids and proposals (and I had already been doing my business for 4 years!). Of course, it is a good idea to have some parameters but unfortunately, that standard percentage breakdown that has always been used (i.e. 50% for that , 10% for this, 10% for that) may not hold true. Especially if there is one aspect of the wedding that is more important to you than another.

* Most of all- have fun and be creative--or hire someone to be creative for you!!! :)

San Marino National Charity League

2010-01-18T16:20:00.000-08:00

A couple of weeks ago we had the pleasure of working with the ladies of the San Marino National Charity League on their Debutante Ball at the Beverly Wilshire. Although the event was a couple of days before Christmas I wanted the design to reflect a winter influence without looking like one big Christmas party. The design concept included a white on white color scheme with accents of gold. Flocked white winter branches, dendrobium orchids, roses and hydrangeas were elegantly designed on multiple stair railings, across the stage and created the mix of tall and low centerpieces and large accent pieces. Beautiful crystal drops were added to the large main pieces to reflect the beautiful lighting provided by Images By Lighting. Our ultimate design was our stage backdrop, which had to be beautiful, spectacular and add that WOW factor but not overshadow the young ladies as they made their very important entrance.

I had a graphic designer custom design trompe l'oeil panels that were massive- 10' wide by 14' tall! Each was framed with a gilded frame and layered in front of each other to create the back drop. The centerpiece of this was a very large floral design in shades of cream, champagne and white hydrangea and roses designed as if floating in the middle of the panel.

I can't wait to do something like this again for another client!! (now that I know the engineering)

These are just my photos so hopefully I will be able to post the professional images soon!

Happy 2010!

2010-01-14T13:34:00.000-08:00

Oh my gosh...we made it through! The holiday season was pleasantly busy- extremely busy! Hence only one post the entire month of December!!

Thank you to all of our clients- USC Keck School of Medicine, Bank of the West, the Jonathan Clubs, San Marino National Charity League, Annadale Golf Club, Drago Centro, Girardi and Keese, Whittier Trust and our newly married couples David & Katy, Anna & James and Kimberly & Nicholas- for including us in your special events over the last 6 weeks.

Now that we are back into the swing of things I thought I would post some images of what we had been working on this past month.

Happy New Year and please look forward to more frequent posts!!

Holiday Arrangements

2009-12-09T11:19:00.000-08:00

I know it has been a long time since the last post but we have been swamped with events...I thought I would post some holiday centerpieces for reference since we are getting calls and orders for parties. Please keep in mind that all orders are custom designed and these arrangements are just samples of what we have done in the past. So if you have a particular color scheme, style, type of vase, size etc. then we can accommodate whatever you have in mind....just give us a call (1-2 days prior ordering would be much appreciated!)

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!

Vibrant Dahlias!

2009-11-16T16:34:00.000-08:00

I had to post this photo of the most beautiful burgundy red dahlias that we used this past weekend in two of our weddings. We used them for one bride's bouquet, along with pink mini succulents, Milva and Hot Princess roses, brunia, terra cotta cymbidiums and orange Mocara orchids.

Freshly cut in good ol' San Diego (who says everything gorgeous has to be imported!) they arrived looking radiant, almost glowing - just had to take a photo and share!

Classic White Bridal Bouquets

2009-11-03T13:59:00.000-08:00

I have been noticing a recent trend in most of my wedding consultations lately....the classic white bridal bouquet is now the most requested! For awhile, we were doing lots of vibrant and intense bouquets in shades of burgundy and deep red or plum and chartreuse green...but white/ivory and cream is back!

It seems as though that although the bridal gowns may have more simple silhouettes, there is more detail in today's dresses- either from lace, fabric pleating/details or bodice beading. I often recommend that if your dress has an intricate or beautiful detail in the torso area (from chest to waist) then there are two good options for bouquets. One, if you want color, simplify the floral combination to 2-3 beautiful varieties of flowers that can add interest and texture but not overwhelm the dress. As well, keep the shape more simple, like a nosegay style The other, more popular option, is a more neutral, possibly with a slight color variation, bouquet. Going with a cream, ivory, champagne and even pale blush combination allows you to have more variety and types of flowers in your bouquet without taking away from the dress. This bouquet can be designed in a variety of shapes from the classic nosegay to the teardrop or semi-cascade style. I thought I would post some of my favorites that we have recently done.

Best Blooms in Pasadena!

2009-10-28T18:58:00.001-07:00

Thanks for voting for us! Finally getting a chance to post this!

Jennifer & John

2009-10-15T16:08:00.000-07:00

We had the pleasure of working with Jennifer and John, who were married at the Langham Hotel in Pasadena and their awesome coordinator, Gianna Provezano http://www.gpevents.com/. Although the ceremony was planned for the famous Horseshoe Garden, it was decided that the early evening ceremony was just a bit too chilly for comfort of the guests. The ceremony was moved into the Georgian Ballroom and the result was perfectly intimate and romantic- it was a blessing in disguise! The all white color scheme for the ceremony included a heavily decorated chuppah, an aisle runner filled with petals and hurricanes and two large arrangements flanking the entrance to the aisle. The bride's all red Black Magic bouquet added some drama and connected the ceremony color scheme to the all rich red reception decor. Tucked shantung linens were topped with tall fluted vases filled with submerged plum calla lilies and a beautiful arrangement of long stem Black Magic roses and red ti leaf. Each napkin was studded with an open Black Magic rose. Warm amber toned lighting and LOTS of candles added the perfect amount of warmth for the chilly evening. Guests were treated to a Sweets Overload! A bon bon station, wedding cake AND a candy station were all offered to their family and friends- my kind of girl!!!

Courtney & Rob

2009-10-10T11:36:00.000-07:00

You difinitely can't go wrong with a wedding or special event in Santa Barbara! We just designed a wedding at the beautiful Casa Bella in Hope Ranch for Courtney and Rob. To play off of the beautiful architecture and style of the house the bride chose a golden yellow, black and off white theme, melding some custom traditional touches with a bit of modern glam. The bride carried a bouquet of lush garden roses, miniature calla lilies and was accented with dark chocolate fern curls to add some striking contrast in color and form. Her 9 bridesmaids wore rich creamy yellow toned dresses and the bouquets of yellow roses, white phalenopsis orchids and fern curls complimented perfectly.

For the ceremony we did not want to compete with the gorgeous ocean and cypress tree backdrop so we designed a simple black canopy structure with flowing ivory chiffon and drops of crystals accented with yellow cymbidium orchids on the back portion. It was lovely when the soft breezes shifted the fabric ever so romantically. The aisle was completed with a dramatic scrolling pattern of bright yellow rose petals- a perfect contrast to the greenest grass I ever saw and the black chiavari chairs.

For a crisp, semi-modern twist on the tables we did a combination of vignette style centerpieces and single low centerpieces on each table. All the vases were wrapped in black dupioni silk with a satin band anchored by a rhinestone broach. Single variety floral combinations (golden mocara orchids, Skyline and Aalsmer gold roses, golden china chrysanthemums and gold cymbidium orchids) filled each separate vase for a cohesive and full table top design. Chunky black candle sticks with pillar candles and votives completed the design. For the sweetheart table, the bride wanted an intimate canopy for just her and her new husband. A wrought iron and crystal chandelier complimented the black and ivory chiffon canopy and the multiple candles added the perfect amount of romance and coziness.

check out a slideshow of some of our weddings over the past few months!

2009-10-03T18:45:00.001-07:00

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Wine and Jazz Festival benefiting City of Hope

2009-10-02T07:46:00.000-07:00

Come on out tomorrow, Saturday, October 4th to the Wine Jazz Walk benefiting the City of Hope. Sierra Madre merchants open their doors for the wine tastings and lots of food and jazz bands entertain the along the way. So much fun!! Visit the link for more info and ticket prices. Hope you can stop by! http://sierramadrewineandjazzwalk.com/

Mariana & Kurt

2009-09-19T16:50:00.000-07:00

Planning a wedding in Southern California when you live on the East Coast can be a challenge...but frequent emails, links to photos and good communication are the keys to having a beautiful and stress-free event. Mariana lives in New York and we spoke on the phone frequently and met for updates, walk-throughs and samples whenever she happened to be in town.

The design for her wedding was a classic Victorian inspired design with lots of deep rich red accents, champagne tones and just a bit of black for drama.

The ceremony was held at the First Congregational Church on Wilshire in Los Angeles- Gorgeous traditional church (It's claim to fame is that it has the largest organ in the United States- believe me- I know- the organist was warming up all during the install and wow! was it dramatic!!!). The church is very large so the scale of the altar pieces needed to hold their own and be bigger than average. Champagne chiffon swags accented with clusters of deep red Black Magic roses accented the entire aisle (all 175' of it!) while two large pieces anchored the entrance and beautifully framed the bride and her father for the procession.

The reception was held in the Georgian Room at the Langham Hotel in Pasadena. Four foot tall five arm stands dripping with crystals and covered in masses of red roses, orchids, amaranthus and trailing ivy were placed on luscious champagne satin linens. Lots of votives, rose petals and black satin napkins accented with a velvety reflexed Baccara rose completed the tablescape.

Thank you to Ruth Wang from Behind the Scene Wedding Coordinators- it is always a pleasure working together! and Thank you, Victor Sizemore for the creative, beautiful photos!

Jenny & Josh

2009-09-16T13:56:00.000-07:00

Check out some images from a wedding at the L'Auberge Hotel in Del Mar that we designed this past weekend- can't wait to see the professional photos!

The client's wanted to meld unique designs, glamorous crystal details and the beach locale into the entire design. It was important to find a balance and not get too thematic with the beach inspiration. Miniature bleached starfish details on menus, placecards and table numbers and bleached manzanita branches were just enough to pull it all together.

Ashley & Matt

2009-09-01T15:53:00.000-07:00

Ashley and Matt were recently married at Holy Family Church in South Pasadena with a reception following at The Valley Hunt Club. Because Ashely lives in New York her mother and I worked together to create a traditional design with a bit of a fun and modern twist. The bride loved pink but felt like going all pink was just too much so we highlighted the hot pink by incorporating chartreuse and celadon greens and ivory and white into the color palette. To pull out more of the hot pink "theme" the pocket folded napkins held a pink backed menu and were accented with a large refluxed Bugatti rose for each guest. The bride liked the drama of the high centerpieces (notice the cool hot pink wire rings and hot pink roses inside the vases) and the cleanliness of the Vignette style design of three square vases each holding a single monochromatic arrangement. Pin spoting, uplights and lots of candles completed the look. Can't wait to see the professional shots!

Organic Natural Inspired Design

2009-08-25T11:09:00.000-07:00

We recently had a few summer weddings that the clients desired simple yet elegant natural, organic inspired designs highlighting interesting local cut flowers and foliages accented with succulents. The designs fit in perfectly with the Spanish/Italian architecture and iron & wood and white plaster details of the venues (The Old Grapevine at the San Gabriel Mission; The Eagle Rock Arts Center; The Villa Del Sol at Alverno High School).

The Old Grape Vine event featured a vignette of three cylinder vases filled with moss and an accenting pink flax leaf and twine vase detail. Each vase contained either a cut floral arrangement of orange dahlias, zinnias, Mexican sage and mint or an echeveria or miniature cymbidium orchid stem accented with string of pearls. I thought the napkin fold/band was so clever- a nice alternative to the standard pocket fold.

The wedding in Eagle Rock infused soft French blue hydrangea, Iceberg garden roses and Vendela roses, mixed succulents, blue thistle, rosemary, lavender and lamb's ear. Each chocolate brown napkin was accented with either a sprig of rosemary or lavender. Loved the escort card display!

The Villa Del Sol is one of the most beautiful venues ever! (In fact, I personally scoped it out for my own wedding years ago because I had actually gone to high school dances there- way back when!). The front entrance gates were accented with welcoming olive branch, lemon leaf, mood moss and gardenia wreaths. As the guests entered through the gates they were greeted by a reception table with one of the cutest "sign-in table" concepts ever! We had various bowls of mixed loose flowers nestled in beds of moss and flower petals. The guests could pick out their favorite and pin it to their lapel or place it in their hair. Each guest was invited to fill a small bag with loose herbs to toss on the bride and groom as they walked down the ailse. Each herb was labeled with its significance (ie. rosemary=rememberance, lavender=devotion and sage= wisdom). The bride's bouquet was created by each of her bridemaids and close friends coming to the shop early on Saturday morning to pick out one flower that they wanted included into the bride's bouquet (I was given liberty to add additional flowers to fill out the bouquet and give it a finished touch). The centerpieces were a mix of iron candelabras and tall branch stands with loose, earthy inspired designs of roses, lisianthus, olive branches, artichokes, grapes and moss. The finishing touch was a single miniature artichoke on each guest's hemstich linen napkin.

Trish & Dave- Sublime White and Grey with a Splash of Yellow

2009-08-17T15:25:00.000-07:00

The perfect setting for a summer wedding- A cruise ship in Newport Harbor! What could be more perfect for So. Cal? As the sun set on the horizon, close friends and family celebrated an intimate wedding ceremony with the bride and groom on the upper deck. During cocktail hour on the lower level of the ship, the upstairs was transformed into an elegant dinner reception. The tables were draped in slate grey satin with matching napkins accented with a perfect yellow Mocara orchid. The setting was complimented by unusual grey vases filled with white phalenopsis orchids and square votive candles. The bride custom made the table numbers and CD's with the coolest yellow details for each guest. (Check out her web- she is a fantastic child/family photographer! Love her stuff and the patience of a saint- she photographed my two crazy girls a while ago! http://www.trishreda.com/)

Fun Summer Wedding - Macall & Patrick - Keeping it Sunny and Cool!

2009-08-07T16:59:00.000-07:00

Yellow is definitely a new popular color that many of our clients are asking to be incorporated into their floral design. We are so excited about this trend with a "poppy" new color. (A fav of mine as well- in fact, our new chairs in our consultation office are bright sunny yellow!) Paired with more subdued colors like slate grey, black or chocolate brown, yellow is a is a fantastic way to inject a pop of color and create a fresh fun vibe.

Macall and Patrick truly embraced the sunny yellow in their summer wedding color scheme. Shades of yellow roses created great contrast with the bridesmaid's bright tangerine dresses and crisp white table linens.

2009-07-29T16:09:00.000-07:00

So we are officially in our new location and although we are still working on little decorating details we are fully functioning as normal. The weekend we moved in we had three weddings (and my two little girls were flower girls in one of them- yeah!) so the production room got all of our attention. I can now focus on the fun stuff- decorating the showroom! As I mentioned earlier, we will be having an open house and will keep you posted. But, please visit us anytime to see what new and cool floral designs we are coming up with in our new inspiring space.

For anyone living or working in the downtown LA area - or anyone up to a metro train ride into Downtown to explore- come visit our boutique in the Jonathan Club on the corner of 5th and Figueroa. Tenely and Malorie are busy making beautiful arrangements just waiting for you to take home or send to someone.

These are just a few examples of what you might find on our tables at our LA shop.

Semi-recently we were invited to a soft opening of a new restaurant on 7th called Bottega Louie, which opened up a couple of months ago and is fantastic (food and decor- they just need some fresh flowers in there!)- think Dean and Deluca for the West Coast. If you have not ventured into Downtown LA lately try to make a trip out of it. All the traditional places are still there- Taquitos at Alvera Street; French dips at Phillipe's, pancakes at The Pantry (my mom's personal fav); Grand central Market- but there are so many new and exciting things happening between art shows/gallery openings and new restaurants and music venues. We are excited to be a part of it!

We're Moving!!!!

2009-07-05T21:29:00.000-07:00

I am so excited to announce our new venture....we will be re-locating our Pasadena location to the quaint downtown village of Sierra Madre! The new studio, housed in a large late 1800's adobe building (complete with a floor to ceiling fireplace- I hope I don't get over zealous and burn the place down!) allows us to more fully focus on our wedding and special events department. The new showroom is perfect for displaying the multiple services and design options that are available to our clients for their special day. Our design space is 4 times bigger!!!! Yeah!!!!! For any of you who have visited us on one of our busy Thursdays, Fridays or Saturdays you'll appreciate my excitement about more space!

Of course, daily floral pick up's and deliveries, as well as local and national/international wire services will be offered- nothing changing there.

Basically we will be closing the doors in Pasadena at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 15th and opening the doors at 9:00 a.m. in Sierra Madre on Thursday, July 16th! Although our current phone number will forward to Sierra Madre, please take note of our new number.

Check back with us frequently- we will be announcing an open house soon and invite you to come visit us!

Our new info:

Ixora Floral Studio

35 East Montecito Avenue

Sierra Madre, CA 91024

626.355.0040

Erin & Jason

2009-07-03T15:29:00.000-07:00

Erin and Jason must have been one of the most relaxed engaged couples I had ever met! An intimate ceremony in San Marino at a family home followed by a fun, relaxed dinner at a fantastic restaurant, The Raymond, in South Pasadena was exactly what they wanted. Next Exit Photography was kind enough to share some images with us- you have to check out their web/blog! I have had a few clients that have used them in the past and I have always loved seeing the quirky, unusual locations and poses that seem to truly capture the couple's personalities and emotions. They are one of my favorite photograghers and belive me- I have seen a lot!

The ceremony chuppah was made by Jason himself and incorporated the groom's families heirloom tallit and the bride's grandparent's Greek wedding wreaths. We liked the idea of lightly enhancing the chuppah with passion vine foliage, white cymbidium orchids and green mood moss. The bride carried a natural, garden inspired nosegay of lily of the valley, stephanotis, lamb's ear, scented geranium and birch pods. For the reception, Erin and Jason loved the idea of creating organic vignettes on the long narrow tables. We used brown glass vases filled with blue thistle, Corba lilies, orchids, succulents and straw flowers, various size glass square vases were filled with moss or natural pebbles and interesting succulents or fresh cut arrangements of pin cushion proteas, cymbidium orchids and hosta leaves. Warm amber glass votives add the perfect amount of romantic lighting.

Heather & Spencer

2009-07-02T12:37:00.000-07:00

We just received the wedding photos back from one of my favorite bride's ever! Heather and Spencer were married at The Athenaeum in Pasadena in late April and it was an absolute joy to design and plan the big day her and her mom.

The look was a classic, timeless design in shades of cream and white enhanced with lush lemon leaf foliage garlands (a favorite of the bride) and boxwood topiaries. For the ceremony the bride carried a full bouquet of all white peonies and the bridesmaids carried all white rununculas nosegays. The Athenaeum's beautiful architecture was enhanced with swagged garlands accented with clusters of abundant white roses and the aisle was adorned with a custom monogrammed runner. Large boxwood sphere topiaries studded with large white roses marked the aisle for the bride. The reception glowed with warm candlelight and lush all white arrangements in classic dark iron urns.

Thank you to Page from Page Bartelsen Photography for capturing such great images!

Erin & Michael

2009-06-25T13:49:00.000-07:00

So, I am a multi-tasker so while I am taking a break for lunch from our busy, busy day (we have a Bat Mitzvah tomorrow/Saturday, a wedding on Saturday and The Pasadena Chapter National Charity League Fashion Show/Luncheon at The Langham on Sunday) I thought I would post some images from a wedding that we recently designed. Tara Rochelle of Tara Rochelle Photography was kind enough to send me some images of Erin and Michael's wedding at Valley Hunt Club in Pasadena.

The bride was going for a fun, yet elegant design. She definitely wanted Hot Pink in more modern designs but wanted it to flow well with the space- which is pretty traditional. Chocolate brown helped balance out the pop of hot pink and it turned out fantastic. We did a combo of tall centerpieces with crystals in the vase (traditional) and a clustered vignette centerpiece of miniature hot pink calla lilies, Bugatti and Hot Princess roses and raspberry mocara orchids accented with pink flax (more contemporary). Each napkin had a beautiful Mocara orchid to greet each guest as they sat down. The pink lighting helped unify the spaces (the tables were spread out in two adjacent rooms) and added a lot of personality.

Peonies vs. Dahlias

2009-06-21T21:26:00.001-07:00

It's Dahlia Season! Unfortunately, the beloved peony season does not last forever and is starting to wind down a bit. We are still able to procure beautiful white, coral, blush, hot pink and red peony varieties but the dahlia is a fabulous alternative when the peonies become harder to get. I personally wanted to get married in June so I could have peonies everywhere possible! But, I got married in September and the peony thing was not going to happen. I have had a lot of client's who have been in a similar situation and although you can sometimes get peonies throughout the year, they are more expensive, more limited in quantities and variety/color and do not look as pretty as they do when they are in season. So, the perfect alternative for my client's who cannot satisfy their peony craving is the dahlia. I often encourage my summer and fall brides to consider dahlias in their bridal bouquets, bridesmaid's bouquets and centerpieces. The tiny little button dahlias also make very cool boutonnieres.

Dahlias can be on the market year round but the prime time is early summer through early fall. The blooms can range in size from a small button type dahlia about 1.5" across to the HUGE dinner plate dahlias, which can reach up to 10"-12" across. The blooms can be tight, almost ball-like with small petals or slightly compact, but medium size petals (as pictured in the orange bouquet) or larger petals and more textural and "spider-y"- Hence, the term Spider dahlia (as pictured in the white bouquet).

Blue and purple are pretty much the only two colors that the dahlias do not naturally occur. For bold tones you can find vibrant reds, oranges and yellows. For paler, more subdued tones, the Cafe Aulait dahlia (ranges from a warm creamy champagne to a blushy peach), pale pink and white dahlias are available. Dahlias also come in rich, deep burgundy and very dark burgundy- almost black. There are many varieties that are variegated (pink and white; orange and yellow; red and yellow; burgundy and white to name a few).

For those of you still dreaming of peonies it's not too late- and not impossible for other times of the year. They will still be abundantly vailable for at least another month or two. Below are a couple of photos of recent bridal bouquets incorporating peonies and different times of year. The pink and coral bouquets were January and February weddings. The white and red bouquets were used for weddings between April and May.

so, I have a blog.....Welcome!

2009-06-12T21:38:00.000-07:00

So...this is my first post and just a warning- I am not a techi kind of person....flowers are more my thing! It doesn't seem like college was that long ago (but I guess it was--denial!) but somehow I made it through without email or even my own computer! So, to have my very own blog is pretty amazing!

OK- I hope I didn't date myself by my previous comment (I'm not that old!!!) but a little about myself: Graduated Cal Poly Pomona with a degree in Ornamental Horticulture and went to work for a pretty reputable florist in the Pasadena area. After about 4 years there my own personal design and party work was getting to be too much to handle, plus a full time job at the before mentioned florist. My then boyfriend (now husband!) encouraged me to start my own business.

I started small- I mean, real small! My dad is very handy and built me a little studio on their property in a beautiful canyon in Sierra Madre. That lasted about 9 months! I soon outgrew my very cute little studio and moved into a historic adobe building nearby. My weddings and events just kept getting bigger and more frequent and soon I had full time employees! My husband and I got married, renovated a 1931 canyon bungalow... life was busy but good!

in 2005, a fantastic opportunity came up to open a retail location in Pasadena. It was fantastic- I got to design the store from the floor up and create a great place to show our work, meet with clients, showcase the beautiful flowers and offer really unique gifts. My husband left his job in the financial market to be "Mr. Ixora" and we had our first baby girl, Violet (how appropriate, right?) 3 months before we opened the doors. In September of 2007 we opened our second store at the Jonathan Club ...and had our second little baby girl, Faye (or Faye-B as we like to call her).

Our clients have been great and the events get better and better every year. I would like to thank everyone that we have worked with in the past and hope that you will check in to my blog frequently to see what is new and happening in the Ixora world! I plan to post all our current events and hopefully offer some "professional advise" on the ever-changing and beautiful world of flowers and design. Oh and by the way...our official new and improved web site will be launched by the end of July!!!!!