Holiday Arrangements

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!

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

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!

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

Jennifer & John

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

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!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Wine and Jazz Festival benefiting City of Hope

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

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!