COASTAL OMBRE as seen in Ceremony Magazine

June 16, 2016 Alyssa McNees

HELLO SPRING BLOOMS! The season of color is here and we could not be more exhilarated than to celebrate this reawakening with one of our favorite styled shoots that graced the pages of Ceremony Magazine.

Shot at the stunning L’auberge Del Mar by Pam Scott Photography, this collaborative design was with my good friend and wedding coordinator Regina Young of Meant2Be Events, based in Scottsdale, Arizona.

As she describes: "Taking inspiration from the vibrant energy of the coastal background, this crisp modern design was intended to be bold, harmonious and sophisticated while keeping the canvas clean. From the contemporary lounge furniture, to the playful overhead floral display, down to the details of the striking stationery, each element was carefully curated to create a chic stylish celebration. Martini, anyone?”

It’s evident our background at the stunning L’auberge Del Mar set our scene with the ocean in the distance and a combination of ombre flowers to die for! This arrangement was one of my favorites to create, starting with our vibrant purple phalaenopsis orchids to anemones drifting into pops of pink with frilly tulips, ranunculus into everyone’s favorite peony, then drifting towards the paler shades of roses, hyacinth, sweet peas and finally, the white orchids -- with such a lush profile of fleurs, this cascading centerpiece truly takes my breath away!

To frame our tabletop design, we created a backdrop full of whimsy to highlight and complement the overall styling, comprised of oceanic teal chiffon draped asymmetrically with an artful installation of belles of Ireland, driftwood with falling orchids and yellow craspedia aka billy balls. A bar top added fun mini cakes, candles and vases with a touch of greenery to complete our setting.

Taking this inspiration into fashion, our model, Kimberly Daniels, posed in a gown from the White Flower Bridal Boutique and held a bountiful bouquet comprised of our incredible floral palette.

This contemporary coastal ombre shoot fulfilled our aesthetic game plan and truly moved us to create a colorful spring masterpiece… one that we hope inspires you!

Want more COASTAL OMBRE?

VENDOR LOVE
Photography: Pam Scott Photography. Location: L’Auberge Del Mar. Coordination: Meant2Be Events. Floral Design: Adorations Botanical Artistry. Rentals: Classic Party Rentals. Stationery: Be in Love Designs. Cake: Piece of Cake. Model: Kimberly Daniels. Gowns: White Flower Bridal Boutique. Hair & Makeup: Jennifer Bueno.

ADORATIONS HEARTS OUR WEDDING CHICKS FEATURE

February 18, 2016 Alyssa McNees

“You got me in chains, you got me in chains for your love…”

And we couldn’t be more in love with our feature on Wedding Chicks and the collaborators who made it all happen!

While it’s true that Nick Jonas’s CHAINS song did inspire this styled shoot, the Andaz San Diego, more so. As one of our favorite downtown venues, the Andaz is a glamorous and sexy hotel, best known for their rooftop nightclub and event space overlooking the city’s stunning skyline. The Andaz logo set the tone as the our team of vendors sought to complement this modern luxury hotel with a dramatically different affair with chains, of course, binding the design in detail.

Spearheading this conceptual shoot was the dynamic duo of Coastyle Events with us doing what we do best – floral design. For us, the Andaz’s living wall of greens inspired our contemporary chic styling starting with the reception tabletop. Our combination of café au lait, coral, burgundy and spiky orange dahlias, David Austen Chippendale garden spray roses and Tess merlot garden roses, pink-tipped snowberries, poke weed, dusty miller and eucalyptus exuded great depth in texture, color and style with a dramatic addition of vibrant phalaenopsis orchids

The industrial tabletop, came courtesy of the Andaz’s modern furniture styling while the centerpiece design WOW’d with a voluptuous mixture of fleurs, Coastyle hand gilded the gold glassware, pairing the setting with lovely plates from Anthropologie. Chains draped alongside the table with the juxtaposition of the silver fur underneath to add to our “Chains of Love” theme.

For the “I Do’s” the Coastyle ladies chose a simple wood arbor accentuated with cascading mirrors to reflect the natural light and chains dripping from the gorgeous floral palette. In lieu of traditional seating, mixed reclaimed wood benches, concrete chairs and tree stub stools with not only a fur runner aisle, but a bed of red rose petals.

Sweet Cheeks Baking Company not only designed an architecturally-inspired three-tiered cake with geometric and orchid embellishments but also introduced the dessert pairing station with crafted cocktails meant to complement their sweet treats. How perfect for guests to have their cake and drink too!

This shoot wouldn’t have been so perfectly complete without the incredible photos by Cavin Elizabeth Photography. Her style, professionalism and innovative technique make her truly one of the best in San Diego. I am so honored to have worked with her and our incredible team of talent on this shoot, as seen on Wedding Chicks!

VENDOR LOVE
Photography: Cavin Elizabeth Photography. Design & Coordination: Coastyle Events.
Floral Design: Adorations Botanical Artistry. Venue: Andaz San Diego. Cake: Sweet Cheeks Baking Co. Rentals: Lauren Sharon Vintage Rentals. Dishware: Anthropologie. Gown Designer: Houghton. Bridal Salon: The Dress Theory. Models: Andrei Razmeritsa & Natalia Fulto.

COVER GIRLS Adorations Botanical Artistry & White Lace Events

April 1, 2015 Alyssa McNees

Featured on Ceremony Magazine’s April Cover

I knew deep down at our photo shoot that THIS would be a cover.

We were cutting it close to deadlines for Ceremony Magazine’s 2015 print edition when I was asked to partner with Elizabeth & Krissie of White Lace Events & Design.

This was to be their first styled photo shoot with Ceremony, as they were in the midst of launching their very own wedding coordination and design company. Since I knew these vibrant girls well, as they were certainly no strangers to the wedding industry, coming direct from one of my favorite properties, L’Auberge Del Mar, I was thrilled for the collaboration!

Right away, E & K (as the White Lace girls are known) knew they wanted to incorporate a SWING, and I was all for it! This is the kind of work I feel eternally grateful to get to design. The shoot was a representation of that “loose, handpicked from the garden” vibe that doesn’t always get expressed within magazine editorials. Mixing unique elements like berries and pomegranates (which were in peak season) added another level of depth and texture to the styling, which is very much in line with our personal design philosophy at Adorations.

The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe was the perfect location for this shoot as the natural romantic landscape lent so well to our entire design scheme. As E & K selected the farm table, chairs and tabletop accessories, including that signature “White Lace” runner, we built the swing to act as the “sweetheart seat” at the table for the bride and groom. We created the swing in bay laurel, seeded eucalyptus and Italian pittosporum leaves with a found vintage plank of wood. The bountiful centerpieces and bouquet were crafted with lush peonies, dahlias, ripe red roses, garden roses, and ranunculus, all in various shades of burgundy, pink, and white with touches of pale gold for an unexpected lean in color.

I remember thinking when the talented Pam Scott took the shots of the bouquet on the swing, that Ceremony would love it! This really was a “fruits of love” moment for all of us and such an amazing debut of two very creative ladies. I look forward to many more COVER-worthy designs with Elizabeth and Krissie as I know they’ll find much success with their business, White Lace Events & Design!

VENDOR LOVE
Photography: Pam Scott Photography. Coordination & Styling: White Lace Events & Design. Floral Design: Adorations Botanical Artistry. Stationery: Posh Paperie. Escort Cards: RLH Creations. Rentals: Classic Party Rentals. Location: The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe.

US GRANT LUXURY WEDDING SHOW & LUNCHEON

March 31, 2015 Alyssa McNees

Photography by Garrett Richardson Photography

A few Sundays ago, the US GRANT Hotel showcased their annual Luxury Wedding Show and Luncheon for brides-to-be to experience four ballrooms brimming with styled vignettes from Southern California’s elite wedding specialists.

Adorations was so honored to create SEVEN of these amazing décor setups. And yes, you did hear right. SEVEN. We think that’s a lucky number.

It all began when Thomas Bui Lifestyles and Wynn Austin Events asked me to work with them on tabletop designs for the Grand Ballroom, which would be where the Luncheon and M Bride Couture Fashion Show would be held. I so adore working with both Thomas and Wynn that I said YES. When the US Grant also asked us to style Palm Court as well – you can guess it – I said YES as well.

While that may sound like three vignettes, both Thomas and Wynn were responsible for three tables EACH! Upon meeting with both of them to discuss the designs, Thomas decided to go for three completely unique tabletops while Wynn wanted to connect hers quite literally with a gorgeous ribbon of translucent gold magnolia leaves draped from each high centerpiece. Her lovely color palette of blush, cream and gold, which remains to be many bride-to-be’s favorite, was luxury at its finest with garden White O’ Hara roses, palest blush Quicksand roses, with pieres japonica and trailing jasmine vine woven throughout.

Thomas was thankfully placed right beside Wynn, front and center of the stage, with his three tables. My team joked a bit that the space in-between the two rows of tabletops was the “Adoration’s Alley” since we all had worked so hard to make these grand floral pieces for such a luxury show.

Thomas’s first tabletop design was “The Blossoming Tree,” fairytale in style, with floral groupings seeming to grow organically out of the base of a true birch trunk. The tree was blossoming with purple lilac, lavender sweet pea and purple clematis with rising white and lavender hydrangea, camellia leaves, sweet peas and roses in various stages of bloom. White and lavender clematis weaved ethereally throughout while the crown of the tree trunk featured branches of white cherry blossoms and blooming magnolia.

The “Marsala Masculinity” was Thomas’s 2nd tabletop that we took a modern yet whimsical approach to highlight the Pantone color of the year with several shades of sultry red, bronzed copper and pops of peach. The crescent-shaped centerpiece cascaded with French tulips tight clusters of Tess and Piano garden roses, deep red amaryllis, coffee break roses in a copper hue, red and peach ranunculus, Juliet roses, and dark spray roses were infused with anemones, poppies and dahlias. The design was made complete with mercury votives in a distinctive regal pattern, gold chalices, golden charger plates, rich linens and floating candles for a debonair styling.

“The Golden Halo” was the third in our series with Thomas, rising 4 ft above the tabletop with a golden halo ring atop a vessel of vibrant blooms. As one looked up, they saw the flowers reflecting through glass globes in this artfully designed installation. The dramatic yet romantic ring grew in size from 36 to 48 inches in diameter with the lush display of fleurs, featuring the famous David Austen roses, Juliet garden roses, Phoebe roses, clematis, hellebore with antique green hydrangea suspended with pepper berries and dripping with jasmine vine and purple clematis creating a visually stunning art piece.

Our final installation was in the Palm Court, right off the lobby at the US Grant that boasts a grand piano in the very center of the room. We wanted to highlight not only the stunning musical instrument, but also the musician himself. As one entered the room the piano was set in a floral frame with bunches of mono-floral bouquets angled with movement to direct the eye towards the piano. We set a vibrant centerpiece on the piano tall with blooming magnolia blossom branches, antique hydrangea, purple lilac and cascading purple phalaenopsis orchids, reminiscent of the floral groupings from our poised bouquets. It was such a stunning visual impact as quests entered into this beautiful space at the US Grant Hotel.

I’d love to give such a special thanks to my entire TEAM at Adorations Botanical Artistry. We not only had an actual wedding that weekend but worked around the clock to make these show installations so over-the-top! THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart!!

And of course to the US Grant, Thomas Bui and Wynn Austin – we are truly blessed to not only work with the very best wedding professionals, but also consider you friends! Thank you for all that you do for Adorations Botanical Artistry! We look forward to many more grand events!

Adriana & Chris: Two become One

March 25, 2015 Alyssa McNees

It’s what we live for in this industry – when two hearts genuinely become one.

My first encounter with Adriana & Chris was endearing. My good friend and colleague, Thomas Bui Lifestyle invited me to send his couple an Adorations Botanical Artistry signature arrangement in shades of the soon-to-be-bride’s favorite color: purple. This was our first introduction (and impression) as we sent her a lovely centerpiece crafted in purple kale, succulents, garden roses and those enchanting botanical elements that we’ve become known for.

Later I had the pleasure of meeting this elegant couple, who were to celebrate their second marriage at the magnificent Rancho Valencia Resort. Chris was the most dotting and sincere fiancé, who was so lovingly protective of this woman that he wanted to indulge her with her heart’s desire. It was like a storybook romance we dream about as he treated her the way a gentleman should – like his queen.

While they were in the midst of renovating their home, Adriana and Chris wanted that same custom approach to their wedding day celebration. Choosing a palette of deep plums and ivories, their outdoor ceremony was rich in vibrant shades of lavender as the lightest chiffon fabric draped their canopy in a symmetrical fashion. The arbor and ceremonial bureau were created with the bride’s favorite Picasso calla lilies, Carmel Antik roses, lavender and white hydrangea, dahlias, clematis, succulents, tulips and varieties of roses allowing for movement and a gorgeous styling. The added allium gave that special touch of whimsy to the flowers making it one stunning ceremony site.

We created a walkway of candlelight leading the guests from the ceremony to the reception. And as many know Thomas Bui’s style of grandeur, the reception tent was a high impact open-air celebration draped with chandeliers to perfection. This romantic environment was enhanced with golden table accents sourced by TBL and lush floral centerpieces in the same varietal scheme of bold lavenders and crèmes, all set around a dance floor designed with a heart becoming one.

While the theme lent itself so joyfully to Adriana and Chris’s wedding celebration, this loving couple, donated all of their flowers to Heliotrope for Hospice, which is an organization that repurposes flowers from special events or stores and delivers the little beauties to patients throughout San Diego in hospice care.

It was such an honor to work with Adriana and Chris on their special day and we wish them ALL KINDS OF GOODNESS in their life together!!

Brian Malarkey’s GREEN ACRE Restaurant Featured with ADORATIONS BOTANICAL ARTISTY in Ceremony Magazine San Diego 2015

March 10, 2015 LaVonne Crawford

Top Chef extraordinaire Brian Malarkey is clearly a household name. Especially in San Diego, our palettes have had the pleasure of experiencing Malarkey’s “Fabric of Social Dining” in his award-winning haute spot restaurants, Searsucker and Herringbone, while foodie fans across the country have fallen in love with Bravo’s happy-go-lucky reality star. Malarkey seems to be finding more and more success in his restaurant brands, which have expanded into Austin, Texas; West Hollywood, and soon-to-be in Las Vegas; but his most recent SD venue and restaurant Green Acre is adored by us, here at Adorations.

Obviously, in case you haven’t seen the latest 2015 edition of Ceremony Magazine, Adorations is thrilled to see our incredible king-sized “Garden to Table” photoshoot featured in a 4-page editorial spread!

Last year, we were blessed to work with the wonderful Tim Altbaum Productions (now Vario Productions) for his annual industry event, hosted at Green Acre and found such inspiration in the “campus-life” that this organic eatery boasts. Unlike any restaurant dining experience we’ve ever seen, Green Acre is the epitome of farm-to-table dining, as each of the two life science campus locations has its own sustainable garden where much of their produce is harvested. Offering breakfast and lunch “brain food” for neighboring colleagues and researchers, the Campus Pointe location can also double as a venue space for special events. Since we were already twirling flowers for Tim’s elaborate celebration, we decided to repurpose our florals into a Ceremony Magazine photoshoot the very next day. It only seemed fitting, keeping with the green, sustainable lifestyle assumed by Green Acre, that reusing our gorgeous flowers was a must! For more TAP party pictures.

Our shoot was a play on the “farm-to-table” restaurant concept as translated to the “Garden-to-Table” styling (and name). Since Green Acre boasts a private dining space with a grand 20-person tabletop made of reclaimed wood, accompanied by leather chairs and bookshelves adorned to the walls, we thought this was the perfect location to set our tablescape. The flower palette comprised of Juliette and Campanella garden roses, pincushion protea, anemones, sweet peas, and ranunculus in sorbet inspired shades of pinks and oranges elevated with greens, which livened up the masculine den-like space.

Because this was such an important shoot for Adorations, we were fortunate to work with two amazing photographers to capture the essence of our “Garden to Table” editorial. As featured in the Ceremony Magazine spread, Alex Hurtado Photography shot the table and details, as did our friend Garrett Richardson for Clove & Kin Photography, who was featured in Ceremony for the cabbage patch bouquet. Our incredible team of vendors also included coordination by Jessica Gillon of Events by Design, Hostess Haven for rentals; linens by Concepts Event Design and stationery pieces by Love Paper Paint.

Thank you to our talented vendors and Ceremony Magazine for this wonderful published feature and of course, to the inspiring Brian Malarkey who just keeps growing his delicious brand of goodness! Want to see more Garden-to-Table.

Editorial Shoot Credits
Photography: Alex Hurtado Photography. Photography: Clove & Kin Photography. Floral Design: Adorations Botanical Artistry. Coordination: Events by Design. Rentals: Hostess Haven. Linens: Concepts Event Design. Stationery: Love Paper Paint. Food & Venue: Green Acre.

HOTEL DEL WEDDING: UNDER THE NIGHT SKY

January 8, 2015 LaVonne Crawford

There is that moment of twilight after the sun has long set and the night sky turns to dusk. This is when Christina and Sean said, “I do.”

Set beachfront outside of the legendary Hotel Del Coronado, with the glowing iconic turrets as part of their scene, Christina and Sean had the romantic setting that Christina had always dreamed of.

When I had first met with the beautiful bride-to-be to talk about her wedding décor, she had brought with her an inspiration board from a summer wedding she wanted to recreate with large dinner plate dahlias as the basis of the floral palette. Being that her wedding was a pre-winter affair in November, we had to tailor the plan to include seasonal flowers that could give the same grandiose effect and opted for large china mums to take the place perfectly. David Austin garden roses dominated the design with natural foliage that lent a handpicked styling, with subtle hints of metallic gold. Queen Anne’s lace, maidenhair fern, and white veronica imbued movement, peaking amongst the garden roses. We were able to weave in smaller varieties of dahlias to keep the bride’s original vision at play, but let the china mums do their job to emphasize the scale.

Our favorite design element in Christina and Sean’s wedding was the crochet chuppah that added such unexpected personality to the décor. With nightfall, the chuppah illuminated in ambient lighting that complemented The Del’s iconic radiance making this one unique and gorgeous celebration.

VENDOR: Photography: Pam Scott Photography. Location: Hotel Del Coronado. Coordination & Styling: Monarch Weddings. Floral Design: Adorations Botanical Artistry. Rentals: Concepts Event Design. Linens: La Tavola. Lighting: San Diego Events Lighting. Menus: Whimsique Invitations & Stationery.

RINGING IN THE NEW YEAR WITH A ROOFTOP WEDDING

December 31, 2014 LaVonne Crawford

As we ring in the New Year, Adorations Botanical Artistry would love to thank every one of our amazing vendor collaborators and couples for making 2014 such a successful and inspiring year of innovative design. I am truly humbled to look back on our incredible event décor and am so grateful to continue to share the collective work of many talented artists and professionals in our industry.

This rooftop wedding celebration is no exception. In fact, it is one of my favorite events from this year, being with one of my extremely creative and stylish friends, Thomas Bui.

Our modern couple chose one of San Diego’s most notable downtown haute spot’s for their ceremony and reception celebration, the Andaz Hotel. Keeping with the ultimate city-vibe, Thomas came to me with a vision to create elevated arrangements with suspended elements. While our couple was invested in their rooftop affair, Astrid, our bride, was transferred to Africa for a job and her husband-to-be Peter took over the final planning details. We all wanted her to be wowed with the final result… and that she was.

The overall color palette was pure white boasting a dramatic grouping of florals, very Jeff-Leatham style with verdant greens brought into the reception décor. The bride carried a chic asymmetrical bouquet mixed with peonies, garden roses, and string of pearl succulent strands, lady slipper orchids, and ranunculus and cymbidium orchids.

Since the Andaz is set in sections, as it doubles as a high-end nightlife venue as well, we had just one hour to turnover the orchid-infused ceremony site into a 65ft king table with the elevated tabletop installation during cocktail hour, transforming the space into an enchanting floral paradise. The tabletop of contemporary Lucite was the dwelling of sandblasted grapevine that rambled organically above guests’ heads with lush with foliage and hanging glass globes. Garden roses, scabiosa pods, brunia, hanging strings of pearls, succulents, fresh Spanish moss, and lotus pods comprised the table botanicals making this one OVER-THE-TOP table setting of 2014.

VENDORS: Photography: Luna Photo. Location: Andaz, San Diego. Coordination & Styling: Thomas Bui Lifestyle. Rentals: Chiavari Chair Rentals. Floral Design: Adorations Botanical Artistry. Invitations and Stationery: Wendy Ware. Hair: Audra Rene. Makeup: Ann DeNicolo.

Into the GLAMOROUS Woods: Exquisite Weddings Magazine Feature

May 30, 2014 LaVonne Crawford

The new Spring/Summer edition of Exquisite Weddings Magazine is now OUT on the newsstands and we are thrilled to be included in a stunning tabletop feature with A Joy Forever!

This gorgeous a la natural-chic shoot was conceived, styled, and coordinated by Krista Morrison, the founder and designer of A Joy Forever. As one of my long-standing colleagues and genuine friends, I was more than happy to work with Krista on this stylized décor editorial and knew that she would go above-and-beyond, as she does with every project or special event she produces. Wanting a classy and opulent look for this shoot, she was inspired by the Hidden Oaks property, which is known to host very casual and rustic affairs. However, Krista’s fresh perspective chose to “glam” up the styling to create a sophisticated yet whimsical outdoor setting.

Of course Krista informed me of the color palette she was going for and I chose to incorporate luscious crimson dahlias, rich pink peonies, antique blue hydrangea, and scabiosa flowers into our arrangements. The crystal chandelier was a focal point in the design so we played with the luxurious lace table runner and included many crystallized elements for added sparkle. Our “something blue” tea lights popped perfectly up against the wood farm table and picked up the contrasting color of the hydrangea and dusty miller.

To complete our shoot, we added two sets of models to act as our bride and groom, along with their best man and maid of honor. It is always so rewarding to see people around a tabletop that you create for an editorial shoot — it breathes new life into the design and truly shows off what it would be like to have your loved ones breaking bread together surrounded by that beauty.

As always, it was such a great pleasure collaborating with Krista on this shoot. Her sentimentality and thoughtfulness goes into every project and client she works with, and her ongoing quest to make a difference in people’s lives truly inspires me. I am truly blessed to have her wide-eyed optimism and love for discovery in my life and I can’t wait for our next shoot together!!

TABLETOP CREDITS

Coordination & Styling: Krista Morrison for A Joy Forever Weddings & Events. Venue: Hidden Oaks Private Weddings & Events. Photography: Taylor Abeel Photography. Florals: LaVonne Crawford for Adorations Botanical Artistry, Paper Elements: Wendy Ware Calligraphy & Design. Furniture: Concepts Event Design. Tabletop Decor: Classic Party Rentals. Linens: La Tavola Linen. Gown: Danielle Berg D’Marie Bridal. Hair & Makeup: Natalie Bohlin Makeup.

TAP Party: Mixing Business with Pleasure

April 11, 2014 LaVonne Crawford

Tim Altbaum is known for his parties.

Sure his business Tim Altbaum Productions (otherwise known as TAP) is the best in San Diego, creating masterful sound, lighting, and entertainment for weddings and special events. But his annual industry party, reserved for the finest vendors in Southern California, receives accolades every year for being a showstopper, much like him.

This year, I partnered with Tim as his floral design sponsor to decorate a new amazing space. As if Brian Malarkey wasn’t already a household name, his latest San Diego creation, Green Acre Eatery located in the heart of UTC at Campus Pointe, is exactly as it sounds; an organic restaurant and event space that celebrates farm to table cuisine.

Nestled amongst the UCSD industrial park, labs, and research offices, Green Acre’s outdoor gardens are perfectly at peace with its surrounding and offers a sanctuary and retreat for those working in the vicinity. Open for breakfast and lunch until 3pm and then for a Happy Hour from 4-7pm, Green Acre’s modern rustic design perfectly transforms from day to night into a swanky special event venue.

Like any designer, I couldn’t wait to see my work come alive in this new space and working with Tim just took it to the next level. Green Acre segued into a high-end nightclub for the TAP Party and industry veterans were blown away by another phenomenal event hosted by Tim Altbaum Productions.

Our florals were an organic mix of anemones, garden roses, dahlias, sweet peas, protea and fresh greens, arranged in rustic containers and handmade wooden vessels to stay true to the farm-to-table concept.

As if I couldn’t get enough of Green Acre, I turned around and set-up a tabletop photoshoot for the very next day. I just couldn’t resist the inspiring location and know it will be such a haute spot, I just had to be one of the firsts to make it so.