Elle Fashion Show at The W Bridal Luncheon

“Beauty begins the moment you decide to be yourself” – Coco Chanel

Coco Chanel said it best. And isn’t it just the truth! We adore working with brides who want to show their true selves on their wedding day! It was so much fun to celebrate real bridal beauty at the Elle Fashion Show at W Hotel’s Bridal Luncheon. Ladies-in-waiting to say I DO dined in a gilded celebration before heading upstairs to the chic hotel rooftop for fashion inspiration on the runway.

Adorations was thrilled to be one of the floral designers featured at the Elle Fashion Show, which was hosted in part by our friends at the Lofty Wedding Collection – Elle Bridal Boutique, Garrett Richardson Photography and Posh Paperie. Krystel Tien and the girls at Couture Events coordinated this fabulous show incorporating the works of four San Diego fleurists. Leaf it to Lexi created the stunning runway backdrop that was designed with ombre pink roses making the perfect entrance for the models, while Compass Florals did an amazing job decorating the tabletops for the ladies luncheon. Along with our fellow florists and The Dainty Lion, we contributed two bouquets for the fashion show; both of course, in our signature texturized style.

Our first bouquet was fairytale-inspired and woodsy in charm with branches, scabiosa, peonies, patience garden rose, coneflower, dusty miller, kiwi vine and anemones.  Bouquet number two, romantic in nature, comprised of blush and white peonies, protea, dahlias and white o’hara garden roses.

It was just so exciting to see our fleurs working the runway in the hands of the beautiful bride models….especially with the paddle signs aligning the first row. Guests were able to flash a little  “Love,” “Yes, Please” and “FAB!” as the complete looks hit the catwalk.

Thanks so much to the wonderful team of vendors who worked together to make this one ELLE of a show!!!

VENDOR LOVE

Coordinator: Couture Events. Venue: The W Hotel San Diego. Photography: Garrett Richardson. Invitations: Posh Paperie. Bridal Gowns: Elle Bridal Boutique. Cinema: Anthology Films. Florals: Leaf It To Lexi. Florals: The Dainty Lion. Florals: Compass Florals. Florals: Adorations Botanical Artistry. Rentals: Classic Party Rentals. Linens: Concepts Event Design. Sponsor: Exquisite Wedding Magazine.

VENDOR LOVE: GARRETT RICHARDSON PHOTOGRAPHY

Editorial Feature in Ceremony Magazine 2015

Photography by Garrett Richardson Photography 
(formerly of Clove of Kin)

This week, the hot off the press copies of Ceremony Magazine 2015 arrived in our mailbox, showcasing truly amazing features for Adorations Botanical Artistry and that of our colleagues. We were thrilled to see our editorial spreads in print and look forward to sharing those in detail on our blog with a “behind-the-scenes” story of how they all came to be.

Being that I also had the pleasure to attend one of my first 2015 wedding-industry events last week, the Grand Opening Party for the “Lofty Wedding Collection,” I was inspired to begin with a young man and the passion he has for his work – a vendor who I had the opportunity to work with to create one of my published contributions in Ceremony.

Now, Garrett Richardson is quite a talented photographer. His new Photography Studio is located directly above the brand new Elle Bridal Boutique and across from Posh Paperie in this cool urban space in Downtown San Diego; making this trio, the “Lofty Wedding Collection.” Garrett, who was formerly with Clove and Kin, started this year beginning a new chapter in his life and launching this vendor collective and establishing his own namesake photography company. Garrett’s work is already very well known but he made quite an impression on me during a shoot together for Ceremony Magazine last year.

As featured in the magazine as our FARM TO TABLE spread, which couldn’t be more perfectly titled (and you will understand why soon enough), Adorations had two photographers assist in capturing our king-table concept at Green Acres; one of which was Garrett, working under the Clove and Kin company. I had never met Garrett before this shoot but he had come highly recommended, as I had noted his stunning photography work in the past. His demeanor was as sweet as can be and his execution in shooting not only the massive tabletop but the “cabbage patch” floral bouquet was flawless – ending up on a full page feature in the 2015 Ceremony.

When I saw Garrett at his Grand Opening, I was so proud of him to see all that he had accomplished in this past year. From our first meeting at the Green Acres shoot, I had instantly connected with him, which is something I do when I share that creative drive and personal philosophy with another being. Garrett’s ventures to create his own business and establish his brand were just so on point and when he shared his story on “THE TREE” in his logo, my heart simply melted.

Inspired by family, connection and relationships, Garrett recalled childhood drives up the central coast to visit his relatives in San Luis Obispo and spending those long car rides staring out the window passing by magnificent oak trees.

“These trees were just each so unique and different, in their own way,” remarks Garrett. “An Oak isn’t going anywhere. Its one of the longest and deeply rooted trees in the ground, and it becomes part of everlasting life. It’s faithful. Sturdy. Something that lasts – just like that of marriage, which grows into family. Those are the kind of portraits I love to photograph.”

Because we share these sentiments of what weddings truly represent, I fell more in love with this bright, young photographer and his reflective heart. Garrett’s engaging personality, honest soul and tremendous work ethic will follow him to great success. I am so honored to have met him on our Ceremony Magazine shoot and look forward to many more inspired projects with his brand, Garrett Richardson Photography. I just can’t help but think of him and his Giving Tree.