RINGING IN THE NEW YEAR WITH A ROOFTOP WEDDING

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.

Begum & Michael’s San Diego Wedding

Pistachio and pale peach – what a delightful color palette to inspire this lovely al-fresco wedding overlooking the harbor in San Diego. 

Begum and Michael had the gorgeous So-Cal skies as a backdrop for their nuptials, held at Harbor Island Park. Their candy-sorbet color palette may have been the focal point for our décor scheme, but these two lovebirds couldn’t be anymore sweeter in love. Coming from different religious backgrounds, their wedding day was such a perfect blend of tradition and romance, making our job easy breezy to make this pair shine on the big day.

Working alongside my friend and collaborator, Thomas Bui Lifestyle, we created their ceremony décor to focus on the stunning chuppa. The soft-pleated fabric Concepts Event Design  draped perfectly to imbue lots of movement from the placement of our florals and the gentle wind off the Pacific. We twirled tulips, garden roses, orchids, hydrangea, and dahlias in abundance and added lisianthus and scabiosa for a rich botanical texture. Orchids cascading down the back of the arbor were threaded with crystals to add that extra glimmer of sparkle.

Guiding the eye down the aisle were four magnificent arrangements interweaving our floral palette, echoing the sentiments of the chuppa design. After the momentous “breaking of the glass,” guests mingled in the fabric-swaged open-air tent, set with similar florals in varying sizes, some wrapped in custom vessels with gold accents.

And while we must save the best for last… our favorite floral feature from Begum and Michael’s stunning wedding day design was the custom floral “bumper” that decorated their vintage Rolls. “Just Married” never looked so good. Way to stay seriously classy in San Diego!

VENDOR CREDITS

Photography: True Photography Weddings. Wedding Consultant: Thomas Bui Lifestyle. Floral Design: Adorations Botanical Artistry. Chuppa, Linens, Rentals: Concepts Event Design. Furniture: Lounge Appeal. Catering: Coast Catering. Cake: Michelle Coulon Dessertier. Event Beverage Service: BevMo. Invitations: Whimsique. Lighting, DJ: Music Phreek. Officiant: Rabbi Ian. Makeup: Ann Denicolo. Videography: Taylor Films. Transportation: Rolls Livery. Location: Harbor Island Park

ART ALIVE

The San Diego Museum of Art goes FULL BLOOM.

For the past 33 years, Art Alive has been the SDMA’s signature fundraiser and annual floral exhibition bringing great works of art to life with floral interpretations. For the first time ever, I decided to participate in this phenomenal event with many of our industry colleagues and collaborated with my good friend and wedding coordinator, Thomas Bui Lifestyle.

There were over 100 pieces of art available to choose from to inspire the floral interpretations. Thomas headed up our art selection and choose Canaletto’s “The Molo from the Bacino di San Marco, Venice, 1747-50.” We studied the painting together to conceptualize how I would recreate and transform a floral arrangement into a sculptural masterpiece. I was struck by how linear the composition was, but I knew I needed to see movement; that would be my challenge. Thomas commented on the wood boats and shape of the gondolas in the painting, which lead us to our design direction and foundation for the piece. We choose a wood grain box with gold trim and the palm boat vessel, which seemed perfectly in sync with this great work of art. I began crafting the florals, building the ocean with a nest of dusty miller and adding just a few pink peonies to represent the pantaloons of the gondolier. The tower was of course the focal point, so I designed a replication made of quicksand roses in ivory, pink and peach, with a peak of lamb’s ear to mimic the very top.  

And I must say, for an Art Alive first-timer, I was very pleased with myself…so much so that after arranging and perfecting our creation, it ironically toppled over ruining the fresh flowers I so meticulously placed!

 As you can imagine, I was crushed…at first.

But like every great artist before me, you must pick up the pieces (literally, in my case) and begin again. Second-time around, it was even better than before.

On Friday April 11th, we unveiled our floral masterpiece to the public, and celebrated Art Alive at the Museum’s BLOOM BASH that very evening. The exhibition ran just through the weekend keeping all the fresh botanicals as pristine as their hundreds-of-year-old artful counterparts.

While we didn’t take home a grand prize, we certainly received many accolades from our industry friends and press mentions. The famous bloggers behind The Horticult named us one of their FAVORITE top 25 pieces, which is truly such an honor. You can be sure that Adorations Botanical Artistry will be back at Art Alive next year. Because as you all should know… “It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see.” - Henry David Thoreau 

Photography by Bauman Photographers 

We ADORE our New Site and Contributors!

Adorations.com is now LIVE ONLINE! I couldn’t be more thrilled to share with you this stunning new website that I have poured my heart and soul into. I have spent countless hours consumed with bringing you a colorful, rich, and visually driven site to showcase the designs I am so unbelievably proud of.  However, any great wedding or special event floral décor takes an entire team of vendors working together to make the one true vision come to life. This site would not be what it is without the amazing photographers, coordinators, and creative vendors who made each and of every one of my weddings, shoots, and special events happen.  Thank you ALL so much!

In an effort to fully recognize the amazing talent featured here, I will be spotlighting my site’s showcased vendors periodically throughout the year in dedicated profile pieces honoring their incredible work! 

As we launch, I would love to take this opportunity to personally acknowledge a few vendors, who are not only fellow industry professionals, but very dear friends I have had the pleasure to work alongside. Many of our collaborations are featured here on Adorations.com and I couldn’t possibly say enough about each and every one of them. But here it goes…

Kelly Aull of Mint Weddings

You are like a sister to me. We have been in this business together since the beginning and I truly believe we have contributed to each other’s success. Your loyalty and faith in me has certainly made an impact on my growth as a business woman and I want to always deliver for you and reflect back your generosity and commitment. This is why you are someone I would drop anything for.

Kelly and I created the FOUND BEACH WEDDING together. Kelly is always up to trying new things and creating different presentations for her brides. Not only is she an amazing coordinator, but also an incredible chef, responsible for creating and styling the dessert table display at Nathalie & Conrad’s wedding. While Mint Weddings is known for her wedding and special event coordination, Kelly has a true passion for making the sweetest most decadent treats. It’s a talent that truly has my mouth watering just thinking about it.

I named this the FOUND BEACH WEDDING as we created an eclectic presentation from found objects that would be seen in the flea-market circuit. Our lovely bride Nathalie had the style of Anthropologie and wanted a rustic, shabby-chic affair. We incorporated window treatments as the entrance to the ceremony aisle, initially, I was not sure it could work. But Kelly was all about it. “Let’s do it. Fire it up!” This is one of the many reasons I love Kelly. She helps me stretch myself to go beyond what I have done before. You truly are a beautiful friend Kelly, inside and out. 

Krista Morrison of A Joy Forever

Krista has contributed to Adorations in a way that has continually had a ripple effect on my business. She worked with me at the beginning of her career and I must say, everything she touched has produced long-term, effective results for me. She has this amazing way to organize and put systems in place to aid in functionality and consistency. I believe she has helped take Adorations to an even-higher playing field with the structures she implemented. Krista is also an extremely talented writer who loves to get things done the right way. She is so thoughtful about the service that she gives as a wedding coordinator and believes in the essence of family - the very reason why marriage exists. She feels that we need to treat our family, and couples, as though they are Kings and Queens. This is the core of the marriage celebration – the joining of two people into a committed and lifelong partnership of love. Her values in marriage are perfectly aligned with my core beliefs.

Together, Krista and I produced the RUSTIC ROUGE tabletop shoot to be featured in Exquisite Weddings this year. Look for it in the Spring edition. This luxurious farm table set-up reminds me of an enchanting dinner party a la rustic Moulin Rouge with touches of blue in the glassware with deep red roses and dahlias and luscious pink peonies. The delicate simplicity of the lace table runner balanced the crystal glassware and chandelier for an extravagant display. 

Thomas Bui of Thomas Bui Lifestyle

I am extremely blessed and honored by my continually developing relationship with Thomas. He is committed to working with me on so many projects, with the most personal being his annual HOLIDAY PARTY.  Thomas understands that florals are a worthy investment and he encourages his clients to value the quality of their flowers and décor. Thomas and I share a commitment to authentic craftsmanship ABOUT US that is evident in our past and current published weddings such as SOPHISTICATED GARDEN WEDDING now featured in San Diego Ceremony’s new 2014 edition.

Thomas understands that relationships and personal rapport are highly important. When listening to his vision for his 2013 holiday party, I felt struck by his easy and honest way of acknowledging those that matter most to him. This was the second holiday party that I had the pleasure to outfit for Thomas. He wanted an intimate dining experience with indulgent, elegant, but “vampy” décor. I wanted to bring sophisticated yet sexy holiday decoration to his private home for this intimate 40-guest affair held in his backyard. What transpired was an ornate yet edgy celebration, inspired by the red crystal chandeliers that floated above the king table. We incorporated black fur and leather boxes filled with snow-white peonies, amaryllis, calla lilies, anemones, and tulips along with crystal candelabras for a glamorous candlelight ambiance. It was even more special that Thomas not only asked me to design the flowers for the event, but also included me as a guest for this lavish dinner party. The way he indulged us that evening gave me an expanded sense of a guests’ experience at the weddings and celebrations he produces; always thoughtful, decadent, and original! Thank you for always being such a giving gentleman. 

Susanne Duffy of Crown Weddings

You have truly been a mentor to me over the years. And that’s just the kind of woman you are.  You constantly bring this positive energy that is both exciting and invigorating. Not only do you take on novices and help them rise to the top, you pour your heart into guiding them into their own personal and professional growth. I am in awe of your admirable reputation in this industry as you continue to produce gorgeous results time and time again. I met you very early in my career, when I was designing honeymoon suites, and it is because of you I met Kelly Aull and many other great vendor friends. Every time we collaborate, we create magic. It was one of my most cherished events to create the floral for your very own wedding. I will forever hold that event very special to my heart.

It is with Susanne at Crown Weddings that we created the ROMANTIC ESTATE WEDDING that was actually featured in Ceremony Magazine with a cover shot of the luxurious table setting. We also recently collaborated on the VIVID COASTAL WEDDING that features an out-of-the-box floral chandelier installation that garnered an article feature in Ceremony’s new 2014 edition. Susanne always instills glamour, style, and personality into her events, one of the many reason, I love working with her. 

Wendy Ware Designer

Wendy Ware is one of the most artistic, talented and self-expressed people I know. She really lives her life fully expressed whether it’s in her home, her fashion, and even her eyewear. Wendy has a great capacity to understand her client’s style and encourages them to take risks in their design. I admire how she can walk her client to the edge and hold their hand taking them to the next level. The result is always a flawless execution of artful expression as her attention to detail is unsurpassed. She has been a collaborator on some of my very best work, whether she’s contributed her calligraphy service or a full suite of wedding stationery. I love that we have this mutual relationship, where sometimes I lead and she follows or vice-versa. Wendy is truly one of my best friends and has been a real example of faith in oneself, others, and most importantly, God. 

 Paula Luna of Luna Photo

I recently texted Paula to “may you continue to see the light in yourself that you so beautifully capture in your photographs.” She is one of those very few gifted photographers who captures exactly what she sees in her heart with a photograph. The authenticity within her art is obvious and is a straightforward look into her soul. Paula’s photography is featured over and over again throughout the site from the ENCHANTED TENT WEDDING to the SAN DIEGO SPANISH WEDDING. 

Joshua Aull Photography

Josh and I both dream big and then take action to see it through from start to finish. I have watched him develop as a photographer in this business and he’s done the same for me. From capturing a tabletop shoot in the middle of the East Village in downtown San Diego, as seen in the URBAN VINTAGE shoot, to photographing the POP-UP SHOP that I hosted in my studio space, we have grown up together in this industry and have seen each other’s professional relationships evolve. I have tremendous respect for his career and look forward to seeing it blossom even further.