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.

US GRANT LUXURY WEDDING SHOW & LUNCHEON

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

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!!

VENDOR LOVE
Photography | Victor Sizemore Photographer. Venue & Catering | Rancho Valencia. Coordination & Design | Thomas Bui Lifestyle. Floral Design | Adorations Botanical Artistry. Dance Floor & Rentals | Concepts Event Design. Rentals | Abbey’s Party Rentals. Draping | Pacific Event Productions. Lighting | Amber Event Production.  Linens | La Tavola Linen. Makeup  | James Overstreet. Hair | Salon De Marcus. Videography | Taylor Films. Officiant | Robert Stevens.  DJ | Mike Hogan. Music | Michael Gonzales. Cake & Desserts | Sweet Lydia.  

50 SHADES OF FABULOUS: Janissa & Sherwin

VALENTINE’S DAY is less than one-month away! While many are counting down the days to the release of the much-anticipated film, 50 Shades of Grey, we here at Adorations are celebrating 50 Shades of Love, all MONTH long. As you know LOVE blossoms in many forms and with that we shower you with passionate couples, sultry shots, and the feeling we all ADORE most…LOVE!  

That kiss… have you ever seen one onscreen as passionate?

Forget about Christian Grey – let’s talk about Sherwin and Janissa’s high-fashion and modern love story, celebrating their special day at the Shade Hotel in Manhattan Beach.

In fact, let’s watch the trailer…. 

Janissa & Sherwin are unlike many couples and wanted to express their love through modern design, artistry, fashion, family, friends, and of course, one another. “Being in the industry, our goal was to provide a rather non-traditional wedding for our guests to experience,” says our gorgeous bride Janissa. “All of the events throughout our engagement leading up to the wedding and even there after, have been nothing short of memorable.” 

With a color palette of greys, creams, and pops of crimson red, their wedding scheme completely lent itself to the venue’s natural design. The chic Shade Hotel was actually the one and only ceremony and reception space the couple viewed. Knowing they had found the one, the question became, “How do we make the wedding exude a simplistic yet modern design that exudes high fashion and sexiness during the day?”

The answer was simple – bring in event designer & coordinator Charmae of Bellz & Whistlez and Adorations Botanical Artistry to collaborate with the talented bride. Charmae wanted to play with the use of textures influenced by Janissa’s wedding gown and made a custom backdrop for the altar with hanging ribbons and lace embroidery hoops. The dramatic faux fur aisle runner set focus on the red dahlia and dusty miller–filled boxes leading up to the aisle adorned with wooden pedestals with arrangements varying in white and red.

To transition from the “I Do’s” to the “Brilliant Party” in the same space, tables were set in crimson linens while we repurposed the ceremony décor into white centerpiece arrangements full of crimson linens, dahlias and dusty miller. The ceremony altar became a stunning sweetheart table and cake display with a plexi-glass base set overtop of florals to showcase their sweet puppy-love toppers.

Janissa and Sherwin’s wedding began long before their actual wedding day – we loved hearing about their pre-wedding bridal luncheon and photo/film shoot with their absolutely gorgeous bridal party that not only made their save-the-date wedding invites so fabulous but also turned into one phenomenal grand entrance film and photo memories set amongst the reception. We thought Janissa’s sense of extraordinary style was even more striking with the quote she included on her invitations regarding her guests’ dress:

"What makes a brilliant party? Clothes. Good clothes. A frumpy party is nothing more nor less than a collection of badly dressed persons." ~ by Emily Post

Not only were each of her bridesmaids donned in uniquely different cream dresses but each groomsman in a different shade of grey. The guys also wore distinctive boutonnieres to show off their individual style, all of which were carefully curated by our high-fashion couple. And the guests adhered to the “good clothes” dress code, making this one fashionably fabulous wedding celebration con amore! 

Photography: Mark Brooke Photography. Event Design & Coordination: Bellz & Whistlez. Floral Design: Adorations Botanical Artistry. Venue: Shade Hotel. Videography: Ren  & Rob Productions. DJ & Entertainment: DJ Tanner, Love Rockers. Cake: Cake & Art. Ice Cream: Manhattan Beach Creamery. Makeup: Makeup by Pam SD. Hair: Rose Hair Design.