A Sunny, Summer La Jolla Wedding

You can never tell what kind of weather you’ll get in June along coastal San Diego. It might be foggy and cool, and feel more like February than June, or, it might be sunny, gorgeous, and hot. With this wedding from last June, we hit the weather jackpot!

Michelle and Brendan say ‘I do’ under a bamboo arch decorated with floral garlands and chandelier designed by Bespoke.

The bride, a New Jersey transplant, had always dreamed of having a wedding on the beach. Cuvier Park (also known as The Wedding Bowl)was the idea location. The problem was that she hated the idea of being so on display. The solution? Get married on a Wednesday afternoon!

Lanterns with bright flowers spilling out hung on shepherd’s hooks lining the aisle at this Cuvier Park Wedding.

The intimate ceremony was attended by only close family, and was officiated by Bethel Nathan of Ceremonies by Bethel. One of the wonderful parts of working with Bethel, is that she takes the time to get to really know the couple, and the particulars of the relationship. The ceremony for this couple spoke so truly to who they both were as individuals, and as a couple. Everyone who attended was blown away with how different, and special, the ceremony felt.

Tying the knot in a handfasting ceremony officiated by Bethel Nathan

The reception took the form of an intimate dinner party at La Jolla staple the Marine Room. Classic cocktails, phenomenal food, lively conversation, and that amazing view of La Jolla Cove made for the perfect evening for this couple. The location made it easy to steal away for a few moments on the beach with photographer Lisa Conrad for some amazing sunset portraits.

One long table kept the familial feeling for the dinner celebration.

A series of small mercury glass vases loaded with bright summery flowers decorated the reception dinner.

Brendan and Michelle take a quiet moment on the beach at sunset.

I was honored to be a part of the wedding celebration for Brendan and Michelle. Happy first anniversary, and to many even happier ones to come!

Bright pops of color against a peach wall.

A Bright Bouquet Suitable for a Sunny Summer Wedding.

 

An orange rose, yellow kangaroo paw, and a bit of blush hypericum makes a boutonniere as summery as the bridal bouquet.

Flowers by Bespoke. http://www.BespokeOccasions.com 619.850.2408
Photography by Lisa Conrad http://www.LisaConradPhotography.com 619-316-2441
Ceremony by Bethel Nathan http://www.CeremoniesbyBethel.com 619.302.3035
The Marine Room http://www.themarineroom.com 858.459.7222

A Sprinking of Flowers

Last week, my friends and I had a little lunch to celebrate the imminent birth of our friend’s second child. A second child doesn’t usually warrant a baby shower, but what is cutely called a ‘sprinkling.’ I thought it would be fun to make that ‘Sprinkling’ candy themed with sprinkles instead. We had lunch in a restaurant, and I couldn’t resist making these cute little arrangements in glass vials to take along as decoration.

Candy Sprinkled Filled Jars with a Sprig of Flowers. Cheerful and Fun! (Tasty, Too)

These are dead simple to make. The jars came from the scrapbooking section of Joann’s, the sprinkles from Target, and the flowers were, uh, donated from around my neighborhood.

Fill a cup, or bowl, with the sprinkles, so that you can fill the jars over the receptacle. It makes this slightly less messy.

I couldn’t resist filing the vials with sprinkles, too!

Tuck in a sprig of flowers to each sprinkle filled jar, and there you have it!

You may have noticed that I didn’t use water with these flowers. I chose blooms that would hold up well without water for a few hours. To use water, and make your flowers last longer, you’ll need 2 vases, 1 that will fit inside the other with room to spare. Fill the gap between the vases with the sprinkles, then fill the smaller vase with water, and add your flowers.

These would be great for so many different celebrations! I think a child’s birthday party would be so much fun with these candy florals, or even to add a little humor to a dessert bar at a wedding.

What would you make these for?

http://www.BespokeOccasions.com ~619.850.2408~ info@BespokeOccasions.com

Blushing Brides

Blush weddings seem to be all the rage these days, but instead of pairing blush with the expected white or cream, why not try one of these daring combos? Sweet and Surprising!

Blush, Red, Leather, and Graphite make a sophisticated color palette.

 

Blush, Pomegranate, Beet, and Sand Wedding Color Palette looks summery, but could also be fall.

Blush, Mint, Grey, and Poppy Wedding Day Color Palette looks a little wintery and springy. Not too quiet or sweet!

Sunset, Blush, Grape, and Lavender Wedding Day Color Palette. My Favorite! Summery and cheerful, but totally grown up!

Blush, Golden Yellow, Melon, Grass Green, and A Whisper of White Wedding Day Color Palette. This is ideal for a more casual, Summer affair.

Are you inspired, yet? I am! I can’t wait to suggest one of these stunning options to my next Blushing Bride!

Think you could be our next Blushing Bride? Give us a call to start planning your wedding florals and design. 619.850.2408

 

What style bouquet is right for you?

In my wanderings around Pinterest (it was work related, I swear!), I stumbled onto this great image picturing different styles of bouquets.

It came from Dummies.com, if you can believe it, along with these helpful descriptions:

• Cascade or shower: Classic, elaborate shape with ivy and long-stemmed flowers that are wired or pulled out to droop gracefully in a waterfall effect.

• Composite: A flower constructed of hundreds of real petals wired together to look like one enormous flower.

• Nosegays: Round bouquets (16 or 18 inches in diameter) composed of flowers, greenery, and occasionally sprigs of herbs, all wired or tied together.

• Posies: Smaller versions of nosegays. Ribbons and silk flowers are often integrated into them.

• Presentation: The pageant bouquet — long-stemmed flowers cradled in your arms.

• Tossing: A bouquet used for tossing so you can save the actual wedding bouquet for posterity. No need to duplicate the original; the tossing bouquet can be entirely different.

• Tussy mussy: From the Victorian era, a posy in a small metal hand-held vase. Some have attached ring chains for easy carrying.

Did you learn anything new?

Come follow our wanderings on pinterest!

Bright Modern Centerpiece

Occasionally, I am asked to design florals for events for Rady Children’s Hospital. This time the event was at an amazing private residence in Del Mar. The home was modern, but still warm and inviting. (I wish I got a picture of the amazing rectangular topaz and clear crystal chandelier that hung above the table. Completely worth lusting over)

I was given the direction of something modern, low, long, and orange, and then was set free. I love when that happens!

This arrangement was 4′ long- the longest I’ve ever made- and ate up flowers like you would not believe. The homeowner, event coordinators, and I were all thrilled with how it turned out, and thought it complemented the decor perfectly. I’d love to design a different arrangement for this house weekly!

A long arrangement of orange and gold flowers decorated the center of this elegantly modern tablescape.

Side view of lush modern centerpiece.

Yellow Protea, Cherry Brandy and Chilli Roses, with Aeonium Zwartzkop (succulents), carnations, and Safari Sunset leucadendron.

A little dark aeonium (succulent) tucked next to the forks was the perfect final touch for this setting.

Lunch was catered by Waters Fine Catering, and sounded amazing. I’ll bet it was every bit as delicious as the decor.

Do you have a private function you’d like our help on? Give Bespoke a call and let us know how we can be a part of your next event.  619.850.2408

Lauren and Bao ‘elope’ at San Diego City Hall

With a skyrocketing list of people to invite, and a budget that was quickly being chipped away at, this San Diego couple decided that a City Hall wedding was the best choice for them.

However, having your nuptials at City Hall doesn’t mean it has to be a no-frills affair. Lauren still wanted a pretty dress, her groom in a nice suit, and plenty of flowers to accompany her vows.

Happily Wed, Lauren plants a kiss on her husband’s cheek.

The bride requested a bright and summery bouquet.

As a surprise, the bride and I conspired to add a Lego IronMan figurine to the boutonniere.

You have to love a couple who chooses to have the groom’s wedding band engraved in Elvish. ‘One ring to rule them all’

Just because you’re eloping to City Hall, doesn’t mean you can’t invite anyone to watch you exchange vows. Around 40 people attended Lauren and Bao’s elopement.

Noise makers were handed out to the children to blow at the moment the couple was announced as husband and wife.

Even a wedding at 10:30 am deserves mini cupcakes from Sprinkles!

The Bride, Groom, and photographers headed over to Balboa Park to take more photos.

A Couple of Avengers Themed Masks added to the fun of the day.

 

Don’t short-change yourself on your wedding day! Details added to even the most modest of affairs can make your wedding truly special, and truly you.

 

Planning an elopement in San Diego? We’d love to help! Give us a call at 619.850.2408

 

 

 

 

 

 

Succulent Garden Valentines

Here are a couple of our Succulent Gardens that we have all ready for Valentine’s Day. These are a great gift for that special guy or gal in your life, and a great alternative to your standard dozen red roses.

Valentine Succulent Gardens, waiting for you to claim them! $34 each

Kalanchoe luciae, Echeveria agavoides, Echeveria pulvinata, and sedum Succulent Garden make a lovely living Valentine. $34.

Purple and Aqua Succulents make up this sweet Valentine’s Day Succulent Container Garden. $34

Call us to order your Succulent Garden for Valentine’s Day! 619.850.2408

Send Your Sweetheart a Valentine Every Month

Spoil Her (or him) Year ‘Round With The ‘Love Affair,’ Our Monthly Flower Delivery Service

With the ‘Love Affair,’  we create and deliver a new beautiful floral arrangement to your special someone, without you ever having to think about it again. Flowers will be delivered on the 2nd Thursday of every month.
$550 (that’s less than $46 a month) for 12 months of flowers
Have a ‘Mini-Affair’ at $300 for 6 months of flowers
Or, have yourself a ‘Fling’ at $175 for 3 months of flowers

Delivery available in 92101, 92102, 92103, 92104, 92113, 92116, & 92134. Pick up is available for all other zip codes.

Sweet White Anemones.

Give us a call to start your Love Affair! 619.850.2408

Say it with Succulents

Instead of red roses, why not wish your Sweetheart a Happy Valentine’s Day with a succulent terrarium?

We have several options to choose from, but, if you don’t see something you like, and you contact us by Tuesday, February 12th, we can create a custom Valentine’s Day terrarium for you.

Pink Ribbons and a Decorative Flower Festoon The Lid of This Apothecary Jar Succulent Terrarium. $52

Smaller terrariums are perfect on a desk, or bedside table. $14 each

 

Large Succulent Terrarium with a blooming kalanchoe. $48

Succulent Terrariums are simple to care for- put them in a spot with bright, but indirect light, and water 1/4-1/2 cup every 2 weeks, or so. That’s it! The worst thing you can do is to give it too much water, so, when in doubt, just don’t water it.

Remember, while you can neglect your succulents, and they’ll thrive, the same can’t usually be said for relationships. Don’t forget your Valentine!

Give us a call to order your succulent terrarium at 619.850.2408

 

 

 

Budget Savvy Planning with Betty Blue Events

A few weeks ago, my friend and wedding world associate, Kellene Fleischmann of Betty Blue Events, asked me to create some florals for her booth at the San Diego Bridal Bazaar.

Betty Blue focuses on planning for the budget savvy bride, and wanted to demonstrate how being budget conscious doesn’t mean sacrificing style.

This first image shows part of Betty Blue’s inspiration board- the jump off point for all decisions for this ‘wedding’.

The inspiration is bright and beachy, without being  an overtly sea-shells-everywhere type of beachy.

This inspiration board led me to create this bouquet:

Bright golden and orange roses accompany succulents, orange proteas, and coral dahlias in this bridal bouquet.

A great money saving tip is to re-purpose the bouquets as table decor by placing them into vases when the ceremony is over. Just remember to treat the bouquets gently during the ceremony and pictures!

Reuse your bridal bouquet as a centerpiece.

Another great budget savvy tip is to prioritize where you’d like to splurge. This lantern arrangement is not exactly at the lower end of florals, but a stunner like this means your guests will never notice the basic dishware and table linen you saved money on! (Renting items like this lantern from your floral designer will save you money too. )

A lantern spilling flowers onto the table lends a subtle beach feeling.

Yet another tip from Betty Blue Events is to upgrade your napkins, while keeping the table linen a standard poly.

An upgraded linen (in papaya) with a small shell lends a luxe feeling to this table.

Kellene has lots of great advice for creating memorable events without breaking the bank. Give her a call today to schedule your appointment. (619) 823.9197. And remember, we want to design the florals for your celebration! Give Bespoke a call too at 619.850.2408