Enchanted Al Fresco Dinner Party

A lush and textural Spring centerpiece by Los Angeles Florist Winston & Main, created with sophisticated of yellow and moody burgundies.
 
You might not think of January as the time of year to indulge in a decadent al fresco dinner party. But in Los Angeles? We’re spoiled and the weather is *almost* always perfect. 
 
An outdoor tablescape overflowing with wild & whimsical floral centerpieces.
 
So after multiple years pandemic-ing, it was a joy to gather with fellow vendors and friends to bring this beautiful day to life. And then to really ENJOY it, together.
 
A moody, lush, and abundant table scape featuring local blooms in shades of lemon yellow, blush and burgundy with blue accents and taper candles.

Something I’ve been thinking about a lot lately, and trying to be really intentional around, is treating myself (and my team) to the same beauty we create for our clients.

It’s a wonderful thing creating and curating beautiful experiences for other people, but it’s also A LOT of work. Effortless takes SO much effort, and without intention, it’s easy to get exhausted and have nothing left for our own celebrations.

I always want to create for my clients from a place of inspiration, abundance, and ease, and this means being mindful to create beautiful experiences for myself too. Even if it’s just the perfect cup of coffee!

So this year, sign me up for all the opportunities to connect, uplift, and encourage my fellow creatives, as we celebrate our unique talents and enjoy the beauty we create in community.

A lush bar arrangement featuring garden roses, sweet pea, and lisianthus sits on a vintage bar cart.
 
A unique floral centerpiece made for an outdoor al fresco dinner party by Los Angeles Florist Tabitha Abercrombie, and the outdoor tablescape.

It’s always such a pleasure to collaborate with Jessica from Art & Soul Events because she is so intentional, generous, and creative. I really enjoy collaborating with planners who appreciate my styling background and let me lean into the styling aspect of floral design. More is more, and I loved bringing the flower magic to everything from the bar cart to the cake.

Two photos, one showing a bar cart featuring a romantic arrangement, and the other featuring Tabitha Abercrombie holding a cheery mug of flowers.

I brought plenty of lush local flowers from our neighboring flower farms & the Santa Monica Farmer’s Market, as well as some beautiful Japanese Sweet Peas from Mayesh at the LA Flower Market. Fun fact: our studio is located just upstairs from Mayesh!
Sweet peas on speed dial FTW.

A bird's eye view of a bold floral centerpiece with a unique color palette that includes sweet peas, anemones, and garden roses and a delicious shot of beautiful tray passed appetizers by Fundamental LA styled with fresh blooms by W&M.

Gotta love a bird’s eye view of some epic blooms! And it goes without saying that all of the food from Fundamental LA was both delicious AND beautiful, but I’m saying it anyhow.

A whimsical/romantic cocktail arrangement by Los Angeles Florist Winston & Main in shades of burgundy, cream, and butter yellow.
 
This time of year brings out the best of the winter/spring florals for Los Angeles Florists, and so our table featured plenty of sweet peas, anemones, even garden roses! I loved creating this unique palette- both pastel AND moody, and used lots of shades and textures to add depth & drama to the design.

A romantic garden-style bar arrangement in shades of peach and soft yellow with accents of burgundy anemones.
 
Sliced citrus, persimmons and crystals brought even more visual interest to the table and bar, and really help reflect the winter (and witchy!) season.

In the first image our moody cocktail arrangement accentuates a beautiful place setting featuring a custom menu by Roseville Designs and a winter citrus accent. The second image is a tablescape detail featuring our unique palette of cream, yellow, peach & burgundy with blue taper candle accents.

A candlelit family-style dinner featuring lots of small cocktail arrangements scattered among the platters.

I’m honored to have had the opportunity to collaborate with my fellow creatives to create + enjoy this beautiful dinner party!

A candlelit family-style dinner featuring taper candles and close up of the centerpiece created by Tabitha Abercrombie from Winston & Main.

There’s nothing I love more than a good dinner party (or marathon recipe) and so I’m looking forward to many more enchanted evenings cultivating community with my fave event pros, while we enjoy our own creations.

A chocolate naked cake by Nicole Bakes Cakes is adorned with fresh florals, chamomile blooms, and citrus accents.
 
Can we have a moment for this perfect creation by my cake bestie Nicole Bakes Cakes?
It was a pleasure to flower, fruit, and crystal another one of her beautiful cakes, and even more fun to eat it!

If you’ve ever heard/thought/read that wedding cake can’t be both a work of art AND ridiculously delicious, you need to get a cake from Nicole immediately.

Two pictures of a slice of a chocolate naked cake by Nicole Bakes Cakes. Adorned with fresh florals, citrus accents and an extinguished candle.

And finally, a little editorial cake styling FTW.

Event pros enjoy a candlelit dinner party, toasting with wine over a table full of family style dinner.
 
Here’s to a beautiful 2023: More dinner parties. More connection. More flowers. More cake.

Planning + Design: Art & Soul Events // Photography: Amber Gress // Catering & Cocktails: Fundamental Events // Floral Design: Winston & Main // Pastry Chef: Nicole Bakes Cakes //  Tabletop Rentals: Casa de Perrin // Menus: Roseville Designs // Natural Wine: Buvons // Napkins: World Market

To see more of our floral designs, head to our portfolio.

 



DUTCH MASTERS FLORAL INSPIRATION

Lush bridal bouquet full of peonies, dahlias, and organic greenery.
 
Holy Bouquet Batman!
I owe you all a serious apology for sitting on this one for so dang long!

My lush, romantic, and textural florals really bloom against the industrial backdrop of The Garage Burbank, and Victoria’s photos are always some of my favorite.
 
Beautiful head tablescape with lush and romantic jewel tones and lots of candlelight.
 
This gorgeous shoot was designed by my pal Jason Lloyd. I love love love how he hand-dyed the gauzy table runner. Swoon!
 
Lush and organic jewel-toned centerpiece in white ceramic compote.
 
Now let’s talk about this queen.

She’s large and most definitely in charge, not to mention full of gorgeous premium wedding blooms!

This luxury centerpiece features peonies, dahlias, ranunculus, romantic antike garden roses, astilbe, and some of the best scabiosa I’ve ever got my little florist’s paws on.
 
Sophisticated wedding portrait- cute couple sitting on rustic chairs.
 
Decadent wedding spread including lush floral arrangement and delicious donuts.
 
Dutch Masters + donuts FTW.
 
Joyful first dance + cute wedding photography ideas.
 
Love his smile, that bowtie, and that bout!
Boutonnieres are always one of my favorite details because each one is a tiny piece of art.
 
Beautiful and romantic jewel toned bouquet with blue accents
 
Sorry, this seat’s taken.
 
Unique acrylic invitations styled with scabiosa flower
 
Cecile’s Paper Co. strikes again with this fabulous acrylic invitation suite.

See more of Courtney’s beautiful work on her own wedding shower paper goods with floral design by yours truly right here.
 
Romantic first dance at The Garage, Burbank.
 
Romantic and Moody tablescape featuring a lush centerpiece of peonies, dahlias, and ranunculus, lots of candles, and beautiful cocktails.
 
Sophisticated Bride and Groom Portraits.
 
Lush floral design and beautiful craft cocktails for your wedding.
 
Wanna see even more gorgeous french wedding inspiration?
Dutch Masters with Donuts? Suuuuuuper lush luxury blooms?

There’s more to see in our porfolio.
Check out our feature over on Cake and Lace Blog!
 
 
Venue: The Garage / Photography: Victoria Gold Photography / Event Design: By Jason Lloyd / Florals: Winston & Main / Invitations & Menu: Cecile’s Paper Co. / Table Top Rentals: diy La Bride / Dress: Kirsten Paige / Accessories: The Blushing Bird / Cocktails: Calicraft Cocktails / Hair & Makeup: Create Facee / Desserts: California Donuts, ‘Lette Macarons / Models: Holly & Martin



ALICE IN WONDERLAND BRIDAL SHOWER

Whimsical blush and mauve floral centerpiece, Alice in Wonderland theme
 
It’s always such an honor when other vendors hire me to create something beautiful for their special occasion, and working with Courtney of Cecile’s Paper Co. to bring some flower magic to her sophisticated Alice in Wonderland Bridal Shower was a true joy.

She gave me a color palette, let me peep her gorgeous invitation suite (just wait until you see it!) and told me to do my thing. Her colors? And I quote, ” mauve, greys, silver, and faintttt blush.”

Challenge accepted.

While I often work with bold palettes, my personal style definitely leans towards more subdued shades + bold/interesting textures and accents. And I’m pretty obsessed with mauve these days. Her only request was that we avoid Dusty Miller, despite the fact that it did lend itself well to this color palette. Fine by me, it’s never been a fave. See ya Dusty.
 
Alice in Wonderland Quote and Bridal Shower Guest of Honor fascinator
 
Let’s talk for a minute about how smart/effective Courtney’s communication style + level of involvement in the design was though, because I think it’s an important aspect of getting truly spectacular results from the vendors you work with to bring your wedding or event vision to life. I believe in picking artists & vendors whose work and style you really admire, giving some parameters, and then trusting them to do their thing. I know that this is how I create the work I’m most pleased with for my own clients, and I’ve also had great success when hiring other artists/makers/vendors in both the film and now event industry with this hand on/hands off method.

Bonus: Less stress for you! You don’t need to learn every flower, become a letter press master, or stress out over the timing of your event particulars if you hire the right people, and let them do their job.

Also, her fascinator!

Okay, okay… early morning musings and advice aside, are you ready to see some more gorgeous photos by the fabulous Jessica Rieke Photography?

 
Fresh cake flowers in shades of blush, mauve,and lavender
 
I love love love decorating cakes! It used to make me nervous when I first started designing, but now I think it’s so fun. Especially when I have some gorgeous Grace Rose Farm roses to play with.
 
Blush, mauve, and burgundy wedding centerpiece
 
I created focal centerpieces in antique silver compotes featuring Earl Grey and Quicksand Roses, Garden Roses, Lavender Spray Roses, Mauve/Antique Lisanthus, Scabiosa, Chocolate Queen Ann’s Lace, and lots of Oregano. Yep, oregano.
 
alice in wonderland book & floral flatlay
 
Jessica used the flowers in her gorgeous flat lays, which is such a nice way to add dimension, keep it cohesive and tie everything together!
 
sophisticated blush and mauve floral arrangement
 

 
Tea pot centerpiece, tea pot of flowers
 
I also did a few vintage tea pots and tea cups of flowers to add a little whimsy and tie into the tea party theme.
 
Mauve, blush, lavender, and burgundy centerpiece
 
Those cobra lilies though!
 

 
Working at The Peninsula Beverly Hills was a delight- the Magnolia room is the perfect size + blank slate for a bridal or baby shower, and the staff was SO dang nice! They even brought us water when we arrived and were setting up, which is so appreciated after hauling flowers around.
 
beautiful wedding envelope with calligraphy, vintage stamps, and fresh oregano
 
This is basically envelope perfection- I’m a total sucker for vintage stamps. And that ribbon!
 
Girl holding Lily
 
The gorgeous guest of honor.
 
Alice in Wonderland invitation suite and flower flatlay
 
Holy flat lay! Look at all those crazy gorgeous details! Thank you so much Courtney, for trusting me to bring your vision to life and big congrats on your fast-approaching wedding! xo
 
Venue: The Peninsula Beverly Hills / Photography: Jessica Rieke Photography / Paper Goods: Cecile’s Paper Co. /
Floral Design: Winston & Main