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.

 



A Colorful Valentine’s Day Wedding at The Harper

Our bride in a vibrant pink lace wedding dress, holding her lush bridal bouquet full of bright ranunculus and anemones.

Obviously I had to lead with this beauty.
Holy hell do I love this bouquet.

Our vintage Valentine's Day wedding featuring bright pink flowers, a starry retro backdrop, and a sweet couple with vibrant style.

I Love Lucy inspired wedding featuring a beautiful hand painted backdrop and balloon bouquet.
 
Although this beautiful hand-painted backdrop from Papermoon Co wasn’t too shabby either.

Colorful quirky details from our vintage Valentine's Day wedding featuring a balloon installation, pink flower bouquets, I Love Lucy inspired invitations and a retro cake.

Cocktails, Cake, Jewels, Balloons…definitely like the direction this is going.

The quirky Valentine's Day-themed reception space featuring a vibrant balloon installation, vintage gold hanging mirrors, and lush yellow and red flower table arrangements by Winston and Main.

There goes Balloonzilla blowing our socks off with her gorgeous balloon garland!

A brilliant Valentine's Day tablescape featuring pink Japanese ranunculus and red anemones with a balloon garland backdrop.
 
Our Valentine's Day reception featuring colorful dining ware with touches of gold and lush yellow, red, and pink flower arrangements full of peonies and anemones by Winston and Main.

Vibrant pink and yellow reception table arrangements featuring ranunculus, anemones, and peonies by Winston and Main.

How ridiculous are these bold blooms? We used a combo of Japanese ranunculus, anemones, ranunculus, carnations, spray roses, and sweet pea in shades of red, pink, and yellow to create these colorful centerpieces for this beautiful table scape designed by Anything But Gray Events.

Our Valentine's day bride wearing a vibrant pink lace wedding dress and holding a lush bouquet full of bright ranunculus and anemones.

And now back to our bride and her amazing custom made ensemble from Rmine.
It’s actually a jumpsuit!

The lush bridal bouquet featuring vibrant red and pink ranunculus, anemones, and peonies.

And another of that bouquet with the perfect ribbon tails.

Our quirky sweet Valentine's Day couple wearing retro wedding attire to match their vintage getaway car adorned with a lush red and pink garland by Winston and Main.

The quirky peach colored vintage getaway car adorned with a lush vibrant garland of ranunculus, roses, and anemones by Winston and Main.

The cutest getaway car adorned with more blooms!

Vintage Valentine's Day wedding rings paired with vibrant red anemone and pink flower buds.

The groom in a retro white suit and black bowtie, donning a vibrant red and pink groom's boutonniere.

All the bold details, cute bouts, and a beautiful flat lay by Peterson Design Photo.

The retro wedding cake inspired by I Love Lucy.

Yum! Working with Nicole Bakes Cakes is always such a treat!

I Love Lucy inspired photoshoot featuring a pink television and bold bloom by Winston & Main.
 
A little post even realness. Because we all reach a point where finding a glass is just too much work.

A colorful lounge set up featuring bold blooms by Winston & Main.
 
But it’s all okay, because we’re coming home to this lounge.
Aren’t we??

Our quirky sweet couple styled in retro wedding attire to compliment their vintage getaway car a lush red and pink garland to match the vibrant bridal bouquet.

Our vibrant red, yellow, and pink garland adorning the couple's peach vintage getaway car.

The sweet Valentine's Day couple whose wedding florals were inspired by I Love Lucy and designed by Winston and Main.

A colorful Valentine's Day wedding couple pose with their vintage pink car.
 
Vroom! Vroom! Gotta run!
Happy Valentine’s Day y’all!

Go check out our feature on Green Wedding Shoes!
We’re also featured on Friar Tux Blog!
We’re also featured on Southern California Bride!

Vendors:
Venue: The Harper / Planning & Design: Anything But Gray Events / Photography: Peterson Design & Photography / Moon Backdrop: Paper Moon Shoppe / Floral Design: Winston & Main / Paper Goods: Roseville Designs / Cake: Nicole Bakes Cakes / Balloons: Balloonzilla / Dress: Rmine / Suit: Friar Tux / Ring: Brilliant Earth / Beauty: Beauty by Miss Ruby / Car: Drive Vinty / Lounge & Chairs: Collective Rentals / Specialty Rentals: Party Pieces by Perry / Linens: BBJ Linens / Table Top Rentals: Signature Party Rentals



COLORFUL BACKYARD WEDDING INSPIRATION

Joyous bride laughing with beautiful floral headpiece.
 
This shoot came together in less than 24 hours and it was magic through and through.
All the colorful details were beautifully captured by our pal Victoria Gold Photography.
 
Supermarket cake with lots of festive flowers
 
From this super plain supermarket cake gone glam…
 
Brilliantly colorful bouquet featuring peonies, protea and ranunculus
 
To this lush + colorful bridal bouquet, which features peonies, protea, carnations, and ranunculus.

It’s reeeeeeally time to rethink the carnation hatred, mkay?
 

 
A colorful centerpiece and vintage glassware for a garden party
 
The cutest table for two.
 
Colorful bridal bouquet resting on beautiful pink vintage chair.
 
Redefining sitting pretty. 😉
 
Mini pinata with floral crown by Winston & Main.
 
Floral crowns are for everyone.
Seriously, just add flowers. Tiny, adorable flowers.
 
Bright tabletop with cute face vase!
 
Also very into this face vase, ESPECIALLY b/c it comes in 3 different skin tones now.
 
Beautiful bride with colorful floral headpiece and bouquet.
 
All the beauty. All the boug. All the french silk ribbon.
 
Bride at colorful sweetheart table!
 
More sitting pretty.
 
A brightly colored floral garland.
 
Hope you enjoyed this cheery color explosion!
 
Wanna see more?
Check out our feature on Wedding Chicks!
And check out our portfolio!
 
 
Photography: Victoria Gold Photography / Styling & Accessories: The Blushing Bird / Dress: Jann Marie Bridal / Hair & Makeup: Belle by Brielle / Rentals: Fern and Bone / Mixologists: Cali Craft Cocktails / Floral Design + Styling: Winston & Main