From the beginning, we just clicked instantly, and I knew
this wedding would be very special. Christine brought a
wealth of design experience and passion into the mix. She
had an extensive background in graphic design, and a
playful and original vision in mind for her wedding.
"I want it to feel like we're in the South Pacific!" She
told me at one of our first meetings. Christine wanted the
atmosphere to be light, casual, but still with a very chic
and elegant style. The color palette was to be crisp and
fresh, and had to highlight Christine's favorite color -
yellow. We pored over pictures she'd collected, and it
became clear to me that she also had a fondness for
"Zen" elements such as natural River Rocks, lily grass,
moss, and orchids. This was going to be fun!
The ceremony took place at The Water Garden, in Santa
Monica. For the "altar" area, we created large, airy sprays
of Orchids in crisp white, bright yellow and vivid green.
The vast expanse of blue water and fountains were the
perfect backdrop.
Christine's bouquet and her attendants' bouquets were
truly the stars of the show. Christine has a great love for
all types of orchids, and so we utilized large white
Phaleonopsis in the bridesmaids' posies, and set them off
among crisp green and white freesia, bupleurum, and lily
grass. For her own bouquet, Christine had her heart set
on yellow Cymbidiums. Unfortunately, I had to prepare
Christine for the fact that a pure yellow Cymbidium is
hard to find, but as always, I would do my very best. If it
was out there and available anywhere, I would resolve to
find it for her! After much research and many calls to my
trusty suppliers, alas the week of the wedding they came in
- the purest, most delicate pale yellow Cyms I'd ever seen.
It was a pleasure for me to craft a stunning bouquet for
Christine out of these incredible blossoms. They were the
perfect shade of yellow, and so suited Christine's sunny,
upbeat personality. For the finishing touch, I added a
subtle "cuff" of green leaves to cradle the orchids, and
set them off perfectly. "I literally cried when I saw it!"
Christine told me later....well, I guess I did my job :).
As guests entered the reception at the nearby Santa
Monica Masonic Temple, they were greeted by a large
framed photo of the bride and groom, which we draped
with delicate orchid leis and smilax vines. Beside the
photo stand, a beautifully appointed Sign-In Table was
decorated with heavily scattered Phaleonopsis,
Cymbidium, and Dendrobium orchid blooms, in yellow,
green, and white, among floating candle bowls.
Christine also wanted something unique for the
reception tables. After some brainstorming, we came up
with an adorable centerpiece idea, based on a photo
Christine had brought me of a Favor that was wrapped in
a tropical leaf. Instead of one Vase, we did three small
Vases on each table, each filled with crisp white
Dendrobium orchids, sunny yellow Freesia, and sprigs of
bear grass....all wrapped up in glossy Ti leaves. Christine
and Ryan brought their own chunky candles, placed
inside Hurricane vases filled with sand. All very fitting, as
the reception was near the ocean.
The wedding cake was sweet and simple - An adorable
Polynesian boy and girl perched atop the 3-tier cake,
surrounded by simple clusters of white and green mini
orchids and freesia. For such a lighthearted and fun
couple as Christine and Ryan, it was a simply perfect
finale to their playful and elegant wedding.
~ KB
