eDESTINATION WEDDING PLANNING … FROM AFAR

Renita & Martin

How do you plan a wedding from afar? The thought of a DESTINATION can seem like so much work, but for Londoners, Renita and Martin, the process crossing the pond (and the country) was seamless. 

This wedding celebration was extra special as our bride was Indian American but her Groom, not from the United States, so highlighting both cultures was very important to personalize this couple’s special day.

Melissa Robles from Styling Starts Here had produced a wedding for the bride’s friend a few years prior, while our current couple was living in San Francisco. Being that the bride’s family also lives in Irvine, there was a California connection in the planning process. However, in today’s digital and virtual world, communication was key and platforms like SKYPE and FACETIME became our new normal. And it certainly helped that Renita was a girl who knew what she wanted, on point with the trends, colors, and environment desired for the day. Plus, she was conscientious of her investment, which can help keep expectations and design in check.

Having the traditional Indian ceremony at Bella Collina was already decided upon when we got on board, with the venue boasting the most gorgeous views.  The bride wanted her décor to complement their wedding attire so a bold mix of burgundies, reds, gold, and greens were celebrated in their color palette. Renita was also a very traditional American bride in the sense that she wanted a huge party, open bar and all of her college and American friends to have a wonderful time.

The wedding mandap truly stunned, draped flawlessly with flowing sheer chiffon that gracefully swayed in the gentle wind. We trimmed the top with green ivy tendrils falling at various lengths to frame their ceremonial vows. Each of the four pillars were bound with rich botanicals made of dahlias, roses, peonies, hydrangea, stock, and natural greens.

Moving into the reception décor, our couple wanted the modern styling in the ballroom at Bella Collina with arrangements of varying shapes and sizes playing more with a peach to tangerine palette of florals that accented the gold linens and candlelight. We set each arrangement on elevated pedestals, which gave a contemporary sophistication to the tablescapes.

Our favorite detail was not only Renita’s striking red bouquet, but the incredible flower garlands for both her and Martin. This traditional floral accessory dressed their outfits with such a fresh and powerful statement – one that we’d like to see more of!

It was a pleasure to work with Renita and Martin from London to plan their Southern California day. We encourage couples to embrace the technology we have at our fingertips to make the planning process as easy as can be! 

VENDOR LOVE
Photography: Linda Arredondo Photography. Event Designer & Wedding Planner: Styling Starts Here. Venue: Bella Collina Towne & Golf Club. Floral Designer: Adorations Botanical Artistry. Catering & Desserts: Delhi Palace. Rental Décor: OCLA. Lighting & DJ: Sound Nation LA. Videographer: The Whys. Additional Rentals: Signature Party Rentals. Hair/Makeup: Hollywood Make Up Studio.

ALL KINDS OF GOODNESS with Creative Expert LaVonne Crawford of Adorations Botanical Artistry

There is an importance of sacred ritual and ceremony.  As a floral and event designer for weddings and special events, I am seeing a reoccurring trend in the exclusion of ceremony décor from the overall floral budget. Over time, couples seem to continue reducing their investment both personally and financially into the actual ceremony. Now I can understand from a bride’s perspective how this can make sense. Your wedding ceremony is usually only 20-30 minutes long, while the majority of the time is spent at the dinner and reception. However, as couples stand before their ministers, officiants, family, and friends, (and let’s not forget God) declaring their lifelong devotion to one another, could it be that we are missing the point and not focusing our attention to these ceremonial details?

There is a significance to the ritual, hence why it is called the ceremony, and it is human nature to mark special events. This is an opportunity for inclusion, acknowledgement, and creation, not only reflecting the dedication you are making to your partner but the merging of two families becoming one. It’s time we give proper attention and commitment back to what I believe is THE most important part of the wedding day. 

The “I Dos”

Ask yourself these questions to see how much of yourself
you are willing to give to your ceremony.

1. Determine the depth and scope of the ceremony.  How do you plan to reveal yourselves to each other? 

 2. What is your comfort level in expressing and committing yourself in front of your family and friends? 

3. Are you including any significant family members in the ritual of uniting two families as one? 

Making a lifelong commitment in front of others is so much more than just a celebration. It’s what marriage and partnership are all about. While some couples find it hard to expose themselves and their affections in front of others, I urge you to reconsider and suggest that you stretch yourself, perhaps further than you ever have before. This is the beginning of your vow to one another and going the distance reveals the importance and power of your love. 

In our INTIMATE SPRING WEDDING the focus of decoration was in the ceremony aisle and site location. When I say intimate, this beautiful celebration was just the immediate family of four, but the attention to detail proved just how special this union and ceremony meant to them. From lining the aisle with thousands of white rose petals and creating a streaming cascade of hanging orchids, this couple not only chose an elaborate private set-up but decided to recreate their ceremony décor the next week for their reception guests. What I love about this story is that it was most important for these two to be surrounded by purity and loveliness during the moments that mattered most to them. 

We’ve worked with brides and grooms who have personalized their ceremony to fit their beliefs with religious rituals that unite them in their own spiritual style. Many Southern Californian beach weddings incorporate a hand-washing ceremony which represents complete forgiveness in recognition of everything an individual experiences up to the moment they stand before one another and commit their lives to love.  The hand-tying (or handfasting) ceremony, which was part of the SACRED ELEMENTS WEDDING, paid homage to the bride’s Celtic heritage by binding the hands of the couple with ribbon to symbolize “tying the knot.” This, along with the groom’s Native American Indian roots, acknowledged the sacred rituals special to them as a couple so they could honor the four directional compass points.  Their ceremony site was enclosed within a five point floral canopy, which represented the five elements of earth, air, fire, water and spirit. While the hand-tying ceremony commenced, the couple recited their vows and prayers in the sacred space we created for them. 

What you can do is communicate with your wedding planner about creating your ceremony design as a starting point and incorporate any sacred rituals that are special to you. Engage your florist into designing with the intention of relocating their décor into your reception space if needed. Budget parameters can be seemingly stretched when a designer knows from the onset that the florals will be repurposed from the ceremony to the reception. Do proceed with caution in the summer months when determining your flower selection for outdoor ceremonies to be certain that the presentation and choice of flowers will translate well in hot weather. At Adorations, we are full service, providing a full day set up and delivery, from the first pinning of the boutonnieres to the very last candle lit.

Your wedding is a joyous day – that moment when you are joined in marriage and commit to a partnership for life. Do not take the ritual of the ceremony lightly and consider that these vows will forever be remembered long after the champagne toasts at your reception.

Ceremony Magazine

Ceremony Magazine is now hot off the press with their brand new 2014 edition. We were thrilled to see Alexandra and Dave in our SOPHISTICATED GARDEN WEDDING featured on a four–page spread with Samuel Lippke Studios and Thomas Bui Lifestyle.

I am also honored that my article, The Color of Expression, showcasing the VIVID COASTAL WEDDNG décor is gracing the floral design section of the magazine, captured by The Youngrens with Crown Weddings. You can view the magazine in its entirely at CeremonyBlog.com/digital-magazines and see many more photos from these events right here on my site.

These gorgeous new press features with Ceremony Magazine are so exciting, as they are practically in-sync with the launch of Adorations.com. Ceremony Magazine is THE luxury wedding publication in Southern California showcasing over 300 pages of pure wedding ingenuity. I have had the pleasure of working one-on-one with the editors at Ceremony and I know that they pour their heart into the publication and it truly shows. I must admit, I am already planning a shoot for the upcoming issue (which you may get a sneak peak here) as I look forward to contributing more to the magazine and continuing our ongoing relationship. Thank you so much Ceremony for the beautiful features this year!