bold & refined
Q: Do You Remember your First BIG Client?
It feels like yesterday when Layne and Max, my first clients who discovered me on social media, entrusted me with their wedding. It wasn't a favor for a friend or an acquaintance; we were total strangers. The magnitude of that trust was enormous, and I couldn't be happier with how this wedding turned out. The design is nothing short of amazing, and the vision they had was simply incredible.
Meeting Layne: She Had a Vision
Layne wanted to meet in person when we had our initial meeting. She came to the meeting with her sister and a bunch of amber Amber glassware she had purchased from various thrift stores. You see Layne had a vision. Armed with one photo of an Ikebana design with anthuriums. Layne knew she wanted deep bronzes and olive greens to be the focus colors of her flowers. She wanted and also knew she wanted orchids to be incorporated if possible because Max would gift them to her throughout their relationship. She also knew that she didn’t want the traditional wedding flowers like roses or carnations.
oh, and I forget to mention one last request:
long, clean, green stems
With all this being said, while to the average person reading this, they might be thinking oh! that’s a lot of requests…. I can assure you it is about as open-ended as you can get.
So, when crafting their proposal I took a shot in the dark. I skipped right over my one-page proposal and went straight to my full proposal with a color pallet and ingredient list.
Mono-Bloom Bouquets
Initially, I suggested incorporating some grasses, but that idea was swiftly shot down — flowers were still to be the focal point! We shifted to minimize extra greenery everywhere. Thus, we pivoted to mono-bloom bouquets, characterized by using a single species of flower in each design. Mono-bloom bouquets make a bold statement, offering room for individuality if you opt for different florals for each member of your wedding party.
Building Layne's Bouquet with Thoughtful Proportions
In the meticulous process of crafting Layne's bouquet, I invested careful thought and intention into its structure. Recognizing that each bouquet is unique, I consider factors like height and overall size to ensure it complements rather than overpowers. Layne, being a petite person, posed a distinct challenge as it’s always tempting to go big with a bridal bouquet. Showing restraint and carefully selecting each stem ( maybe not even using all the ones selected!) keeps the overall look well-balanced. It’s an art in itself and i loved every second of the process.
Floral Substitutions: Sometimes You’ve Gotta Make Lemonade Out Of Other Orchids
Story Time: Remember when I emphasized how crucial orchids were to Layne and Max? We had initially approved some lovely vanda orchids for their floral lineup. However, as I always inform my couples, if a flower is out of season, I can't guarantee a 100% match. Well, as you might have guessed, the ones I ordered didn't come in, and I had to pivot to different ones that weren't pre-approved. But fear not, I worked my florist magic and found slightly different orchids and went with some bronze cymbidium orchids that perfectly fit the bill and made it all come together seamlessly!
It Was A Hot One: Choosing Robust Florals
Layne and Max were married on 09/23/23, with temperatures soaring, the heat was a force to be reckoned with. Recognizing the need for blooms that could withstand the heat and maintain their vibrant allure, robust florals were the natural choice. Their resilience and ability to thrive in the sweltering conditions became a testament to both practicality and aesthetic appeal, ensuring that despite the heat, the florals stood tall and exuded beauty throughout the event.
The Tallit, a cherished heirloom from Layne's family adorned the top of the chuppah. Its rich history and familial significance added a layer of tradition and warmth to the ceremony, making it a symbol of continuity and love in Layne and Max's union.
Amazing Vendors
The Darlington House is one of our absolute favorite venues here in San Diego County. Located in La Jolla it’s close to the beach! It is also owned and operated by the Social Service League a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to housing and feeding seniors.
Cait Photo deserves a special shout-out. Not only was she beyond kind the day of the wedding but her work was literally JAW DROPPING and she has also continued to support and foster a vendor relationship with me and I appreciate that!
“Tori was a pleasure to work with! Tori always made herself available to me to discuss my vision and took it ran with it full steam ahead. Tori was thoughtful in her approach to nailing every detail and our wedding turned out exactly as we had envisioned - thank you, Tori!!”
Berry Blooms Floral Co.
If you desire colorful, bold, and refined florals for your wedding or event, look no further. Let's make your celebration as unique and beautiful as your love story.
vendors
venue: Darlington House
insta: @darlington_house
coordinator: Always Flawless Productions
insta: @alwaysflawlessproductions
photographer: Cait Photo
insta: @caitphoto_
florals: Berry Blooms Floral Co.
insta: @berrybloomsfloralco
catering: Wild Thyme
insta: @wildthymeco
rentals: Wonder Event Rentals
insta: @wonder.eventrentals
