Wedding Floral Pricing Explained – And How to Make the Most of Your Floral Budget

Photography: Kristine Herman | Planning: Harlene Events

Planning a wedding or event in the San Francisco Bay Area means endless possibilities — stunning venues, diverse styles, and an amazing group of talented vendors to bring your vision to life. Flowers in particular are a big part of setting the tone for your day. But REAL floral artistry? It holds a special power – to tell a story of your personal style, to transform your venue space, and to create unforgettable memories for you and your guests that will last a lifetime in your memories and photos.

When it comes to wedding flowers, many couples experience sticker shock or simply don’t realize what goes into the cost. So let’s break down what’s behind the pricing and—most importantly—how to make the most of your floral budget.

What Goes Into the Cost of Wedding Flowers?

1. The Cost of Flowers Themselves

Fresh, premium flowers are a luxury item — and like any luxury, they come with a cost. Here’s why:

• Sourcing: locally grown, sustainable blooms often have higher labor costs, while rare, out-of-season imported flowers come with high shipping fees

• A long journey to wedding day: Flowers pass through many hands before they even reach your florist (growers, wholesalers, shippers, and market distributors)

• Rising costs & tariffs: Global supply chain issues and tariffs on imported flowers continue to drive up pricing

2. Time, Labor & Custom Craftsmanship

Unlike a grocery store bouquet, wedding florals are fully custom and require high-touch artistry. Your floral designer and team aren’t just picking out flowers, they’re:

• Crafting a unique design that aligns with your wedding style, color palette, and venue

• Collaborating with your planner and vendor team to ensure a cohesive look and feel

• Handling planning & logistics (floral recipes, ordering, site visits, mockups, and sourcing)

• Staffing dozens of team members to prep, design, arrange, pack, setup, and breakdown just one single wedding (even more for larger installations)

3. Logistics & Transportation

Getting flowers from point A to point B (in perfect condition) is not as simple as tossing them in the back of a car. Your florist is factoring in:

• Refrigerated vans & trucks to keep flowers fresh

• Careful packaging & transport systems to prevent damage

• Drive time, gas, and mileage

4. Waste & Overages

Florists intentionally buy extra flowers to ensure the best quality and account for natural loss – bruised petals, wilty or broken stems. Nobody wants wilty flowers on their wedding day! 

5. Beyond Just Flowers: The Extras that Make a Difference 

Florists often provide much more than just flowers, like:

• Unique vessels and vases that elevate the vision 

• Candles and candle accessories to complete the tablescape

• Heavy duty rental structures for arches and installations

Photography: Catherine Marie Taylor | Planning: Lorelle Events

How to Make the Most of Your Floral Budget

• Work with a planner: A good planner will help you prioritize your floral budget strategically and work collaboratively with your florist 

• Be flexible: Trust your florist! Flexibility on flower types, colors, and rentals allow them to create something really special while staying within budget.

• Repurpose Arrangements: Ask your florist about repurposing florals from the ceremony to the reception (when done thoughtfully, this is a great cost-saver).

• Focus on impact areas: Instead of spreading your budget too thin, invest in high-impact designs (like the ceremony backdrop or an epic reception installation) where flowers will have the most wow factor.

Photography: Stephanie Lynn | Planning: Olivia Grace Events

Let’s Bring Your Floral Vision to Life!

Wedding flowers aren’t just a line item; they’re a work of art that powerfully sets the tone – transforming your venue and creating lasting impressions for your guests. 

Inquire here to schedule a consultation, and we can start a journey together that will elevate your vision beyond the imaginable.

Japanese Wedding Inspiration in California Wine Country

Sharing our latest publication feature in Wedding Sparrow.

“The beauty of Japanese gardens in springtime is the inspiration for this organic wedding editorial at Carneros Resort and Spa in Napa Valley, California. Designed by Northern California wedding planner, Jacinda Weddings & Events, natural Japanese-inspired elements were woven throughout every detail, from the Ikebana floral art to the interactive escort display.

The floral design by Anastasia Andenmatten highlighted spring elements and blooming branches, such as dogwood, Japanese sweet pea, Pieris japonica, and hellebores, arranged in modern stoneware vessels," explains Jacinda. The textured linens and floral plates mirrored the shape of the dogwood blooms in the centerpieces.

Japanese garden elements were woven throughout many details, including the rippling water in the Ikebana dining table arrangements, and the escort display. The escort table featured individual escort cards artfully set atop black stones and natural moss with beautiful floral elements. Stepping away from the ubiquitous escort wall concept, we designed a dynamic and interactive escort table where guests would embark on a little hunt to find their name in this unique Japanese garden display.

The invitation suite by Elsa Madeline featured original artwork was inspired by Japanese calligraphy brushstrokes and x-ray florals. This artwork was mirrored in the ethereal painted rice paper appliqué on the contemporary square wedding cake by Pretty Please Bakeshop.

VENDOR TEAM

Photographer: Olivia Marshall | Film Lab: PhotoVision | Planning and design: Jacinda Weddings & Events | Florals: Anastasia Andenmatten | Rentals: Theoni Collection and The Ark | Venue: Carneros Resort and Spa | Cake: Pretty Please Bakeshop | Paper and signage: Elsa Madeline | Cake table linen: Napa Valley Linens | Pale blue cocktail table linens: BBJ-La Tavola | Calligraphy: Blanca Lewis Calligraphy | Gifting: Bestowe Gifting

Classic, Lush Wedding at Harvest Inn Napa

Working with these two to bring a last-minute change of plans elopement to life was a dream. Harvest Inn in Napa was an ideal spot for this 10 person wedding -- the sweeping vineyard views, lush garden roses, stately redwood trees, and the romantic string-lit patio made for a beautiful setting. Napa wine country is *not* the worst place to kick off your nuptials, let me tell you. 

I call Jesenia’s wedding day vibes classic-meets-glam-meets-modern. I mean, is that dress for real!? So stunning. Her gown inspired my designs for the day. I used a mix of more traditional luxe blooms, like anemone and ranunculus, then added a contemporary-glam twist with sleek anthuriums -- all in a neutral palette. 

The icing on the cake was having Anna Elizabeth Photography capture their day so beautifully. Congrats to you two, Jesenia and Matt! 

VENDORS

Floral Design: Anastasia Andenmatten

Photography: Anna Elizabeth Photography

 Venue: Harvest Inn

Bridal: Maggie Sottero

Anastasia Andenmatten is a floral design studio based in the San Francisco Bay Area with a modern approach to customizing florals for weddings, businesses, and events.

Tuscan-Inspired Backyard Wedding

Justine & Zach originally planned to have a destination wedding in Tuscany. When they had to alter their plans, they landed on an intimate backyard wedding in Justine’s parents’ San Mateo backyard. The design was inspired by...Tuscany, of course!  

⁣For their floral designs, I drew inspiration from autumn in the Tuscan wine country, but wanted to put a contemporary spin on that often-rustic vibe. I leaned on a color palette of deep purples, burgundies, and greens, but incorporated vibrant highlights of whites and periwinkles. Premium blooms like velvety anemones and ranunculus helped to elevate the backyard setting, while berries and golden lace hydrangea added texture. 

One of my favorite parts about Justine and Zach’s day was the stunning setting -- their parents’ backyard was not only beautifully lush, but it made for such a special and intimate ‘close to home’ setting for their celebration. And as we know in the Bay Area, autumn in California is such a stunning time of year to dine outdoors! 

Adriana Klas Photography captured Justine & Zach’s day beautifully. Below are some of my favorite photos!

VENDORS 

Floral Design: Anastasia Andenmatten

Photography: Adriana Klas

 Catering: Heirloom Catering Co.

Calligraphy: Double Dipped Calligraphy

Bridal: Louvienne, Lovely Bride

Groom: Hugo Boss

Cake: Little Bow Cakes

Rentals: Bright Event Rentals

Anastasia Andenmatten is a floral design studio based in the San Francisco Bay Area with a modern approach to customizing florals for weddings, businesses, and events.

Colorful and Modern San Francisco Doorstep Elopement

If we’ve gained anything from this pandemic, it’s been creative ways to celebrate life’s biggest moments. We’ve seen virtual engagement parties, drive-by bridal showers, zoom weddings, you name it. But I particularly love the concept of doorstep celebrations -- from the safety of your home, you can get super creative and unique to your style, and invite friends, family, neighbors, and all sorts of passersby in on the action. You may have seen this Brooklyn stoop wedding (and those flowers!?), which is what really got me thinking. 

Courtney of Photoflood Studio and I got to brainstorming, and set out to transform a classic San Francisco doorstep for Jordyn and Nik’s elopement portrait session. Since Jordyn and Nik were so flexible and open to ideas, we had extra fun with this one and decided to use it as a way to serve up inspiration for anyone looking to host drive-by celebrations -- whether it be a baby shower, birthday party, bridal shower, elopement, etc.

When I envision city doorsteps in the fall season, my mind goes straight to clusters of pumpkins, hay bails, and mum plants. But for this I aimed for a contemporary twist on the traditional autumnal setting. 

I incorporated vibrant hues via a color blocking technique, in shades of orange, yellow, pink, and gold. To keep *some* tradition, I included the mums, but then layered in bright orange marigolds, pink anthuriums, fluffy celosia, bubblegum pink orchids, and tall golden lace hydrangea to add some unexpected ingredients and textures. 

My goal was to create this entire installation foam-free, using sustainable mechanics only. All mums were left in their original pots and repurposed afterward, and the rest of the installation was designed using kenzan pins in shallow dishes to maintain a water source. 

For Jordyn’s bouquet, I challenged myself to use one ingredient, and one ingredient alone -- lace hydrangea. There’s a short window where these are in season, and as they start to turn, their soft delicate petals turn crisp and golden and dry permanently that way. By far one of my favorite ingredients to work with! 

So what are your thoughts -- would you host a doorstep event!? 

VENDORS

Photography: Photoflood Studio

Floral Design: Anastasia Andenmatten

Anastasia Andenmatten is a floral design studio based in the San Francisco Bay Area with a modern approach to customizing florals for weddings, businesses, and events.

A Dreamy Summer Elopement on Mt. Tam

When Britney and Tyler made the decision to postpone their wedding reception to 2021, they looked to their vendor team to help them pull together an intimate elopement celebration that takes ‘picnic’ to the next level.

They chose a spot on Mt. Tam in Marin County, California that overlooked the Pacific, and invited their immediate families to stand beside them. After they exchanged their vows and popped champagne, they sat down for a picnic overlooking the ocean and the most beautiful sunset. What a sweet, sweet way to say I Do!

For Britney’s bouquet, I drew inspiration from the hills of Marin and the ethereal texture of her gown. I incorporated soft silky blooms like butterfly ranunculus, neutral dried textures that matched the golden hillsides, and pops of creamy blush.

For their picnic tablescape I played with composition and mixed and matched different floral elements like ceramic bud vases, a light and airy centerpiece, and cake flower accents to create a lush setting for their intimate dinner.

Fine art film photographer Shannon Yen Photography perfectly captured their day. 

VENDORS 

Photography: Shannon Yen Photography

Event Design: Nat and Co. 

Floral Design: Anastasia Andenmatten

Anastasia Andenmatten is a floral design studio based in the San Francisco Bay Area with a modern approach to customizing florals for weddings, businesses, and events.

A Parisian-Inspired Autumn Wedding at Filoli Gardens

Filoli Gardens in Woodside, California is hands down one of the most magical and iconic wedding venues in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond. With perfectly manicured grounds, vivid gardens, old world architecture, and winding brick pathways, a wedding day here has guests traveling gracefully from ceremony, to cocktail hour, to dinner and dancing.   

When I was tapped by luxury wedding planner Erica Estrada Design to create florals for an intimate autumn wedding there, I couldn’t wait to get started. For the day’s design we aimed to bring Parisian influence to the California garden setting. The bride’s custom Vera Wang gown very much added to that inspiration, and Erica curated a stellar team of luxury wedding vendors to bring the rest of the vision to life. 

For the bride’s bouquet, I chose a monochromatic palette of creamy white blooms to complement the bride’s luxe gown and limited the number of ingredients to add a contemporary twist. The bride and groom chose to celebrate with their guests over an intimate meal in the lush ‘Yew Alley’, which is beautifully lined with Irish Yews, apple and peach trees. So for the tablescape, I incorporated rich copper tones as a nod to California’s autumn season and to bring warmth to the vivid greenery of the grounds. The old world-inspired stationary suite by Casa de Perrin juxtaposed with new world tabletop items brought an unexpected element to the design. Parisian-inspired furniture from The Copper Rose was the prettiest final touch to bring everything together.

Fine art film photographer Sean Thomas Photography perfectly captured the day. Below I’m sharing some of my favorite moments. See the full feature on Style Me Pretty here.

VENDORS 

Wedding Venue: Filoli Gardens

Photography: Sean Thomas Weddings

Cinematography: Hugo Film Co

Event Design: Erica Estrada Design

Floral Design: Anastasia Andenmatten

Wedding Dress: Vera Wang

Cake: What's More Cake

Invitations: Epoch Designs

Wedding Bands: Cartier

Hair: Bridal Buns

Groom's Attire: Suit Supply

Rentals: The Copper Rose

How to Plan a Modern Micro Wedding During COVID-19, featured on Martha Stewart Weddings

I’ve watched and worked alongside so many couples who have been forced to rework their wedding plans due to COVID-19, whether that be postponing entirely, downsizing their headcount, or hosting their wedding in a loved one’s backyard. I feel for them and the tough decisions they have to make, especially as they grapple with what elements are most important to them. 

If you find yourself in a similar situation, I’m here to say that regardless of your Plan B or C, you can *still* accomplish a killer sense of style for your reinvented wedding day. One way to look at this scenario is to acknowledge that there’s potential for more opportunity to invest in the small, super intentional details that can make a big impact for you and your guests. 

Scroll on to see some examples of ways to do this, including:

• setting the tone for your design from day one 

• nontraditional floral installations that create experiences for your guests 

• how to warmly welcome (cough, spoil) your VIP guests 

• bold moves when it comes to attire and personal flowers 

• smaller but bolder tablescapes to ensure the most memorable celebration meal 

In collaboration with a phenomenal vendor team, I am so excited to share this inspirational editorial feature with you, recently featured in Martha Stewart Weddings. Read the article How to Plan a Chic, Modern Micro Wedding During COVID-19 here for more design tips and inspiration. 

Thank you to the amazing Sarah Eichstedt Photography for capturing these beautiful images.

SET THE TONE EARLY ON 

I love when couples choose an intentional paper suite because it truly kicks off the overall design vibe for their day while getting guests so excited for what’s to come. This clean, modern, and unfussy paper suite from Bourne Paper Co. truly set the tone for this day. 

CONSIDER PETITE PERSONAL FLOWERS 

For an intentional and cohesive wedding day design, keep your color palette simple. For this petite bridal bouquet, I honed in on the palette and the ingredient mix. The anthuriums were bold, but softly contrasted by grasses and yarrow to give this bride an intentional look. The perfect pairing for her more laid back bridal jumpsuit from Amsale. 

A petite arrangement of caramel phlox, smokebush, and grasses dress up the groom's sleek suit and modern turtleneck.

SKIP TRADITION

There’s no wedding rule that says you *must* stick with traditional florals. With this install, Lea Stafford Events and I wanted to work with unexpected plant materials instead of florals to create a natural feeling for an intimate ceremony. The contrast of the soft grassy elements against the concrete pillars made for an impactful moment for guests and grounded the ceremony.

It was really important for me to create something entirely sustainable and foam-free. This was primarily designed using potted grasses and moss, so the install was able to be repurposed (and re-potted!) afterwards.

PUT IT ALL ON THE TABLE 

A smaller table setting does not mean you need to skimp on style! 

For this table setting, I wanted to lean into the contract of these black modern wishbone chairs from Theoni Collection against the soft linens and candlelight. So I added textured flower arrangements in modern shallow black vessels, paired with simple ikebana and bud vase arrangements. The table was the perfect spot to bring the different style elements of the day together for one cohesive design, and floral pieces of different shapes and sizes ensured every guest had something beautiful to sit down to. 

SPOIL YOUR GUESTS 

Favor boxes like these from Bestowe Gifting make the perfect VIP perk to spoil your guests, and are a great way to showcase your unique personality and style. 

LET THEM EAT THREE CAKES 

If dessert is important to you, this is an area you could invest more in with a smaller guest count. These miniature multi-tier cakes from Revelry Cakes made for quite the dessert experience. Accents of peach sweet peas, mauve lisianthus, and grasses added one last touch of micro detail. 

For more design tips and inspiration, read the full article How to Plan a Chic, Modern Micro Wedding During COVID-19 on Martha Stewart Weddings here.

Featured on Martha Stewart Weddings

Floral Design | Anastasia Andenmatten

Photography | Sarah Eichstedt Photography

Planning + Design | Lea Stafford Events

Invitation Suite | Bourne Paper Co.

Rentals | Theoni Collection

Cake | Revelry Cakes

Bespoke Gifts | Bestowe Gifting

Jewelry | Shop Esqueleto

Bridal Jumpsuit | Amsale

7 Tips for Creating Your Wedding Moodboard

Newly engaged or planning a wedding!? You likely fall into one of three camps: 

1. Your wedding Pinterest board has been done for approximately five years 

2. You’re officially engaged so technically speaking, you can now start your wedding moodboard 

3. Even the thought of the above gives you anxiety. You have no idea where to start!

Regardless of which camp you fall into, you may wonder why is a moodboard important? In this blogpost about vision boarding, I bring up the Law of Attraction which is the ability to attract into our lives whatever we are focusing on. Images can be used as tools to send messages to the universe about your hopes and dreams. Sounds a little woo-woo, so let me bring this back to wedding planning. Photos are powerful. When it comes to planning a wedding, a moodboard is the #1 tool for drawing inspiration and clearly communicating your wedding style to vendors. This in turn allows your vendors to collaborate to bring your wedding day vision to life!

Here are 7 quick tips that will help you create a curated moodboard for your wedding and get you closer to that vision.

1 - KNOW WHERE TO START WITH WEDDING INSPIRATION

As a platform, Pinterest can be overwhelming. Simply start saving images that are beautiful to you. Be consistent and only pin the stuff you truly love, and look for their ‘More Ideas’ feature. Over time, Pinterest will get to know you better through their algorithm, and suggest better and better content to you. 

Once you know more specifics of what you’re looking for, avoid vague search terms such as ‘wedding flowers’ and opt for keywords that match the exact thing you have in mind, e.g. ‘minimalistic and contemporary wedding table flowers.’

If browsing Pinterest doesn’t work for you, that’s okay too! Add the 'Pin It' button to your browser (instructions here), which will allow you to quickly and easily pin images from other websites as you find inspiration along the way. Here are a few other inspiration sites I love:

• Hello May

• Lane

• Harpers Bazaar 

• Style Me Pretty

• Martha Weddings

• Green Wedding Shoes

• Ruffled Blog

2 - DUMP PINTEREST FOR INSTAGRAM

While it can be argued we don’t need *more* reasons to scroll IG, your feed is likely already curated with images relevant to you, your style, and your aesthetic. Instagram’s Save feature comes in handy if you stumble upon imagery you love. Save everything you love in one spot or separate folders -- e.g. wedding flowers, wedding bands, wedding dresses. 

3 - GO BEYOND SOCIAL MEDIA FOR INSPIRATION

The opposite of everything I’ve said above, right!? But it’s really easy to go down a rabbit hole and be influenced by what everyone else’s wedding looks like. Don’t limit yourself to what you see on social media. Look to the architecture around you, scenic views, music, books, magazines, and photos from your travels. 

4 - SIMPLIFY, SIMPLIFY, SIMPLIFY YOUR VISION 

This might sound counterintuitive, but by limiting the number of images to the select few that *truly* speak to you, you’ll prevent yourself from feeling overwhelmed and leave more space for imagination. I find it helpful to create one overarching ‘Our Wedding’ board that’s limited to 10-20 images max of your *overall vision*, making sure they’re both aspirational but also realistic for your day and budget. Try 1-2 images for each of these elements:

• Venue vibe (e.g. the indoor or outdoor spaces you’re using or envisioning/whatever elements made you fall in love with that venue, images there that speak to the season — fall, winter, spring, summer) 

• Florals (e.g. either the floral palette, or a few images you’re drawn to for table flowers, a focal flower installation, your bouquet, etc.) 

• Table settings (e.g. flower-full or candle heavy, tablecloths or bare wood, modern flatware or traditional) 

• Furniture (e.g. tables, chairs, lounge furniture)

• Lighting (e.g. market lights, candlelight, pendants)  

• Fashion (e.g. your dream dress or tux) 

• Hair/makeup (e.g. an overall look you’re digging) 

• Paper suite (e.g. an invite, menu, or escort cards) 

• Photography (e.g. an image that evokes the style you’re drawn to, and a moment you’d love to experience on your day)

• Something unique to you (e.g. that icecream truck you’d love to have, or dream signature cocktail) 

These images should be less about specific details you’re aiming for, but images that evoke how you want your day to *feel* overall. 

Once you’ve locked that in, you can always create sub-boards (aka a ‘Section’ within a board if you’re using Pinterest) for each element, following the same practice of limiting each to 10-20 images.

5 - TIDY IT UP 

Once you’ve really honed in your initial vision and start making decisions, delete anything off your board that no longer speaks to you or fits with your day. Ask yourself:

• Do I love this image?

• Why did I pin this in the first place?

• Are there other images on my board that are super similar?

If you were to share your board with others, they should be able to pick up on your vibe and style immediately. By keeping your boards as curated as possible, you avoid confusing yourself and vendors about the intended design direction. 

6 - SHARE YOUR MOODBOARD WITH WEDDING VENDORS 

Share your moodboard with all of your design-centric vendors (e.g. planner, rental company, florist, cake, hair/makeup). Explain specific things you like *and don’t like* about certain images. Then leave it to the pros to take it from there! Your wedding day should be uniquely you, meaning the moodboard should only act as initial guidance as your vendor team seeks to up-level it way beyond that. 

7 - JUST WALK AWAY FROM ALL WEDDING INSPIRATION 

My *biggest* piece of advice if you want it? If you’re prone to indecision or feeling overwhelmed, walk away once you’ve reached this step. Shut it down -- no more Pinterest browsing, no more Instagram scrolling. Delete the apps if you need to! I did this myself when planning my own wedding and it was the best way to bring about peace of mind. Stay confident in your decisions and don’t second guess yourself. You have so much more to focus on looking forward to, like marrying the love of your life!

LET’S CHAT

For more planning tips, head back to my blog for posts like tips for finding your perfect wedding florist. I am currently accepting wedding inquiries for 2022. Schedule a complimentary floral consultation here. I’d love to hear more about your day!

Anastasia Andenmatten is a floral design studio based in the San Francisco Bay Area with a modern approach to customizing florals for weddings, businesses, and events.

Q & A: By Alysa Monét & Co.

Krista Marie Photography

Today on the blog I have Alysa Monét of by Alysa Monét & Co. Not only is she the owner and lead designer of her planning company, but she’s also a mental health practitioner. I have loved hearing her speak so passionately about her work in the field, and how she works closely with her couples to help them remain present, stress-free, and excited throughout their entire planning process.

In today’s post, Alysa is sharing with us strategies to stay grounded right now, how to elevate your wedding design *and* incorporate sustainability with a smaller wedding, her #1 tip for how to prioritize your wedding budget, and so many more goodies you'll just have to read on to find out! Enjoy!

---

Q: Hey Alysa, welcome! Tell us a little about yourself, where you’re located, and the services you offer.

Hey! My name is Alysa Monét and I’m the owner and lead designer of by Alysa Monét & Co. I’m located in San Jose, Ca, which is also my hometown! I offer a variety of services to engaged couples including wedding day coordination and full service wedding planning. I’m a designer at heart so it excites me to be able to participate fully in the wedding planning process with my couples but at the end of the day, I truly just enjoy working with couples who are in love however they need my support. Most of my weddings have taken place up the California central coast and I’m available for travel anywhere worldwide (pending COVID restrictions, of course!) 

My sister and my husband are an integral part of my business and team and bring a breadth of perspective and experience to the wedding planning process and the wedding day production. There’s definitely an art to working with family and I think we’ve nailed it. Working weddings together comes with a lot of laughing, snacks (SO many snacks), and singing ABBA’s Dancing Queen at least once (it’s become a ritual for us). 

Outside of wedding planning and designing I also work in the mental health field with children in foster care and with children in juvenile detention. It’s tough work but it fills my cup up and splitting my time in these two fields helps me exercise different parts of my creativity, which I really appreciate and enjoy.

Krista Marie Photography

Q: What are some misconceptions clients have about hiring a wedding planner? Can you debunk these for us?

I think most couples worry that hiring a wedding planner removes their own participation in planning and preparing for their wedding day, which can feel like a turn off for those with a strong sense of what they’d like and who worry about turning over control of that vision. I 100% shared this mindset when I was engaged so I can personally really relate. My own wedding day vision was very clear and I worried that hiring a planner would result in a cookie-cutter wedding that didn’t feel like me or my fiance (now husband). In reality, hiring a wedding planner actually allows for your wedding day vision to be elevated by a professional who knows how to incorporate trends in a cohesive and seamless way that is also representative of you.   

Q: Let’s talk trends. What are some you’re loving, and some you’re thinking it’s time to move on from?

Over the last 2 years I’ve loved watching and participating in the growing trend of micro weddings, which has kind of chicly replaced the concept of elopements and involves a ceremony and reception of under 50 people. Especially with COVID in mind, I highly encourage couples to strongly consider the size of their wedding guest list when planning their wedding. Weddings can be incredibly expensive and a budget is definitely impacted by the number of attendees. A wedding day design can be elevated by simple tweaks to the guest list and most couples are surprised to see how much of their budget is allocated to catering; depending on the size of their budget, this can reduce the budget for many other services. Budget aside, a micro wedding provides the most magical and romantic intimacy that none of my couples have ever regretted. Last thing about micro-weddings, another huge perk is how environmentally conscious they can be. Less guests hopefully also means less waste.

In terms of trends that need to go… Can we finally get rid of lengthy and complicated wedding hashtags?! No one seems to remember to use them! Also… signs in every corner! Don’t get me wrong, I love a beautiful sign and more so, I especially love when signage is strategically and minimally placed throughout a wedding.

Q: Where do you find your inspiration, outside of Pinterest?

Instagram! I follow a ton of Instagram pages that are focused on landscape photography, home decor, and fashion, which help me stay up to date with trends and also keep me inspired. Some of my favorite pages are:

• @kanyaiwana

• @sew_trill

• @tylersphotos

• @itayshaphoto

• @kilianschoenberger

• @airpixels

Marissa Kay Photography

Q: Can you give us a sneak peek into your design process?

The design process for me often starts in my head (which may seem obvious) and as I’m drafting up design boards I typically play music that reflects the inspiration behind the design plans. Music is such a vehicle for me to identify textures and colors that match a couple’s aesthetic and when I’m participating in the wedding day production I often play the same music to remain inspired. Way, way before I get to this point though, I love to meet and get to know my couples, understand their design visions and even spend time reviewing their Pinterest boards to get a sense of what they do and don’t like design wise. 

Q: In your opinion, what’s the most impactful part of a wedding day design?

Florals! I’m a sucker for gorgeous flowers in general but wow, florals make all of the difference!

Q: When discussing budget for event design, where do you encourage your clients to invest and prioritize their budget? 

A $5.00 wedding with a $5000.00 photographer will make your wedding seems like it was worth $5 million - I exaggerate but, the investment in a photographer will not disappoint.

Q: What are some mistakes clients make when thinking and planning their wedding day design? 

Integrating too many trendy details at once. I think it’s so important for a wedding to feel timeless and too many trendy details can lead to regrets when you look back on your wedding photos in 5, 10, 50 years! (Think 80’s and puffy sleeve dresses!)

Krista Marie Photography

Q: You’re also a mental health practitioner and recently graduated with a masters in social work. Congrats! How does your work in that space impact your work as a wedding designer? 

I am! My work as a mental health practitioner and as a wedding designer incorporate a lot of the same values: mainly, connection. Fundamentally, we as humans need to feel connected to one another and so much of my training around mental health allows me to be present with my clients and support their growth and development as a soon-to-be-married-couple as much as I’m supporting and facilitating their wedding day desires. My motto (which is super cheesy, I know) is that by taking care of the tough wedding work, I open up space for my couples to have a “marriage more beautiful than their wedding day.”

Q: Have you developed any new daily routines or rituals throughout shelter in place? 

Months 1 and 2 of shelter-in-place felt like I was manically incorporating a billion daily rituals to try and survive. I’m talking yoga in the mornings, a leisurely walk in the afternoon, zoom calls with any and everyone, playing a “work-from-home” playlist… the works! Now, I make sure I get fully dressed (even with shoes) in the mornings, and I try to do as many of the same things in the morning that I would’ve done if I were actually heading out for the day. I try to take care of as many household chores throughout the day so that when I’m officially “off work” I can just relax! It’s been working really well for me and these weeks are feeling enjoyable again!

Q: It’s no secret that wedding planning is stressful. Add a pandemic on top of that, and there can be serious impacts on mental health. What are some tips you have to help engaged couples cope? 

Prior to COVID I’ve always asked my couples to agree on 5 non-negotiables for their wedding day (in terms of needs, wants, desires) and then “let go” of every other expectation outside of those 5 non-negotiables. I stole this from the show Millionaire Matchmaker (haha!) but it’s been an incredibly useful strategy to help keep my couples grounded throughout the planning process. Especially now that we’re in such an unpredictable time, aligning priorities at the very beginning of wedding planning is necessary if couples are going to get through this time level headed. I also urge couples to consider premarital counseling if financially feasible (several providers are offering services at a sliding scale rate right now).

Q: What are some centering practices you recommend for couples when it comes to the chaotic day-of? 

Meditation! Am I sounding too much like a therapist right now?!

Also, a stress free wedding day includes surrounding yourself with a top notch getting-ready-crew who are going to help keep you level headed and excited. I think couples should take time to really consider this one!

Q: For couples hosting an intimate or smaller wedding, what’s a tip you have for creating thoughtful (and safe) experiences for them and their guests?

A couple that I recently worked with set up their “reception” dancing music to include music that was meant for couples. This eliminated the awkwardness of figuring out how to dance and social distance and was such a sweet moment that they shared with their guests during their short reception. The love was potent during this wedding!

Q: For anyone looking to step up their at-home entertaining game, what are your go-to at-home entertaining hacks?!

I am the most extra person when it comes to home entertaining and I really love a good theme (this drives my husband nuts). Anytime we host friends or family I find a theme that centers around our gathering and then research a game that’s in alignment with that theme. I find one or two food or drink items that are in alignment with the theme as well and then keep everything else simple. Am I doing the absolute most? Probably! Does it always make for a fun and memorable night? 100% yes.

Krista Marie Photography

Q: What does the next chapter of By Alysa Monét & Co. look like? Where do you see yourself and your business 5 years from now?

I’ve always had the dream of one day growing my business to incorporate services that are related to mental health and wellbeing. I’d love to one day be able to work with couples during their engagement as their wedding planner and designer, and then continue that work following their wedding day to offer marriage focused counseling and support. 

Thanks so much for joining, Alysa!

email: hello@byalysamonet.com

instagram: @byalysamonet

website: byalysamonet.com

Q & A: Lea Stafford of Lea Stafford Events & Ethos West Collective

Lea Stafford, Lea Stafford Events

Today on the blog we have the amazing Lea Stafford of Lea Stafford Events and Ethos West Collective.

I first met Lea back in May through a mutual connection, and we immediately hit it off and started collaborating. Lea’s commitment to leading a life and business that is authentic and uniquely hers is inspiring. She’s not afraid to break the rules when it comes to experiential design and I can’t wait to see what comes next for her new brand launch.

In today’s post, Lea is sharing with us more about the inspiration and mission behind Ethos West, her hopes for the future of weddings and events, some of her favorite Black-owned businesses, and a sneak peek into the future of her business.

---

Q: Hey Lea, welcome! Tell us a little about yourself, where you’re located, and the services you offer.

I am a mother, wife, friend, and authentic lifestyle advocate. My business offers special event production and design services focusing on those who are willing to share their unique story. The next phase of business will concentrate on highlighting tips on how to maintain a healthy and sustainable living model. I am located in Oakland, Ca.

Q: Congratulations to you and your co-founders on the launch of Ethos West Collective! Can you tell us more about what inspired you to launch this, and the mission behind it?

Experiencing the lack of diversity and representation within this industry has been heavy on my heart for the past 10 years. Finding a creative and positive way to fill what I consider to be a major void became my mission about a year ago. I yearn for the same level of support and partnership opportunity as our non-Black community, it is crucial and vital to the health and sustainability of the wedding and events world.

When it came time to reach out to other professionals in the same space to support this vision, I knew I had to reach out to my local friends and creatives Chanda Daniels and Erica Estrada. I wanted a multi-talented founding team, uniqueness and truth were also very important to me. We each bring a little something different to the table. Chanda was tapped for her experience in the world of events and hospitality, and for her commitment to supporting equality. Erica was requested to join the founding team as I knew her creativity and passion for change would remain present in the spirit of the collective.

As a free-spirited non-conformist who holds a willingness not to play by the rules, I plan to drive the Collective's mission and tone by constantly encouraging a sense of community amongst the partners, members, and industry colleagues. My hope is that my push for equity will become the standard, and continue to be ever-present in both my storytelling and work.

Q: What are some ways couples can thoughtfully plan a wedding centered around values of inclusivity, diversity, and anti-racism?

It truly begins with self-reflection. In order to successfully plan and execute an authentic and value-driven wedding, you must identify what that means to you as an individual. Once that has been identified, you move forward with the pulling out the essential components, whether this means, people, food, visual stimulation, written content, location, etc. From there, you have created a sound base to move forward with the next steps in your planning process.

Q. What do you wish you saw more of in the wedding and events industry?

An unapologetic approach. I truly see a lack of diversity in not only the skin color represented, but also the design and tone of a wedding within our industry. We have got to do better when it comes to being confident in showcasing concept and design. Having a unique wedding that stands out from the next should be the norm and sadly, it is not.

Q: What are 3 of your favorite, most inspiring Black-owned design/wedding/maker businesses you follow on IG?

• @maggisimpkins (engagement/wedding rings)

• @joyproctor (event design)

• @lynndunston (photography)

Q: Where do you find your inspiration, outside of Pinterest?

I find inspiration in my natural surroundings, food & beverage, and movies/shows.

Q: Can you give us a sneak peek into your design process?

The first step is to get to know the client I am partnering with on a deeper level. I pull out their values and goal for their wedding or event day. From there, I strip it all down to the essential elements, isolating the story or mission. I then identify the appropriate colors, and core texture to be used to share the story. Finally, the experience is introduced. An experience is necessary (in my opinion) to keep folks engaged, and my hope is that it will serve as a gentle reminder for the very reason they are gathering and celebrating.

Q: What does the next chapter of Lea Stafford look like? Where do you see yourself and your business 5 years from now?

I am currently working on the launch of my lifestyle brand. When I began my event planning and design company, I knew the long term goal was to become a lifestyle brand. Home entertaining tips and tricks, bespoke home good products, recipes, as well as event planning and design will all be offered under this brand's umbrella. What makes this particular model a bit different is that its mission is to bring the people a platform that amplifies the voices of a community artists that have been marginalized. I will partner with local farmers and BIPOC creatives highlighting their stories, encouraging the concept of local participation, as well as offering high quality and sustainable goods. This is my way of living in my truth, experiencing my love daily, and giving back to the community that has raised me.

Thanks so much for joining, Lea!

GET IN TOUCH

email: lea@leastafford.com

instagram: @leastaffordevents

website: www.leastafford.com

The Best Investment I Made in my Business in 2020

I made one of the best decisions for my business at the start of this year, and I never gave you all the details.

When it comes to the “behind the scenes” of my business, I’m an open book. I hope that being candid and transparent can inspire and help others, because I know first-hand this industry can be difficult (even frustrating at times) to break into and navigate. So today I’m sharing some lessons learned, plus a specific investment I made for my business this year: education, and specifically mentorship. 

A BIG 2020 GOAL 

2020 will be my second year in business. At the start of the year, I mapped out my goals (to which coronavirus says: lollllllll). One of my goals was to continue educating myself, especially during my off-season when I had more time. Education is a privilege, and I am grateful that I have the ability to take the time to do this. I recognize that challenging myself to learn more and be better will not only benefit me, but those I work with. If I lack top-notch skills, I am failing my business and my clients. Entering year two, I wanted to specifically focus on honing thoughtful design skills.

To say that I am hesitant when it comes to costly investments (like education) for my business is an understatement. I self-funded my business and with smaller profit margins while getting started, I have to be wise about how I spend my money. This has been humbling, and exactly what pushes me to grow. I’ve learned the hard way that some investments can be mistakes (more on that below), while others have the potential to pay off in dividends. 

So earlier this year, when I hopped on a flight to Portland for a day-two mentorship, I had to trust that I’d made the best decision for my business. To this day, that investment continues to pay off. 

FIRST, HERE’S WHAT HAS WORKED WELL FOR ME 

By far the best way for me to learn this business has been by doing. For me this has meant freelancing for other designers in their studios and at wedding installations, working in a flower shop, and taking hands-on classes -- like with City College of San Francisco’s Floristry & Horticulture program, where the teachers have been in this business for a long time and teach really important foundational techniques for floral design. (Pro Tip: these classes are free for San Francisco residents.) One of the common threads here is mentorship. By seeking out mentors, I have built lasting relationships that have become invaluable resources.

AND HERE’S WHAT HASN’T WORKED WELL FOR ME 

Online courses, group workshops, and conferences have been the least helpful for me, at least when it comes to learning important foundational skills. This sort of education lacks one-on-one attention and the hands-on practice that are so valuable. They are also often extremely expensive. I once dumped more money than I’d like to admit into a workshop that sadly failed to live up to its promises and my own expectations. I didn’t know what it was I really needed at that time (and should have), but I’ve learned from that and have since been more strategic when it comes to investing my dollars.  

HOW I FOUND THE PERFECT MENTORSHIP

I practice and believe in the power of manifestation (and talk about it more here). Once I set my goal, I made a list of exactly what I needed out of a mentorship investment:

• to learn one-on-one with a creator, not in a group or online setting 

• a designer with a contemporary and thoughtful aesthetic

• someone who practices sustainable floral design

• a businessperson with a proven track record of success

• the ability to use a lot of the time together practicing by doing

Enter Alyssa of Color Theory Design Co. and Color Theory Design Workshops. Alyssa has been a designer and businesswoman I’ve very much admired for a while now. She creates artfully-designed work, practices sustainability, and has plenty of experience in the business to learn from. She offers one-on-one intensive workshops at her new (beautiful) shop in Portland, Oregon.

WHAT I LEARNED 

Because it was just the two of us, Alyssa and I were able to craft a custom agenda for two jam-packed days specific to the goals and objectives I laid out for her in advance of our time together. I chose to focus on bouquets and sustainable (foam-free) installations, as they can often be two of the most impactful parts of a wedding day. Alyssa and I spent most of the days hands-on designing. She covered ingredient selection, the design process, and sustainable techniques that won’t impact the quality of designs. Over meals we had a chance to dive into business practices including proposals, production, hiring, marketing, search engine optimization, website content, social media, styled shoots, vendor relations, and customer service. 

It was one of THE most valuable investments I’ve made in my business to-date. On top of everything I learned, I found a new friend and mentor in the industry who’s now just a text away.

LOOKING AHEAD 

Months later I’m still implementing my takeaways from the workshop, especially as I use lotttttts of new-found free time to improve my business. Here are some of the changes I’m most looking forward to in 2020-2021:  

• Sustainable floral design practices: I’m working to be more mindful of my businesses’ environmental impact in a high-waste industry. That will look like eliminating single-use plastics like floral foam, recyclable and compostable design mechanics, almost exclusively sourcing locally, plus re-use programs and tighter flower ordering to reduce waste. 

• New inventory: As I refine my design style, I’m aligning my inventory. I’m upgrading my vases, vessels, candles and props to fit the aesthetic I and my clients have come to love. Everything in my new inventory will be recyclable, reusable, and/or compostable. 

• A brand new proposal design and buttoned up workflows: A lot of year one was trial and error as I found what works best for me, my business AND my clients. Now I’m upgrading the visual and logistical components of my workflow, not only to keep me organized but to accurately portray my vision to my clients. With this, prospective clients can easily determine if I’m a good fit for them off the bat, and I can focus more on them and their designs.  

• Bold designs: I have some really unique designs, installations, and palettes to look forward to with my upcoming weddings. I love my clients’ styles and the way they challenge me, so this will be especially rewarding. Plus, the constant refinement and practice thanks to this mentorship gives me comfort in knowing that I can pull off these designs. 

I encourage anyone looking to start something new or level-up to invest time in mentorship. Especially if you are weighing investments for yourself or your business, be really intentional (and honest with yourself) on what it is you need right now, and do your research. You’re the only one who truly knows what will work best for you.

If you’re interested in hearing more about this process, I’m always here to chat. Drop a comment below, send me a DM, or write me a note.

Thanks as always for following along and I can’t wait to share more in the months ahead! 

Q & A: Elise Brannan of Brannan Events & Design

Elise Brannan, Brannan Events & Design

Today on the blog we have Elise Brannan of Brannan Events & Design, who offers planning services throughout the Bay Area.

I've been so inspired by Elise, not just for her bold and unique wedding designs, but for her steady commitment as an event professional to making conscious, inclusive, and sustainable decisions when producing events. She’s an ethical vegan activist and intersectional environmentalist helping her couples and clients make informed decisions when it comes to their big days.

Since I’ve already learned so much from Elise, I wanted to bring her on here to share with you some of her ideas around conscious spending, inclusive vendor teams, and ways your wedding planning can be impactful to both your community and the environment.

---

Q: Hey Elise, welcome! Tell us a little about yourself, where you’re located, and the services you offer.

I'm Elise, a vegan event planner based in the East Bay Area where I live with my partner, Michael, and our fur babies! I was born in LA and lived there until I was about 10 (and we go back all the time) so I like to think of myself as a native to both northern and southern California lol! 

I offer event services including management, design, and planning. As an ethical vegan and intersectional environmentalist I also try to guide my clients to make more conscious, inclusive, and cruelty-free choices throughout the planning process. 

Q: What inspired you to launch your business centered around conscious, inclusive, and sustainable practices?

I started in event management when I was 18. I was involved with various non-profit groups growing up and when I was 18 I was a part of an executive board for Northern California, where we planned large scale events and fundraisers. That's where my passion for event planning began! I loved being able to bring people together with a common purpose in mind and I'm a social butterfly so I loved all the networking opportunities and thought - this would be an amazing job one day!

When I first came into the wedding world in 2014 I was definitely less conscious and sustainable. I became vegan in 2017 and in doing that really began to reevaluate my business, what it stood for and how it can be a force for good. It's still an ever evolving process but in my personal life I try to do as little harm as possible (and our everyday choices do lead to harm if we're not careful - something as simple as food selection can have a real impact) so I wanted to translate that to my business.

Inclusivity is incredibly important to me as well. Whether it's recommending specific vendors or even recommending another planner (as I know I'm not the perfect fit for all couples, and that's totally ok), I want to encourage clients to work with people of color. There is SO MUCH whiteness in the wedding and event space and it's up to planners (as we typically manage any given event) to go out of our way to make sure BIPOC vendors and businesses are included. I don't always get it right but I'm ok being called out on my mistakes and committed to doing better everyday. We have so much work ahead of us as an industry but I'm feeling hopeful.

Q: What’s a common misconception couples have when it comes to ‘eco-friendly’ wedding planning?

I think many couples think it's just about "waste", and they have a narrow vision of what waste actually is. When I look at being eco-conscious, it's not just about not using plastic straws. It's all about thinking how any given item involved with their wedding was cultivated, made, and transported. And it's important to take a look at the workers and their working conditions along the way. Only then can you make a truly informed decision. It definitely requires a couple being willing to think critically and consciously about every aspect of their wedding.

Q. What is the top area couples can look to reduce waste from their wedding day?

FOOD. I know food feels like it's a very personal choice and it is, but if those personal choices aren't thought about critically, you're not seeing all the harm it creates along the way. Removing animal products from the dining experience will make an enormous impact! It will reduce water waste and CO2 emissions drastically. It takes approximately 2,400 gallons of water to create 1lb of steak — now imagine 100 guests ordering said steak. And this is before we even consider appetizers and late night bites.

There's the human side of it too. Think about the marginalized slaughterhouse worker — the emotional, mental, and physical toll of having to slaughter 100s or 1000s of animals a day for the 15-20 minutes of momentary pleasure an individual gets from eating it. Most of the time working conditions for those individuals are horrible, they get paid very little and those slaughter houses pollute the area they're located in (often marginalized communities of color).

Lastly, there's an animal side. Many of my clients are self-proclaimed animal lovers and there is an animal cost to this. Innocent creatures, as friendly and as loving as your pets, end up on the plate. We see this as fine dining but it's really layered cruelty.

Also — vegan food is just delicious, healthier for your body, with a much lower impact!! 

Q: You’re known for your beautiful, bold, unique, and conscious designs. Can you give us a sneak peek into your design process?

Thank you so much! My design process always starts with getting to know my couples on a personal level. I really want to infuse parts of who they are and what brought them together as a couple, as a part of their wedding design. We talk about everything from favorite TV shows, to how they would describe their home decor style, to what are their favorite activities to do together, to their personal fashion style. After getting a sense of who they are as a couple and what they want their wedding to represent I dig into creating the design around that!

Q: Let’s talk trends. What are some you’re loving right now?

I LOVE micro weddings! This isn't a new trend but they are some of my favorite weddings to design and execute. As COVID-19 continues to limit group gatherings, I think it's the direction the wedding industry is going to naturally take for the foreseeable future. Micro-weddings also allow for a smaller overall budget, but they give couples room to invest in the things that really matter to them.

Another trend I love is monochromatic color palettes! Where we focus on one bold hue and play around with complimentary shades throughout the design. It's fresh and memorable!

Lastly, I'm loving the eco-wedding trend, which is probably obvious but worth saying again :)

Q: What are some tips for couples when it comes to evaluating vendors?

For particular vendors, I think it's important to look for specific things but overall — I'd suggest getting to know your vendors before booking them — whether that's a FaceTime or a call or a coffee date. Make sure it feels like a great vibe, especially for those vendors that you'll be spending the most face to face time with on the day of the wedding.

I'd also ask them about their sustainability and inclusion practices. If they don't have anything concrete laid out, you may want to pivot. Vote with your dollars and invest in someone who believes in the importance of those principals, like you.

Q: When discussing budget, I love to guide my couples to impactful design decisions, a.k.a. ‘bang for your buck’ pieces. Where do you encourage your couples to invest and prioritize their budget when it comes to design?

Your ceremony decor! Your ceremony is such a short piece of the wedding day celebration, but it's also likely going to be some of your most important and cherished photos. I'd make sure to invest in the ceremony decor and then make sure that those pieces are getting reused throughout the reception space! Get as much mileage out of those pieces as possible.

Q: Name 3 small business owners that inspire you.

• Food Empowerment Project (Lauren Ornelas)

• Souley Vegan (Tamearra Dyson)

• Package Free Shop (Lauren Singer)  

Q: I’ve been working hard to lead a low-waste lifestyle both in my business and at home, so I’m curious: what is your favorite low-waste life hack?

• Homemade is almost always less wasteful; whether that's homemade meals from whole food/simple ingredients, or homemade cleaners and beauty products

• I love Imperfect Foods - our farmer's market is shut down at the moment so Imperfect Foods allows me to save products that wasn't "good enough" for the grocery store, from ending up in the trash

• Shopping second-hand! I love shopping second-hand because it means clothing or goods get a longer life and there's typically little to no packaging involved.

Q: What is the difference between Vegan v. Plant Based?

There is a big difference between these two principals and I'll reference an awesome activist (@fulanivegan) and his descriptions:

• Plant Based: In a 1980 study by T Colin Campbell Phd, the positive benefits of eating a plant based diet were established. The term plant based originated from this study completely separate from any view on ethics. A plant based diet can consist of 100% or mostly plant based diet.

• Veganism: The term was created by Donald Watson in 1955 to describe someone who doesn't eat any animal products and rejects the commodity status of animals. The practice has existed for thousands of years as 'moral vegetarianism'. Vegans also do not wear leather, wool, silks etc. Ethical Veganism is a philosophical belief.

Q: What is Intersectional Environmentalism?

I get this question because it's in my bio and on my website! I'll quote someone who helped coin the term, Leah Thomas: "This is an inclusive version of environmentalism that advocates for both the protection of people and the planet. It identifies the ways in which injustices happening to marginalized communities and the earth are interconnected. It brings injustices done to the most vulnerable communities, and the earth, to the forefront and does not minimize or silence social inequality. Intersection environmentalism advocates for justice for people and the planet."

Thanks so much for joining, Elise!

GET IN TOUCH

email: elise@brannanevents.com 

instagram: @brannan_events + @elise_thevegan

website: www.brannanevents.com

5 Epic and Meaningful Ways to Elope in the SF Bay Area

Jenn Emerling Photography

I think many of us may agree that finding silver linings and creative ways to celebrate love during a pandemic is one of our collective go-to coping mechanisms these days. While wedding plans everywhere are being put on hold for the safety of couples, guests, and vendors, a few silver linings we’ve encountered include:

• love is not canceled

• you two are still perfect for each other 

• there are many things in life, big and small, still worth celebrating 

Couples are finding ways to celebrate each other in ways that fit their styles best -- whether it’s by simply honoring and celebrating their original wedding date, making things legal STAT with a tiny ceremony, or tapering plans to a smaller intimate gathering. 

After so much planning and anticipation, changing your vision to fit a new type of celebration can feel daunting. We’re finding that by tweaking our mindset, intimate gatherings create a whole slew of things to look forward to. They’re the perfect opportunity to finally seize those ideas that never made the cut in your original plans (read: that super amazing but slightly impractical outfit, that wild but totally your style HMU look, not to mention *actually* having time to enjoy your entire meal!?).  

Regardless of which route you choose, know that this celebration has so much potential to be special for you both. The memories made will surely be ones for the books. Trust us here, and read on as we talk to some of our favorite professionals in the Bay Area to bring you inspiration and how-to tips to adapt your Bay Area celebration in meaningful ways.

---

Sarah Eichstedt Photography | Dani Padgett Weddings

1. ON YOUR STOOP 

Have you seen THIS stoop wedding in Brooklyn? What better place to exchange vows than the very spot you call home!? The locale makes it even easier for your friends and family to drive or parade by at a safe distance in celebration of your nuptials. 

PRO TIP: In the event your front stoop lacks curb appeal (hi renters like me!)...turn to flowers. Flowers can be a game changer here, and something the neighbors surely can’t complain about right? Work with your floral designer to create a ground-up or winding staircase installation that will not only create a beautiful backdrop, but will lead visitors and passersby to the very spot of your I Dos. Bonus: ask for loose flower petals and have your drive-by guests help you pull of a ‘toss’ which will make for beautiful (and memorable) photos.

PRO TIP: If you’re opting for professional photos (we hope so and promise it’ll be worth it!), keep in mind that the best time for frame-worthy portraits depends on the direction your house faces and will vary as the light changes throughout the day. Have your photographer scout out your spot ahead of time to help you plan the best time of day to capture beautiful (read: non-squinty) photos! -- Sarah Eichstedt Photography

PRO TIP: Share something sweet with visiting friends and neighbors. Packaged petite sweets like custom cupcake favors available for curbside pickup will have everyone circling back around the block for more. -- Samantha Mayfair Cakes

PRO TIP: Consider having a photo taken of each of your guests as they stop by your front porch, photo-booth style. These portraits will both serve as sweet thank you gift and an alternative wedding day guest book! -- Sarah Eichstedt Photography

Jenn Emerling Photography

2 - ON YOUR ROOFTOP

There’s no shortage of epic rooftops in San Francisco. If you’re able to ~safely~ access yours, you can incorporate fresh air and city views into your at-home celebration. Have your friends and neighbors on neighboring rooftops ready to cheer and pop champagne as you say I Do.

PRO TIP: Ask your floral designer to create a tablescape of varied flower arrangements to complement your wedding color palette, for pickup or no-contact dropoff on the big day. Afterward, place the flowers throughout your home to keep the beauty going in the days to come. Or, go big with an arch, arbor, or ground-up installation that complements the vista and serves as a memorable photo opp.

PRO TIP: A tiny ceremony shouldn’t preclude you from sealing the deal with a slice of something sweet. Work with your baker to order a miniature version of your wedding cake. Then maybe take it a step further and add in some wrapped treats such as cupcakes, slices of cake, or mini cakes, to be delivered to your surrounding neighbors. Can you imagine everyone looking on from their own rooftops as you all cut the cake together? -- Samantha Mayfair Cakes 

PRO TIP: Call in the experts! A professional photographer for your rooftop wedding will have the right equipment and lenses to be able to photograph you safely from a distance while still capturing intimate moments and close-up details. -- Sarah Eichstedt Photography

Sarah Eichstedt Photography

3- SEASIDE

Sunnier days are ahead and there’s no time like the present to get outside to exchange your vows. Following your nuptials, have a seat and enjoy a private picnic just the two of you, with friends and family stopping by for a celebratory bonfire and s’mores. 

PRO TIP: Tap your caterer to see if they are offering to-go dinners for their couples. Surf & turf anyone?! If that’s not an option, pick your favorite local date night spot and Postmates your favorite dishes. -- Hitched by Haley Planning

PRO TIP: Reach out to a trusted floral designer and ask them for their recommendations. We suggest a ground-up floral installation in the shape of a crescent to serve as your altar or ceremony backdrop. Not only can it withstand the ocean breeze, but it will create a photo opp ~moment~. Better yet, ask that your designer incorporate native and seasonal elements that will perfectly complement the seaside landscape. 

PRO TIP: We recommend doing some research to find the best beach, or better yet, tap your photographer to scout locations ahead of time. The perfect spot will feel secluded yet easily accessible (especially when considering older family members) and have some tall trees nearby helpful for blocking unexpected wind. Since some beaches can get very windy around sunset, check the weather app to see what the wind mileage will be that day. Usually anything above 15-20mph will be uncomfortable. -- Monica Lam Photo 

Jes Workman Fine Art Photography

4. UNDER THE REDWOODS

With a minimized guest list, take advantage of peace and quiet and go the extra steps into nature. Exchanging your vows underneath the trees will do just that. Just be sure to check your local park to make sure the park is open!

PRO TIP: Tap your wedding DJ for a custom playlist that you can use for a silent disco under the trees. If you have friends and family who couldn’t make it, send them that playlist or invite them to join in remotely from their homes! -- Hitched by Haley Planning

PRO TIP: We trust this is going to be a day that you, your loved ones, maybe even your future children, and your grandchildren will look back on for years to come. Hiring a professional photographer will allow you to capture the people, moments, and details that matter the most! -- Sarah Eichstedt Photography

PRO TIP: For flowers, try something you weren’t considering before. Ask your floral designer for ideas for ‘wearables’ such as a fun floral headpiece, floral scrunchie, or floral tattoo. These are all items that won’t break the bank, but will make a statement. Many florists can accommodate a hassle-free dropoff or pickup for small orders.

PRO TIP: A smaller celebration gives you lots of opportunity to get extra creative with your vision for the day. If you need ideas, lean on your vendors! Be sure to communicate your ideas and share your pinterest boards with your vendors so they can run with it. -- Monica Lam Photo 

Jamie Street Photography

5. IN YOUR BACKYARD 

If you have one, chances are your backyard is looking better than ever thanks to DIY home projects and gardening while staying at home. Reap the benefits of your hard work and host an intimate celebration, for just the two of you or with any quarantine buddies. Stir up your signature cocktail, cue your wedding playlist, and dance that first dance like nobody’s watching. Pssst: lighting is everything! Add string lights and candlelight for a boost of intimate ambiance.

PRO TIP: Work with your wedding florist to create something that conjures up your original wedding vision, such as a ground-up floral installation surrounding your sweetheart table or a cozy tablescape with mixed flower arrangements or a bountiful fresh garland. 

PRO TIP: Tap whoever was going to give a speech at your wedding to share a brief toast, either in-person or remotely via Zoom. -- Hitched by Haley Planning

PRO TIP: A dessert station is perfect for maintaining proper distance among attending guests. To make the dessert station that much more personal to you and your spruced-up garden, consider signature sugar flowers that coordinate with the flowers growing in your yard or neighborhood. -- Samantha Mayfair Cakes 

Monica Lam Photo | Sarah Eichstedt Photography

SOME PARTING ADVICE…

We know that upending your plans can initially feel daunting, uncertain, and just downright sucky. But you have a community around you that is here to support you and whatever your visions may now be. As you navigate this, here are some parting words from professionals in the Bay Area community. 

Know that despite a smaller guest list, there’s no need to sacrifice big ideas. An elopement may be small in size, but you can make it as big and bold as you’d like. Remember to be your most romantic, adventurous, and silliest selves on your special day, and the memories will surely last a lifetime. -- Monica Lam Photo 

At the heart of what we do is honor life’s most special moments. The challenges we’re facing has realigned our hearts and perspective on just how sweet the simple things are. While we encourage all of our clients to take all the time they need to grieve their original wedding date and take a break from planning, we love seeing you get back to daydreaming about your special day. Because at the end of the day, you still get to marry the love of your life and you still deserve that dream-worthy wedding. LOVE STILL WINS. -- Hitched by Haley Planning

Look inward and really think about what’s most important to the both of you and what will make you happiest and start there! Reach out to your vendors and see how they might be able to make your vision work -- whether that’s an epic floral installation on your front yard, an over the top outfit, a summer dress and makeup free look, or something in between; you’ll never regret listening to your heart instead of just doing what’s trendy. -- Sarah Eichstedt Photography

And a note from me: Your celebration is *meant to be*. Regardless of date, time, location, and guest count. My goal is to make it extra special for you, and support you along the planning process. Contact us here to chat all-things elopements and small celebrations. If you’re in need of a little inspiration, head to my Pinterest page here for more ideas!

Thank you to these helpful vendor contributors! Each offer a unique collection of elopement services and we can’t wait to see the magic they create.

Floral Design: Anastasia Andenmatten (website / instagram)

Cake Artist: Samantha Mayfair Cakes (website / instagram)

Planning: Hitched by Haley (website / instagram)

Photography: Monica Lam (website / instagram)

Photography: Sarah Eichstedt (website / instagram)

Note: As government-mandated guidelines vary state by state and change often, be sure to follow your state guidelines and do what feels safe for you, your guests, and your vendors. For more up-to-date guidelines, check the CDC as well as your state’s website.

28 SF Restaurants Ideal for a Small Celebration

The truth of the matter is, pandemics can’t stop us from celebrating life’s most special moments. While events may be postponed as we focus on our role in social distancing, they are not canceled altogether. The fun will go on. In fact, I have a hunch post-pandemic celebrations will be even more special. 

Dreaming up a distant celebration once things are back to normal? With the help of industry friends, past and current clients, and *personal* research (meaning I personally ate all the foods and drank all the drinks) I’ve compiled a list of some of the best spots in San Francisco for private events.

The list isn’t limited to restaurants, but also includes cafes, bars, and intimate private event spaces. Whether it be an intimate wedding, anniversary party, City Hall elopement celebration, or wedding rehearsal dinner you’re planning, you won’t go wrong choosing any of these.

NOTE: Given many small businesses are truly hurting during this time, please consider supporting any of which you’re a big fan. Below I note specific ways some of these local San Francisco spots need our help, but a few general ways to support local businesses right now include:

• Ordering take-out or delivery

• Purchasing gift cards to gift others or use for future date nights

• Submitting a 5-star review on Google or Yelp

---

1. OCTAVIA

Neighborhood: Pac Heights

Known for: the chef’s table situated in the middle of the kitchen for prime mealtime interaction

No. Guests: 12-70

Website: www.octavia-sf.com

To help, donate to their employee fund here

2. ABV

Neighborhood: Mission

Known for: cocktails that are simply out of this world

No. Guests: 20-150

Website: www.abvsf.com

To help, donate directly to a fund established for their team members here 

3. BERETTA

Neighborhood: Mission

Known for: the inventive cocktails and thin crust pizzas that make this a true San Francisco staple

No. Guests: 45

Website: www.berettasf.com

4. CENTRAL KITCHEN 

Neighborhood: Mission 

Known for: the industrial loft space feat. family-style meals by Chef Thomas McNaughton of Flour + Water (remember P+C’s springtime wedding here??)

No. Guests: 16-100

Website: www.centralkitchensf.com

5. CERF CLUB

Neighborhood: Tenderloin

Known for: an artistic and eclectic backdrop just begging for a modern minimalistic wedding

No. Guests: 60-108

Website: www.cerfclub.com

6. CHE FICO

Neighborhood: Nopa

Known for: handmade pasta and Neapolitan pizza in what was once an auto body shop

No. Guests: up to 16

Website: www.chefico.com

To help, support their efforts to buy up to 120 dinners for those in need EVERY SINGLE night here      

7. COOKHOUSE

Neighborhood: North Beach

Known for: the blank slate, state-of-the-art loft kitchen that will have you plotting to move in full time

No. Guests: 8-30

Website: www.cookhousesf.com

To help, donate funds to support their staff here

8. ANGLER

Neighborhood: Embarcadero 

Known for: the taxidermy-filled Game Room feat. a life sized bear and top notch oceanic fare

Website: www.anglerrestaurants.com

To help, donate directly to a fund established for their team members here or purchase gift cards to Saison and Angler on their website

9. DEL POPOLO

Neighborhood: Nob Hill

Known for: the cozy heated garden patio and the wood-fired pizza made famous by their truck

No. Guests: 50-125

Website: www.delpopolosf.com

To help: donate to their employee fund here

10. THE DORIAN

Neighborhood: Marina 

Known for: Stylin digs in the heart of the Marina 

No. Guests: 10-250

Website: www.doriansf.com

11. FIORELLA

Neighborhood: Richmond District

Known for: the ‘grammable Bay Area Toile wallpaper and thin-crusted Neapolitan pies

No. Guests: 20

Website: www.fiorella-sf.com

12. THE SNUG 

Neighborhood: Pac Heights 

Known for: comfy vibes (hence the name), small-producer beers and wines, and upscale California comfort food

No. Guests: 10-135

Website: www.thesnugsf.com

13. FOREIGN CINEMA

Neighborhood: Mission

Known for: their outdoor heated courtyard in full view of the nightly ‘drive-in’ style film (remember M+K’s winter wedding here?)

No. Guests: 12-350

Website: www.foreigncinema.com

To help, donate funds directly to their employees here or order their cookbook here

Image by Hillary Jeanne

14. LE MARAIS BAKERY

Neighborhood: Marina & Castro

Known for: canapés, champagne, patisseries … and my personal favorite, raclette

No. Guests: 20-150

Website: www.lemaraisbakery.com

15. LEO’S OYSTER BAR

Neighborhood: FiDi

Known for: Have ya seeeeen the interiors? The raw bar and speakeasy ain’t too shabby either

No. Guests: 14-110

Website: www.leossf.com

16. MARIANNE’S

Neighborhood: SoMa

Known for: the beautifully appointed speakeasy style salon behind The Cavalier

No. Guests: 20-50 

Website: www.mariannessf.com

17. MARLOWE

Neighborhood: SoMA

Known for: the neighborhood bistro ambiance and definitely the burger

No. Guests: 16-90

Website: www.marlowesf.com

18. STARBELLY

Neighborhood: Castro 

Known for: the heated patio and casual friendly neighborhood vibes 

No. Guests: 20-110

Website: www.starbellysf.com

19. MISTER JIU’S

Neighborhood: Chinatown

Known for: beautifully executed Chinese cuisine and their new Moongate Lounge

No. Guests: 80

Website: www.misterjius.com

To help, donate directly to a fund established for their staff here

20. QUEENS

Neighborhood: Inner Sunset

Known for: Korean classics and a communal table for a cozy celebration in this superette 

No. Guests: 8

Website: www.queenssf.com

To help, purchase gift cards here to directly benefit employees and neighborhood businesses

21. STABLE CAFE

Neighborhood: Mission

Known for: the gorgeously manicured garden smack dab in the middle of hustle and bustle

No. Guests: 100

Website: www.stablecafe.com

22. SCHOOL NIGHT 

Neighborhood: Dogpatch

Known for: hand-crafted pisco, agave and whiskey cocktails and Latin-inspired bites 

No. Guests: 85-120

Website: www.schoolnightsf.com

23. TROU NORMAND

Neighborhood: SoMa

Known for: The heated patio and host-your-own-charcuterie parties

No. Guests: 12-100

Website: www.trounormandsf.com

24. UNGRAFTED

Neighborhood: Dogpatch 

Known for: the fancy wines in an approachable setting

Website: www.ungraftedsf.com

To help, order a meal kit with paired bottle and tune in for virtual Monday Blind Tastings here

25. WAYFARE TAVERN

Neighborhood: FiDi

Known for: the multitude of well-appointed gathering spaces (and their burger)

No. Guests: 16-80

Website: www.wayfaretavern.com

26. WILD SEED

Neighborhood: Marina

Known for: an approachable plant-based menu crafted by omnivores 

No. Guests: 40-60 

Website: www.wildseedsf.com

27. TWENTY FIVE LUSK

Neighborhood: SoMa

Known for: its vibbbe (previously a meatpacking and smokehouse facility), cocktails, and rooftop terrace. Remember L + A’s black tie wedding here??

No. Guests: 15-650

Website: www.25lusk.com

Image by Dani M Photography

28. PARK TAVERN 

Neighborhood: North Beach

Known for: their private Eden Room and the deviled eggs 

No. Guests: 50-60

Website: www.parktavernsf.com

Okay so tell me, what did I miss?

Please share your favorite SF spots for private events in the comments below!

Mister Jiu’s image by Buena Lane

Cerf Club image by Olivia Marshall

Stable Cafe image by Lauren Crew

Trou Normand image by Vicki Grafton

An On-Stage Wedding at San Francisco's Great American Music Hall

THE COUPLE

Eliza and Ryland met while performing together. With a shared love for music and the arts, does it get any more fitting and perfect than San Francisco’s historic Great American Music Hall as the venue to celebrate their love!? 

THE FLOWERS

From day one of planning, Eliza and Ryland set out to create a memorable experience for their guests. And they wanted their floral design to play a leading role. 

They planned to exchange their vows on-stage under #allofthelights. And that was the only cue needed: the stage was the perfect spot to focus their investment on a focal floral installation designed around their chuppah. Grapevine and smilax vine grew organically up and around the structure, while clusters of vibrant fall flowers including dahlias popped in the limelight.

Eliza’s art deco-inspired bridal look was complimented by a bouquet of rich, moody, jewel-toned autumn blooms and foliage. Ryland looked extra dapper in his navy suit, with a boutonniere featuring a calla lily -- Eliza’s favorite flower. 

GRATITUDE

Eliza and Ryland, you are so clearly and dearly loved by so many. Thank you for having me play a part in your day, and for placing your full trust in me — all the way from Brooklyn, NY no less!

Floral Design: Anastasia Andenmatten |  Photography: Michaela Joy Photography Venue: Great American Music Hall | Wedding Dress: BHLDN  | Hair/Makeup: FaceWest Studio | DJ: Dart Collective

7 Ways We'll Work Together | Weddings

Photography by Hillary Jeanne

When I was planning my own wedding, I had a lot of questions floating around in my head about the process of working with a floral designer. What if I change my color palette? (I did.) What if I up my total bridesmaids count from 2 to 20?! (I most definitely did not.) How will we communicate? When will I hear from you next? Will we do a venue visit together to help me visualize everything? I have so. many. freaking. questions. Help.

Below I outline the ways in which I typically work with my wedding clients. This is a literal copy and paste from the introductory welcome packet I share with my couples. BUT it’s designed to be a general framework to help you understand what the planning process will look like. I hope you find it helpful! 

1 - CONGRATS 

First thing’s first…CONGRATS! Your wedding will be beautiful and original, I can feel it. I’d love to guide you there in a fun, organized, and approachable way. Feel at ease sharing and discussing your ideas with me from day one. I am with you every step of the way.

2 - LET'S CHAT  

A brief online questionnaire allows me to understand the basics of your special day. From there, we'll schedule a 30-45 minute phone consultation to discuss your vision, your expectations, and my services. Most importantly, we'll get to know each other and determine if we’ll be a great fit. Generally, it’s good to start these conversations between 9-12 months out from your wedding day.

3 - IT'S OFFICIAL 

Following our initial consultation, I will send you a proposal outlining my suggestions for your day. This proposal is designed to be a transparent and starting price quote. Throughout our planning process, you’ll have the opportunity to make revisions as plans evolve. An abbreviated vision board will be included, which will be further expanded midway thru planning. With a signed service agreement and deposit, you are officially on my calendar. Take a break! Another big decision checked off.

4 - KEEP IN TOUCH 

Let your ideas and visions evolve. All of our shared details and communications will live in Honeybook for you to reference throughout the planning process. I'm available via email and scheduled phone calls and dedicate my weekends to making dream events a reality for my clients.

5 - DESIGN CONSULTATION 

2-3 months out, we will meet to fine-tune the details of your designs. This includes color palette, flower ingredients, vases, ribbons, and more. Plans evolve and change, so I'll take this time to revise your proposal until it’s perfect. Now it's time for you to enjoy your final countdown while I give your designs full focus.

6 - LOGISTICS CHECK-IN

30 days out, I’ll gather logistics from you or your planner, such as timeline, locations, vendors, and the oh-so-important Instagram handles :) These details help me ensure your big day is the best ever. This is also an opportunity for final tweaks to your flower order. One more month!

7 - THE BIG DAY 

I book a limited number of weddings per season to allow me to truly focus on your day. My team manages the installation and cleanup of all floral arrangements in coordination with other vendors so that you can focus on your celebration. Thanks to all the advance planning, it will be the best day ever.

LET’S CHAT!

I am currently filling remaining slots for 2020, and booking into 2021. Click here to schedule a consultation. E: hello@anastasiaandenmatten.com | IG: @anastasia_andenmatten

Anastasia Andenmatten is a private design studio based in San Francisco, CA with a modern approach to customizing florals for weddings, businesses, and events. Featured in Style Me Pretty & Green Wedding Shoes. Named a 2020 WeddingWire Couples' Choice® in the San Francisco Bay Area.

9 Tips For Finding Your Wedding Florist

Photo by Nathalie Cheng

Planning a wedding is often times one big learning process, and finding your florist can seem so daunting. Having just planned my own wedding a year ago, I recall the overwhelming sense of indecision and what seemed like never-ending vendor searches. I’ve enjoyed coaching my couples through their wedding flower planning, so I figured I’d share some tips on information to think through as you navigate your own search for your wedding florist. 

1 - RUN THE NUMBERS

This part is no fun, but it’s important and worth getting it over with so you can move onto the exciting stuff. On average, florals account for 10% of the overall wedding budget. Big cost factors can include number of guests, location, date, size of bridal party, and quantity and types of arrangements. I give my prospective couples a checkbox-style list of arrangements to select from as a starting point. Determine at a high-level the types of arrangements you’ll be needing for your ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception and rank them in order of importance. Be realistic and know what you’re comfortable spending. 

2 - KNOW YOUR PRIORITIES AND LEAN IN 

Envision your day and the parts of it that are most important and exciting to you. While it would be nice to have ALL THE THINGS, know where you’d like to save v. splurge. My #1 recommendation is always to go for impact, whether that be a killer ceremony setup or a suspended installation over the dance floor or a photo opp moment at cocktail hour. These are the things people notice, and is a great way to focus a budget. I love working creatively with my couples to make the most of their budget, and this is where you can have some fun with your floral designer.  Tip: Don’t be afraid to go with your gut and be vocal about your priorities. This is your day and it should be unique to you.  

3 - DETERMINE YOUR LIKES & DISLIKES 

This seems counterintuitive, but when you’re unsure of where to begin, knowing what you DON’T like can be a great starting point. Think about colors, textures, shapes, styles, vibes. For example, someone who isn’t into rustic bohemian may be more drawn to modern minimalism. Maybe you can’t stand the scent of lillies, but jasmine takes you right back to that vacation where you got engaged. Ruling things out will bring you closer to figuring out what it is you DO like. 

4 - GO BEYOND PINTEREST

It’s really easy to go down a Pinterest rabbit hole, influenced by trends and what everyone else’s wedding looks like. But there’s no reason to limit it to what you see on Pinterest. Go beyond the typical wedding planning sites to find inspiration around you, whether that be nature, architecture, food/drink, travels, fashion, art, or music. Come up with a vision board of a limited number of images that truly speak to you. Keeping it simple will prevent you from overwhelming yourself and your floral designer!

5 - FEEL THE FEELS 

Meditate on your wedding vision for 5 minutes. What are you dreaming of? What do you want your guests to feel as they enter your ceremony? When they sit down to dinner? What do you want to see in photographs on your 5, 10, 20th wedding anniversary?⁣ Come up with a few words that best explain the feelings you want to elicit. Flowers have the power to create an experience for you and your guests. 

6 - GO BACK TO THE BASICS 

If the tips above still make the process feel overwhelming, consider the most basic details of your day that you’ve already locked in, like venue, date, and attire. These are great starting points for inspiration and your floral designer can help create a vision. For example, one of my 2019 brides had no idea what she wanted her floral design to look like, but she knew her ceremony was taking place on a dramatically lit stage at an epic, historic San Francisco music hall. Together we decided the stage would be our focal point for the entire design and focused the designs around one large installation there.

7 - CONSIDER THE SEASON

Seasonality plays a role in availability and pricing of flowers and is worth keeping in mind. For instance, peonies can be quite pricey and hard to find outside of spring while dahlias grow in abundance locally throughout the fall. This isn’t something you need to study up on; the right floral designer will guide you through this. When sticking to seasonal flowers, you are often more likely to save money and also have the freshest stems for your day. That being said, your floral designer should be open to accommodating any specific requests if and when possible. 

8 - DO YOUR HOMEWORK

During initial consultation calls, I urge all of my couples to evaluate other designers. There is no shortage of talent in the San Francisco Bay Area and each designer has a unique set of offerings. Ask for referrals from your venue, planner, and friends. Look at designers’ work and read their reviews. Know what’s important to you in the evaluation process, whether it be aesthetic, testimonials, or communication style. Create a short list of your favorites and aim to schedule consultations about 9-11 months out from your wedding day. By choosing a designer that you feel most aligned with, the process of working together and the end result will be that much more rewarding. Tip: Be gracious, communicative, and kind as you shop around. If you decide to go in another direction, be sure to notify your prospects of your decision.

9 - TRUST THE PROCESS

Choosing a designer that works for YOU is the most important decision. The small details will be sorted out much later in the process, so for now, you can sit back and enjoy having checked off another decision. By creating a team of vendors that you feel truly aligned with and giving them your full trust, you can rest assured your dream wedding will come to life. 

I’m curious, what other questions that have come up for you throughout your wedding flower planning?  Ask me in the comment section below! My hope is that these tips will help guide your conversations easily throughout the planning process. Interested in learning more? Read what my customers are saying here and 7 ways we can work together here. 

LET’S CHAT!

I am currently filling remaining slots for 2020, and booking into 2021. Schedule a complimentary consultation here. I’d love to hear your story.

Anastasia Andenmatten is a private design studio based in San Francisco, CA with a modern approach to customizing florals for weddings, businesses, and events. Featured in Style Me Pretty & Green Wedding Shoes. Named a 2020 WeddingWire Couples' Choice® in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Toast to Fall: A Modern + Minimalistic Seasonal Gathering, featured on Green Wedding Shoes

I recently had the privilege of collaborating with a talented group of vendors on a fall-inspired shoot. And I’m REALLY excited to share that it’s been featured on Green Wedding Shoes! In addition to the photos so beautifully captured by Sarah Eichstedt, I figured I’d share a bit below about what went into the floral design for this shoot. You can see the full feature on Green Wedding Shoes here.

INSPIRED BY

Our goal of this shoot was to give minimalistic style-minded readers inspiration for their next fall gathering, whether that be a wedding, special event, Friendsgiving 2K19, you name it. The clean white studio space gave us a blank slate to build from, where Studio DBI worked her magic to create a warm, intimate, and modern tablescape with a muted autumnal palette in mind. For my part, I aimed to demonstrate that floral installations don’t need to be over-the-top or break-the-bank. With a thoughtful approach to design, you can completely and uniquely transform any space for your next gathering.

THE FLOWERS

When conceptualizing the floral design, I took a ‘less is more’ approach with the goal of creating big impact with minimal materials. Suspended mid-air above the tablescape is a non-floral installation; it departs from the flower-heavy look but is still full of texture. I selected seasonal plum foliage and opted to hang it at an asymmetrical angle with negative space carved out to create movement. The effect is striking, yet effortless. What’s more fall than a bunch of foliage hanging from the ceiling?

To balance the installation, floral arrangements designed in the Moribana technique of Ikebana decorate the tabletop. Moribana showcases clusters of flowers and leaves arranged in shallow vessels with kenzan pins. This style of arranging places emphasis on the shape, line, and form of stems and leaves to achieve, you guessed it: minimalism. Dried queen anne’s lace and heuchera leaves bring fall to mind, while garden roses and fluffy lisianthus add romance and softness.

GRATITUDE

I loved having this opportunity to team up with other creatives to just…create. And share my ideas with you! These days, nothing is off-limits especially when it comes to floral installations at any type of event. It’s my hope that somewhere around here you find inspiration and encouragement to incorporate something a little different into your own event!

Floral Design: Anastasia Andenmatten | Photography: Sarah Eichstedt Photography | Planning: Studio DBI | Ceramics: Sarah Kersten, Earthen Shop | Paper: Bourne Paper Co. | Tabletop: Chairs and Cups | Linens: Napa Valley Linens | Furniture: CB2 | Gifting: Bestowe Gifting | Catering: Charming Fig Catering | Desserts: The Right Bite KG | Venue: Creative Space Studios

One Year Ago, We Rehearsed

To my husband Marc, on the eve of our one year anniversary: Thank you for making this year our best adventure yet. For supporting me in all that I do. For never doubting me, or my dreams. For loving me unconditionally through the moments of fear and uncertainty. For being my partner, equal in all things. You have defied any expectations I ever had, and each day I find more love in my heart for you. 

My favorite things about you stay constant: your devotion to our families and friends, ability to surprise me in big and small ways, commitment to making everyday life a hilarious adventure, and newfound affinity for crossword puzzles. Oh, and your handsome face.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | October 18, 2018

Just one year ago. We were in Philadelphia, with a night to go before our big day. All the planning that went into this weekend behind us. Finally here, everything felt calm and right. We enjoyed the quiet, practiced our first dance, and went for a (chilly AF) walk. Then joined our family and friends at our rehearsal dinner.

These selects are among my favorite moments.

Photography: Justin Muir | HMUA: Diana DuHaime — ONLO | Accommodations: Lokal Old City | Rehearsal Dinner Venue: Kensington Quarters | Dress: Alice McCall | Shoes: Club Monaco | Suit: Zara