Ask a Wedding Florist: Frequently Asked Questions Vol. 2

Welcome back to my Ask a Wedding Florist series, where I answer the most common questions about what it’s really like to be a floral designer for weddings and events in the San Francisco Bay Area.

We know that life’s biggest celebrations aren’t about playing it safe. So for couples who want to surprise and delight their guests, we offer a full-service floral experience that goes beyond expectations.

In collaboration with your planner and vendor team, we craft a one-of-a-kind floral vision that feels intentional, personal, and beyond imagination. From artful bouquets and personal florals to detailed tablescapes and dramatic large-scale installations, we thoughtfully design every detail. Our goal is that our clients’ wedding florals are more than just beautiful; they’re unforgettable.

Here’s a bit of a behind the scenes peek at what goes into our design process.

THE DESIGN PROCESS

1 - Do you work with event planners and designers?

Yes! Every wedding, event, and corporate client I work with has a planner or designer who leads the overall design aesthetic, then brings in vendors who align with that vision. We’ll collaborate closely to create a floral design that feels cohesive and intentional. Here are some of my favorite planners in the San Francisco Bay Area/Northern California to partner with time and time again:

• Harlene Events

• Meag Breanne Events

• Jacinda Weddings & Events

• Small Blue Planet

• Stafford Creative & Co

• Lorelle Events

• Olivia Grace Events

• Riley Loves Lulu

2 - What does the design process look like from inquiry to event day?

The process kicks off with a consultation meeting where I’ll ask questions like:

• What mood would you like the flowers to evoke?

• Is there anything specific you want to avoid?

• What’s your personal style?

• What inspires you/your event?

• What will you be wearing?

• What are your biggest fears when it comes to your floral designs?

• What sort of experience do you want for your guests?

Most clients have a Pinterest board or design deck as a starting point. I don’t like to copy and paste so I’ll evolve that vision, apply color theory, gather inspiration, and let ideas marinate before presenting a custom floral design concept. From there, we refine it together — ingredient selection, vessels, candles, rentals — until it’s time to bring it all to life.

3 - Do you sketch or mock up designs before creating them?

Often! A lot of my ideas don’t exist on Pinterest, so a sketch or rendering is a really helpful tool for communicating my vision to my clients and my team.

For some events we’ll do what is called a ‘mockup’ (a curated preview of the event’s florals, usually a tablescape) to refine details like palette, textures, size, and overall vibe. It’s a great way to ensure everyone is aligned before event day.

Here’s a digital rendering I created for a wedding tablescape with Meag Breanne Events.

And here’s how it turned out IRL:

Photography: Chelsea Gee Photography | Planning: Meag Breanne Events

4 - How do you choose which flowers to use in a design?

The season and palette always determine my starting point. I’ll use a mix of tools (like this book and the color wheel), chat with my suppliers, and browse the market in person to get inspired. I’ll go back to the client’s goals and objectives and focus on choosing blooms that match that. I am specifically looking for:

• The star of the show — one super special bloom to set the tone for the palette

• Two-toned blooms — a flower with two colors from the palette for harmonious color blending

• An added ‘pop’ — usually a complementary color or unexpected texture for contrast

• Non-floral elements — think plants, fruits/vegetables, rocks, moss, and textiles, for an artful look

That’s all for today! Up Next: The Logistics Behind Wedding & Event Florals — including a look at what it’s like transporting thousands of dollars of fresh florals on a hot summer day, what happens to flowers after an event, and more. Got a burning question? Send me a DM or share it in the comments here, and I’ll be sure to answer in a future post!

Let’s Bring Your Floral Vision to Life!

With us, every design is an original work of art. And every event gets our undivided attention. Whether it’s a showstopping ceremony installation or a nuanced tablescape moment, we design experiences that will have your guests talking long after the event ends and have you focusing on the moments, not the details.

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

Ask a Wedding Florist: Frequently Asked Questions Vol. 1

If you’ve ever wondered what a wedding florist REALLY does (besides playing with beautiful flowers all day — because spoiler, there’s more), this series is for you!

Over the next few weeks, I’ll be answering the most common (and surprising) questions I get about my work as a floral designer for weddings and events in the San Francisco Bay Area. From pricing to logistics to design process, I’m pulling back the curtain on the sometimes-illusive career of floral design.

I’m kicking things off with the basics. If you have any burning questions, drop them in the comments and I will answer them in an upcoming post!

1. What does a wedding florist actually do?

A wedding florist conceptualizes, sources, designs, delivers, and installs all floral elements for weddings. This includes everything from bouquets and centerpieces to larger-scale installations like a ceremony arch. While a lot of the hands-on work happens the week of the wedding, 6-12 months of pre-planning involves proposals, design decks, supplier orders, budgeting, logistics and timelines, sourcing other rental items like vases and candles, and staffing.

2. How much do wedding flowers cost?

It varies! A common guideline is to allocate 10-15% of the total wedding budget to florals. My clients typically spend between $20-45K on florals. And if you’re curious what goes into the expense of wedding flowers, check out this blogpost I wrote here.

3. Where do you get your flowers?

I source my flowers from the San Francisco Flower Market (one of the largest wholesale flower markets in the US!), as well as a few local Bay Area flower farms. I prioritize small growers and collectives when possible to source the freshest, most unique seasonal blooms while supporting sustainable floristry.

4. What’s the hardest part about wedding floristry?

I’d say the physical demands (early morning market runs, long hours on your feet, lifting heavy buckets, climbing ladders for installations) paired with the unpredictability of the business (perishable product, time constraints, sourcing surprises, tricky weather). Lots of coffee, flexibility, and problem solving!

5. What’s the best part of wedding floristry?

Of course, being surrounded by beautiful flowers is a dream—but what truly makes it rewarding for me is the ability to take a vision, refine and elevate it, and use color theory and design to transform a space in ways my clients never imagined. I also thrive on the teamwork and collaboration with planners and other vendors, the energy of a fast-paced event day, and delivering a seamless, thoughtful client experience. That’s at the heart of my business and where I shine the most!

6. What are your favorite flowers to work with?

I cannot possibly pick one but here are some favorites by season. All photos via GC Collective.

WINTER & SPRING

Icelandic Poppy

Sweet Pea

Bearded Iris

Tulip

SUMMER

Martagon Lily

Allium

Cosmos

Tomato Vine

FALL

Nut Grass (Sedge)

Dahlia

Gomphrena

Zinnia

If you have any specific questions, drop them here as a comment :) I will answer in an upcoming post!

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.

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.

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

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.

A Guide to Vision Boarding with Purpose

Two weekends ago I sat on the couch and read the NYTimes. It was cold and rainy outside. If all went according to plan, we would have been in the desert, a place I go once a year during the off-season to rest, reset, and renew inspiration. But life changed very quickly for all of us. 

Then it occurred to me that yes, life is very different now. But can’t we still find inspiration around us? Dream about the future?  

“Hope will not be cancelled. May we lean into the good stuff that remains.”

— Jamie Tworkowski

I think we can all benefit from hope and inspiration right about now. So I’d like to share with you a creative process I implement for both my personal life and my business: vision boarding. Vision boards serve as a tool to not only clarify your goals, but actually manifest destiny. I know it sounds cheesy, but hear me out. Here’s what you’ll find in this post: 

• The truth about vision boards 

• Step-by-step instructions to create an effective vision board 

• 3 real life examples of vision boards

WHAT IN THE WORLD IS A VISION BOARD?

A vision board is a physical representation of your aspirations, curated by you and for you, to serve as a tool to help those aspirations come to life. It can be a collage of magazine clippings on a bulletin board, a PDF of imagery that’s saved as your phone’s wallpaper, or anything in between. Also known as a mood board, dream board, inspiration board, or design board.

Think of it as like...Pinterest, but intentional? And without targeted ads.

WHY MAKE A VISION BOARD? 

The majority of people are visual learners. Consider the Law of Attraction, which is the ability to attract into our lives whatever we are focusing on. By putting images in front of you, you are sending a message to the universe about your hopes and dreams, and opening yourself up to inspiration and guidance.

If you’re eye-rolling right now, I totally get it. That used to be me. But then I tried vision boarding and, seriously, I found it really helpful. As a creative process, vision boarding: 

• Takes you away from your daily routine and gets creative juices flowing 

• Brings you clarity, by taking the noisy jumbled thoughts in your head and organizing them into a crystal clear picture of what it is you want 

• Serves as a daily reminder to stay motivated to achieve your goals 

• Opens you up to new sources of inspiration as you start to hone your vision 

HOW CAN I MAKE ONE THAT WORKS FOR ME?

By looking at your vision board as a tool with a specific purpose, rather than just a collage of pretty pictures, it’s more likely to help you manifest your vision. 

Below are 8 steps to creating a vision board that works for you. 

#1 - Have a Purpose 

Think about what areas of your life seem most overwhelming or in need of a change, or a challenge ahead. Lean into that one specific goal as you design your board. Here are some examples of specific purposes: 

• Business - a design visualization for a client 

• Special Event - inspiration for hosting your friend’s bridal shower

• Personal - images that propel your health goals 

• Career - what your dream business looks like 

• Travel - places, people, food for the trip of a lifetime 

• Home - how you envision your first home, or a room makeover

#2 - Set the Mood

I recommend finding some uninterrupted time and space for yourself to do this solo. Grab your beverage of choice, light your fave candle. If you’re into journaling, put pen to paper and list out your goals for the board. If you meditate, or rely on music, do it. By setting the mood, you will find that you’re already on the right path.

#3 - Curate Imagery 

Start by looking around you to find what inspires you most: the architecture in your neighborhood, the views from your window, the colors and textures of your wardrobe, books or magazines, photos from past travels, quotes or lyrics. 

The secret to finding imagery that evokes feelings is to have no agenda. Aim to collect images that speak to you. Avoid the literal interpretations of what you want in your life, and instead simply focus on how an image makes you FEEL. Here are a few platforms I use for this: 

• Pinterest: This tool can be especially overwhelming. But instead of using keywords to find the exact thing you have in mind, simply start saving images that are beautiful to you. From there, Pinterest will serve you related images via the ‘More Ideas’ feature and eventually you’ll find images you love. 

• Instagram: Your feed is likely already curated with images relevant to you, your style, and your aesthetic. Instagram’s Save feature comes in handy. Under ‘Saved’ you can save everything you love in one spot or under separate folders. 

• Tumblr: For tons and tons of images and content 

#4 - Add Variety 

Your vision board doesn’t need to be limited to just images. Try adding color palettes, fabric swatches, quotes or mantras you find inspirational, or sketches. Nothing’s off limits. By adding some variety, the board will have more depth. 

#5 - Simplify, Simplify, Simplify 

It’s okay if you end up with a ton of inspiration. But the point of a vision board is not to overwhelm yourself. It should instead give you clarity when you need it most. Try limiting your board to 7-15 images that truly speak to you. By limiting clutter and chaos on your board, you can limit clutter and chaos in your mind. And a selective vision will feel that much more attainable.

#6 - Choose your Medium

You’ll want to showcase your vision board via a medium that suits your lifestyle.This could be your phone or desktop background, cork board, wire grid panel, or simply a collection of images taped to your wall. 

#7 - Get to Designing   

It’s time to pull everything together. If you’re going the old-fashioned route, all you really need are scissors, glue or tape, and a place to put it all. If you’re going digital, here are a few tools I’ve tried: 

• Adobe: I’ve used both InDesign and Spark for boards before and love them. Note: Adobe is subscription-based and comes with a learning curve. 

• Canva: The most user-friendly and cost-effective in my opinion. Their free version is where I design my floral design clients’ design boards as well as my own vision boards (examples below).

• Google Doc: A familiar tool never fails. This is a simple and free option to organize your images.

#8 - Look at it Daily

Display your vision board prominently in a place you frequent, e.g. above your desk, on your closet door, as your phone background or computer wallpaper. Let it serve as your daily reminder that your dreams can be your reality. 

Here are a few real life examples of vision boards to give you some ideas and help you get started.

SAMPLE A. —

CLIENT DESIGN

SAMPLE B. — MY BUSINESS

SAMPLE C. — MY WEDDING

I hope you feel inspired to try this creative process. At the very least, may this bring you light, or inspiration, or some sense of clarity or purpose during these uncertain times. 

If you end up trying this, let me know!

Follow me on IG @anastasiaandenmatten and send me a DM

A Dinner Dedicated to Someone Special

Pour Your Heart Out is an annual dinner benefiting Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford and dedicated to everyone who battles heart disease. The dinner was inspired by Maxine Liezel, who was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect (CHD) pre-natal and had her first, but not last, open heart surgery at Lucile Packard.

When Maxine’s family initially reached out to me in search of a floral designer for a dinner they were hosting, I had this strange feeling that I was meant to support them in some way. And then I read Maxine’s story, which hit so close to home for me.

At birth, my twin sister Allie was diagnosed with a rare and critical CHD called Tetralogy of Fallot — a combination of four heart defects, including a hole in the heart. At just five weeks old when her heart was the size of a penny, she had her first open heart surgery. Research studies made possible by contributions as well as the care of the doctors and nurses at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia have made it possible for her to live a healthy and very full life. Her most recent and second open-heart surgery was at age 26 and last year she gave birth to a beautiful, healthy baby girl named Emilia. Her strength and determination inspires me every single day.

It was an honor contributing to the third annual Pour Your Heart Out, this year’s pop-up dinner hosted at The Laundry SF. All profits benefited the Heart Center of Lucile Packard and the many families who travel there for cardiac care for their loved ones.

“Every year, 1 in 100 babies are born with a heart defect, making it in the most common birth defect. Congenital heart defects (CHDs) are problems with the heart’s structure that are present at birth. Common examples include holes in the inside walls of the heart and narrowed or leaky valves. In more severe forms of CHDs, blood vessels or heart chambers may be missing, poorly formed, and/or in the wrong place. An approximate 100-200 deaths are due to unrecognized heart disease in newborns each year, and nearly 40,000 infants in the U.S. are born each year with CHDs. Approximately two to three million individuals are thought to be living in the United States with CHDs.”

For more information: my.supportlpch.org

Venue: The Laundry SF
Planner: One Sweet Soiree
Photographer: Mark V Reyes
Catering: Merienda
Floral Design: Anastasia Andenmatten
Paper: Tiny Paper Lab

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

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.

5 Steps I Took to Start My Own Business

Photography by Hillary Jeanne

In celebration of National Entrepreneurship month, I’m sharing a bit more about my small business journey. My hope is that by being transparent about my story, I can help inspire someone else to take a small step in the direction of their dreams. 

At times, starting my own floral design business in San Francisco has felt like one giant leap. But really, it’s been a bunch of baby steps. Once I established the core of my business (my ‘why’, my service, my market, and my target client) I made a plan-of-attack to make it happen. Hint: it wasn’t a business plan. Curious about the baby steps I mentioned above? Read on!

Disclaimer: I’m still in my first year of business, so by no means consider myself an expert. I am figuring things out as I go, constantly reevaluating and making small tweaks. This is what worked for me personally, but my journey likely looks very different than others’. 

1. I BOOKED MY FIRST FEW CLIENTS 

Following my first-ever job at a local flower shop back in Pennsylvania, I spent the past few years practicing floral design on friends and family and freelancing for other professionals here in San Francisco. When opportunities to work with colleagues and friends of friends started coming up, I knew it was time to take the leap and get legit. 

When I wrapped a successful wedding for my first real-deal client, I asked them to leave me a review and refer me to their friends. And it worked! It’s crazy how one small ask can build momentum. From that point forward, I focused on building relationships. If I felt like a vendor or venue was a good fit for me and my clients, I asked for their business. It was for sure uncomfortable at times, but asking never hurt. 

2. I QUIT MY 9-5 JOB 

At that same time I was employed full-time in tech and traveling to meet with my tech clients up to 3 times a month, both in the states and abroad. I was constantly on the road. When I WAS in the office, I was preparing for my next work trip. I was of course prioritizing my 9-5 instead of my passion work. But I’d grown comfortable with the people -- my team and my clients -- and the perks (airline miles, unlimited PTO, the bonuses. And free snacks duh.) 

The kicker was this: I felt no real connection to, or passion for, my work at the time. I can so vividly remember the feeling I’d get. It always struck late at night or early morning when I couldn’t sleep. I felt this sinking feeling that I was wasting my time (actually my life; dramatic I know) doing work I didn’t truly care about. Nothing about the work brought me or those around me real joy. This was the real indicator that it was time to walk away from it, even if it meant leaving the comfort of a steady salary and extra perks.

I’m the kind of person that can’t be happy with myself if I half-a$$ something (hi, enneagram type 1). I knew that if I took a few years to side-hustle this business while trying to juggle my 9-5 job, I’d end up giving both roles 50%. And I’d feel guilty about that. SO, I took a moment to reflect on this chapter of my career, gave thanks for everything I took away from it, then put in my notice. I pivoted to the launch of my flower business, which would be my new source of income. I had to give it my all. Hello survival mode.

3. I SHOWCASED MY WORK THEN SHAMELESSLY PROMOTED IT 

Without a portfolio, I’d have nothing to show to help me book work. So I setup a basic website with Squarespace featuring a (small) gallery of professionally-photographed work. I booked a brand shoot with Hillary Jeanne Photography to create content for a soft launch. I created a business account on Instagram separate from my personal account and somewhat forced all my friends and family to follow me so that I could look super legit with 100 followers (lolll). A WeddingWire page gave me a place to collect client reviews of my services. 

Hillary, also a good friend, reminded me many times that done is better than perfect. By just getting my work out there and not letting perfectionism hold me back, I was able to move to the next step. 

4. I DID SOME ACCOUNTING AND LEGAL STUFF 

My goal was to run a legitimate and profitable business, so I had to take care of the not-so-fun stuff first. Financially speaking, I gave myself a runway, setting aside my budgeted household and personal expenses for the year. This allowed me to stay focused on growing my business instead of affording next month’s grocery bills. Here’s what else I did (this list is in no particular order):

• Consulted with a local tax professional 

• Opened business banking accounts and kept everything personal separate

• Logged every income and expense

• Registered my business with the city of San Francisco 

• Acquired necessary permits and licenses and paid the associated fees

• Setup a business email account 

• Invested in a client management software to manage bookings and communication

• Covered myself with liability insurance

• Created a legally binding contract to act as a service agreement between me and my clients

• Made sure to charge sales tax

This all sounds super fun right? No, but combined, these little housekeeping items made me feel ready to officially launch. Note: every city and state has a different set of requirements for businesses. Talk to local professionals and study up on what applies to you!

5. I MADE CONNECTIONS AND ASKED FOR HELP 

I couldn’t have done any of this without good ole fashioned real life connections. As I was starting out, I reached out to other local business owners and floral designers and met them over coffee. I joined the local SF Rising Tide Society chapter which meets monthly. With no shortage of talent in the Bay Area, I was amazed how everyone embraced the concept of “community over competition.” Over time, these connections have become my mentors and part of my community. Note: this isn’t to discredit online (Instagram) connections, which have truly been a game changer for me and allowed me to tap into a vast community of vendors.

I also ate some humble pie and asked for help. A friend created a logo for me. Another friend helped me with deliveries. My sister reviewed my website. My husband proofread proposals. My girlfriends emailed all their girlfriends to let them know about my launch. Setting aside pride and fear allowed me to be vulnerable and get the help I needed to grow my business. 

IN SUMMARY

I wish there was one single cheat-sheet fast track plan to starting a business. But the reality is, it’s so personal and unique and needs to come from some passion within. While these steps helped me get organized and ready to launch, it’s the relationships I’ve built with my clients and the pure joy I find in THEIR pure joy, that has moved the needle for my business. Everything above is just the inevitable but necessary housekeeping.

I hope you found this helpful! Are you interested in learning more about how to get started in floral design specifically? Reach out to me with your questions at hello@anastasiaandenmatten.com. I’ll share more in a following blogpost!

Follow me on Instagram, where I love to show behind-the-scenes of my day to day as a small business owner.

A Romantic Wedding at San Francisco's Conservatory of Flowers

THE COUPLE

Steph met Danny here in San Francisco through a mutual friend. Danny proposed at Barcelona’s Park Güell with friends by their side. I was fortunate to meet Steph years ago when working in tech. If you know Steph, you know she always has a smile on her face, is constantly laughing, and loves the Warriors.

The sweet couple that they are, Steph and Danny focused on their family and friends when planning their wedding day (really, an entire day, thanks to Chinese wedding traditions). While it was a celebration of their love, it was also a celebration of all the people that made them the couple they are. They really just wanted everyone to have fun. Enter the Loving Cup froyo truck …

THE VENUE 

The Conservatory of Flowers in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park is a getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city, and a real treat. Especially for a flower lady like myself. It’s also the perfect spot for a wedding celebration. The beautiful bright white architecture served as a masterpiece of a backdrop for Steph & Danny’s outdoor ceremony. Guests wandered through the greenhouse rooms during cocktail hour before heading to a family-style dinner.

(By the way, the Conservatory of Flowers is free to the public on the first Tuesday of every month. Highly recommend!) 

THE FLOWERS

Steph wanted to incorporate modern minimalism into the flowery elements found throughout the Conservatory of Flowers to create a sophisticated dinner party setting for her guests.

For her bouquet, I went asymmetrical in design but lush and full of texture. Honeysuckle vine added a sweet fragrance, and pomegranates brought good luck. Centerpieces were dancy and airy with pops of peach and blush. To mix it up, every other table had a series of simple bud vases that highlighted the real show-offs -- garden roses from Rose Story Farm.

Some of my favorite ingredients were locally-sourced from Bluma Farm’s rooftop in Berkeley -- salmon and zinnderella peach zinnias, chocolate cosmos, choco lace, and lisianthus. Not to be missed were the cafe au lait dahlias, butterfly ranunculus, helleborus, and mauve-brown tulips. Rice flower, scabiosa pods, millet, bunnytail, blue viburnum, heuchera leaves, and snowberries added soft texture to arrangements.

GRATITUDE

Thank you sweet Steph and Danny for trusting me with your designs. Between you two, your family and friends, a stellar vendor team, and epic location -- your wedding celebration was one for the books.

Floral Design: Anastasia Andenmatten | Venue: Conservatory of Flowers | Catering: Fogcutter SF | Photography: Nathalie Cheng Photography | Planning: Blushing Joy Events | Wedding Dress: BHLDN | Hair/Makeup: Vinnia Tjhin | Invitations: Minted | Dessert: Loving Cup San Francisco | Signage: Ready Set Coordinate | Ring Box: The Mrs. Box | Ribbon: Froufrou Chic

A Black Tie Wedding at SoMa’s 25 Lusk

THE COUPLE

Lauren & Andres hosted a modern black tie wedding at a smokehouse-turned-restaurant in San Francisco’s SoMa neighborhood. Their celebration was thoughtfully planned to share their passion for food and music with family and friends who traveled as far as Uraguay to be with them. Lauren wore a sleek Nicole Miller dress with a bold lip. Andres wore a gray and black tux with signature Nike sneaks. To say they looked cool would be an understatement. 

THE VENUE 

Brick and timber construction nods to 25 Lusk’s former meat-packing use. The venue is industrial, contemporary, and moody by design. Cantilevered tables and chairs, dim lighting, and a basement lounge made it a super sultry setting for Lauren & Andres’ nuptials. During the planning stage, I met them here over a cocktail to get a feel for the space and talk design. 

THE FLOWERS

Instead of using a color palette to dictate the design, we drew inspiration from Japanese ikebana, minimalism, and bold architecture. Lauren’s hope was to use floral design to create impactful moments for her wedding guests. We focused her budget on one big ‘wow’ factor: a suspended installation piece for their ceremony. 

Floating over their ‘I Do’s,’ a cloud-like structure of babies breath and dried plumosa painted in shades of blush, red, and plum wove ethereal vibes into the space.

Asymmetrical table pieces featured anthuriums, vanda orchids, blushing bride protea, ranunculus, and dahlias in shades of white, blush, mauve, and black. Vibrant hues of red popped in the dim lighting. Structural blooms were softened by accents of smokebush foliage, dried plumosa, and baby blue eucalyptus. Lauren’s bouquet was a small but dramatic selection of the most distinctive blooms, while Andres sported a blushing bride protea boutonniere.

GRATITUDE

Thank you to Lauren and Andres  -- for sticking to your gut, being unapologetically you, and entrusting me with bold designs. What resulted was a vision brought to life, unique to you and your day.

Floral Design: Anastasia Andenmatten

Photography: Dani M. Photographs

Venue: 25 Lusk

Wedding Dress: Nicole Miller

Hair/Makeup: Chantelle Studio

Music: David Carvalho

Cake: Cypress Grovers