Christmas in July: Holiday Party Offer

For the entire month of JULY, pre-book your holiday party or event with Adorations Botanical Artistry and receive 15% off the cost of your décor and receive a gorgeous gift arrangement for you or someone you love, FREE OF CHARGE!!! Time to cross that one of your wish list! 

There’s nothing better than celebrating a bit of the holiday season while we are in the midst of SUMMER!!! While the BBQs and the bathing suits of the 4th will come and go, Adorations is already preparing for our Fall/Winter months with this VERY SPECIAL offer just for you!! 

In anticipation of Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and the New Year, Adorations is your go-to floral & event designer for all your celebrated festivities! We’ve created some incredible holiday décor, as seen here on our site, like Thomas Bui’s Annual Holiday Party and our extravagant tabletop styling! If you are looking for someone to decorate your Thanksgiving dinner table for a family of 4 (or the whole 40+ entourage) or are planning to host a corporate holiday party or a New Year’s Eve cocktail countdown with your closest friends, we’ve got you covered!

This festive discount will only last through the month, so contact us today! We can accommodate any holiday or winter celebration and will customize the décor to fit your needs.

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Santa and his elves are already jealous… 

See more pictures from Thomas Bui’s Annual Holiday Party and Magical Christmas at the Hotel Del. 

Ode to Peonies

Oh sweet peony, how we love you so! We truly despise having to see you go…

It is that season! The most sought after flower has been in bloom since about mid-May and carries through till the end of June. While we floral designers are known to pull a few tricks out of our sleeve, the precious peony is only available for just a few more weeks, and then we must bid farewell to the most popular seasonal wedding fleur of all time!

Last weekend, I purchased peonies from a grower in Oregon and they were the last of his crop. The shipment arrived on Tuesday morning and the flowers looked more like marshmallows tightly bound up in shape. As the week progressed I watched, as the blooms started to magically unfold exploding into their femininity like that of a woman. By Saturday they had opened up into their magnificence and were such a sight to be seen! As if I didn’t know before, I completely understand why us ladies adore this very, VERY, special flower.

We were in Vegas for a wedding and as you know, there is a lot of heat in Sin City. The temperature had its effect on the flower and I mean that in a positive way. The heat caused the phenomenal bloom, allowing the luscious petals to exude its full beauty. These peonies were so spectacularly gorgeous that I just had to pull a few out of the arrangements (after the wedding, of course) and left them in my hotel room overnight, hoping the maids took them home to enjoy!

There are so many varieties of peonies, some single, double or multi-layered, like the Sarah Bernhardt, which is the classic, double-bloomed, frilly pink peony that resembles that of an old-fashioned rose. Coral Charm Peonies are also quite popular, as they open into a bowl-shaped bloom revealing a glowing mass of stamens in a deep coral-peach shade. The Cerise Peony is more fuchsia in color and has an outer guard petal that protects the fluffy petaloids insides. Yellow tree peonies are one of my favorite kinds and actually grow trees as opposed to bushes so they aren’t quite as dense. It amazes me the number of peony varietals there are—over 3,000 cultivated types are known throughout the world!!

So enjoy these seasonal beauties while they last… I know Trader Joe’s has been quite a haute spot to pick up a bouquet of stems for your home at an amazing price!!! And while we can’t get peonies all year, we do see some varieties return in the winter months, like the Coral Charm in October, white in November and the deep burgundy blooms in December, right in time for the holidays. However, these lovely pink petals are on their way out, which does make me wonder if that’s why June has become known for weddings…it MUST be because of the picture-perfect PEONY season!

Maharani Weddings FEATURES Adoration’s FLOWER CROWNS

Shot by Braja Mandala Wedding Photography 

There is something magical about placing a flower crown a top a lady’s head. It’s the moment when she transforms into her very own inner princess…

Adoration’s was inspired to create three very special floral crowns for a shoot with the incredibly talented photographer, Braja Mandala. Braja sent me the image of three Radhiki Gopi Skirts in different styles and asked that I create the finishing or rather crowning look with a floral headpiece.

I am often asked to create these fresh floral head wreaths for all ages, mostly darling young flower girls or for the bridal parties at rustic outdoor weddings, but these skirts were extravagant in their ethnic detailing, which inspired me to make dramatic accessories to complement.

The first crown was a luscious compilation of roses and dahlias in an ivory and green color palette while the second crown was a bountiful mix of colorful florals to offset the gorgeous patterned blue skirt design.  The third crown was very simple --- a strand of white hyacinth blossoms that were delicately sewn together with petite beads to add a touch of fresh flora to an ethnic head wrap.

This stunning fashion editorial shoot is featured TODAY on MaharaniWeddings.com. We are thrilled to have contributed to this incredible feature with Braja Mandala Wedding Photography and Gopi Skirts. Thank you so much for including Adorations and our floral crowns… again, perfect for any princess, at any age! 

ADORE YOUR MOTHER WITH A SPECIAL DELIVERY

Order Online NOW at Adorations.com 

Nothing says LOVE like a handpicked, one-of-a-kind arrangement created purely from the heart with your mother in mind! As part of our merger last week with Che Bella Fiori, Adorations Botanical Artistry is NOW thrilled to be able to service your daily, weekly, and special occasion floral delivery!

With Mother’s Day this Sunday, order TODAY via our brand-new ONLINE feature at Adorations.com and pick your desired price point. Adoration’s will carefully curate a unique, seasonal centerpiece or bouquet, lush with top-quality market-fresh flowers and botanicals, that is sure to impress Mom or anyone you love!

And to honor our recent union with Che Bella’s founder and “mother,” Carla Bassi, Adoration’s is now offering a 10% discount for any new clients who enroll in our Splendor Subscription Service, an ongoing floral delivery customized for you with daily, weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly servicing to your home or business location.

Contact us today for details or if you have any questions! Adoration’s delivers locally to San Diego County for a flat $15 fee and is associated with the fine floral network delivering anywhere in the U.S. Specialty floral varieties and preferences are subject to additional fees, based on availability.

Show MOM how much you ADORE her this Mother's Day!!! Order Here!

ART ALIVE

The San Diego Museum of Art goes FULL BLOOM.

For the past 33 years, Art Alive has been the SDMA’s signature fundraiser and annual floral exhibition bringing great works of art to life with floral interpretations. For the first time ever, I decided to participate in this phenomenal event with many of our industry colleagues and collaborated with my good friend and wedding coordinator, Thomas Bui Lifestyle.

There were over 100 pieces of art available to choose from to inspire the floral interpretations. Thomas headed up our art selection and choose Canaletto’s “The Molo from the Bacino di San Marco, Venice, 1747-50.” We studied the painting together to conceptualize how I would recreate and transform a floral arrangement into a sculptural masterpiece. I was struck by how linear the composition was, but I knew I needed to see movement; that would be my challenge. Thomas commented on the wood boats and shape of the gondolas in the painting, which lead us to our design direction and foundation for the piece. We choose a wood grain box with gold trim and the palm boat vessel, which seemed perfectly in sync with this great work of art. I began crafting the florals, building the ocean with a nest of dusty miller and adding just a few pink peonies to represent the pantaloons of the gondolier. The tower was of course the focal point, so I designed a replication made of quicksand roses in ivory, pink and peach, with a peak of lamb’s ear to mimic the very top.  

And I must say, for an Art Alive first-timer, I was very pleased with myself…so much so that after arranging and perfecting our creation, it ironically toppled over ruining the fresh flowers I so meticulously placed!

 As you can imagine, I was crushed…at first.

But like every great artist before me, you must pick up the pieces (literally, in my case) and begin again. Second-time around, it was even better than before.

On Friday April 11th, we unveiled our floral masterpiece to the public, and celebrated Art Alive at the Museum’s BLOOM BASH that very evening. The exhibition ran just through the weekend keeping all the fresh botanicals as pristine as their hundreds-of-year-old artful counterparts.

While we didn’t take home a grand prize, we certainly received many accolades from our industry friends and press mentions. The famous bloggers behind The Horticult named us one of their FAVORITE top 25 pieces, which is truly such an honor. You can be sure that Adorations Botanical Artistry will be back at Art Alive next year. Because as you all should know… It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see.” - Henry David Thoreau 

Photography by Bauman Photographers 

 

TAP Party: Mixing Business with Pleasure

Tim Altbaum is known for his parties.

Sure his business Tim Altbaum Productions (otherwise known as TAP) is the best in San Diego, creating masterful sound, lighting, and entertainment for weddings and special events. But his annual industry party, reserved for the finest vendors in Southern California, receives accolades every year for being a showstopper, much like him.

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This year, I partnered with Tim as his floral design sponsor to decorate a new amazing space. As if Brian Malarkey wasn’t already a household name, his latest San Diego creation, Green Acre Eatery located in the heart of UTC at Campus Pointe, is exactly as it sounds; an organic restaurant and event space that celebrates farm to table cuisine.

Nestled amongst the UCSD industrial park, labs, and research offices, Green Acre’s outdoor gardens are perfectly at peace with its surrounding and offers a sanctuary and retreat for those working in the vicinity. Open for breakfast and lunch until 3pm and then for a Happy Hour from 4-7pm, Green Acre’s modern rustic design perfectly transforms from day to night into a swanky special event venue.

Like any designer, I couldn’t wait to see my work come alive in this new space and working with Tim just took it to the next level. Green Acre segued into a high-end nightclub for the TAP Party and industry veterans were blown away by another phenomenal event hosted by Tim Altbaum Productions.

Our florals were an organic mix of anemones, garden roses, dahlias, sweet peas, protea and fresh greens, arranged in rustic containers and handmade wooden vessels to stay true to the farm-to-table concept.

As if I couldn’t get enough of Green Acre, I turned around and set-up a tabletop photoshoot for the very next day. I just couldn’t resist the inspiring location and know it will be such a haute spot, I just had to be one of the firsts to make it so.

BRIDAL BOUQUET RECIPE

Are these fleurs on fire burning to be in your bouquet? 

A bride’s bouquet is extremely personal. This is the one traditional accessory that every girl dreams about. Often times, these flowers make up a majority of the entire floral design scheme, so choosing the ones that you are passionate about is best. Plus you’ll forever be cherishing those photographs with you holding this botanical masterpiece. 

BLOOMING INGREDIENTS NEEDED: Orange Parrot Tulips, Flame Calla Lilies, Vivid Mambo Sweetheart Roses, Golden Roses, Mokara Orchids, Gloriosa Lilies 

Some like it HAUTE… like this hearts aflame bouquet in sun-kissed hues. Varieties of flowers make up this European hand-tied bouquet with tulips, calla lilies, roses and gloriosa lilies as the focal flowers. These are not just any ordinary flowers but specifically chosen breeds to suit this bride’s bright and vivacious style. Orange gold-tipped parrot tulips mixed with vivid mambo sweetheart rosebuds in varying stages of bloom comprise the majority of the bouquet with scampering red gloriosa and scattered flame calla lilies bursting in contrast. A bouquet in this orange-red color combination can be hard to achieve, but I am just in love with the freshness of this style that focuses on shape and textural elements.

BRIDAL BOUQUET RECIPE

What lovely fleurs do you want in your bridal bouquet?

Adorations Botanical Artistry is so excited to share with you our new ongoing blog series highlighting some of our FAVORITE bouquet designs created for real brides. Our first bouquet is a real treat and a sneak peak into a stunning feature published on Colin Cowie Weddings, stay tuned… 

BLOOMING INGREDIENTS NEEDED:  Carmel Antik Garden Roses, Amnesia Roses, Patience Garden Roses, Ranunculus, Gardenias, Tulips, Lisianthus, Jasmine Vine & Dusty Miller

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This dreamy bouquet is comprised of softly ruffled Carmel Antik garden roses in butter cream, coupled with the perfect proportion of white Patience garden roses and Amnesia roses, lending a vintage lavender hue. A variety of ranunculus and delicate handpicked gardenias add texture amongst the focal flowers, while subtle hints of tulips, lisianthus, and dusty miller complete the arrangement. This hand-tied bouquet has stems partially exposed for a natural presentation, keeping the romance alive yet not detracting from the real focus – the beautiful bride.

REAL WEDDING: VALENTINE’S DAY EDITION

Cupid and His Angel: Vincent & Angeliquea

He’s a nightclub manager. She’s a cocktail server. What they say is true. You ABSOLUTELY can meet the love of your life at a bar. 

In celebration of Valentine’s Day – Cupid’s holiday – it seemed fitting to feature one of the most stylish and passionate weddings I’ve had the pleasure to design.

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Vincent and Angeliquea are an incredibly gorgeous couple, full of personality and sensual energy. You can just tell that these two are extremely hot for one another. Take a look at their engagement photos. These images by Luna Photo took my breath away that I was certain this wedding would be one steamy night.

When my groom-to-be told me that he works for the corporation that owns Fluxx Nightclub in downtown, San Diego, I knew I was in for a real treat. Being the very location Vincent first eyed his lady love, it made sense they would say their “I Dos” right there, in one of the city’s most notable nighttime hotspots. And like any great man, he wanted to give her exactly what she wanted – the wedding of her dreams.

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Working with Kelly Aull of Mint Weddings, we chose to spotlight this glamorous couple in their naturally sexy setting, with an equally sensual surrounding, lush with red roses and massive amounts of petals lining the aisle. The ceremony site, the club itself, is already so captivating that we kept the altar décor very chic and simple with Manzanita trees framing the stage, dripping in moss and hanging candlelight. With a provocative color palette that completely complemented Fluxx, the couple chose black and red with hints of lavender and green for their floral décor. The bride’s bouquet was perfectly plump with red heart’s roses, while her maids, dressed in Betsey Johnson little black dresses, had black calla lilies and lavender roses mixed in for a dramatic affect. The dinner reception was held at the University Club and outfitted to resemble that of a nightclub vibe. The tables were lined with more luscious red roses and petals with candelabras that illuminated the space and highlighted all the juicy red details. 

Happy Valentine’s Day LOVERS!!!

Photography: Luna Photo. Wedding Coordinator: Mint Weddings. Ceremony Venue: Fluxx Nightclub. Reception Venue: University Club.