It’s always a pleasure to collaborate with a bride with good taste, and this bride, Sara, had that in spades. She wanted her wedding to have a French feel, but not formal or stuff. She knew she wanted to incorporate a soft gray blue as a accent against green and white. Early on, I suggest ivy as a theme as it means “wedding fidelity” and also grows throughout Holman Ranch, the wedding location.
Ceremony design was kept understated, with Mandolin Flowers creating a simple circle of flowers that appeared to be growing naturally (when actually they covered up an unattractive low wall). Afterwards, I had them moved to the reception to mark the entrance.
Cocktail hour was held on the patio and the groom started the party off by sabering open a bottle of champagne with a vintage sword (does it not look like a princess bride sword?). Seating cards were setup in this area on a large linen board from Restoration Hardware that I accented with a simple ivy garland. Fleur de Lis pins added that French feel.
At dinner, Sara wanted one pretty head table with high end tabletop rentals and plush chairs. I suggested renting from The Ark, an LA based fine tabletop rental company. Since we needed only 20 settings for the head table, I picked up items in LA as I was using the Ark for another project. Ivy was used as loose runner on her head table, and as organic accents on her french upholstered chairs. Mandolin Flowers created three dramatic arrangements in footed stone containers and featured peonies and garden roses. I added in bowls of blackberries (a blackberry season salad was on the menu) with hints of ivy for additional decor and as a snack for guests. Guest tables, in contrast, were kept simple with basic place settings and a lemon leaf garland with pillar candles for decor. I loved the final look for both tables, and let me say this was a VERY budget friendly way to design the reception.
Afterward guests moved to the barn area for dancing and cake. I brought lounge furniture with me as well, this time from Barn Relic. I loved the petite Poet Table we used from them for her cake table. The cake itself, I decorated simply with white spray roses and ivy and placed it on a square silver Restoration Hardware cake stand. Special thanks to Laura Murray for capturing the day and referring me to style this wedding. You can see more right here on Style Me Pretty.
Photography: Laura Murray Photography | Stylist: Kelly Oshiro | Event Planning: engaged & inspired | Floral Design: Mandolin Floral | Wedding Dress: Berta | Invitations: Alley & Co. | Catering: Paradise Catering | Hair + Makeup: M.U.A.H. Makeup And Hair | Venue: Holman Ranch | Head Table Rentals: The ARK | Lounge Seating Rentals: Barn Relic | Rentals: Standard Party Rentals