Flower Trial

Last week I visited Flower Allie at her new studio in Fullerton to view a sample centerpiece for the sweetest bride to be. And we were ecstatic to be greeted with something more beautiful then what we could have imagine.

To give proper credit, the following picture was what was sent to Allison to recreate ~ something whimsical, soft, and girly.

I’ll have to apologize this isn’t a great picture taken with the iPhone. The fresh curly willows were very flexible thus easily bent into desired shape. Allison spray painted them to the dark brown color seen below.

Close up of the floral arrangement on the bottom ~ shades of pink from light to dark ~ roses, orchids, peonies, and hydrangea

Allison feeling there should be ’something something’ to brighten the willows attached the delicate stephanotis to the branches ~ the perfect touch.

And for cocktail, we didn’t want to go with the usual floating flower and Allison came up with this ingenious idea ~ peonies on curly willows!

I’m excited to see all the beautiful flowers come together day of! Only a month left to go!

My Nga & Andrew’s Wedding

My Nga and Andrew are the sweetest couple. They’re both teachers ~ which I’ve always admire…we need more people like them to teach so kids have a better chance for their future. The couple got married in July and just recently returned from their honeymoon in South America. My Nga and I grabbed lunch to catch up and I can’t believe it, she bought a gift for me from her honeymoon! For her to thought of me and might I say ‘wasted space in her suitcase’ to bring me something, I was completely touched! Here are some pictures from their photographers from Magic Eye Photography.

An engagement pic of the sweet couple…

Look at My Nga’s beautiful bouquet by her florist Dodie from Brassavolas. Dodie was a pleasure to work with and he has such great energy and creativity! I was amazed by the size of the peonies used throughout the wedding…each flower was the size of my hand!!!

My Nga with her sister and mother in the traditional Vietnamese gown. My Nga is so bless to have such an amazing family. Her sister was tremendous help with the guests since I didn’t speak Vietnamese.

Andrew giving Nga a kiss on her cheeks during the tea ceremony

My Nga in her beautiful custom wedding gown walking down the aisle with her father

Not only did they have a LARGE guest list (whopping 500 ppl!), they also had a pretty large wedding party

The whole room was draped in ivory satin with amber up lights lighting from behind, dark brown satin linens for table and chairs, ivory napkin with the menu in English and Vietnamese (Nga is so thoughtful!), traditional wooden dolls in clear box with ribbon as favors, and of course…the magnificent manzanita branch centerpiece. The whole effect was dramatic and elegant.

A closer look at the centerpiece with the ’staged’ sweetheart table in the background

And here’s their delicious cake from Cinderella Cakes

A happy ever after…

My Nga & Andrew, thank you for allowing me to be a part of your day. Your family and friends were so warm and welcoming and I was overwhelmed by their embrace. I know with the strength of your bond to each other and the support of your families, you two will have an amazing life together!

More sample centerpieces…

I love sample centerpieces…they give you a glimpse of what’s to come.

The first one was created by Dodie Sy of Brassavolas Floral Couture. Isn’t it gorgeous?! The reception room is going to be draped with satin brown linen, soft amber lighting, and intermittent tall and short centerpieces.

Here’s a close up of the flowers. They’re such VIBRANT shades of pink and orange.

The second sample centerpiece is the creation of the talented Kate from Kate Baker Floral Design. I have heard about her and seen many of her creations and am so happy I finally get to work with her. This brides is also going with satin brown linen but her colors are shades of bring pink to light pink. This arrangement is made with pink hydrangeas, roses, spray roses, pink dahlias, green berries, snap dragons and more! I love the delicate calla lilies in the vase. Kate is going to ’shape’ the callas so it curves a bit more.

I can’t wait…both these weddings are right around the corner!

A breezy day by the beach…

On Tuesday I headed over to Portofino Hotel in Redondo Beach. My beautiful bride Elizabeth and her mom Vickie were not impressed with their tasting a few months ago. Side story ~ the hotel was trying something a little different ~ inviting all the couples and their family  for a group tasting. In a way it allowed the couples to see what can be achieve at the hotel (lighting, table set up, station displays, etc), but it was a little lacking on the one-on-one attention I think every couples need. I’m happy to say, Portofino will be offering something a little more intimate in the future.

During our meeting, the entree was prepare by the request of the catering manager to alleviate any concerns Elizabeth and Vickie might have. And it was delicious! Chicken linguine with shrimp, squash, mini cucumber, and asparagus. Perfect for a couple that didn’t want different entree selections but do want variety in their dish.

Next up, Mary of Ava’s Garden presented the sample centerpiece. It was gorgeous! Roses, hydrangea , Queen Ann’s lace atop a rectangular vase with black ribbon and a shiny crystal buckle.  

Here’s a close up of the flowers. Elizabeth decided to go more pink ~ shades of bubble gum pink and less white and green. I think it’s going to be gorgeous with the amber lighting around the room.

And here’s a close up of the black ribbons and damask votive Elizabeth and Vickie made. I think it’s fabulous ~ modern elegant with a flirty twist. 

I can’t wait to see everything come together on their big day! 

Christina & Rei’s wedding!!!

Last weekend, I had the honor of coordinating Christina & Rei’s wedding at The Athenaeum. The venue itself is a gorgeous testament to architecture. But fill it with love, laughter, friends, and family, the venue shined ever more brightly. Thank you Jay and Peggy from Jay Tsai Photography for capturing these shining moments. Christina and Rei are really a match made in heaven.

Beautiful shot of the rings in the folds of Christina’s gorgeous Paloma Blanca wedding dress

Family and friends looked on as Christina finished her makeup

This is why I love this girl! As Christina’s heading down the archway for their ‘first look,’ she throws out the ‘piece sign.’ I love how happy and excited she was!



One of my favorite shots from Christina’s portrait session. It looks like a framed picture ready to go on the wall.

Another amazing shot from the couple’s portrait session around the campus.

My FAVORITE picture of the day! This really captures the spunk and fun-loving nature of this wedding. Christina with her sister Amanda the MOH and Rei with his brother Joe who is the Best Man.

These beautiful manzanita trees were at the top of the steps creating a beautiful backdrop to the ceremony. Eddie really outdid himself this time!

The table were dressed in champagne linens and chocolate brown napkins. Each place setting adorn with menus made by the bride (on her Gocco no less!) and a cookie favor packaged in yellow with gold thread. The breathtaking centerpieces were the creation of Eddie from Commerce Flowers.

Christina and Rei practiced their first dance which was a fox trot to ‘The way you look tonight’ by Frank Sinatra.

The day was filled with touching moments. One that stood out especially in my mind was the BM and MOH toasts ~ funny but still brought tears to your eyes, the best kind!!

Jay captured this tender moment amiss the partying going around them.

I know Christina and Rei are going to have a wonderful life together. They just complement each other so well! They have the love and support of amazing family and friends and I feel so blessed to have been there to witness their love and happiness. They’re currently on their FIVE week honeymoon in Italy and Greece! I know! FIVE WEEKS! I already asked if they could pack me in their bags…sadly, it was a no. For more pictures and an amazing slideshow, visit Jay’s blog.

Sample centerpieces

I’ve been to a few sample centerpiece viewings of top LA florists recently and forgot to post about them (I know! How could I?) So here you go…three in a row. And once again I apologize for the ‘non-sharp’ image. I think I’ll have to revert back to a camera instead of relying on the iPhone.

First up, I had the amazing pleasure of meeting one of TOP Hollywood florist Kevin Lee from LA Premier. He caterers to the Hollywood elite and I was so happy to be able to see his work. Here is what he created for a fall wedding…

The bride decided to add different shad of reds and maybe a bit green. The water in the vase will also be red. I can’t wait ~ with the flowers and lighting, it’s going to be so rich and romantic!

Next up, the super talented Michelle Brue of Floral by Fauna. Michelle is such a pleasure to work with. There is no bound to her creativity!

Close up of the rich jewel tones.

And finally, the ever so sweet Eddie of City of Commerce Flowers. This bride wanted soft and elegant floral arrangement with a slight edge. I think Eddie did wonderfully and the bride was very very happy. This wedding will be coming up this weekend ~ stay tuned and be WOW by Eddie’s work.