Just like a lady needs a dress, so do the chairs! Standard, plain slips are now a thing of the past as Wild Flower Linens has raised the design bar by producing formal wear for chairs. They have a wide selection of styles and colors - some simple and contemporary, others bold and elegant! They are a perfect way to sass up any event or even to distinguish the bride and groom's chairs! Here are few to tickle your fancy - you can view the entire collection on Wild Flower Linens' site!
Bellissima Floral | Inspirational Interview | Lake Tahoe Florist
Bellissima Floral Creations has been part of the Lake Tahoe, California community since 2002. They are a full service wedding and special event floral design company, creating distinctive arrangements with unique and personal touches for clients' most treasured occasions. Bellissima was founded by Sara Spurlock, who takes great pride in providing thorough, hands-on service for her clients. She is the lead designer and is involved in all aspects of the design and creation process. She considers her design style to be whimsical and resonate with updated elegance.
Bellissima has been featured in Modern Bride, Today's Bride, Destination I Do, brides.com, and San Francisco Bride Unveiled
What inspired you to become a florist and start your own business?
Artistic talents run in my family and I've always been drawn to creative and crafty activities. As friend's started to get married, I wanted to contribute to their special day. I decided to put my creative drive to work as "florist" for these engaged friends. All it took was one time and I was hooked! Considering all the different varieties of flowers, vessels, presentations, and each client's unique personality, I realized the possibilities are endless.
Do you have a unique style or specialty?
These are some catchphrases that characterize the Bellissima Floral style: unique, personalized, unexpected, whimsical, organic, festive. I love to think outside the box and to create something different each time. I spend hours researching and brainstorming for ideas that either might match a client's personality or may pose as interesting ideas that I can present to future clients. I also pride myself on getting to know my clients and the personality for their event so that their vision can be understood and translated into an amazing reality.
After working with hundreds of clients, I am sure you receive an eclectic variety of requests. What is the most interesting? What is the most common?
I've definitely had some interesting visions to translate: ostrich feathers in the centerpieces, enchanted elegance, black and white wedding, vintage Hollywood Glam, woodland chic, contemporary whimsical, "007" theme.
These nontraditional concepts have been some of the most fun to brainstorm and create because the clients really wanted something unexpected that pushed the limit.
The most common request I receive is that the flower decor reflects the Tahoe surroundings and contributes to the setting. I find that this is important regardless of the theme. I never want anything to look out of place. It needs to compliment and be cohesive with the venue and personality of the event.
What do you love about being a florist?
Since Bellissima specializes in floral designs for weddings and parties, I get to meet a lot of different people and get to know my clients pretty well. Because I am trying to make sure that each even resonates with the client's personality, I am always creating original designs and arrangements. The work is never dull and always innovative! I love that I can contribute to such a memorable day in people's lives.
Do you have a favorite event that you designed?
I have so many, it's hard to choose. One that sticks out is a wedding last fall at PlumpJack Squaw Valley Inn. The clients wanted the florals to come across as organic, yet contemporary, warm, and elegant. The colors were eggplant, white, and green with accents of matte silver and brown. The floral and design elements were eggplant calla lilies, white orchids, gardenias, white tulips, dark purple lisianthus, green grasses, moss, polished natural stones. It was important to the clients that the dining tables be welcoming and warm, while articulating their modern, simple style. The tables were set-up in long, family-style rows. Flowers spilled down the center of each long table, individual types of flowers filling various sized clear glass, cylinder vases. The centerpiece layout included TONS of votives scattered among the florals. Half of the votives were presented in taller footed candle holders so the candle-light was dimensional. Half of the tables were dressed with ivory satin linens, and the other half with a beautiful brocade "oyster shell" (soft grey).
The menus, tucked into the deep plum napkins at each place setting, were printed in brown on ivory cardstock and we used mahogany brown chivari chairs. The seating cards were displayed on soft beds of moss stuffed into dark brown wooden boxes. The guest book/memory table was edged in dark brown wooden boxes planted with wheat grass. For the cocktail tables and powder rooms, we floated gardenias, orchids, and floating candles in bowls lined with little river stones.
Due to the thunderstorms, the ceremony had to be pulled indoors at the last minute. Luckily we had ordered some up-lighting, originally intended for lighting some large arrangements in the corners of the room during the late night, dancing portion of the reception. Instead, we used the up-lights to highlight the altar arrangements: square matte silver urns stuffed full of moss, pampas grass, and steel grass. This, along with a lot of extra candle-light, really added drama and romance to the indoor ceremony. Regardless of unexpected circumstances caused by the weather, the event came out beautifully: romantic, warm, welcoming, lush, elegant, and organic.
Venue Review | Testarossa Winery, Los Gatos, CA
Testarossa Winery is nestled above the hustle and bustle of downtown Los Gatos in a serene and peaceful setting in the historic Novitiate. Testarossa combines a romantic and incredibly unique venue with unbelievable service. Their staff proudly performs as the icing on the cake. Nothing is too much to ask and everyone is very personable.
As you enter the winery, you walk through a grand double doorway into the long stone cave. The brick imprints, arching ceiling, and esoteric design bestows an unparalleled romantic atmosphere. During a wedding, this space is used for the ceremony or the cocktail/reception. Regardless of the event, the cave provides a dramatic, romantic, and unparalleled space.
Ceremony's can also take place outdoors on the patio, which is decorated with wooden wine barrels, clear globe lights, and sandy gravel. It has a modern farm-like feel combining nature with simple elegance.
The Castello Room is used for dinner and can accommodate up to 150ppl. Instead of a standard square or rectangle room, the Castello room has wide pillars (perfect for pin spot lighting), sconces, and an elegant ceiling canopy. Due to the shape and pillars, 60" round tables (seat 7 - 9 people) are best suited for this room. However, there is ample space for a long double-sided head table or family table.
The tasting room, also known as the Palazzio Room, is warm and inviting with a long wooden bar, a glowing wine barrel wall, and tall wooden pillars. The dance floor is long and narrow, but is sufficient for a party of 120 or less. A large wooden antique table, sitting next to the wooden door, is perfect for a guest book or dessert station. But, this table comes with Testarossa accesories and a charge is incurred to remove the items.
Ratings:
Price per person · $100 - $150
Rental Fees · $4000 - $6500
Items Included · 60" rounds, fruitwood chivari chairs, cream floor length linens, 6' and 8' banquet tables, tall and short cocktail tables, white wooden ceremony chairs, votives in square and round vases, hurricane vases, sound system in the Castello room (not equipped with microphone), dinnerware, glassware, dressing room for the band, and room for the catering company.
Food · Catering company required, which is limited to companies noted on Testarossa's vendor list.
Bar · Per person packaged pricing for bottled beer and wine.
Timing · Dinner setup can begin as early as 3pm; ceremony and reception setup begins at 5pm, allowing the event to start as early as 6pm. Events are contracted for 5 hours.
Staff · Impeccable! Fabulous, friendly, and very easy to work with.
Setup · Easy load in and load out areas with ramp access.
Power · Ample power for bands, dj's, and lighting.
Lighting · Provided lighting is subtle with dimming options in the dining room and reception room. Hiring a lighting company to up-light the pillars provides a glowing ambiance.
Liability Insurance · $1,000,000 special event liability coverage is required.
Overall Cost · Pricing is very reasonable. The rental fees include most, if not all of the furniture you will need. There are no hidden fees - all prices are noted in the contract.