Toast to Fall: A Modern + Minimalistic Seasonal Gathering, featured on Green Wedding Shoes

I recently had the privilege of collaborating with a talented group of vendors on a fall-inspired shoot. And I’m REALLY excited to share that it’s been featured on Green Wedding Shoes! In addition to the photos so beautifully captured by Sarah Eichstedt, I figured I’d share a bit below about what went into the floral design for this shoot. You can see the full feature on Green Wedding Shoes here.

INSPIRED BY

Our goal of this shoot was to give minimalistic style-minded readers inspiration for their next fall gathering, whether that be a wedding, special event, Friendsgiving 2K19, you name it. The clean white studio space gave us a blank slate to build from, where Studio DBI worked her magic to create a warm, intimate, and modern tablescape with a muted autumnal palette in mind. For my part, I aimed to demonstrate that floral installations don’t need to be over-the-top or break-the-bank. With a thoughtful approach to design, you can completely and uniquely transform any space for your next gathering.

THE FLOWERS

When conceptualizing the floral design, I took a ‘less is more’ approach with the goal of creating big impact with minimal materials. Suspended mid-air above the tablescape is a non-floral installation; it departs from the flower-heavy look but is still full of texture. I selected seasonal plum foliage and opted to hang it at an asymmetrical angle with negative space carved out to create movement. The effect is striking, yet effortless. What’s more fall than a bunch of foliage hanging from the ceiling?

To balance the installation, floral arrangements designed in the Moribana technique of Ikebana decorate the tabletop. Moribana showcases clusters of flowers and leaves arranged in shallow vessels with kenzan pins. This style of arranging places emphasis on the shape, line, and form of stems and leaves to achieve, you guessed it: minimalism. Dried queen anne’s lace and heuchera leaves bring fall to mind, while garden roses and fluffy lisianthus add romance and softness.

GRATITUDE

I loved having this opportunity to team up with other creatives to just…create. And share my ideas with you! These days, nothing is off-limits especially when it comes to floral installations at any type of event. It’s my hope that somewhere around here you find inspiration and encouragement to incorporate something a little different into your own event!

Floral Design: Anastasia Andenmatten | Photography: Sarah Eichstedt Photography | Planning: Studio DBI | Ceramics: Sarah Kersten, Earthen Shop | Paper: Bourne Paper Co. | Tabletop: Chairs and Cups | Linens: Napa Valley Linens | Furniture: CB2 | Gifting: Bestowe Gifting | Catering: Charming Fig Catering | Desserts: The Right Bite KG | Venue: Creative Space Studios

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 

A Modern Winter Wedding at Foreign Cinema, San Francisco

THE COUPLE - Meagan and Kyle got married on the Mayer’s Balcony of San Francisco’s City Hall, quietly, with family by their sides. Then they threw a big ole party to celebrate. It was February, and after what felt like weeks of non-stop rain, the sun had finally come out for the wedding reception.

Ultimately, the day was a true reflection of the bride and groom: relaxed, contemporary, and fun. Meagan looked sophisticated and confident in a silk slip dress by Theia, and Kyle looked classic in a blue suit by JCrew. Their Frenchie pup Penny was the perfect accessory.

THE VENUE - Their chosen venue was Foreign Cinema in San Francisco. The restaurant is an experience in itself, where guests sit in full view of a ‘drive-in’ style film. With friends and family traveling from out of town, the venue was a perfect destination and uniquely San Francisco.

Foreign Cinema’s outdoor heated courtyard lit with market lights, massive fireplace with roaring fire, and art gallery space with modern white walls created a rustic, romantic, but urban atmosphere.

When I first met with Meag, we spoke about her vision. She wasn’t looking for anything that was too traditional or over the top. The couple wanted the venue to speak for itself. And so, their florals were inspired -- modern meets urban meets romantic.

THE FLOWERS - When designing the floral elements for the wedding reception, I focused on dynamic layers of greenery highlighted by a neutral palette of whites, sandstone, and peach. Stand-out blooms included anenomes, butterfly ranunculus, tulips, scabiosa, genestra, and protea. Options for beautiful flowers in Winter are endless! Centerpiece arrangements sat in gray cement vessels that fit right into the urban space.

GRATITUDE - This wedding will always have a special place in my heart, as it happened right after I put in my notice at my 9-5 job to start my own business full time. I am grateful for Meag & Kyle’s confidence in my work and for allowing me the opportunity to be a part of their special day.

I can’t wait to share another project with you. I am currently booking for the 2019 + 2020 seasons! Contact me here to chat about your upcoming event.

Floral Design: Anastasia Andenmatten

Photography: Hillary Jeanne

Hair/Makeup: Painted Ladies

Dress: Theia

Suit: J.Crew

Venue: Foreign Cinema

Hotel: Proper Hotel San Francisco

DJ: Fox Sounds

Day-of Coordination: Tosca Productions