Japanese Wedding Inspiration in California Wine Country
The beauty of Japanese gardens in springtime was the inspiration for this wedding design at Carneros Resort and Spa in Napa Valley, California — one of my favorite Bay Area venues! From the Ikebana-inspired tablescape to the interactive escort display designed to take guests on a walk through a Japanese garden, each moment transports us to another place.
Sharing our latest publication feature in Wedding Sparrow.
“The beauty of Japanese gardens in springtime is the inspiration for this organic wedding editorial at Carneros Resort and Spa in Napa Valley, California. Designed by Northern California wedding planner, Jacinda Weddings & Events, natural Japanese-inspired elements were woven throughout every detail, from the Ikebana floral art to the interactive escort display.
The floral design by Anastasia Andenmatten highlighted spring elements and blooming branches, such as dogwood, Japanese sweet pea, Pieris japonica, and hellebores, arranged in modern stoneware vessels," explains Jacinda. The textured linens and floral plates mirrored the shape of the dogwood blooms in the centerpieces.
Japanese garden elements were woven throughout many details, including the rippling water in the Ikebana dining table arrangements, and the escort display. The escort table featured individual escort cards artfully set atop black stones and natural moss with beautiful floral elements. Stepping away from the ubiquitous escort wall concept, we designed a dynamic and interactive escort table where guests would embark on a little hunt to find their name in this unique Japanese garden display.
The invitation suite by Elsa Madeline featured original artwork was inspired by Japanese calligraphy brushstrokes and x-ray florals. This artwork was mirrored in the ethereal painted rice paper appliqué on the contemporary square wedding cake by Pretty Please Bakeshop.
VENDOR TEAM
Photographer: Olivia Marshall | Film Lab: PhotoVision | Planning and design: Jacinda Weddings & Events | Florals: Anastasia Andenmatten | Rentals: Theoni Collection and The Ark | Venue: Carneros Resort and Spa | Cake: Pretty Please Bakeshop | Paper and signage: Elsa Madeline | Cake table linen: Napa Valley Linens | Pale blue cocktail table linens: BBJ-La Tavola | Calligraphy: Blanca Lewis Calligraphy | Gifting: Bestowe Gifting
A Dreamy Summer Elopement on Mt. Tam
Britney and Tyler’s intimate elopement celebration takes ‘picnic’ to the next level. Read on for some of my favorite moments!
When Britney and Tyler made the decision to postpone their wedding reception to 2021, they looked to their vendor team to help them pull together an intimate elopement celebration that takes ‘picnic’ to the next level.
They chose a spot on Mt. Tam in Marin County, California that overlooked the Pacific, and invited their immediate families to stand beside them. After they exchanged their vows and popped champagne, they sat down for a picnic overlooking the ocean and the most beautiful sunset. What a sweet, sweet way to say I Do!
For Britney’s bouquet, I drew inspiration from the hills of Marin and the ethereal texture of her gown. I incorporated soft silky blooms like butterfly ranunculus, neutral dried textures that matched the golden hillsides, and pops of creamy blush.
For their picnic tablescape I played with composition and mixed and matched different floral elements like ceramic bud vases, a light and airy centerpiece, and cake flower accents to create a lush setting for their intimate dinner.
Fine art film photographer Shannon Yen Photography perfectly captured their day.
VENDORS
Photography: Shannon Yen Photography
Event Design: Nat and Co.
Floral Design: Anastasia Andenmatten
Anastasia Andenmatten is a floral design studio based in the San Francisco Bay Area with a modern approach to customizing florals for weddings, businesses, and events.