Cheeky French Garden-Inspired Wedding Tablescape at Solage Calistoga

There’s something super special about a wedding tablescape that feels both bold and inviting — like stepping into a highly curated home full of color, texture, and unexpected details. That was exactly the vision behind this editorial shoot at Solage in Calistoga, in collaboration with a team of creative Bay Area vendors. Our goal with this design was to inspire couples and planners dreaming of a wedding that’s anything but ordinary.

We set out to create a maximalist summer tablescape that blends the romantic charm of an al fresco meal in Provence with cheeky, modern, layered design elements. The result was a bold and playful look that feels as comfortable as it does elevated — perfect for weddings in Napa Valley, Calistoga, or anywhere in the Bay Area where design matters.

The Inspiration

“The world needs more colour right now, doesn’t it?” — The Liberty Book

This sentiment guided the entire creative direction. Everybody loves the relaxed vibe of a garden dinner in Provence, but what if we put a spin on it and pushed it toward something bolder — more modern, more vibrant, and a little cheeky.

My first non-negotiable design detail: stripes. They set the foundation for our pattern play. From there, I centered the design around the handcrafted, hand-painted vessels from Vaiselle, a contemporary homeware label infused with French heritage and Mediterranean flare.

To make the design feel like a highly curated, well-appointed home set within the garden, we envisioned layers:

• Soft, inviting seating via cushions and pillows

• Detailed bespoke linens with unexpected textures

• Functional but playful lighting via portable tabletop lamps

The result was immersive, welcoming, and full of personality.

The Floral Design

Instead of starting with the flowers, I finalized the color palette and tabletop design first, then turned to the floral design. I knew I’d be sourcing hyper-seasonal ingredients from local farms at the peak of Spring, so I trusted that the right blooms would be available to bring it all to life.

Once I had the vessels selected, I built out color-blocked floral moments to complement their patterns without competing with them. Because the tabletop was already maximalist, I leaned into delicate, traditional blooms to balance the look and keep it rooted in the romantic garden setting we were trying to evoke. Every floral moment was intentional, yet simple. All vessels contained one ingredient. Standout blooms included:

• The most charming dusty lavender and blue delphinium

• Fresh-cut bearded irises from my own garden

• A mixed collection of Poppies, garden roses, sweet peas, and hydrangea from local growers

Tabletop Styling

Styling the tabletop was all about mixing, matching, and harmonizing. I wanted the table to feel like a layered, curated interior filled with personal, beautiful, and unexpected choices.

Some of my favorite design highlights:

• Linens: Custom embroidered napkins (the hand-stitched tulips, gah!) in alternating tones with contrast rolled hems made from European linen by Vada Goods, alongside the bold Drayton Stripe Oxford table linen from BBJ La Tavola acted as our foundation for pattern play.

• Glassware and Dinnerware: We kept the tableware traditional but complementary to our color blocked moments, pulling from Catalog Atelier’s beautiful collection of stoneware plates, colored glassware, and horne flatware.

• Candles and holders: One of my favorite details! Bold wax taper candles in blue-on-blue stripes, with beautifully textured holders. These small details made a big impact.

• Placemats: Vada Goods’ bespoke round ruffled placemats with contrast stitching were a FUN visual moment, so we kept the plates simple to let these really shine.

• Playful Effortless Paper Goods: Studio Lameraner added the ‘perfectly imperfect’ vibe we were looking for with a layered wavy edge soft scallop menu card with white ink calligraphy — the kind of handmade, one-of-a-kind detail that wows guests.

• Seating: Cushions on every chair brought in another opportunity for texture and stripes, while maintaining that inviting vibe. The Paris chair from Theoni Collection was the perfect fit.

From Moodboard to Reality

Maximalism presents a real design challenge to balance and harmonize all of the elements in a way that feels intentional, not chaotic. This was a game of trusting my eye, making thoughtful choices, and editing as we went. Lots of trial and error!

As a wedding florist, I always create a digital rendering in Canva to map out a design. This was my north star throughout the sourcing and planning process for this project to make sure we were properly balancing patterns, textures, and tones leading up to shoot day.

Seeing this rendering come to life made the whole creative process feel that much more rewarding.

The Team Behind the Vision

This shoot came together because of a dream team of creatives who all brought their A-game. Solage was such a wonderful host with such beautiful, welcoming grounds. Adriana Klas has such a positive, collaborative approach to everything she does (along with an amazing eye for detail), and was crucial in bringing this to life from inception. Alyssa of All The Deets coordinated all of the moving parts beautifully and seamlessly, with such a warm attitude. Maddy of Vada Goods and Karina of Studio Lameraner were both DREAMS to work with — down for anything, and bringing such fun ideas to the table. ⁠

This was a true passion project — a chance to play, to experiment, and to create something we were all genuinely excited about. We all walked away feeling creatively fulfilled and proud of what we made.

Who This Design Is For

We get it! A maximalist tablescape isn’t for everyone — and that’s the point. This vision was designed with the following in mind:

• Brides and planners who want to push the envelope

• Clients who value curated, artful, memorable designs

• Clients who want to surprise and delight their guests

• Planners who aren’t afraid to have fun and go bold

If you’re looking for something that feels personal, elevated, and unforgettable, this kind of design can help your wedding stand out — for all the right reasons.

Ready to Create Something Unexpected and Unforgettable?

If you’re planning a luxury wedding or event in the San Francisco Bay Area and seeking a floral designer to bring bold, artful designs to life, let’s chat! We’d love to hear more about your goals, and collaborate together via our high-touch floral design experience to create something extraordinary together. 

Inquire here to get the conversation started! 

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR VENDOR TEAM

Florals & Design | @anastasiaandenmatten⁠

Venue |  @solageauberge⁠

Photo |  @adrianaklas⁠

Planner |  @allthedeets_⁠

Video |  @koryfilms⁠

Content Creator |  @thecandidbride_⁠

Hair & Makeup |  @bridalbyjasminek⁠

Bespoke Linens |  @vadagoods 

Rentals |  @theonicollection @catalogatelier⁠

Linens |  @bbjlatavola⁠

Stationery |  @studio_lameraner⁠

Dress |  @eleanorsbridal⁠

Ask a Wedding Florist: Frequently Asked Questions Vol. 2

Welcome back to my Ask a Wedding Florist series, where I answer the most common questions about what it’s really like to be a floral designer for weddings and events in the San Francisco Bay Area.

We know that life’s biggest celebrations aren’t about playing it safe. So for couples who want to surprise and delight their guests, we offer a full-service floral experience that goes beyond expectations.

In collaboration with your planner and vendor team, we craft a one-of-a-kind floral vision that feels intentional, personal, and beyond imagination. From artful bouquets and personal florals to detailed tablescapes and dramatic large-scale installations, we thoughtfully design every detail. Our goal is that our clients’ wedding florals are more than just beautiful; they’re unforgettable.

Here’s a bit of a behind the scenes peek at what goes into our design process.

THE DESIGN PROCESS

1 - Do you work with event planners and designers?

Yes! Every wedding, event, and corporate client I work with has a planner or designer who leads the overall design aesthetic, then brings in vendors who align with that vision. We’ll collaborate closely to create a floral design that feels cohesive and intentional. Here are some of my favorite planners in the San Francisco Bay Area/Northern California to partner with time and time again:

• Harlene Events

• Meag Breanne Events

• Jacinda Weddings & Events

• Small Blue Planet

• Stafford Creative & Co

• Lorelle Events

• Olivia Grace Events

• Riley Loves Lulu

2 - What does the design process look like from inquiry to event day?

The process kicks off with a consultation meeting where I’ll ask questions like:

• What mood would you like the flowers to evoke?

• Is there anything specific you want to avoid?

• What’s your personal style?

• What inspires you/your event?

• What will you be wearing?

• What are your biggest fears when it comes to your floral designs?

• What sort of experience do you want for your guests?

Most clients have a Pinterest board or design deck as a starting point. I don’t like to copy and paste so I’ll evolve that vision, apply color theory, gather inspiration, and let ideas marinate before presenting a custom floral design concept. From there, we refine it together — ingredient selection, vessels, candles, rentals — until it’s time to bring it all to life.

3 - Do you sketch or mock up designs before creating them?

Often! A lot of my ideas don’t exist on Pinterest, so a sketch or rendering is a really helpful tool for communicating my vision to my clients and my team.

For some events we’ll do what is called a ‘mockup’ (a curated preview of the event’s florals, usually a tablescape) to refine details like palette, textures, size, and overall vibe. It’s a great way to ensure everyone is aligned before event day.

Here’s a digital rendering I created for a wedding tablescape with Meag Breanne Events.

And here’s how it turned out IRL:

Photography: Chelsea Gee Photography | Planning: Meag Breanne Events

4 - How do you choose which flowers to use in a design?

The season and palette always determine my starting point. I’ll use a mix of tools (like this book and the color wheel), chat with my suppliers, and browse the market in person to get inspired. I’ll go back to the client’s goals and objectives and focus on choosing blooms that match that. I am specifically looking for:

• The star of the show — one super special bloom to set the tone for the palette

• Two-toned blooms — a flower with two colors from the palette for harmonious color blending

• An added ‘pop’ — usually a complementary color or unexpected texture for contrast

• Non-floral elements — think plants, fruits/vegetables, rocks, moss, and textiles, for an artful look

That’s all for today! Up Next: The Logistics Behind Wedding & Event Florals — including a look at what it’s like transporting thousands of dollars of fresh florals on a hot summer day, what happens to flowers after an event, and more. Got a burning question? Send me a DM or share it in the comments here, and I’ll be sure to answer in a future post!

Let’s Bring Your Floral Vision to Life!

With us, every design is an original work of art. And every event gets our undivided attention. Whether it’s a showstopping ceremony installation or a nuanced tablescape moment, we design experiences that will have your guests talking long after the event ends and have you focusing on the moments, not the details.

Inquire here to schedule a consultation, and we can start a journey together that will elevate your vision beyond the imaginable.

Ask a Wedding Florist: Frequently Asked Questions Vol. 1

If you’ve ever wondered what a wedding florist REALLY does (besides playing with beautiful flowers all day — because spoiler, there’s more), this series is for you!

Over the next few weeks, I’ll be answering the most common (and surprising) questions I get about my work as a floral designer for weddings and events in the San Francisco Bay Area. From pricing to logistics to design process, I’m pulling back the curtain on the sometimes-illusive career of floral design.

I’m kicking things off with the basics. If you have any burning questions, drop them in the comments and I will answer them in an upcoming post!

1. What does a wedding florist actually do?

A wedding florist conceptualizes, sources, designs, delivers, and installs all floral elements for weddings. This includes everything from bouquets and centerpieces to larger-scale installations like a ceremony arch. While a lot of the hands-on work happens the week of the wedding, 6-12 months of pre-planning involves proposals, design decks, supplier orders, budgeting, logistics and timelines, sourcing other rental items like vases and candles, and staffing.

2. How much do wedding flowers cost?

It varies! A common guideline is to allocate 10-15% of the total wedding budget to florals. My clients typically spend between $20-45K on florals. And if you’re curious what goes into the expense of wedding flowers, check out this blogpost I wrote here.

3. Where do you get your flowers?

I source my flowers from the San Francisco Flower Market (one of the largest wholesale flower markets in the US!), as well as a few local Bay Area flower farms. I prioritize small growers and collectives when possible to source the freshest, most unique seasonal blooms while supporting sustainable floristry.

4. What’s the hardest part about wedding floristry?

I’d say the physical demands (early morning market runs, long hours on your feet, lifting heavy buckets, climbing ladders for installations) paired with the unpredictability of the business (perishable product, time constraints, sourcing surprises, tricky weather). Lots of coffee, flexibility, and problem solving!

5. What’s the best part of wedding floristry?

Of course, being surrounded by beautiful flowers is a dream—but what truly makes it rewarding for me is the ability to take a vision, refine and elevate it, and use color theory and design to transform a space in ways my clients never imagined. I also thrive on the teamwork and collaboration with planners and other vendors, the energy of a fast-paced event day, and delivering a seamless, thoughtful client experience. That’s at the heart of my business and where I shine the most!

6. What are your favorite flowers to work with?

I cannot possibly pick one but here are some favorites by season. All photos via GC Collective.

WINTER & SPRING

Icelandic Poppy

Sweet Pea

Bearded Iris

Tulip

SUMMER

Martagon Lily

Allium

Cosmos

Tomato Vine

FALL

Nut Grass (Sedge)

Dahlia

Gomphrena

Zinnia

If you have any specific questions, drop them here as a comment :) I will answer in an upcoming post!

Let’s Bring Your Floral Vision to Life!

Wedding flowers aren’t just a line item; they’re a work of art that powerfully sets the tone – transforming your venue and creating lasting impressions for your guests. 

Inquire here to schedule a consultation, and we can start a journey together that will elevate your vision beyond the imaginable.

A Moody & Elegant November Wedding at Flood Mansion in San Francisco

This moody November wedding at James Leary Flood Mansion was all about creating a vibey, conversation-starting dinner party with florals at the heart of the design.

Bride Hannah of Hannah Aubrey Hair had a strong vision: no two arrangements or tablescapes should feel the same. She wanted bold florals, unexpected details, and an atmosphere that immersed guests in beauty and intrigue. Working alongside Meag Breanne Events, we eagerly embraced the challenge!

Luxury Tablescapes with Monochromatic Florals & Textural Details

For the reception, we curated distinct tablescapes so that each felt like a one-of-a-kind moment, designed to keep guests engaged, spark conversations, and of course provide an Instagrammable moment :)

Tablescapes were designed with an array of both traditional and modern flower varieties, including red roses, carnations, orchids, peonies, hydrangea, hypericum berry, calla lilies, and butterfly ranunculus. 

Some key elements of the tables included:

• Mismatched vessels sourced and thrifted from all over the Bay Area

• Monochromatic floral arrangements as statement pieces

• Miniature mono-bloom arrangements in tiny and delicate vessels 

• Overflowing fruitscapes for rich color and texture

• Scattered rose petals for added romance

• Silk and velvet ribbons for texture

• Plentiful candlelight for a romantic glow

A Romantic Ceremony with Statement Floral Urns

We wanted to embrace Flood Mansion’s timeless elegance and complement the venue’s architecture. We filled the venue’s gorgeous urns with lush overflowing greenery and deep red blooms including red roses and peonies. The ceremony setting felt dramatic and high-impact, a striking combination of traditional yet modern.

The Process Behind This Bespoke Floral Design

From hand-selecting every vessel across local Bay Area shops over the course of months, to spending a full day curating the perfect fruits, every detail was intentionally designed. We even applied individual bows and pearls into designs for an added layer of depth — loved that detail so much! Giving my talented design team carte blanche to push the envelope made this project that much more rewarding.

Florals that Create Unforgettable Moments

What made this wedding truly special was how each table felt like its own world, full of unexpected elements that delighted guests at every turn. It was more than just floral design—it was about creating an experience that felt intimate, elevated, and unforgettable.

If you’re planning a luxury wedding or event in the San Francisco Bay Area and seeking a floral designer to bring bold, artful designs to life, let’s chat! We’d love to hear more about your goals, and collaborate together via our high-touch floral design experience to create something extraordinary together. 

Inquire here to get the conversation started! 

VENDOR TEAM

Planning & Design: Meag Breanne Events

Photographer: Chelsea Gee Photography

Floral Design: Anastasia Andenmatten

Catering: Foxtail Catering

Makeup Artist: Olivia Garvin Makeup

Hair Stylist: Meg Michel Hair

Music: Dart Collective

Content Creator: Cupid Content Co.

Cake: Cake Coquette

Rentals Theoni Collection & Abbey Party Rents

Linens: BBJ La Tavola

Venue: Flood Mansion

Japanese Wedding Inspiration in California Wine Country

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

7 Tips for Creating Your Wedding Moodboard

Newly engaged or planning a wedding!? You likely fall into one of three camps: 

1. Your wedding Pinterest board has been done for approximately five years 

2. You’re officially engaged so technically speaking, you can now start your wedding moodboard 

3. Even the thought of the above gives you anxiety. You have no idea where to start!

Regardless of which camp you fall into, you may wonder why is a moodboard important? In this blogpost about vision boarding, I bring up the Law of Attraction which is the ability to attract into our lives whatever we are focusing on. Images can be used as tools to send messages to the universe about your hopes and dreams. Sounds a little woo-woo, so let me bring this back to wedding planning. Photos are powerful. When it comes to planning a wedding, a moodboard is the #1 tool for drawing inspiration and clearly communicating your wedding style to vendors. This in turn allows your vendors to collaborate to bring your wedding day vision to life!

Here are 7 quick tips that will help you create a curated moodboard for your wedding and get you closer to that vision.

1 - KNOW WHERE TO START WITH WEDDING INSPIRATION

As a platform, Pinterest can be overwhelming. Simply start saving images that are beautiful to you. Be consistent and only pin the stuff you truly love, and look for their ‘More Ideas’ feature. Over time, Pinterest will get to know you better through their algorithm, and suggest better and better content to you. 

Once you know more specifics of what you’re looking for, avoid vague search terms such as ‘wedding flowers’ and opt for keywords that match the exact thing you have in mind, e.g. ‘minimalistic and contemporary wedding table flowers.’

If browsing Pinterest doesn’t work for you, that’s okay too! Add the 'Pin It' button to your browser (instructions here), which will allow you to quickly and easily pin images from other websites as you find inspiration along the way. Here are a few other inspiration sites I love:

• Hello May

• Lane

• Harpers Bazaar 

• Style Me Pretty

• Martha Weddings

• Green Wedding Shoes

• Ruffled Blog

2 - DUMP PINTEREST FOR INSTAGRAM

While it can be argued we don’t need *more* reasons to scroll IG, your feed is likely already curated with images relevant to you, your style, and your aesthetic. Instagram’s Save feature comes in handy if you stumble upon imagery you love. Save everything you love in one spot or separate folders -- e.g. wedding flowers, wedding bands, wedding dresses. 

3 - GO BEYOND SOCIAL MEDIA FOR INSPIRATION

The opposite of everything I’ve said above, right!? But it’s really easy to go down a rabbit hole and be influenced by what everyone else’s wedding looks like. Don’t limit yourself to what you see on social media. Look to the architecture around you, scenic views, music, books, magazines, and photos from your travels. 

4 - SIMPLIFY, SIMPLIFY, SIMPLIFY YOUR VISION 

This might sound counterintuitive, but by limiting the number of images to the select few that *truly* speak to you, you’ll prevent yourself from feeling overwhelmed and leave more space for imagination. I find it helpful to create one overarching ‘Our Wedding’ board that’s limited to 10-20 images max of your *overall vision*, making sure they’re both aspirational but also realistic for your day and budget. Try 1-2 images for each of these elements:

• Venue vibe (e.g. the indoor or outdoor spaces you’re using or envisioning/whatever elements made you fall in love with that venue, images there that speak to the season — fall, winter, spring, summer) 

• Florals (e.g. either the floral palette, or a few images you’re drawn to for table flowers, a focal flower installation, your bouquet, etc.) 

• Table settings (e.g. flower-full or candle heavy, tablecloths or bare wood, modern flatware or traditional) 

• Furniture (e.g. tables, chairs, lounge furniture)

• Lighting (e.g. market lights, candlelight, pendants)  

• Fashion (e.g. your dream dress or tux) 

• Hair/makeup (e.g. an overall look you’re digging) 

• Paper suite (e.g. an invite, menu, or escort cards) 

• Photography (e.g. an image that evokes the style you’re drawn to, and a moment you’d love to experience on your day)

• Something unique to you (e.g. that icecream truck you’d love to have, or dream signature cocktail) 

These images should be less about specific details you’re aiming for, but images that evoke how you want your day to *feel* overall. 

Once you’ve locked that in, you can always create sub-boards (aka a ‘Section’ within a board if you’re using Pinterest) for each element, following the same practice of limiting each to 10-20 images.

5 - TIDY IT UP 

Once you’ve really honed in your initial vision and start making decisions, delete anything off your board that no longer speaks to you or fits with your day. Ask yourself:

• Do I love this image?

• Why did I pin this in the first place?

• Are there other images on my board that are super similar?

If you were to share your board with others, they should be able to pick up on your vibe and style immediately. By keeping your boards as curated as possible, you avoid confusing yourself and vendors about the intended design direction. 

6 - SHARE YOUR MOODBOARD WITH WEDDING VENDORS 

Share your moodboard with all of your design-centric vendors (e.g. planner, rental company, florist, cake, hair/makeup). Explain specific things you like *and don’t like* about certain images. Then leave it to the pros to take it from there! Your wedding day should be uniquely you, meaning the moodboard should only act as initial guidance as your vendor team seeks to up-level it way beyond that. 

7 - JUST WALK AWAY FROM ALL WEDDING INSPIRATION 

My *biggest* piece of advice if you want it? If you’re prone to indecision or feeling overwhelmed, walk away once you’ve reached this step. Shut it down -- no more Pinterest browsing, no more Instagram scrolling. Delete the apps if you need to! I did this myself when planning my own wedding and it was the best way to bring about peace of mind. Stay confident in your decisions and don’t second guess yourself. You have so much more to focus on looking forward to, like marrying the love of your life!

LET’S CHAT

For more planning tips, head back to my blog for posts like tips for finding your perfect wedding florist. I am currently accepting wedding inquiries for 2022. Schedule a complimentary floral consultation here. I’d love to hear more about your day!

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.