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

My Journey into the World of Flowers + How I'm Evolving my Craft

I hardly ever share the full details of where exactly my journey into the world of flowers began, and how I've approached honing my craft over the last 19 (!!!) years. But today I’m sharing it all!

Below are the three main avenues of flowers I've explored along the way, including how I commit myself to continually evolving my craft.

1 - The Flower Shop

My first-ever job was as a salesperson at my local flower shop back in Pennsylvania. I worked there through high school and college, taking phone orders, memorizing flower names, sweeping floors, and breaking down flower boxes. Eventually I graduated to designing handheld bouquets, refining their website, and taking simple wedding orders. The hands-on experience was invaluable. It gave me an ego-free launch into the elusive and seemingly glamorous world of flowers. Don’t be fooled! I relate running a flower shop to running a restaurant — It’s exhausting. It’s dirty work. There are kind customers, then not-so-kind customers. But at the end of each day, the profuse scent of fresh flowers would follow me to my car and back home and I’d think to myself — how lucky am I to be able to work with my hands (and flowers) each day.

2 - Freelancing Part-Time

After I moved to San Francisco from Philadelphia for a career in tech, I rediscovered the world of flowers via freelancing and booked jobs with other wedding and event florists on weekends. Freelancing taught me so much about different techniques, styles, and Bay Area wedding venues, all while expanding a very supportive network in the floral community that I still rely on! I always recommend freelancing to anyone getting started, as it gives you a real life behind-the-scenes experience of what it means to be a wedding and event florist without the commitment of running your own business with your own clients. Ultimately I knew I always wanted to run my own business (both of my parents were small business owners and I grew up appreciating what comes with that lifestyle) — so once I had a few of my own bookings under my belt I launched my business (more on that story another time!).

3 - Investment in education

A mix of 1:1 workshops, semesters with a local community college, online flower courses, and ongoing business coaching/mentorship have evolved my designs, techniques, and business processes. I make it a goal to invest in a few of these each year so that I constantly learn and evolve, and never get stuck or stagnant in set ways. Additionally, every single client and planner collaboration allows me to expand and stretch my imagination — and I feel so grateful to have the opportunity to share my art with each.

May we never stop learning and evolving!

9 Tips For Finding Your Wedding Florist

Photo by Nathalie Cheng

Planning a wedding is often times one big learning process, and finding your florist can seem so daunting. Having just planned my own wedding a year ago, I recall the overwhelming sense of indecision and what seemed like never-ending vendor searches. I’ve enjoyed coaching my couples through their wedding flower planning, so I figured I’d share some tips on information to think through as you navigate your own search for your wedding florist. 

1 - RUN THE NUMBERS

This part is no fun, but it’s important and worth getting it over with so you can move onto the exciting stuff. On average, florals account for 10% of the overall wedding budget. Big cost factors can include number of guests, location, date, size of bridal party, and quantity and types of arrangements. I give my prospective couples a checkbox-style list of arrangements to select from as a starting point. Determine at a high-level the types of arrangements you’ll be needing for your ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception and rank them in order of importance. Be realistic and know what you’re comfortable spending. 

2 - KNOW YOUR PRIORITIES AND LEAN IN 

Envision your day and the parts of it that are most important and exciting to you. While it would be nice to have ALL THE THINGS, know where you’d like to save v. splurge. My #1 recommendation is always to go for impact, whether that be a killer ceremony setup or a suspended installation over the dance floor or a photo opp moment at cocktail hour. These are the things people notice, and is a great way to focus a budget. I love working creatively with my couples to make the most of their budget, and this is where you can have some fun with your floral designer.  Tip: Don’t be afraid to go with your gut and be vocal about your priorities. This is your day and it should be unique to you.  

3 - DETERMINE YOUR LIKES & DISLIKES 

This seems counterintuitive, but when you’re unsure of where to begin, knowing what you DON’T like can be a great starting point. Think about colors, textures, shapes, styles, vibes. For example, someone who isn’t into rustic bohemian may be more drawn to modern minimalism. Maybe you can’t stand the scent of lillies, but jasmine takes you right back to that vacation where you got engaged. Ruling things out will bring you closer to figuring out what it is you DO like. 

4 - GO BEYOND PINTEREST

It’s really easy to go down a Pinterest rabbit hole, influenced by trends and what everyone else’s wedding looks like. But there’s no reason to limit it to what you see on Pinterest. Go beyond the typical wedding planning sites to find inspiration around you, whether that be nature, architecture, food/drink, travels, fashion, art, or music. Come up with a vision board of a limited number of images that truly speak to you. Keeping it simple will prevent you from overwhelming yourself and your floral designer!

5 - FEEL THE FEELS 

Meditate on your wedding vision for 5 minutes. What are you dreaming of? What do you want your guests to feel as they enter your ceremony? When they sit down to dinner? What do you want to see in photographs on your 5, 10, 20th wedding anniversary?⁣ Come up with a few words that best explain the feelings you want to elicit. Flowers have the power to create an experience for you and your guests. 

6 - GO BACK TO THE BASICS 

If the tips above still make the process feel overwhelming, consider the most basic details of your day that you’ve already locked in, like venue, date, and attire. These are great starting points for inspiration and your floral designer can help create a vision. For example, one of my 2019 brides had no idea what she wanted her floral design to look like, but she knew her ceremony was taking place on a dramatically lit stage at an epic, historic San Francisco music hall. Together we decided the stage would be our focal point for the entire design and focused the designs around one large installation there.

7 - CONSIDER THE SEASON

Seasonality plays a role in availability and pricing of flowers and is worth keeping in mind. For instance, peonies can be quite pricey and hard to find outside of spring while dahlias grow in abundance locally throughout the fall. This isn’t something you need to study up on; the right floral designer will guide you through this. When sticking to seasonal flowers, you are often more likely to save money and also have the freshest stems for your day. That being said, your floral designer should be open to accommodating any specific requests if and when possible. 

8 - DO YOUR HOMEWORK

During initial consultation calls, I urge all of my couples to evaluate other designers. There is no shortage of talent in the San Francisco Bay Area and each designer has a unique set of offerings. Ask for referrals from your venue, planner, and friends. Look at designers’ work and read their reviews. Know what’s important to you in the evaluation process, whether it be aesthetic, testimonials, or communication style. Create a short list of your favorites and aim to schedule consultations about 9-11 months out from your wedding day. By choosing a designer that you feel most aligned with, the process of working together and the end result will be that much more rewarding. Tip: Be gracious, communicative, and kind as you shop around. If you decide to go in another direction, be sure to notify your prospects of your decision.

9 - TRUST THE PROCESS

Choosing a designer that works for YOU is the most important decision. The small details will be sorted out much later in the process, so for now, you can sit back and enjoy having checked off another decision. By creating a team of vendors that you feel truly aligned with and giving them your full trust, you can rest assured your dream wedding will come to life. 

I’m curious, what other questions that have come up for you throughout your wedding flower planning?  Ask me in the comment section below! My hope is that these tips will help guide your conversations easily throughout the planning process. Interested in learning more? Read what my customers are saying here and 7 ways we can work together here. 

LET’S CHAT!

I am currently filling remaining slots for 2020, and booking into 2021. Schedule a complimentary consultation here. I’d love to hear your story.

Anastasia Andenmatten is a private design studio based in San Francisco, CA with a modern approach to customizing florals for weddings, businesses, and events. Featured in Style Me Pretty & Green Wedding Shoes. Named a 2020 WeddingWire Couples' Choice® in the San Francisco Bay Area.

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