Heather + Nick - 10.10.09 Meridian Vineyard

There simply is nothing like the turning vines of a vineyard and the golden sun to bring on the instinctual need for celebration.  There is no better setting in California for a fall wedding than a robust vineyard and on the Central Coast, Meridian is a classic and all artfully captured by Mike Larson at Mike Larson Inc.

Working with Heather and her fabulous mom Karen on this wedding was such a pleasure.  Heather's choices for color and Karen's penchant for classic elegance were a really beautiful combination set against the setting sun, old California oak trees and acres or rolling vineyards.

Bright green, pink and orange blooms vibrated against the elegant black dresses worn by the bridesmaids.  Natural elements of manzanita trees with clusters of green flowers framed the bride and groom through the ceremony, while velvety moss balls with clusters of colorful blooms hung on each side of the aisle. Stunning simplicity ruled the reception with several versions of centerpieces.  Tall white calla lilies, one of the bride's favorite flowers were incorporated into tall cylinder vases, bound together with vibrant green wire and surrounded by smaller cylinder vases with floating candles in them.  Another version worked three callas around the same tall cylinder vase, grouped with two vases of green hydrangea and more floating candles.  The last version brought together a beautiful bouquet of bright mixed blooms and fun greens, again surrounded with candle light.  One of my very favorite cakes, designed by Yarrow at the Cakery - black swirls on a classic square stacked cake accented with a profusion of our green cymbidium orchids atop our green silk boxes as a riser.

Harvest celebration menu and cuisine by Epic Weddings at CateringUnlimited.com.  This day was beautifully orchestrated by the lovely Laura Robertson and her team at TOS Events - so great to work with you always!

 

Viva la Autumn

If asked I will exubrantly tell you that my very favorite season of the year is, hands down Fall - or Autumn as I love to refer to it. The reasons are many, the biggest of which is that somehow my biochemicals signal the cooking and reading season. There is simply nothing better to me than a quite evening spent stirring a soup or a hearty pot of yum, then finished in front of the fire, cup of tea and book in hand, fat kitty girl beside me. It feels like harvest, celebration and cozy all rolled up together and after the non stop sun of California all summer long - I welcome the cool and the feeling of calm that fall brings.

Color - is a whole other realm of awesomeness in the fall. The warm and bold colors enhance the whole experience of this time of year. The earthy undertones with a pop of unexpected brilliance is one of my favorite approaches in design.

To that end - I always look forward to the Pantone Color report. I love to see the influences of this report trickle down in catalogs, magazines and then ultimately wedding design. I have attached some tid bits here - but for the full report - check out PANTONE color + fashion and enjoy.