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FeedOnce Upon a Dream
The season's finest florals, luxurious linens and textural centerpieces set tables abloom at Rancho Valencia Resort
Like lace on a gown, bougainvillea wraps around inviting courtyards, accenting bubbling fountains and dotting pavers beneath red tile roofs. At Rancho Valencia Resort—an idyllic 40-acre oasis with flowering gardens, towering palm and eucalyptus trees—it’s hard to imagine a need for props to make the scene any more romantic. Until, that is, you meet one of San Diego’s top wedding designers.
Here, amidst the bougainvillea-laced courtyards, these designers came together to present tabletops of dream-come-true proportions. From flourishing centerpieces to reclaimed slate to hand-embroidered napkins, the design elements are anything but expected.
Photography by Terri Rippee, Rippee Photography, 619.306.4591, rippeephotoweddings.com. Hair by Effie Bourne Stenzler, 858.220.509. Makeup by Monica Flores, 858.603.5955, makeupbymonica.com. Models: Cat Gerard, Reform Model Management and Sean Bailey. Wedding gowns provided by Bliss Bride, 2710 Via De La Valle, Del Mar, CA 92014, 858.847.3115, blissbride.com. Tuxedos provided by The Gentlemen’s Tux Club, downtown, 619.239.8901, tuxclub.com. Shot on location at Rancho Valencia, 5921 Valencia Circle, Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067, 858.756.1123, ranchovalencia.com
Rustic Romance
Charming and comfortable, this table features a California-winery-meets-California-modern design that evokes a romantic and rustic ambiance. Burlap tablecloths, handcrafted benches, artful square dessert plates, lush runners and chic touches of sapphire and copper create a setting that invites guests to nosh, drink and visit all night. Stylish, flourishing centerpieces anchor the table and add a touch of whimsy. Classic Summer Sangria: 2 bottles good red wine (chilled), 1⁄2 cup brandy, 2 tablespoons sugar (more to taste, if desired), 2 cups sliced fruit (oranges, lemons, limes and pears). Combine fruit, sugar and brandy in a pitcher; stir to combine. Refrigerate for 6 hours, add chilled red wine and stir. Serve with ice, if desired, in large wine goblets. Yields 12 glasses.
Table Designer: Nick and Aleah Valley, The Good Life Event Specialists. Flowers and Votives: Flowers Annette Gomez. Benches and Chairs: Cost Plus World Market. Table Linens: Magnolias Linens, New York City. Placemats, Plates and Napkins: Crate and Barrel. Glassware, Silverware and Vintage Print Press Stamps as Favors: The Good Life Event Specialists private collection. Paper Goods: Simply Posh Design. Desserts: San Diego Desserts.
Garden Fantasy
Inspired by the novel The Secret Garden, this tabletop uses garden fresh fruits, vegetables and flowers—their slightly altered proportions evoking images of "Alice through the Looking Glass.” With an English Garden feel, the tabletop encompasses modern undertones using elements such as dusty miller, kale and succulents. To complement the design, an organic salad made of greens is accompanied by grapefruit anise star champagne, lemongrass water with kaffir lime leaves and the signature drink. Carrot Colada: Ice, 1 ounce rum, 1 ounce coconut rum, 11⁄2 ounces coconut water, 1 ounce carrot juice, 1 ounce Clementine or orange juice, 1 or 2 halved baby carrots for garnish (optional). Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add all of the remaining ingredients except for the garnish, and shake well. Strain the drink into an ice-filled highball glass, and garnish with the halved baby carrots.
Table Designer: Jessica Gillon, Events by Design. Floral Designer: David Hahn, Willem-Aidan. Culinary: Julie Frans, Dining-Details. Rentals (place settings): Unique Tabletop, Classic Party Rentals. Stationery: Katie Gaines, eitak Design. Linens: La Tavola Linens. Chairs: Chameleon Chair, Classic Party Rentals.
Vintage Elegance
A table this beautiful could be found in any storybook romance. Roses in sweet vintage colors complement antique-looking vases and candleholders, while crystal glassware and creamy white dishes evoke the classic style of a bygone era. Creamsicle: 1⁄2 ounce vodka or orange vodka, 1⁄2 ounce triple sec, 1 ounce orange juice, 1 ounce cream. Fill a mixing cup halfway with ice. Shake all ingredients well and strain into a cocktail glass.
Table Designers: Tam Ashworth, Isari Flower Studio, and Catherine Bachelier Smith, CBS Weddings. Linens: Lendable Linens. Dinnerware and Glassware: Bloomingdale's. Flowers: Isari Flower Studio. Table and Chairs: Classic Party Rental.
Objet d’art
It’s hard not to notice the rustic terra cotta urns on wrought-iron stands atop this table. Brilliant and inviting, they’re filled with orange parrot and deep purple tulips, cherry brandy roses, bittersweet, artebus balls, bluperum and chocolate geranium foliage with dark plum dahlias, and Halloween roses. Then there are the reclaimed dark wood railroad ties that act as risers for blue mercury glass votives and petite vases. Love is further discovered in reclaimed slate used for chargers with floral paisley embellished dinner plates finished with a simplistic taupe linen napkin. Place cards, drink menus and table numbers lend to the vintage feel from copper paper given a light blue Patina rust paint technique. Añejo Pacifico Sunrise: 11⁄4 ounces Añejo Tequila, 1⁄2 ounce fresh lime juice, 4 ounces orange juice, 1⁄2 ounces passion-fruit juice.
Table Designer: LaVonne Crawford, Adorations Botanical Artistry and Kelly Aull, Mint Weddings. Dinnerware & Linen Rentals: Mint Weddings. Table and Chairs: Classic Party Rentals. Paper Goods: Love at First Invite. Rentals: Adorations Private Collection. Found Objects (slate, plaid blanket, railroad tie risers, reclaimed wood box for drink presentation): Velvet Relic.
Eclectic French Garden
China mums, mossy birch, oak leaves, yarrow and Diablo roses give this table layers of yellow and earthy shades. Crystal glassware and distressed chivaris lend a sense of old world romance, while novelty mini cakes make the design appeal to all. Custom menus are elegant, as is the
suggested drink—Veuve Clicquot.
Table Designer: Mary Noble, Mary Noble’s Classic Weddings, and Adrianne Smith Morris, Adrianne Smith Floral Design. Distressed Chivaris: Concepts Event Design. Novelty Mini Cakes: Michele Coulon Dessertier. Custom Menu: Delphine.
New Beginnings
The egg stars in this tablescape, inspired by the symbolism the egg offers newlyweds: new beginnings and the anticipation of what’s to come. White and yellow egg accents are combined with a fresh spring palette, then given a feminine touch with soft peonies, veronica, feathers, orchids, billy balls and amaryllis in shades of coral, pink and white. Nestled inside rooster egg cups are delicate hand-stamped eggs, marked with inspirational words—“patience,” “love” and “complete,” for instance—relating to marriage and the nurturing of one’s love. Hand-embroidered napkins, retro diner menus and vintage dishes give the table a nod to the past, while still keeping it fresh and current. Bright Eyed and Bushy Tailed: 1 cup fresh or frozen raspberries, 1 banana, 1⁄2 pint pomegranate juice, 1⁄2 cup vanilla yogurt, 1 cup crushed ice. Garnish with whipped cream and fresh raspberries.
Table Designer: Heather Balliet, Amorology. Flowers: Twigg Botanicals. Paper Elements: Courtney Scowby, Brightly Designed. Linens: Wildflower Linens. Chairs: Fete Accompli. Napkins: Pin Cushion Princess. Flatware: Classic Party Rentals. China and Glassware: Anthropologie.
Shabby Chic
Inspired by weathered wood, lace textures and satin fabrics, this table features a color palette of creams, ivory, soft browns, chartreuse, mint, silver, eggplant and silvery-purple. Seating is on benches as this table was imagined for a couple that loves glamorous dinners atop a fancy picnic table and the nostalgic reminders of their childhood. A custom weathered wood tabletop was created from old pieces of wood, then draped with damask, satin ivory linens, and a custom lace runner made with various sizes and colors of doilies. Vintage book covers serve as menus for each place setting, while ceramic dinnerware gives the design a rustic feel. For the ultimate nostalgic touch, white cotton candy is served in mint colored bowls. Lovely Lavender: 50 ml Beija-Flor Velha Cachaca, 12 blueberries, 12.5 ml lavender syrup, 12.5 ml blueberry liqueur, 25 ml lime juice, lavender sugar for rimming. Muddle the blueberries with lavender syrup and blueberry liqueur. Add the rest of the ingredients and shake over ice. Strain into a martini glass rimmed with lavender sugar.
Table Designers: Carter & Cook Event Co. Florist: The Floral Lab. Paper Stylist: Love at First Invite. Linen: Classic Party Rentals. Cake: My Sweet and Saucy. China and Glassware: Anthropologie.
What's Old is New
Delicate vintage lace sets the tone for this tablescape, made dramatic with layer upon layer of white orchids. Crystal stemware and plates sit atop a tablecloth with the mesmerizing pattern of a tree branch found on the beach. Glittering gold and creamy white candles give the scene a romantic glow. Even the hand-written place cards and menus—wrapped in dusty-pink lace—remind guests that tonight is a celebration of old and new.
Table Designers: Emily Smiley and Karen Tran Hatt, Karen Tran Florals. Flowers: Karen Tran Hatt, Karen Tran Florals. Linens: Wildflower Linens. Stemware and Flatware: Private Collection. Chairs: Kool Chairs. Stationery: Wendy Ware.
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