Email
Print
FeedMagical Settings
Enchanted by The Emma Estate in Rancho Santa Fe, designers dazzle the senses with tabletops in full bloom
A VINE-COVERED PERGOLA and walls dressed in ivy are part of the enchantment at The Emma, an Estate Weddings and Events property in Rancho Santa Fe. Natural beauty abounds and allows for a variety of décor, from understated elegance to the most ambitious design. The estate can seat up to 300 for dinner and can accommodate 400 guests for a cocktail party they’ll never forget.
To set the scene, San Diego’s top designers put forth their finest tables along with signature cocktails. This season, their inspiration comes from all corners of the globe—from visions of Africa to a seaside rendezvous to romance amidst a palace in Versailles. In dazzling colors and luxurious accents, these tables welcome everyone to a royal celebration.
GARDEN OF EDEN
Evening in the garden should always look—and taste—this good. Velvet flowers on taffeta anchor the modern design, made even more attractive with a dramatic centerpiece of chocolate cosmos and dahlias in the same shade. Acrylic menus provide additional eye candy, while lounge bench seating allows for easy, post-dancing relaxation. At this table, the best memories are made over cupcakes and a signature cocktail. Pucker Up: 2 ounces vodka, 2 ounces lemonade, 1/2 ounce Blue Curacao. 1. Shake all ingredients with ice. 2. Rim glass with sugar. 3. Strain cocktail into martini glass and serve with a lemon wedge.
Table designer: Kristin Garuba, Pink Papaya Creative Events. Floral: Flowers Annette Gomez. Cupcakes: Honey And Bee Pastries. Linen and lounge benches: Elegant Events. Engraved acrylic menus: Rachel Baker, Rock Paper Scissors Designs. Candlesticks: Z Gallerie. Chargers, china and crystal: Pink Papaya Creative Events. Flatware: Elegant Events.
CARIBBEAN FANTASY
An ode to classic Caribbean luxury, this tablescape is reminiscent of pristine white-sand beaches and the vibrant landscaping and architecture found on the islands. The understated elegance of primarily white hues is complemented by rich floral textures and accents of bright yellow and coral. The flowers alone are a classic interpretation of tropical paradise, featuring white hydrangea, white anthuriums, yellow craspedia, white phalaenopsis orchids, white cattelaya, yellow mokara orchids, plumeria, green monstera leaves (for place settings) and sea fan coral. Caribbean Cooler:1 ounce triple sec, 1 ounce light rum, 8 ounces fruit juice, 1 teaspoon grenadine. 1. Fill a Collins glass with crushed ice. 2. Add rum and triple sec. 3. Add juice and stir.
Table designer: Kelly Aull, Mint Weddings and LaVonne Zamora, Adorations. Floral: LaVonne Zamora, Adorations. Linens and pillows: La Tavola. Glass and silverware: Target. Cakes: Sweet and Saucy. Paper: Posh Paperi.
BEYOND THE SEA
Inspired by the Mediterranean, this tabletop dazzles with a palette as crisp and fresh as the sea. China Mums provide an eye-catching centerpiece, made even more attractive surrounded by shades of coral and custom placemats the color of the ocean. Blood Orange Margarita: 1 cup fresh-squeezed blood orange juice, 3 tablespoons granulated sugar, 8 ounces premium tequila, 7 ounces triple sec, 1 blood orange, sliced for moistening glass rim and garnish, sea salt. 1. Make a blood orange simple syrup by combining the sugar and blood orange juice in a small saucepan; simmer over low heat until thick and syrupy. Allow to cool. 2. Moisten Margarita glass rim with orange slice, then dip the rim into sea salt to lightly coat. 3. Combine all ingredients in a large pitcher. To prepare drink, pour 6 ounces into a shaker filled with ice. Pour into Margarita glass, garnish with a blood orange slice.
Table designer: Rachel Welland, Bliss Events. Floral: Paula Rae Anderson, Rae Florae. Paper goods: Maie Liis Webb, Noon Design. Linen and flatware: Unique Tabletop. Miscellaneous tabletop items: Z Gallerie and Crate & Barrel. Custom placemats: Rachel Welland. Chairs: Classic Party Rentals.
TRIBAL ELEGANCE
Chocolate brown and mink-colored linens topped with a perforated Ultrasuede drape anchors a design steeped in tribal style. Modernized for today’s couple, the tablescape features tribal-print dinnerware, cactus set in a bed of river rock, silver accents and mahogany chiavaris crowned with faux mink toppers. For added drama, antler sheds and large manzanita branches were placed atop sleek orchid centerpieces. Twilight’s Kiss: 2 ounces Patron Silver Tequila, 1 ounce Kahlúa, wedge of lime. 1. Shake the Patron and Kahlúa with ice. 2. Strain into a chilled old-fashioned glass with ice. 3. Garnish with a lime wedge.
Table designer: Taylored Occasions. Floral: Botanica. Accents: Papyrus, Otay Ranch Town Center. Linens: Wildflower Linen. Chairs: Classic Party Rentals. Cupcakes: Honey and Bee Pastries.
OPULENT VERSAILLES
Upon seeing the front façade of The Emma, floral designer Karen Tran Hatt was reminded of France and chateaus in Italy. To create her Marie Antoinette—inspired vision, she used more than 300 blooms of peonies, hundreds of hydrangeas and open roses to form the floral runner. To further portray the theme, she incorporated rich gold tones, ruffles, feathers and crystals. She painted the glass vase for a truly personal touch and rounded out the design with handmade menus.
Table designer and floral: Karen Tran Florals. Handmade menus: Momental Designs. Linens: Wildflower Linen. Chairs: Chameleon Chairs.
GARDEN ROMANCE
Like the Garden of Eden, the backdrop for this tablescape features nature in all its glory. Designer Thomas Bui enhanced the setting with locally grown sage, mint, oregano and bupleurum, combined with apricot parrot tulips, finesse roses, sky line roses and patience garden roses in rustic terra cotta pots. Jewel-toned green linens and amber candles add to the romance. Pomegranate Splash: 1 750ml bottle Veuve Clicquot Champagne, 12 teaspoons Chambord, 8 ounces pomegranate juice, 12 fresh raspberries, 12 Champagne flutes. 1. Pour Champagne in each flute, let bubbles settle. 2. Tilt glass and then add 1 teaspoon Chambord. The tilting method lets the Champagne and Chambord separate, giving it a two-color look. 3. To each glass add in 2 teaspoons pomegranate juice. Garnish with a fresh raspberry. Serves 12.
Table designer: Thomas Bui Lifestyle. Floral: Flowers Annette Gomez. China, stemware and flatware: Classic Party Rentals. Linens and chairs: Concepts Event Design.
BLUSHING BRIDE
Vibrant and whimsical, this table design pays homage to the little girl in all brides. Shades of iridescent pink play up the romance, made even more grand with a gorgeous centerpiece of cascading orchids. As if this weren’t already the perfect place to fall in love, a cup of chocolate mousse and raspberries makes it all the more irresistible.
Table designer: Stacie Barba, A Day of Elegance. Floral: Botanica. Linens: Wildflower Linen. Chairs: Chameleon Chairs. Glassware: Classic Party Rentals. Chargers: Botanica. Dessert: Jennie Parker, Parker Pastry.
Do you like what you read? Purchase Exquisite Weddings Magazine »
