Category Archives: Events

Not your ordinary bridal experience, the {LAB event} featuring Soulflower and other top trend-setting wedding industry professionals in Northern California takes place January 14th at Cline Cellars in Sonoma. This is truly a one-of-a-kind experience for couples planning their wedding. Enjoy a relaxed setting where your wedding inspiration board comes to life! The best caterers and dessert designers will be serving and pouring all things sweet, savory and delectable. A non-traditional runway show and fabulous party will carry the event into the night. Click the link to learn more about the {LAB event}. Tickets are still available for {purchase}. We hope to see you there!

Happy Planning,
Lydia

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May your New Year’s night sparkle and shine like Courtney and Ben’s at the Bently Reserve. Deep burgundy, ice white, elegant candlelight and a touch of feathers brought the celebration of love and a new year together. Each place setting had a confetti popper for guests to pull when the clock struck twelve. The perfect way to tie wedding and holiday together! Enjoy these elegant photos captured by {Brion Hopkins}.

To view the full album please visit our {Facebook page}. Wishing you a long and prosperous new year!

Lydia

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It’s the perfect time of year to brush up on your party planning skills for your upcoming holiday party or family gathering. Check out this episode of Days with Zahrah and you might see something familiar.

Special thanks to Zahrah and her team for featuring Soulflower Floral Design in her party planning episode!

Happy Holidays,
Lydia

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We are reminded of the many things we are thankful for when we reflect on the work done by {St. Anthony Foundation} . Their mission is to feed, heal, shelter, clothe, lift the spirits of those in need, and create a society in which all persons flourish. Since its inception the foundation has served over 37 million meals to the needy. Last year, we worked with Adam Straus of {Straus Events} to produce the 60th Anniversary Gala for St. Anthony Foundation. The event was held in a tented pavilion in the Fulton Street Plaza between the San Francisco Main Library and Asian Art Museum. Straus Events managed the street closure in downtown San Francisco as well as designed and executed the full event production.

An olive branch was chosen as the focal point of the design, symbolic of peace and prosperity, reinforcing the mission of St. Anthony Foundation. An accompanying Tuscan color palette attributed to St. Francis of Assisi and 14 large images of people aided by St. Anthony Foundation were created to highlight the impact of historic service. In the dining tent we transformed the tent poles into elegant olive tree sculptures with birch bark and olive branches, all adorned with softly lit lanterns. Each place-setting had a small olive branch wrapped in a gold ribbon, an offering of peace and connection in the breaking of bread with St. Anthony Foundation. Special thanks to {Photography by Emily Payne} for providing the amazing event design photos below.

This event captured the humble elegance of Franciscan values and we enjoyed bringing meaning to this event with our work. To view more images from the St. Anthony Foundation 60th Anniversary Gala, please visit us on {Facebook} and our blog for {fun behind the scenes}.

Peace and Prosperity,
Lydia

Venue: Fulton Street Plaza (between Asian Art Museum & SF Main Library)
Event Producer: Adam Straus, {Straus Events}
Catering: {McCalls}
Photography: {Drew Altizer Photography}, {Emily Payne Photograhy}
Tenting: {Classic Party Rentals}
Lighting: {Impact Lighting}
Rentals and Linens: {Blue Water Party Rentals}
Valet Parking: {Soiree Valet}

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In October, we were thrilled to be a part of the {Oracle Education Fund} Awards Gala. The purpose of the event was to celebrate young people involved in digital media and technology projects that make a positive impact worldwide. Students from all over the globe, ages 12-19, attended the Oracle Think Quest contest awards at {San Francisco’s Historic Regency Center} .

The event design brought together iconic San Francisco images and warm autumn colors. The ballroom was elegantly lit with over 500 candles, including many accented with submerged blooms and modern swirls of grass. We loved the starry lighting that illuminated the entire room with a deep indigo background, reminding every young person that they are truly a SHINING STAR!

Bravo to Oracle for their great contribution to the young and bright stars of our future!

Cheers,
Lydia

Event Design and Production: {Da Vinci Fusion}
Catering: {Union Street Catering}
Floral Design: {Soulflower Floral Design}
Rentals: {Hartmann Studios}
Venue: {Regency Center San Francisco}

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The {Pissarro’s People} exhibition recently opened at the {Legion of Honor} here in San Francisco until January 22, 2012. Check out the florals we provided for the Donor Opening and you just may catch a glimpse of some amazing Rodin sculptures!

Plum and white callas, two varieties of thistle, acorns, succulents, hydrangea, flax and pussy willow were used to capture the rustic nature of Pissaro’s work while mercury glass provided the perfect refinement for the museum setting. We loved the opportunity to create beauty from unexpected florals to enhance Rodin’s stunning sculptures. Visit the {museum’s webpage} to buy tickets to the fall exhibit.

Happy Fall,
Lydia

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Guests often ask us what will happen to the flowers at the end of an event. We are happy to report that there are many options and one of our favorites is to donate them to local schools and organizations. How can you become a part of what will happen to your wedding or event flowers at the end of the night? One popular Bay Area planner asked us just that. Here is an excerpt from the blog interview Emily gave to Michelle of {Dream A Little Dream Events} on how to make your wedding day a time to give.

Emily has graciously offered this advice to couples interested in donating their arrangements:

-If your vases are rented make sure the arrangements are transferred to inexpensive vases or mason jars prior to delivery.

For the full article and the rest of Emily’s tips, please visit the {Dream A Little Blog}.

Happy Donating,
Lydia

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When two unique souls such as Brad and Heather decide to unite as husband and wife the wedding theme must be equally anomalous. We particularly loved this wedding not only because the vaudeville theme was perfect for this couple but it was executed to the fullest detail. The amazing venue {Bimbo’s} was packed with friends, family and a full night of entertainment including a magician, tap dancing accordion player, burlesque dancers, and sword swallowers! You can’t throw a vaudeville themed event without copious performers, a killer ensemble and dramatic florals! Please enjoy these vivid images provided by the fabulous Jules Bianchi of {Jules Bianchi Photography}. Special thanks to the planner, Nelle, from {ZahZoom Weddings and Parties} for her seamless execution!

Deep red roses and purple calla lilies with black feathery accents for the bride and groom.

A vintage typewriter adorned with garden roses and amaranthus compliment the guestbook table.

Lush birdcage centerpieces were one of several cool, eclectic centerpices.

Please visit our Facebook page for the full album of photos by Jules Bianchi. Congratulations to Heather and Brad!

Cheers,
Lydia

Venue: Bimbo’s 365 Club
Event Planner: Nelle Donaldson, ZahZoom Weddings and Parties
Catering: Knights Catering // Enotria Restaurant and Wine Bar
Wedding Gown: Cymbeline Paris
Performers: The Yard Dogs Road Show
Photography: Jules Bianchi

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Last week we had the honor of sponsoring the WIPA (Wedding Industry Professionals Association) event located at the beautiful Ralston Hall in Belmont. WIPA is a national association that boasts masters and innovators of the wedding industry who are truly genius at what they do. Each event brings a wide range of the best and brightest wedding vendors together for education and collaboration purposes. We had a blast sharing, learning and appreciating great event design with all the other attendees!

Ralston Hall was bursting with creativity and style from cocktail hour to coffee time. Originally the country estate of William Chapman Ralston, a prominent San Francisco financier, construction on Ralston Hall Mansion began in 1864. Comprising over 80 rooms this gorgeous estate is now part of Notre Dame de Namur University. The building’s exterior can be classified as Italiante Villa while the interior incorporates classic 19th century designs reminiscent of Ralston’s early days on Mississippi riverboats. We were in awe of the ornate detailing in everything from the furniture to the windows and doors. It’s always a magical day when we adorn buildings this grand with flowers.

Please enjoy some of our favorite photos from this lovely event from the talented photographer, Julie Kay Kelly.

We went ultra-romantic with dahlias, garden roses and pink peonies in mercury glass and vintage vessels, the perfect compliment to setting and vintage-inspired lounge vignette by Milk Glass Vintage Rentals.

Happy Monday,
Lydia

Venue: Ralston Hall
Event coordination: LVL Events and Weddings
Catering: La Bonne Cuisine
Photography: JK Life Stories
Videography: Kevin Chin Photography
Florals: Soulflower Floral Design
Entertainment: Pamela Joy Jazz
Decor: Well Rehearsed
Linen: Napa Valley Linen
Décor Rentals: Milk Glass Vintage Rentals
Rental: Stuart Rentals
Stationary: The Card Lady
Audio/Visual/Lighting: Enhanced Lighting
Desserts: True Confections
Coffee and Cappuccino Bar: Travelin’ Joe Espresso
Speaker: David Merrell, AOO Events

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In May, we had the honor of partnering with Union Street Catering for their Spring Showcase alongside Hartmann Studios at the 49ers Stadium Club. It was a wonderful intimate gathering of the Bay Area’s top planners and venues to introduce some of Union Street Catering’s latest offerings. My favorite bite was the Absolute Lemon Flamed Prawns, yummy!

Our florals included dramatic dogwood arrangements coupled with low, clustered spring florals and succulents in modern white vessels. The white vessels coordinated nicely with Hartmann’s modern white Compass chairs (love them!)

We did our best to be sure the touches of coral, fuchsia and spring green picked up on the Panama Stripe Citrine linen and Tuscan rose napkin. The room was enhanced beautifully with Hartmann’s amazing Japanese Maples (when can we use those again!?) and ambient lighting.

The day’s highlight was meeting the owner of Union Street Catering and Perry’s Restaurant, Mr. Perry Butler. He shared stories of the beginnings of both businesses and their connection to the 49ers. It’s not everyday that you get to meet a San Francisco icon. Cheers to a wonderful event!

Venue: The Stadium Club
Catering: Union Street Catering
Rentals: Hartmann Studios
Floral Design: Soulflower Floral Design

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