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EDUCATION & ADVICE
Real Weddings
Lifestyle & Entertaining

Spring wedding Inspiration at Organic Rose Farm

2/15/2021

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As tiny weddings are trending with COVID-19, our team put together an inspiration shoot at an Organic Rose Farm in Santa Ynez, California, where couples can have an intimate, retreat-like wedding (the venue also hosts larger events too). The design for this shoot was inspired by the natural beauty of the rose farm - we trimmed the flowers and branches to create the designs that morning!  
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The ceremony inspiration took place in the romantic rose garden.  We used vintage church pews (re-upholstered in white to soften the look) for guest seating, and created a rounded garden-inspired arch with garden roses and lush olive branches.  The bride came down the aisle starting from the black barn, and then through the rose garden to reach the altar.  ​
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​Our inspiration for dinner took place on a lawn nestled between the roses.  The table was for an al-fresco, farm-to-table dinner.  We used garden roses, olive branches, and locally-grown fruits to bring pops of color to the space.  A vintage lace runner adorned the farm table.
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My favorite design element of the entire day was actually the groom's cake!  The groom's cake, a single tier cake, was handpainted to reflect the invitation suite (from Minted).  The little flowers and hummingbird reflected the romance of the rose garden so perfectly!  The wedding cake itself was a three-tiered, watercolor-inspired modern cake, designed to be a modern juxtaposition against the farm setting.  ​
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Planning, Design, Florals: Tyler Speier Events
Photo: James & Jess 
Video: B Studios
Venue: Eco Mama Farms
Tabletop Rentals/Linens: The Tent Merchant
Gown: Lili Bridal 
Stationary: Minted
Makeup: 805 Makeup
Dessert: Lilac Patisserie
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Monochromatic Winter Wedding Inspiration

2/8/2021

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Here in Southern California, there isn't really such thing as a "White Winter" - we still have our sunshine, beautiful sunsets, and beach days.  But, that doesn't mean you can't have a beautiful winter celebration!  For this inspiration shoot (which was styled for a photography workshop), we played with various shades of white to create a monochromatic winter design.
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​The ceremony space was created with a white wood arch, covered in bare winter branches, dusty miller, white blooms, cotton, and dried/textured elements.  We surrounded the arch in candles for a sunset ceremony, and the tiny wedding inspiration was set with ghost chairs (so that the flowers remained the focal of the event).  
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For the tiny wedding table inspiration, we created a "cloud" of Baby's Breath, filled with living baby's breath and dried baby's breath.  We also added textured, dried, bleached textures (Italian Ruscus, Hanging Amaranthus, and others) to give the "cloud" an ethereal feel.  The table was set with a white natural linen tablecloth, a cheese-cloth runner, and all-white place settings.  Kylie Yoshida created vellum menus with acrylic place cards.  We used vintage textured glass goblets and candle holders to add drama and texture to the table.
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As we continue forward 2021,  tiny weddings continue to be all the rage. And just because you are having a tiny wedding doesn't mean you can't compromise on style, details, and the JOY of getting married! ​
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Credits: 
Photo- James and Jess
Design + Flowers - Tyler Speier
Video - B Studios
Venue - Hidden Oaks Ranch
Rentals - The Tent Merchant
Calligraphy - Kylie Yoshida Calligraphy
Invitation: Minted
Beauty: Santa Barbara Hair and Makeup , Blush and Bridal HMT
Gown: Lili Bridals
Cake: Lilac Patisserie
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Romantic Wedding Inspiration at Tuscan Villa

2/1/2021

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​After all the craziness of 2020, we wanted to create a styled shoot that captured the elegance, beauty, and timelessness that a tiny wedding can bring to the table.  Just because you are having a tiny wedding doesn’t mean you need to compromise on details: from the fashion to the flowers, you can still have an incredibly designed day to celebrate what matters.
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This Tuscany-inspired styled shoot took place at a beautiful private estate in Santa Barbara, California.  We decided to contrast modern and traditional elements (with some autumnal details) to make the setting feel romantic and timeless, but also current.
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The bride wore a beautiful blush Allison Webb gown from JLM couture, and carried a bouquet of panda anemones, snowberries, and Earl Gray Roses.  The dress was so beautiful - our favorite detail was the romantic bow underneath the open back.  The invitation suite was a clean letterpress design from Minted. ​
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The ceremony inspiration was on a deck overlooking the olive tree groves and Pacific Ocean. The view was stunning!  We created an arch with autumn branches, olive branches, Annabelle hydrangea, panda anemones, and earl gray roses.  It was whimsical romantic, and it felt like we were in a fairy tale!
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For an escort card display, we create a shelf with a hand-lettered sign that read, “Awake My Soul”.  Each guest would take a ceramic mug, filled with fresh coffee beans, and a hand-lettered tag with their name and table assignment.  For an autumn or winter event, we thought this would be such a fun favor and memory!  Or, on a cold day, the mugs could even be filled with steaming hot apple cider as the guests were welcomed into dinner.
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The reception space was on a lawn also overlooking the ocean.  We designed the table to have a beautiful dark grey linen from La Tavola, contrasted with bright white china.  Sugarfina favors were wrapped in patterned paper, and guests dined with emerald green hand-lettered menus with leather place cards.  The florals on the table were abundant and full, reminiscent of the style of the arch.  We paired the more traditional table with clean ghost chairs, so that the pattern of the linen was visible from all sides.
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​The cake was modern and whimsical in design, and was styled next to a traditional lounge where guests could enjoy conversation and dessert.
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The team that made it all happen...

Planning + Design + Flowers: Tyler Speier 
Venue: Private Estate
Photography: Sarah Ellefson 
Videography: B Studios
Rentals: The Tent Merchant 
Linens, Napkins: La Tavola Fine Linens 
Hair: Katie Lee
Makeup: Unveiled 
Calligraphy: Jessica Yee Calligraph
Invitation Suite: Minted
Gown Designer/Supplier: JLM Couture
Model: Julia Miller 
Cake: Lilac Patisserie 
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5 Focal Points in your Wedding Design

1/25/2021

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As I work with each couple, I try and choose five (or more) key focal points that we focus on in their design.  By putting a little extra time and effort (and creative energy) into these items, I find the entire design is elevated and gives more of a “wow” factor.  
  1. The Bride’s Bouquet.  Now, this may be an unpopular wedding opinion, but all the other personal flowers (bridesmaids bouquets, boutonnieres, etc.) don’t actually make a huge visual impact on your wedding design.  However, the bride’s bouquet is in the center of every photo and says a lot about the bride and her style.  Make the bouquet unique, special, and full.  ​
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2.The Wedding Arch (or ceremony focal).  Yes, I love flower aisles.  Yes, I love large urns with flowers on welcome drink tables, etc.  I pretty much just love flowers everywhere.  But, one of the most important floral arrangements on your wedding day will be the one that frames you when you say “I Do” - that’s the heart of your wedding anyways, right?  From a lush arch with florals to a low grounded arrangement and everything in between, spend extra time (and allocate your budget accordingly) to make your ceremony a “wow” moment for you and your guests.
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3.The Head Table (or Sweetheart Table).  This is where you will eat your first meal as a married couple.  I love incorporating a large statement floral piece to the head table design - from a hanging arrangement to a flower wall behind the table, a suspended arrangement to extra candles and flowers, make that table shine as a focal point from all the other tables.
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4.Escort Cards. Everyone will need to find their seat before dinner, and a lovely, well-thought-out escort card display will make the transition from cocktails to dinner feel even more festive! ​
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5.The Bar.  Everyone visits the bar.  So make it beautiful.
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Now, I could go on with all the other fun places to make your design count (lounges, dessert, guest dining tables, etc.), but I’ve found that by focusing on the five items above, the rest of the design naturally falls into place.  ​

The Team that made it all happen...
Coordinator/Florist: Tyler Speier
Venue: Private Estate 
Photographer: Amber Jean Photography
Videographer: Peter & Bridgette

Rentals: The Tent Merchant
​Draping at Church: Bella Vista Designs
Bride’s Fashion: Martina Liana, Lilli Bridals 


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Tips for Getting Married in an Outdoor, Non-Traditional Wedding Location

1/18/2021

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Outdoor weddings in unique places have been all the rage, and I’m here for it.  I love building-out a beautiful event and designing every single detail, from the flooring to the lighting, from the ground up.  With engagement season in full swing and thousands of couples seeking the perfect place to host their wedding, here are my 5 tips to think about when selecting a non-traditional, outdoor wedding venue.
  1. What do I need to bring?.  Each venue is different - some need flooring, water, bathroom trailers, a full kitchen build-out, lighting, dumpsters, a generator, safety lighting and shuttles for guests...and that’s before you even start thinking about design!  Chat with your planner so that you know all of the infrastructure items your venue will need, so that you walk into your planning process with a clear understanding of your budget.
  2. What’s the Weather Like?  While Greenhouses are stunning venues, they also do their job (heat things up).  So, if you are getting married in a greenhouse (or in a field with a clear-top tent), you may want to avoid hot summer months. Or, if you are looking at an ocean bluff location, chat with the venue about the wind, rain, etc. so you can choose a time of year that works best for that location.  
  3. What’s the access like?  If you are building an event from the ground up, then you will need trucks to come in and out of the venue with ease so that each vendor can efficiently (and safely) do their jobs.  While certain venues may have stunning views, they are hard to get to - and that can significantly impact your production schedule.  
  4. Has the venue hosted a wedding before?  While I am always super excited to work somewhere new and fresh, at any venue, the first couple of events are a learning process.  There are some things you just learn with time and experience.  If you are considering a newer venue, keep in mind that the venue is still in a “learning process” -- keep communication clear, consistent, and ask questions.
  5. Be Flexible.  When you are getting married outside or in a nontraditional space, while we can plan in great detail, we can’t control the weather.  Sometimes we plan an entire wedding in a cool spring month and end up having a super hot day (or the opposite is also common - a cold day in the middle of the summer!).  Having a solid team supporting you (from the planner to the shuttle drivers, and everyone in-between) will ensure that any little thing that comes up will be handled with peace, joy, and flexibility.  ​

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The team that made it all happen...
Coordinator/Florist: Tyler Speier
Venue: Dos Pueblos Orchid Farm 
Rentals: The Tent Merchant
Photographer:  Gin and July 
​DJ: Music By Bonnie
Hair: Love Laura Rocha
Makeup: 805 Makeup
Bride Gown Designer: Georgie by Madewithlove 
Groom Suit Designer: Suit Supply
​
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Tips for your engagement Photo Shoot

1/11/2021

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With so many couples getting engaged over the holidays, I wanted to take a moment to chat about engagement photos. As a wedding planner, I see lots of engagement photos from my couples.  Now, I’m not a photographer, so this post is not going to give you tips on posing.  As a planner and designer, however, I have seen some engagement photos that stand out to me above the rest, and here are three things that I recommend couples consider when planning their engagement photoshoot with their photographer:

  1. Location, Location, Location.  Choose a place that represents you as a couple.  Whether it’s an open field on your family ranch, incredible manicured gardens at a local museum, or a building with stunning architecture - choose a place that is not only beautiful, but also a reflection of your love story. 
  2. Dress Up.  Wear something that makes you feel good and feel special.  I love seeing couples dressing up more formally in their engagement photos (especially if your wedding is going to be more formal).
  3. Get Hair and Makeup done.  Not necessary, but if, for instance, you have a wedding hair and make-up trial, line it up with the date of your engagement photos! 
  4. Incorporate a fun, unique design element: carry a bouquet of flowers, set-up a cute picnic, bring a cute box for your ring, or...incorporate your favorite family horse!
  5. Last, but probably the most important: Trust Your Photographer.  They are the professional, and they are going to give you advice and guide you through posing, where to shoot, time of day, the best lighting, etc.  I’ve found that when couples listen to their photographer and collaborate as a team to come up with a plan, the photos are always so incredible.​
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Credits:
​Florist:
 Tyler Speier
Photographer: Amber Jean Photography
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2020 - the Year of Tiny Weddings with a LOT of Heart

1/4/2021

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2020 was such a rollercoaster for the entire world.  I could go on for hours about the stress, the changes, and frustrations, etc.  But, I’m not.  It's a new year, and today, I want to focus on some of the amazing things that we got to see.

2020 was a year of tiny weddings.  Some with just ceremonies, some with tiny immediate family dinners, some with just the couple and a link to zoom.  It was nothing like we had ever done before, but friends, let me tell you: as we navigated through the challenges of planning, replanning, re-envisioning, and re-designing multiple events for our clients, all the “extra stuff” started to fade away, and each couple was able to focus on what matters - their love for eachother and their marriage.

Each tiny wedding we had the honor of being a part of gave me goosebumps.  Love wins, every single time.  And while the world is a crazy place, the fact that love wins remains constant.  

To all of my couples who had their tiny weddings in 2020, it was an honor to be a part of your love story.  Your resilience, strength, flexibility, and JOY was (and still is) contagious.  I wish you ALL my best as you continue on to the adventure of married life!
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Credits:
​Florist: Tyler Speier
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Photographer: Amber Jean Photography
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5 Tips for Setting Your Holiday Table

12/23/2020

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This holiday season may look a little different, but that doesn’t mean the holidays are cancelled!  Friends, we DESERVE to celebrate the end of 2020.  

Here are 5 tips on how to set that intimate holiday table:
  1. Use Candles.  Lots and Lots and Lots of candles. All sizes and shapes.  Put them on the table and around your table - so romantic!
  2. Use fruit as a beautiful accent: think pears, apples, and pomegranates.  If you are feeling creative, get some metallic spray paint and color the fruit to make it look a little more festive!
  3. Put a little gift on each seat (or at each place setting) - support a local business and give out little festive treats!  Not only does this add some decor to the table, it’s a festive way to kick-off your meal.
  4. Put the dishes on the table. Even if you are dishing up food in the kitchen, place the plates, flatware, glassware (and maybe a cute coffee mug for hot beverages too?) on the table - this makes your table look abundant, full, and more elegant.
  5. Decorate AROUND the table, too. The table’s surroundings are just as important as the table itself.  On a budget?  Greenery is inexpensive (or free if you have a back yard!), and can be placed your mantel, on bookshelves,  hanging from your chandelier over the table, etc.  
Let’s make the most of this season and make our intimate celebrations extra special.
I wish you all a very merry holiday season!
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Credits: 
Photo- James and Jess, @jessfairchild @jameswitty
Design + Flowers - Tyler Speier, @tylerspeier
​Video - 
B Studios, @bstudios_sb
Venue - Hidden Oaks Ranch, @hiddenoaksranch
Rentals - The Tent Merchant, @thetentmerchant
Calligraphy - Kylie Yoshida Calligraphy, @kylie.yoshida
Invitation: Minted, @minted
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How it All Got Started...

12/16/2020

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It was the summer of 2009, and I had never planned a wedding before.  Two of my friends were getting married.  They had $1,000 and an empty lawn at a church in Glendora.  They asked me to bring their wedding vision to life, and I said yes…

Now, I had always been creative and organized (two traits I find essential in this business), and I had planned various birthday parties and church/family events.  But I’ll be honest, I had no idea what I was doing.

It was a dessert potluck wedding, filled with jam jars, daisies, DIY twinkle lights, and youth group furniture covered in white sheets from Ross.  It was a long, hard, HOT day.  But friends, it was magical.  When the sun set, the candles glowed and the people gathered…and it was beautiful.  At that wedding, 2 people asked if I would do their weddings.  I said yes, and business was born.

At the time , I had no idea this was the start of my career.   It was just a fun hobby business to earn some extra cash.  By word of mouth, in that first year, we did 14 weddings.  It was a whirlwind.  Over time, I added in floral design services, took on more clients, and began building a team.

Now here we are, years later, producing incredible events all over the world…and I couldn’t find any more joy in what we do.

I love that I can be creative, authentic, and innovative.  
I love that I get to work for myself.  
I love that I can support my family doing what I love.  
I love that I can educate fellow professionals to empower them to pursue their dreams.  
I love what I do.


​Thank you, for being a part of this journey, friends.  Your love and support mean the world to me and my family!

Sincerely,

Tyler Speier




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Photo by Sarah Ellefson Photography
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Beverly Hills Black Tie Wedding in the Woods with Vintage Pews, Flower Aisle, and Classic Timeless Design

12/4/2020

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Megan + Christian were married in Beverly Hills, California last year.  Megan wore a stunning detailed Oscar De La Renta gown  Christian wore a Tom Ford white tuxedo jacket and black slacks, they said their vows in a romantic redwood forest on a Beverly Hills private Estate.  This was one of my favorite weddings of 2019 - from the fashion to the flowers, it was all just so dang beautiful! 
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​The ceremony was one of my favorite installations of the year: it took place in a redwood forest in the heart of Beverly Hills.  Guests sat in vintage church pews, which we surrounded with abundant flowers.  Megan and Christian said their vows in front of a deconstructed arch amongst a sea of flowers while guests sipped champagne from the Bubble Tap  champagne truck and a string quartet played as the golden light peeped through the trees.
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​The reception was timeless, classic, and romantic - with blue velvet ties on the napkins, letterpress menus, abundant white centerpieces, and hand printed candles which served as table numbers. For the favors, guests received personalized cookies with the couple’s monogram.  
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The team that made it all happen: 

Planning, Florals, and Design:
Tyler Speier

Venue: Private Estate in Beverly Hills
Photographers: James + Jess
Videographer: Redmond Digital Media
Specialty Rentals: Theoni
Ceremony Pew Rentals: Town and Country
Champagne Trailer: The Bubble Tap Trailer
Transportation: Transportation Connection Inc
Graphic Designer: Embrey Press
Hair: Alyssa (contact of Bride and Groom) 
Makeup Artist: Tomiko Taft
Band: deBois Entertainment
Officiant: Officiant Eric
Bakery/Dessert: Sweet Lady Jane
Gown Designer: Oscar de la Renta


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