As the 2019 wedding season is starting to come to an end, I have been reflecting on this past year.  And…what a year it has been!  From flower walls to Ferris wheels, hanging flowers to destination weddings, we’ve had quite the adventure.  

Looking back all the way to February right now, and I wanted to share a little bit with you all about my “rainbow” design at The Jam Event (as seen on Green Wedding Shoes).  

The Jam Event is an annual wedding industry celebration (hosted by Wild Heart Events) where wedding designers can be creative, think outside-the-box, and “play around” with upcoming trends to showcase to other industry professionals and couples who are in the process of planning their weddings.  I especially love The Jam because it’s such a fun party - everyone creates beauty together and then celebrates together. As wedding designers and planners, we often operate in our own “silos.”  Being a soloprenuer can be isolating at times.  Events like this, that bring everyone together, are so much fun because we get to share our talents, learn together, and grow together.  

This year, the theme of The Jam was “rainbow.”  It definitely pushed me out of my comfort zone - me and my team naturally lean more towards a timeless, classic, neutral color palette.  But, we had so much fun creating this installation! I decided to design the space with lots of clean neutrals.  From the white velvet linen on the table to the beautiful china from Theoni, I selected design elements that were classic and neutral.  Then, we brought in ALL the color with the flowers.

I especially love the ombre design we incorporated throughout our florals.  In each setting or arrangement, we faded from yellow to orange, then red to purple, and finally from purple to blue.  Color Blocking (or putting like colors together) is a great way to make a “rainbow” palette feel more elegant.  

My design featured two major installations: a dramatic, hanging floral arrangements over a dining table, and a large flower wall staged in a lounge (with white Moroccan lantern accents).  My wife, Taylor, also created some beautiful dried floral garlands and dried floral hanging wall pieces that we featured as accents on the vintage bar.  I love when we can tastefully incorporate dried flowers into the overall design of an event.  

Tyler Speier Events @tylerspeier - Florals, Planning, and Design
Josh Newton + Christianne Taylor @joshnewton @christiannetaylor - Photography
Alexandria Monette Photography @alexandriamonette - Photography
Jake and Necia Photography @jakeandneciaphoto - Photography
Theoni Collection @theonicollection - Tabletop Rentals and Specialty Chairs
Bella Vista Designs @bellavistadesigns - Lighting
Elan Event Rentals @elaneventrentals -  Lanterns (hanging and on floor)
The Tent Merchant @thetentmerchant - Rentals
La Tavola Fine Linens @latavolalinen - Linens
Omni Catering @omnicateringsb - Food Station
Lotus & Ash @lotusandash - Menus
Jessica Yee Calligraphy @calligraph.yee - Calligraphy Details
Florabundance, Inc. @florabundanceinc - Floral Supplier
By Paper and Cloth @bypaperandcloth - Invitation Suite/Greenhouse Sketch for flat lays

Jessie + Brett were married at Dos Pueblos Orchid Farm in Santa Barbara, California. When Jessie and I worked together to design this wedding, we wanted the greenhouse on the property to be completely transformed from a raw, open space, into a space of elegance, timelessness, and warmth.  My favorite design element was the Texas Smilax installation me and my team installed on the preexisting beams of the greenhouse to give the illusion of old vines bursting through the glass panes and filling the space.  It was so romantic and made the space feel so warm, vibrant, and full of life.  All of the greenery accents were juxtaposed with the simple, neutral table settings - we used white linens, white blooms, soft grey table runners, light woods, and beautiful minimalistic china to give a timeless and elegant, yet clean and modern feel. 

We are so honored that this wedding was featured on Green Wedding Shoes -- check out the feature here!

Cata + Mark had such a fun, unique celebration for their wedding.  I loved working with them to design and create a unique, cocktail-style reception at Dos Pueblos Orchid Farm.  They decided not to have any traditional guest dining tables, but rather fill the beautiful space with lounges and vignettes for the guests to enjoy and engage in.  Feast and Fest Catering provided incredible interactive food stations where the guests could watch the chefs prepare handcrafted ingredients.  I loved all of the amazing furniture we got to use from Blueprint Studios and Party Pleasers!  It was fun to get to plan something more nontraditional.  My favorite design element was the hanging arrangement we created over the chevron patterned dance floor - tropical greenery, hanging orchids, and wisteria accents.  It was such a beautiful day!

The Team That Made This Happen: 
Coordinator/Florist: Tyler Speier
Venue: Dos Pueblos Orchid Farm
Ceremony Venue: El Presidio
Rentals: Blue Print Studios
Rentals: Party Pleasers
Specialty Linens: La Tavola
Ceremony Performer: Hudson & Delilah
Photographer: Chris Glenn
Hair/Makeup: Friend of Bride and Groom
Catering: Feast & Fest
Food Truck: In-N-Out Cookout Trailer
DJ: DJ Griff
Catholic Officiant: Deacon Art Gonzalez
Christian Officiant: Pastor Edward Paz
Transportation: Jump on the School Bus
Guest Accomodations: The Goodland Hotel
​

Based in NYC, Brian and Danielle chose to have a beautiful destination wedding in Santa Barbara, CA at a private greenhouse on the Gaviota Coast.  Their wedding was inspired by their love of adventure and nature - a soft, neutral palette with lots of greenery, geometric details, potted plants, and copper accents. They were married in a traditional Jewish Ceremony (under a chuppah that has been in Brian’s family for generations) on a private bluff overlooking the pacific ocean.  After the ceremony, guests enjoyed cocktails and hors d’oeuvres as the sun set over the ocean.  Vintage school busses then transported the guests back to the greenhouse, where large hanging arrangements of greenery framed the white dance floor, under a sea of basket lamp lights.  As the hundreds of candles twinkled and reflected across the greenhouse glass, guests enjoyed a sumptuous farm-to-table meal.  As the celebration continued with dancing and fun, guests enjoyed a s’more station and churro station for a non-traditional wedding dessert.  Me and my team were so honored to have this wedding featured in the 2019 spring issue of Inside Weddings.  It was such an amazing day! 

 

​Brooke + Nick were married on Cinco De Mayo.  I had so much fun working with them to design their wedding.  They are a great example of a couple who tastefully planned their wedding to give subtle nods to the holiday without going “overboard.”  We did this in 5 distinct ways:

1) We started with a neutral color palette, as they were getting married in a beautiful greenhouse on the coast.  We brought in bright pops of color in the florals to give the wedding a festive feel.

2) We served amazing Mexican food at the wedding - complete with a tortilla-making station manned by a chef!  Guests had chips and guacamole on the tables, an interactive taco bar, and fresh churros. 

3) At the end of the ceremony, guests tossed dried flowers into the air (reminiscent of confetti eggs, but much more eco-friendly).  It was colorful and festive!

4) At the bar, the signature cocktails were margaritas.  The bar at the reception was a “ranchero bar,” made with leather.  Love that piece from The Tent Merchant! 

5) Finally, we used subtle textures to bring in the “fiesta” vibe: small handpainted tiles on the place settings, textured linens from La Tavola, and beautiful handprinted signage and paper goods from Jessica Yee Calligraphy.

I love the final product: a beautiful, elegant, timeless, classic wedding (with a touch of whimsy) and a wonderful “nod” to the holiday weekend!  You don’t have to go overboard when planning your wedding around any holiday, but it is definitely fun to acknowledge and celebrate the holiday.  We have a fun wedding coming up this 4th of July, and I am looking forward to bringing some fun Independence Day Details to life at that wedding!

The Team That Made This Happen:
Coordinator/Florist: Tyler Speier
Venue: Dos Pueblos Orchid Farm
Rentals: The Tent Merchant
Linen Rentals: La Tavola Fine Linen
Photographer: Whitney Turner
Transportation: Jump on the Schoolbus
Hair/Makeup: Brianna Stewart
Catering: Omni Catering
Videography: Brett Williams Productions
DJ: DJ Hecktik
Photo booth: WittyBooth
Officiant:  Nick Bartsch
Cake/Dessert: Crushcakes

Alyssa + Scott wanted a South-Carolina-Inspired wedding in the heart of California Wine Country.  It was so fun to bring in southern food, lace textures, chandeliers, a soft color palette of flowers, lots of greenery, and chiffon draping to the barn at the Crossroads Estate (by Firestone Winery) to create a beautiful atmosphere!  For the ceremony, we had a chandelier suspended from an oak tree, and then I created a garland with roses and eucalyptus “growing up” the tree.  Guests sat on beautiful redwood benches from All Heart Rentals.  Then, guests were greeted with Firestone Vineyard Wines and southern-inspired lemonade in cocktail hour on the lawn, under a canopy of twinkle lights.  A sumptuous southern-inspired dinner by Omni Catering was served in the barn, and guests danced late into the night.  It felt like we were all transported right to a beautiful Southern home!

The Team That Made This Happen:
Coordinator/Florist: Tyler Speier
Venue: Dos Pueblos Ranch 
Rentals:  The Tent Merchant
Photographer: Allison Maginn Photography
Videographer: Surreal Wedding Films
Transportation: Jump on the School Bus
Hair: Beckie Covarrubias
Catering: Holdren’s
Bartenders: Simply Cocktails
DJ: DJ Hecktik
Bathroom Trailer: Nicks Production Services
Officiant: Ceremonies by Nanette
Bakery/Dessert: Enjoy Cupcakes
Lighting: Bella Vista Designs
Calligraphy: Jessica Yee

While we mainly specialize in weddings, every now and then we get to design and coordinate dinner parties…and this was one for the books!  We had some super fun clients who flew in to LA all the way from China! These clients wanted to plan a memorable birthday celebration for a family member.  They traveled up the coast from LA to Santa Barbara for wine tasting and a memorable evening at a private greenhouse on the Gaviota Coast.  We designed the space with neutral linens and clean modern place settings, juxtaposed with bright blooms and basket lamp lighting.  We curated a beautiful, multi-course meal with Pure Joy Catering, featuring local sea food, meats and farmer’s market produce. As the sun began to set, the guests were transported to the bluffs to watch the sunset with a glass of wine.  This was such a fun night!

Loved seeing this image from a beautiful wedding we had the honor of designing and planning featured on Belle The Magazine!  See link here.  Beautiful calligraphy menu by Jessica Yee Calligraphy, Image by James and Jess Photography, and Rentals from The Tent Merchant. 

The second day of our workshop last August was so much fun.  Each attendee got to create their own miniature styled shoot.  Everyone got to pick a sweetheart table, linens, chairs, china, flatware, glassware, print products, and floral/design materials to create something unique and fun.  Amber from Amber Jean Photography came in the morning and worked with each attendee on creating a flat lay of their unique details.  After a “Fiesta Lunch,” James and Jess of James and Jess Photography spoke about collaborating as a team and attracting your ideal client, then the styled shoot began!  James and Jess artfully captured each person’s work.  Then, as a team, we combined all of our florals and design elements to create a beautiful ceremony space under chandeliers from Bella Vista Designs.  Nicole, our model, had her hair and makeup done by Style Me Kristi and wore a beautiful custom gown from Lili Bridals.  As the sun began to set, we gathered and toasted to a wonderful two days of creativity, openness, learning, and growth.  

I think my favorite part of a workshop is that everyone is coming to learn.  Everyone is arriving open and ready to try new things.  It creates such an amazing atmosphere, and I find that everyone leaves inspired, refreshed, and ready to take on their “next step.”  I would love to have you join us for our workshop at the Sunstone Winery Villa on March 18-19, 2018.  Click here for more details.  Come create, be refreshed, and have fun!