Yvonne Design

New Yvonne Design Blog

With the launch of our new website  we have also created a new blog that we are extremely excited to share with you!  All future blog posts can be viewed on our new website.   Thanks for visiting us!!!  

Glamorous

Nicole and Jeff's August wedding at Lanikuhonua is one of my favorite weddings to have designed this year!  I loved the modern elegance of their wedding design and also the stylish, yet romanic feel of the ceremony and the reception.  With an all white color palette for the ceremony and designs dripping with orchids, it was quite breathtaking!  The very chic and glamorous reception was absolutely stunning with sparkling silver linens, hundreds of swarovski crystals, silver candleholders, and rich purple orchids and calla lilies.    

Nicole carried an all white bouquet of roses.

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Orchids and swarovski crystal strands lined the aisle while white candleabras dripping with orchids graced the entrance to the aisle.

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Mood Event covered each table with white dining canopies to create an intimate and romantic setting.  Custom crystal chandeliers of swarovski crystals hung over every table. 

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Modern designs of rich purple orchids and calla lilies were quite striking against the silver and white setting of the dining area.  Rhinestone bands accented the calla lily designs and the silver votives.

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The Sweetheart table all glammed up! 

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Mirror chargers with modern white plates where dressed up with phalaenopsis orchids.

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I love the transition from day to night!  Mood Event lit each dining canopy with soft purple lighting.  Gorgeous!!!

 

 

 

Photography: Visionari

Planning & Coordination: Finishing Touch

Lighting, Structures, Furniture: Mood Event

 

Our new website has launched!

We've been so busy the past few months working on our new website that we haven't had much time for blogging.  Today our website has officially launched and we are so excited to share it with you!  We will be moving our blog to our website but will keep this site up for anyone who wants to continue viewing the photos.    Our goal is to have our new blog completely ready by this weekend so that we can begin sharing with you our recent events!  

Please view our new website and let us know your thoughts! 

 

 

 

Tropical Kailua Wedding

One of the most stunning venues in Hawaii is the Paul Mitchell Estate in Kailua.  It's interesting architecture, beautifully landscaped property, and to-die-for view of the most perfect beach on Oahu makes this location ideal for a wedding!   Last fall we had the pleasure of designing a small wedding at Paul Mitchell Estate using vibrant tropical flowers.  We combined orange, yellow, and hot pink flowers to create the bold color scheme that works so well with tropical flowers, and used intriguing tropical flowers like pin cushion protea and cymbidium & mokara orchids combined with roses and calla lilies.  The different shapes and textures of the flowers made striking designs!  

 

 

 

  

We gave the reception a more modern feel by combining low compact floral arrangements with tall submerged arrangements. This collection of arrangements on the table is definitely a favorite of ours!

 

 

 

Photos by Shawn Starr

A Playful Tropical Wedding

We designed this very fun and playful wedding last summer at a private estate on the North Shore of Oahu.  What made this wedding so fun and unique were the elements incorporated into the designs.  Natural elements like succulents, starfish, coral & driftwood were intertwined with florals for an organic and eclectic look, while the addition of mason jars and local flowers introduced a vintage and tropical feel to the designs.  The array of color and interesting textures made each design truly unique.  The floral colors focused on bold tropical shades of red, orange, and hot pink to contrast with the bride's favorite shade of sea foam green, which we used for the ceremony and the reception through the fabric draping.   This wedding was quite memorable and such fun to design! 

 

 

 

 

 

The ceremony canopy was created out of driftwood and accented with tropical flowers and succulents. 

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Each table displayed a unique design incorporating twisted grapewood, starfish, coral, succulents, and arrangements in mason jars.  

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Capiz chandeliers and sheer sea foam green fabric filled the clear top tent.  

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Gorgeous lighting provided by Mood Event!  I especially love the red lighting in the lounge canopy!

 

 

 

Photos provided by Shawn Starr 

 

 

Indian Wedding at the Royal Hawaiian

It was an absolutely beautiful day in Hawaii for Kavita and Tejas' wedding at the majestic Royal Hawaiian Hotel in Waikiki.  The brilliant blue sky and lush green grass of the Ocean Lawn became the perfect setting for their vibrant hot pink and peach ceremony colors.  The shades of hot pink and peach roses were carefully selected to compliment the bride's sari, which was absolutely stunning!   After the ceremony, the bride changed into her reception sari and the color scheme of the wedding changed to rich shades of magenta and plum with accents of silver to compliment her new look.

 

 

 The mandap was covered in layers of hot pink fabric in three different textures.  Peach and hot pink floral garlands hung from the back of the mandap along with swarovski crystal strands.  A runner of peach and pink rose petals graced the ceremony aisle.

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Baraat - the groom's procession to the ceremony site.  This was the first baraat I have witnessed and I thought it was truly spectacular!   The music, the dancing, the groom's entrance on horseback... so fascinating!

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Jai Mala - the bride presenting her groom with a floral garland.

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The bride and groom were seated on the stage that Mood Event transformed with rich plum fabric. One hundred hanging swarovski cyrstal strands created a dramatic sparkling backdrop.  The custom platinum sofa was built by Mood's creative director, Alex Garcia.  Nice work Alex!!!  Also provided by Mood Event was the plum lighting that gave the ballroom a very opulent atmosphere. 

 

 

 

Fabric, furniture, lighting, structures ~ Mood Event

Floral, linen ~ Yvonne Design

Wedding Planning ~ Mira Savara

Ceremony photography ~ Joe Marquez

Classic and Sweet in Hawaii

This lovely wedding held in the stunning, tropical setting of Ko Olina, Hawaii was anything but tropical! A classic style, delicate flowers, a pink and blue color scheme, and strings of Italian Bistro lights strung over the dining area combined to create a romantic and magical evening. Floral designs included fragrant freesia and lilac, lush garden roses and peonies, and delicate hydrangea and ranunclus.  The sweet fragrance from the flowers filled the air and was intoxicating!

 

 

 

The bride carried an all white bouquet of garden roses, ranunculus, lilac, sweet pea, and freesia.

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Lanterns accented with garden roses and peonies marked the entrance to the ceremony aisle.

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Rose chandeliers hung from trees over the dining area.

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Photography by Visionari

Lighting and lounge furniture by Mood Event

Planning/Coordination by Finishing Touch

Top 5 Wedding Flowers in Hawaii

A lot of people ask me ... "What's the most common flower that you use for a wedding in Hawaii?". As the question keeps coming up we thought it would be a good idea to create a post here to indulge all of your curiosity.

 

Flowers chosen to be used in weddings here on the island actually don't differ too much from those used on the mainland. After-all ... people choose flowers (generally) because of their personal taste and likes/dislikes; not necessarily WHERE they are going to be married. Granted, colors and textures may vary from one location to the next in an attempt not to clash or be in bad taste, but this doesn't always result in a change in floral variety and, if it does, it's incidental.

 

 

Flowers we most commonly use in our designs: 

1. Hydrangea - Why hydrangea? It's consistent, beautiful and works well to create a base for most styles of design.  Another great reason to incorporate it ... relative to its size and the impact that it can make in a design, it's one of the least expensive ways to create a substantial floral arrangement. 

 

 

 

 

 

  

photography: visionari, christie pham, frank amodo

 

 

2. Roses - There aren't many negative things that can be said about roses, especially garden roses.  Occasionally I'll have a client who would like to avoid them due to the fact that they feel that they have been overused and are "common" (which is totally fine) but the vast majority love them.  They're a timeless classic and also do very well to incorporate a color that you may have chosen for your wedding's palette and are having difficulty achieving.

 

 

 

 

photography: frank amodo, frank amodo, yd

 

3. Orchids - What better says that you're in paradise than the delicate look of a phalaenopsis orchid, or the bold statement of a cattleya, cymbidium or vanda orchid can make? They're the ultimate statement of luxury and rightfully so. Possibly one of the most opulent of flowers you could choose, the orchid will always be a favorite.

 

 

 

  

 

  

photography : apertura, visionari, visionari

 

4. Calla Lilies - Possibly the most modern-looking flower, the calla lily is requested at many of our events.  They create a very textural and clean look, and in a monofloral mass they truly make quite a statement.  They, like each of the flower choices above, are consistent in most colors and available year-round.

 

 

 

  

 

 

5. Peonies - These are a favorite of many and create a very unique and ethereal look that few other floral varieties are able to achieve.  Their abundance of petals is nearly unmatched in the flower world and if used at the right time in their bloom cycle, one can capture them in their truly perfect form which can take your breath away.  The unfortunate thing about peonies is that they are not available year-round.  We're able to get them sometimes as early as November and occasionallyas late as August if the weather is just right, but prime-time for peonies is the Spring.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

photography : visionari, visionari, yd

 

Amethyst & Pearls

Here are the details of a recent editorial shoot, "Amethyst & Pearls",  featured in the Pacific Weddings Winter/Spring 2011 issue. The shoot was located at the historic and beautiful YWCA Laniakea in downtown Honolulu. The bold and elegant space was the perfect backdrop for this opulent table design.

 

 

Suspended over the table is a lush design of Dolce carnations and Robina lilies.

Ribbons of rich fuchsia- burgundy cymbidium orchids dripped down to the table from the hanging installation.

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Antique brown glass vases were filled with luxurious Caramel Antique and Darcy garden roses.

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Each place setting showcased metallic bronze chargers accented with smokey pearls.

 

 

 

photos courtesy of L'amour Photography

stationery provided by Bradley and Lily Fine Stationery

 

Hawaii Wedding Flowers - An East Coast Perspective

 

Here is a post from our lead designer, Jonathan Berry, who has been with Yvonne Design for almost one year now. His post is about wedding flowers in Hawaii and differences between Hawaii from the mainland. I find it interesting to learn how a designer from the mainland adapts to the wedding world in Hawaii, and, more specifically, in what ways the floral industry here in Hawaii is different from the wedding industry on the mainland.  

 

 

 

By Jonathan Berry~

As a floral designer and event professional from Boston, I can say that the transition to the floral industry here in the sunny state of Aloha has required a bit of adjusting. While in many ways the flower varieties incorporated into designs can be much the same, the ways in which they are used can often require far more thought and preparation. Although I’ve come from very reputable, high end floral design studios and received excellent training in the meticulous care of flowers and plants, I’ve still had to continue learning new methods, tricks and processes here in my new home.

 

Floral Choice
The biggest shock in coming to work with flowers in Hawaii is that there is not a floral market as you will find in any major mainland city. Being that we order the majority from wholesalers and growers in California, we are able to get exactly the same flowers here that are available worldwide. I certainly miss the days of strolling the market, chatting with the vendors and other designers and seeing the week’s “harvest”. While not having a flower market is a personal let down for any floral professional on the island, it doesn’t actually make a difference when it comes to what we can provide for a client. The only difference that a client can expect to see is the inevitable higher cost that comes with shipping the flowers thousands of miles. While it is unfortunate and unavoidable, that’s the price you pay for a wedding in paradise! :)

 

    photo by Visionari

photo by Eugene Kam

Another surprise (and honestly a welcome one) is how proportionally little tropical flowers are incorporated into wedding designs. I do love to use them, but the very bold colors and hard lines that a lot of tropicals inherently have don’t always do well to create a soft and delicate look for a wedding centerpiece. While many tropical flowers do grow plentifully in Hawaii (mostly the Big Island) clients are often surprised to hear that many of the tropical flowers and orchids that would be incorporated in their centerpieces actually come from other countries.  In the photo below, the phalaenopsis orchids were shipped in from Vietnam and the cymbidium orchids came from Holland.  The only flower in this design that grew in Hawaii is the tuberose.  

photo by Jose Villa

 

Outdoor weddings
A tranquil Hawaiian beach is the ultimate dream for any engaged couple. With the potential for a picturesque landscape to create a backdrop for your ceremony or reception, it’s no wonder that so many people fly here from all over the world to experience the best day of their life. But when the happily engaged bride and groom-to-be are jet-setting and soaking up the sun in their jacuzzi, there are certainly some things that we floral designers must consider. The weather here is typically warm/hot enough that it is crucially important for flowers to be kept cold and in water for every possible second until they are placed into our bride’s hands, onto tables, a ceremony arch, or wherever they happen to find their place in a couple’s special day. Also, because flowers lose their water through their petals, it is also very important to keep the blooms hydrated by continuing to mist them with water from above. When planning your flowers for an outdoor wedding in Hawaii you must consider the time of your ceremony and reception. Many flowers will not fair well if they are out of water for an extended period of time, particularly mid-day. This should always be an additional consideration if you are hoping to reuse your ceremony flowers somewhere at your reception.

photo by Visionari

Now if you’re thinking, wait - I was in Boston last July and the memories of sweat, offensive heat, humidity and high noon hallucinations of igloos and ice cream are still fresh in your mind, please let me kindly point out that while many people will choose to brave the summer heat and get a tent, there are far more indoor weddings in Boston than outdoor (even in the summer). Speaking of Boston’s weather - one noticeable difference as a floral professional is the delivery and care of the flowers in the winter. In Boston, flowers must be wrapped in plastic or covered in some way so that the delicate petals do not freeze between the delivery van and the venue’s door (yes, it’s that cold). As for the “winter” in Hawaii ... need I say it? ... there is none!



Indoor Weddings
Indoor weddings in Hawaii are actually much the same as back in New England. The only noticeable difference is in the “island feel” that you experience at many of the island’s venues. You’re greeted in the halls with the aloha spirit of Hawaii rather than the “what are you looking at?” spirit of a major mainland city. While I have to say that the ratio of indoor weddings here is greatly in favor of their outdoor counterpart, an indoor wedding on the island offers a great advantage in what we are able to achieve and “pull off’ with a client’s flowers. The air conditioned rooms are the perfect environment for a wedding centerpiece, whether they’re made with hydrangea and peonies or anthurium and orchids.

 

photo by Frank Amodo

        
Wrap-up
So there you have it - a little insight into the inner workings of wedding flowers in Hawaii from the eyes and mind of a mainland transplant. I hope that I’ve done well in explaining the thought that goes into planning the flowers that will be used for a wedding or event here. Should you want any more information ... you know where to find me!

 

 

 

 

Rustic Glam

As promised, here are the professional photos from our "Rustic Glam" wedding at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, courtesy of Visionari Photography.

It is essential to us to design our client's flowers and wedding decor in a style that speaks to their personality, personal style, and favorite things.   In this case, our bride and groom wanted to include elements that represented both of their ethnic and cultural upbringings while incorporating their favorite flowers: peonies, garden roses, and orchids. Because Liza comes from a Chinese and Irish background, Chinese vases and Bells of Ireland were included in the floral design.  To represent Max's home state of Arizona, we integrated succulents and a variety of branches from trees commonly found in the state.  The end result was quite unique and breathtaking! 

 

 

The handle of the bride's bouquet was detailed with a French knot and pearls.

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The combination of Chinese vases and baskets with over-sized succulents, ghost wood,

eucalyptus, and other natural elements gave the ceremony an organic, backyard feel.

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Bronze chargers were the perfect canvas for the fuchsia napkin and menu.

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Mood Event uplit the ballroom in amber to create a romantic setting.

To highlight the head table, Mood installed a 20' fabric wall directly behind it.

The wall was accented with a long branch installation from which candles

were hung. Long stems of cymbidium orchids completed the design.

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Such a great photo of the bouquet toss!

 

 

 

photos by Visionari 

cake by Sunshine Cake Creations 

 

Beautiful Paper Flowers!

I must say, I am in love with paper flowers after having spent hour upon hour cutting and gluing to create these beautiful paper roses and poppies!  You may have heard all the hype about Social Light ~ The Art of Wedding Design, which took place a couple of weeks ago.  Sandra of Finishing Touch, the mastermind behind Social Light, asked us to create a back drop for the presentation stage.  I've been waiting for the perfect opportunity to create a paper flower installation, so, we did research on how to make them, and 60 hours later we had 80 paper flowers, each a unique creation!   Though time consuming, they were very fun to make.  I'm excited for the next event that will allow us to create more paper flowers! 

 

The Social Light stage for speakers

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The paper flower installation was also a lovely backdrop for the fashion show.

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And here we are informing couples of the current trends in wedding design and giving tips on wedding decor.

(yvonne chapman, john berry, alex garcia)

 

 

 

 

photos by Dave Miyamoto