Planner: @taylorraeweddings // Venue: @alliedartsguild // Catering: @cafewisteria // Photo: @allison__stoddard // Florist: @idablooms // DJ: @brandonbeachsound // Photo Booth: @vivid_memories_photobooth // Linens: @ampartyrentalsinc // HMU: @dreamcatcherartistry // Dessert: @thegivingpies // Shuttle: @corinthian_transportation
Restaurant Wedding at Comal in Berkeley
Date: 9.30.23 // Venue: Comal // Coordination: Alysa Monet // Photographer: Jacki Potorke Photography
Classy & Coastal: Rachel and Gurt
Date: September 4, 2022 // Flowers: Ida Blooms // Photos: Malaya Images // Ceremony Venue: Palace of Fine Arts // Reception Venue: St. Francis Yacht Club
Bringing Greenery Indoors: Cameron & Matthew
Date: October 23, 2021 // Venue: The Golden Gate Club // Photos: D. Lillian Photography // Planner: They So Loved Events // Hair: Chantelle Studio // Makeup: Adrianne Artistry // Lighting: Brown Audio Visual // Linens: La Tavola
Romantic Vineyard Party: Taylor + Brett
Couple: Taylor + Brett // Venue: Ru’s Farm // Photos: Sun and Life Photography // Planner: Blissful Events // HMU: // Calligraphy: Better Together // Rentals: Encore Events // Bar: Bay Area Draft Co. // Caterer: Park Avenue Catering // Entertainment: Cage & Aquarium
A Covid-19 Wedding: Steph + Vincent's Quaint Ceremony
Date: October 10, 2020 // Flowers: Ida Blooms Full Service Design // Photos: Jamie English Photgraphy // Venue: A Noe Valley Backyard + Lands End
Like so many couples in the last two years, Steph and Vincent had to pivot their wedding plans when Covid hit to keep their friends and family safe. Rather than postponing, these two decided to keep their wedding date and downsize to a tiny ceremony, broadcasted to family and friends via zoom.
It was such an intimate set up, hosted in their own backyard, and happened to be one of the first weddings I worked after Henry was born. I’ll remember it forever!
Oracle Park Sand Ceremony
Date: Nov 3, 2019 // Florals: Ida Blooms Full Service Design // Photos: Jenn Justice Photography // Dress: BHLDN // Tux: Generation Tux // Venue: Oracle Park
Kelsey and Kostya had a very fancy winter wedding at the end of 2019, but before that awesome affair came this sweet and unique sand ceremony at Oracle Park. The sand ceremony is a Jewish tradition, symbolizing the permanence and commitment in a marriage. & this one was EPIC.
Kelsey donned the most gorgeous boho dress and Kostya looked sharp in his tux as they toured around an empty ballpark and declared their love.
It was fun to put together a Giants colored flower crown and boutonniere to help them celebrate.
Megan & Zeke's Dreamy Coastal Elopement
A few short days into 2020, Megan and Zeke snuck away to Bug Sur to tie the knot. Their witnesses: immediate family & The Great Pacific Ocean. Megan is a very talented wedding photographer and I was so honored she chose me for her wild winter bouquet and Zekes boutonniere.
Florals: Ida Blooms Full Service Design // Photography: Shannon Yen Photography // HMUA: Beauty on Set // Dress: Madi Lane Bridal from a and bé bridal shop // Suit: INDOCHINO // Venue: Big Sur
Golden Hues: Maddie & Jake's Northern California Wedding
I file this one under my personal boho dream wedding.
Maddie and Jake’s wedding was a three day affair at the Straus Home Ranch in North Bay. They had full use of the property, including a beautiful house for the bride and bridesmaids, a cafe-light-strung patio, several smaller buildings, a massive barn, and the greatest overlook of Bodega Bay.
We leaned into the Golden Hues of California for her October wedding and utilized everything from bouquets to bud vases, huge Boston Ferns to dainty boutonnieres, and — my personal favorite — a massive growing install on the Chuppah. Long tables in the barn were lined in italian ruscus + eucalyptus garlands & spotted with bud vases for the reception.
It’s been over a year since this outstanding wedding, and I still look back so fondly at what we built.
Flowers: Ida Blooms Full Service Design // Photos: Kindred Weddings // Planning: Cotton & Oak // Venue: Straus Home Ranch // Makeup: Lips n’ Lashes By Elise Bigley // Hair: A Jane Designs // Dress: Kinsley James // Suit: Ted Baker London
Team Update: Ida Blooms Baby Coming this August
It has been such a whirlwind of a few months. I started Ida Blooms in 2017, from Jake and my’s one bedroom apartment in Nob Hill. In 2019, I opened the studio (Narrowest Shop SF) and increased my wedding work by 5x. Then, just days after my last wedding of the year (lookin atchyu Kelsey and Kostya), I found out I was pregnant.
That was Thanksgiving weekend & what followed was an emotional rollercoaster. The first trimester was wrought with anxiety, surprise, fear, and change. There was so much I didn’t know about being pregnant: for example, the risks associated with the first trimester, the fact that deli meat can carry fatal lysteria, and hot showers are bad for the baby, etc, etc, etc. While I didn’t experience any major physical symptoms or nausea, the emotional transition into pregnancy did not come easy.
Fortunately, much of my first trimester fell during the winter, Ida Blooms’ natural slow season. Without any weddings or big events on the horizon, I was able to sleep when I needed & adjust my business plans for the year to accommodate our growing babe. Unfortunately, part of that adjustment meant cancelling six pre-pregnancy-booked weddings that fell near my due date. I kid you not: that decision was one of the hardest parts of my pregnancy. Lucky for me, every single one of my couples chose to celebrate with me, rather than express frustration or ill will.
During my second trimester, Covid 19 hit. Off the bat, three of my spring weddings were cancelled and/or rescheduled. More followed. The loss of income and hands-on time with flowers has been an unexpected, and very tall hurdle to jump.
Now, we’re facing a completely unknown future, in so many ways. But, I’m over half way through this pregnancy (6 months, today!!!!), and Jake and I are very excited to meet our son this August.
I know a floral design blog might not feel like the place to document such personal news, but I have always considered Ida Blooms an extension of myself… so here we are. That being said, I’ve found it incredibly helpful to read other mothers’ pregnancy experiences these past few months. Since I have the unique view of both entrepreneur and mother(-to-be), I’m planning to share a bit of my own journey here, on this blog. I’ll continue with other, more flower related posts too, but wanted to give ya a heads up.
Thank you for sharing this special time with us.
Annie, Jake, & Little Henry Heath
Intimate Oceanside Wedding: Erin & Zoltan's Almost-Elopement
After working with Erin & Zoltan, I fell in love with small weddings. Rather than elope, these two invited immediate family members to a long weekend getaway outside Santa Cruz. They rented an awesome house on 22 acres of property, with a few small cabins on site. That Friday, bright and early, the caterers arrived to cook a light breakfast as everyone got ready for the ceremony. I came in a few hours later with the floral delivery - the house was oozing with love & relaxed excitement.
Erin & Zoltan got married in the backyard, under a tiny little arch, in the presence of their parents and siblings. Afterward, while those two snuck out to the coast for some amazing portraits, their planner, caterer and family set up an epic backyard brunch.
They spent the rest of the weekend celebrating, sipping mimosas, and just being together. It was the ultimate elopement… plus a few :)
Photos: Love & Wolves Co // Planning: Small Shindigs // Hair & Makeup: Love & Wolves Beauty // Venue: 22 acre airbnb outside Santa Cruz
The Ultimate Backyard Wedding: Emily & Greg
Emily & Greg didn’t intend to have a backyard wedding. For nine months leading to their big day, we planned and prepped the most “organized-chill” three day event at Triple S Ranch in Calistoga. It was a huge wedding for Ida Blooms, with floral components at the Friday night rehearsal/welcome party, the Saturday wedding and reception, and the Sunday farewell brunch.
But, Mother Nature had other plans. The week started off with brutal news that a wildfire was ravaging Calistoga and the surrounding area. We marched on, hoping the fire would divert away from the venue. & it did! Until Saturday morning, that is.
Just after our floral set up was complete, about an hour before the ceremony was about to begin, the Fire Marshall arrived to evacuate everyone. Emily’s amazing planner (Heald Weddings) immediately pressed go on Plan B, & Jake and I packed our car with as many flowers as we could fit. We relocated to a family friend’s backyard, about 20 minutes away in St Helena. I directed as groomsmen and guests unloaded our car, placed bud vases on the deck, made an aisle of ferns in the dead grass, flipped on flameless votives, and turned that backyard into the ultimate wedding venue.
Sure, the bridesmaids forgot their bouquets at Triple S; the dads boutonniere box didn’t make it out of their cabin; we ate tacos off the steps instead of the beautifully laid family style table… but Emily & Greg got married. & gosh if it wasn’t the craziest & coolest experience of my career.
Bride: Emily Merrell // Photos: Jodee Debes Photography // Planning: Heald Wedding Consulting // Catering: LaSaison // Alcohol: Winc & Neft Vodka
Dramatic Winter Wedding: Kelsey & Kostya
Kelsey and Kostya threw the most luxurious, sophisticated, and overall “cool” wedding at the end of November, 2019. It was the biggest event I’ve flowered for to date, and I can confidently say it’s one I’ll never forget.
From my very first conversation with Kelsey, we decided flowers should be romantic, modern, natural, and "colorless." She wanted them to reflect her and Kostya's relationship, in her own words: "Not light, girly, or airy, but also not rock and roll. Modern, but nostalgic. Moody, but not edgy. Romantic."
We leaned into deep greens (camellia and italian ruscus), many shades of white (there are FOUR varieties of rose throughout the design work... Akito, Sandy, Playa Blanca, + spray), dark privet and viburnum berries, and fun moody spillers/floaters, like scabiosa, ranunculus, and anemone. I even got my hands on some peonies from Chile -- the one bloom Kelsey mentioned as a favorite.
Between the moody florals and a total overload of pilar and tea candles, I think we achieved everything we set out to!
Bride: Blondes and Bagels // Photos: On the Times // Venue: Julia Morgan Ballroom // Coordinator: About Joy Events //Dress: Essense of Australia // Tux: Generation Tux
Peony-Soaked Sonoma Wedding: Zinzi & Brian
Zinzi and Brian’s peony-soaked wedding was my second gig. They got married on May 26, 2018 in the winery ruins of Jack London State Historic Park. Zinzi had a beautiful vision in mind - featuring lots of king protea (she is 50% South African!) and tons of peonies. Luckily, her wedding fell right in season!
One of my favorite things about this wedding was Zinzi’s relationship with her bridesmaids. She has such a close bond with each and every one. That relationship even became clear in the flowers. Zinzi requested we create a custom bouquet for each bridesmaid, so six unique bouquets total. Each one featured the bridesmaid’s favorite flower. Then, we incorporated each of those flowers into Zinzi’s bridal bouquet.
We made over 30 vased arrangements for this Sonoma Wedding. The dramatic pops of red peonies, intermingling with overhead twinkle lights, made the ruins a true dream venue.
Photos: Janice Yi Photography // Florals: Ida Blooms // Planning: Desert Child Events // Cake: Natty Cakes // Venue: Jack London State Historic Park
The Lonely Bouquet SF
Photos: Jodee Debes Photography // Florals: Ida Blooms // Custom paper goods: Kendra from Creatures of // Naturally-dyed silk ribbon (eucalyptus and avocado): LVR Naturals
This is a story about love, strangers, and bad ass female creatives in San Francisco.
Once upon a time, before Ida Blooms was a real live company, I was your typical millennial-instagram-scroller obsessed with flowers. One day, as I worked my way through a beautiful feed of pretty blooms, I stumbled upon The Lonely Bouquet.
You see, back in my hometown in the midwest, there is a very talented floral designer named Eve. One day, over social media, I watched her drop several beautiful hand-tied bouquets around Cincinnati. Her only intent was for strangers to find her arrangements, and, hopefully, make them smile.
The idea spoke to my soul. I investigated more and soon enough found out The Lonely Bouquet is an international project meant to spread love and joy through flowers. Here's the gist: with a signature "take me" or "adopt me" card, you leave a bouquet somewhere for an unsuspecting stranger to find. The stranger might take it. They might leave it. They might pass it on to a friend. Somehow, though, your lonely bouquet will find it's way to a happy home.
It's an urban fairy tale.
Cut to now: it is international lonely bouquet week. Through a collaboration with three creative soul sisters, I finally got to drop my own Lonely Bouquets here, in San Francisco.
Armed with nine bouquets, Jodee Debes (the photographer) and I hit the foggy streets to spread some love. & guys, we could not have had more fun.
Cruising around SF in my beat up '99 Altima, we made pit stops in Nob Hill, Russian Hill, The Castro, Presidio Heights, The Mission, and Crissy Fields. We dropped our bouquets in the whicker basket of parked vespas, on empty bus seats, & halfway up a classic San Franciscso sidewalk-staircase. There were so many people, and so many places, we wanted to reach.
As the morning ticked by, and fog started to burn off, we turned our attention to the #lonelybouquetSF hashtag. & the love started rolling right back in.
Our bouquets were being found. & our excitement reached a whole new level.
There are a lot of things happening in our city, country & world that are difficult to witness, and hard to understand...
But not the Lonely Bouquet. The Lonely Bouquet generates joy among strangers. It's as simple as that.
So, whether you found one, or you saw one and left it for another stranger to find, or even if you just read about The Lonely Bouquet today... I hope it brought you as much joy as it brought to us.
&, if you're up for it, I encourage you to pay it forward.
I owe a VERY special thank you to my Lonely Bouquet soul sisters: Jodee Debes who photographed the entire morning & spent four hours shotgun // Kendra Meneghetti who custom made our paper goods // and Virginia Petitte who donated the naturally dyed silk ribbon. As for the lonely bouquets themselves.... those were designed by yours truly, on the plastic folding table my husband and I are currently using in the dining room.
Ladies, thank you for sharing your talents with me and the city of San Francisco.
How to host a boho beach picnic
One of the things I love most about San Francisco is Ocean Beach, which borders the far west of the city. Just trek four miles from the hustle and bustle and cable cars climbing Nob Hill (where I live) and you'll hit the tranquil, wild, windy Pacific Ocean.
Obviously, with access to a space so beautiful, I like to host a lot of picnics. Today, I thought I'd share my go-to playbook so you can host your own!
The Spread
Unless you're the luckiest person in the world, your beach picnic is at least a drive away. That means you'll want to focus on finger foods that don't require extra plates and utensils. Luckily, all of these can be found easily (and cheaply!) at your local grocer. I stopped at Whole Foods on our way to the beach and bought some brie, bread, cold cuts, grapes, and walnuts. I wanted to keep our punch light and refreshing, so once we arrived, I mixed a few cans of grapefruit spiked seltzer (from Costco, highly recommend!) with a jug of Trader Joe's grapefruit juice.
The Setup
Sand. Gets. Everywhere. So for your beach picnic, you're definitely going to want to layer blankets. Floor pillows add an extra level of comfort for your guests, as well.
Let's face it, the closer food is to your face, the less chance there is for spillage! I made these little picnic tables about a year ago and take them everywhere. If you don't want to make your own table, you can always purchase a "table in a bag," available at retailers like Crate and Barrel and Pottery Barn.
Now, turn on some tunes, and wait for your guests!
The Crowns
If you can't wear a flower crown to a boho beach picnic, when can you?!? Haha I'm teasing, but, really. Since I'm in the business of petals, I had flower crowns ready for my guests as soon as they arrived.
Flowers have a habit of putting everyone in a happy mood and made our picnic feel extra special.
That's it! It's so easy! So go forth, and picnic! I'm always ready to join ya ;)
This picnic was a collaboration between several badass female entrepreneurs including: Photos by Natalie Folchi of Folchi Creative // Modeling by Andi Teggart of Lucky Collective and Lucky Andi; Ali Mazzotta; Molly Long of Molllified; and Madison Silotti // Florals and Styling by me (eek!), Annie Heath of Ida Blooms.
