Califorina Event Designer Archives

Beyond the Centerpiece: Unique Reception Decor Ideas

February 7, 2021

Tables aren’t the only place that could use a little bit of floral and decor love! Think beyond the centerpiece and add unique and unexpected details to elevate your event. From beautiful bars to chic lounge areas to divine dessert tables, we can make your floral dreams come true to take your celebration to the next level.

Stock the Bar

Photography by April & Co. and InMotion Pro

We are big fans of a bar for any event! Let yours stand out with arrangements and decor that will have your guests not only excited about what you are serving, but where. We love suspended florals, lush garlands, and flower-decked candelabras to make a big statement.

Pool Party

Especially with backyard bashes, you want to make sure you think about the decor of your entire space. That includes your pool! From wild floral arrangements to colorful balloons, there are tons of fun ways to accessorize your pool with whimsical floating decorations. This extra attention to detail is sure to wow your guests!

The best events are those that really focus on a great guest experience. Trying out these more unique reception decor ideas is sure to make your next event a flourishing success!

Fatemeh and Farhad’s Birthday Evening

May 26, 2020

This stunning husband and wife duo were both celebrating milestone birthdays, and they wanted to celebrate in style! We loved designing this gold and white evening with touches of black. To spruce up the space, we wanted to give guests multiple areas in the ballroom to grab a cocktail. We utilized a stunning half-moon bar featuring the couple’s initials and a geometric gold bar with a candle wall that created a beautiful focal point. Fatemeh and Farhad enjoyed the evening mingling with guests and dancing the night away.

Vendors –

Event Designer and Florist: Flourishing Art Design Studio

Photography: Valdophye Photography

Rentals: Walker Lewis Rents

Rentals: Revelry Event Designers

Step and Repeat Photo and Printing on Site: InMotionPro Photo Video

Lighting: The Social Vibe

Linens: BBJ Linen

Venue: Stockdale Country Club

Cake: Cornerstone Bakery

Valet: Alpha and Omega Valet Service

Flourishing Art in the News: May Press Roundup

May 11, 2020

In the month of May, we focused on education for couples as they navigate the daunting task of rescheduling their wedding dates and planning during COVID-19. We also contributed to a few industry articles to help some of our creative friends find inspiration during this time, as well as how you can push your business forward after a setback.

In our first mention, we were thrilled to have our styled shoot at Sextant Winery in Trends Magazine. Reliving this stunning shoot has us ready to get back to Sextant to create some more magic! We can’t get enough of that adorable cottage, and the all-white floral combination is what spring dreams are made of!

Next up, we tackled the topic of how to handle virtual planning meetings with your floral designer on Brides. Like many others, we have had some of our consultation appointments via phone or video, but this is a whole new world of having all of our clients online.

During this time, we have all found ourselves looking for a little inspiration and something happy to lift our spirits. We were thrilled to be included in an article on Catersouce among other event industry professionals that are spreading the love. We were included with our delivery of over 150+ arrangements to area hospitals, nursing homes, and Alzheimer care centers and hospices. Others were included for online dance parties, to kids boxes for takeout, and an incredible interview with photographer Lara Woolfson who has recovered from Coronavirus.

As we entered April, Oleta shared her very personal story of how she rebuilt Flourishing Art after her diagnosis and recovery of breast cancer on Sage Wedding Pros. As most business owners are facing uncertain times, we hope that this article can help them as well.

Our New Team Member

April 14, 2020

In the last few months, we were lucky enough to expand our team to include a new member, Daniel Beer. We are not only fortunate to have him on our team; we were also able to work side by side while planning his wedding with his partner Mark!

With dual degrees in music and cosmetology, Daniel is a jack of all trades with an eye for detail. He started his career as a hairdresser and, in quick fashion, worked his way up the chain to become the National Technical Director of Anasazi, a professional hair treatment line where he managed a team of over 40 educators. He was also a manager of the salon and spa at Saks Fifth Avenue. After a 32-year career that took him from Houston to Chicago to the heart of Manhattan, Daniel decided to move to Bakersfield to pursue a role in the world of events.

In particular, weddings hold a special place in his heart — especially for someone who recently celebrated his own NYC-themed nuptials (complete with a Studio 54-inspired reception!). His creative approach to design helps him to visualize a couple’s dream wedding to new heights, in an effort to create a day that is memorable and impactful for both the couple and their guests.

Although he no longer lives in The Big Apple, the city still draws him in with its Broadway musicals and exquisite culinary scene (not to mention the shopping). At home, Daniel is the host with the most as he brings his event planning chops to his living room. He loves to entertain friends and family, whether it’s a small dinner party or an outdoor bash. As long as there is great food, music, and people, Daniel is in his element.

Daniel, we are so thrilled to have you on board!

Feature on KGET – TV 17

April 1, 2020

It’s an understatement to say that the past few weeks have been difficult for our beloved event industry. During these unprecedented times, many of our beloved colleagues and friends are feeling the impact- from engaged couples moving dates to our creative partners feeling the pangs of canceled corporate gatherings.

It’s admittedly easy to get down if you let yourself, so this past week, we tried to bring a little bit of sunshine back into everyone’s lives.

You see, we found ourselves with flowers from several postponed events and decided to reach out to our community through social media, and offer free arrangements for hospitals, nursing homes and those in need. It was simple- you tell us who needed their spirits lifted, and we would waive our flower and design fees, and just ask for assistance with the delivery.

We had no idea that it would catch the attention of our local news but we were thrilled to have them tag along as well dropped off 150 arrangements throughout Bakersfield. You can see the full clip below. 🙂

We hope everyone enjoyed their arrangements.

A New Chapter for Flourishing Art Design Studio

March 16, 2020

We are thrilled to announce that we are now the owners of Stage Right, a home staging company based in Bakersfield. We will continue to run Flourishing Art Design Studio and Stage Right will be a division of our offerings. The addition of this company will allow for our furniture and décor rental options for events to be easier for our clients as we will not have to source from other areas like LA.

“We are cataloging, inventorying, and have moved all of our new product to our new warehouse,” shares Collins. “We have homes designed now that we collaborated in December. We are learning all of the items we have acquired and, with our design and Fran’s knowledge and design, we are ready now.”

The previous owner Fran Gunner is an author, painter, and jewelry designer. Her creativity and artistry appealed to Collins, who looks forward to using Gunner’s education and design skills to continue staging homes, offices, and other interior spaces.

“Fran brings so much to the table,” states Collins. “We are so excited for this union. She is an established artist in everything she does; this was a natural move for Flourishing Art Design Studio.”

Oleta will continue heading up Flourishing Art while Stage Right’s Gunner and Daniel Beer will lead the implementation and execution of their designs.

Flourishing Art in the News: January Press Roundup

January 23, 2020

We are so excited to share some of our recent press features! We’ve got everything from wedding tips to trends and taking your business to the next level. Check it all out below:

SheFinds

We shared our thoughts on what floral trend will be big in 2020 with SheFinds. Spoiler alert! It’s cascading bouquets with an unkempt look.

WIPA

Taking your business to an international level is no small decision. If you’re not sure that it’s the right time, take a look at our article on WIPA to help you make a more informed decision!

SheFinds

We’re on SheFinds with one of the most common regrets we find our clients make when planning their wedding. Not having their planner present when booking the location(s). This is one of the most important decisions you’ll make in the planning process and having someone who knows the right questions to ask and necessary logistics will make a big difference.

Your Floral Timeline

January 10, 2020

Engagement season is upon us! For couples that are just starting to think about planning their wedding, we’ve got the intel on when and how you should start thinking about your florals.

When to Book

Don’t wait on choosing your florist! You’ll want to have them booked early on so that you can be sure you’re choosing a wedding date with flowers that are in season. The last thing you’ll want is to book your wedding for November when you’ve always dreamed of a bridal bouquet full of peonies, which already bloomed in the spring.

Photographer: Cecily Breeding Creative

When to Finalize

Everything should be set in stone by two weeks ahead of the wedding. Remember that centerpieces and other arrangements are simple to add, but you can’t put flowers back in the ground once they’ve been pulled.

Photographer: J. Michelle Photography

What to Bring

When finalizing your florals be sure that you also have the timeline set from your planner and photographer so that the florist can be sure the arrangements and bouquets are in the right place at the right time. Also, be sure you’ve included contact information for your planner and the venue to prevent issues with getting in to the space and getting everything set up.

A good rule of thumb is that it’s never too soon to book! The more time you give yourself and your vendors, the smoother your experience will (hopefully) be!

Flourishing Art in the News: November Podcast Roundup!

November 5, 2019

Fun fact: we love being a guest on wedding podcasts! And, we’re covering all the bases this month by highlighting two very different podcasts.

On Planner in Training, we’re speaking on how wedding planners can best communicate with other vendors during high-stress situations on the wedding day.

Then, we’re having a bit of fun on Bridechilla by helping couples bring their wedding vision board to life – even with countless platforms of inspiration online. Thank you to Planner in Training and Bridechilla for allowing us to be a part of your podcasts!

Planner in Training

As wedding and event professionals, one of the most important things we do is communicate! But, what happens when things don’t go as planned and that communication has to be with other vendors during stressful circumstances?

Oleta is sharing her personal experience that she and our team have encountered, and how we persevered to make this best of each situation. Access Oleta’s insight on the Planner in Training podcast by browsing here.

Bridechilla

With engagement season making its annual debut, we know how overwhelming it can be with today’s treasure trove of wedding inspiration. Thankfully, Oleta has partnered with Bridechilla in a wedding planning Q & A podcast to help you create the wedding mood board of your dreams!

From deciding what you like to budgeting and finding the right people to help you, we know newly engaged couples will find a lot of great takeaways from this podcast. Take a listen on Bridechilla’s website here.

Gilded Ballroom Retirement Fête

October 22, 2019

After 25 years of service, a retirement celebration for Bahram Ghaffari, the President of the Delano Regional Medical Center, is just what the doctor ordered!

Our goal was to design and choreograph an awe-filled event that epitomized opulent glamour with its décor, entertainment, white-glove service, and many other special touches.

When guests arrived at the Bakersfield Marriott, they were greeted by a parade of servers offering trays of wine while enjoying the tunes of an eccentric piano musician.

Once cocktail hour concluded, greeters simultaneously opened the ballroom doors to reveal the swanky, candlelit room. While the guests located their tables, under black crystal chandeliers while walking through the low-lying fog that swept across the room. Everyone’s attention then fell to the seamless black gloss dance floor, where two tango dancers floated across for the next round of entertainment.

The dining tables featured an abundance of gold accents, candlesticks, candles votives, and towering white floral candelabra centerpieces. Guests sat down to enjoy a delectable dinner that ended with “a flamed” baked Alaska presentation.

The evening was filled with heartfelt speeches from close friends and colleagues while a world-class Salsa band rounded out the evening’s entertainment. As expected, the evening ended with guests dancing the night away.

A big thank you to our amazing creative partners and their staff who helped make it a real success!

Vendors:

Planning, Production and Floral Design: Flourishing Art

Photographer: Fernando Oregel

Videographer: InMotion Pro

Venue: Bakersfield Marriott

Rentals: Walker-Lewis Rents and Revelry Event Designers

Music: Mento Bru