by Susan Hart Hellman
Photography by Jose Villa Photography
Event Design by Camilla Svensson Burns Floral Design and Panacea Event Floral Design
Destination weddings are a great excuse to visit an exotic locale, but then maybe it’s not as far away as you think. We didn’t travel to Morocco, Indonesia, or to the Hawaiian Islands; we found our own private paradise to inspire the exotic dream to another level of romance.
The stylists, like the brides and grooms, dream of transforming the wedding into an elegant affair.
We invited recognized wedding designers Panacea Event Floral Design and Camilla Svensson Burns Floral Design to create within a theme – exotic tropical – which can inspire many variations, from the vibrant colors and fabrics inspired by Middle- and Far-Eastern regions to the lush beauty of tropical and island landscapes. Each designer developed a unique vision based on this theme and influenced by the surrounding environments of the dramatic Central California coastline and the tropical garden setting of the Avila Bay Athletic Club & Spa. Each will show us how one theme can be explored to incorporate your own personality and desires. Enjoy!
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 CALIFORNIA ZEN MEETS PACIFIC RIM ELEGANCE
Panacea Event Floral Design designs with the colors primarily with the Chinese silk fabric of the canopy and the ambient light of the lanterns. While staying within a warm palette of rich orange, gold, and green, the flowers are used as an accent rather than the main element - in theatre chat this is an ensemble piece rather than a starring role for the flowers. In addition, natural colors and textures are woven through this setting with the use of dark lacquered bamboo and tropical it leaves.
For the floral design, earthy orange Vanda orchids are used with grasses, equisetum and additional floral accents of ti leaves and green cymbidium orchids are placed upon gold shantung silk linen accented by the bamboo runner. Candles are placed in green glass votive holders which add a subtle complement to the green champagne flutes. Plate ware of Plum Blossom dinner and salad plates in ochre and green are topped off with black lacquered chop sticks accented with a green cymbidium orchid. For the final touch, gold shantung silk interlaced through the Chiavari chairs in rich fruit wood from Event Retns.
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 TAHITI MEETS MANHATTAN
Not your typical tropical approach to this popular theme. The stark contrast of black and ivory against the vibrant colors of chartreuse, moss, and shades of purple and magenta are used to evoke a more romantic and elegant approach to what is usually reserved for the typical tropical color combinations. “With this design I was hoping to give brides an out-of-the-box alternative that would pop and make their guests say ‘Wow!’”
Silk linens featured floral silhouettes in black and ivory, the chartreuse green square plates are molded as if taken from a giant slice of Mother of Pearl. Plates are dressed with a moss green Dupioni silk napkin topped by a magenta Catelya orchid to soften the angular lines and opalescence of each plate.
For the table centerpiece, a bold and rustic blend of purple Vanda orchids, James Story orchids, Monkey Tail fern curls, curly willow, and tropical greens are arranged in a tall, wrought iron candelabra styled after an open lotus blossom. The finishing touch: hand-carved South Pacific-style teak stools with Dupioni silk cushions in moss green.
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