From Ice Cream Sandwiches to a Floral Wonderland: Allison and Kyle’s Unforgettable Wedding at The Lane

Hey there, flower lovers! Buckle up because I’m about to take you on a vibrant journey through Allison and Kyle’s spectacular wedding on May 25, 2024, at The Lane in Downtown San Diego. This wasn’t just another wedding; it was a whirlwind of color, creativity, and pure joy—my biggest floral project ever!

So, who is the couple? Allison, a now master’s graduate in nutrition, and Kyle, a commercial airline pilot, make an incredibly sweet pair. While Kyle supported her dream wedding, Allison was hands-on with every detail of their big day. The whole planning process stretched over two years, and let me tell you, it was a wild ride filled with changes, excitement, and a whole lot of color.

From the very start, Allison and Kyle knew they wanted their wedding to be a burst of vibrant hues and fun. We’re talking bright fuchsias, pops of lavender, light blue, peaches, and mochas—a palette contemporary perfect for a late Spring wedding. They even swapped out traditional cake for Baked Bear ice cream sandwiches because, well, why not keep it cool and quirky?

So, grab a cup of coffee (or an ice cream sandwich, if you’ve got one), and let’s dive into how we transformed The Lane into a floral fantasy that left everyone in awe!

The planning process was a two-year journey filled with meticulous attention to detail and a passion for design. Allison’s eagerness to be involved in every aspect of the floral design process made it an exciting collaboration. Together with Jill Hudgins from I Do…Weddings and Events, we transformed their dream into reality with an impressive array of floral elements, including three grand hanging installations, a stunning full floral broken arch, over 200 candles, and more than 60 centerpieces. This celebration wasn’t just about floral design; it was about creating a breathtaking atmosphere that captured the essence of Allison and Kyle’s love story and their incredible journey together.

The Venue: A Blank Canvas

The Lane, nestled in the heart of downtown San Diego with its picturesque water views, provided the perfect blank canvas for Allison and Kyle’s wedding. Its white walls and light wood accents create a versatile backdrop, allowing any style of décor to seamlessly blend with the venue’s ambiance. This clean, modern architecture set the stage for a vibrant floral theme, perfectly aligning with the couple’s vision.

The venue’s minimalist design offered a unique opportunity to craft a floral wonderland that would stand out against its sophisticated backdrop. The choice of a vibrant garden theme was inspired by The Lane’s contemporary yet adaptable aesthetic, transforming the space into a lush, colorful paradise that complemented both the venue’s features and the couple’s personal style.

Color Explosion: From Vision to Reality

When Allison and Kyle began planning their wedding, one thing was crystal clear: they wanted COLOR and filling the blank canvas! From our very first meeting, it was evident that their vision was all about vibrant hues and a lively atmosphere. Allison and Kyle’s responses to the initial questionnaire revealed a laid-back, fun-loving approach, with favorites like tacos and ice cream making their list. Instead of cake, they fed their guests Baked Bear Ice Cream sandwiches. Their priority was to ensure their friends and family had a blast and celebrated together in a joyful setting.

With Allison gearing up for her master’s program, they booked their wedding vendors in 2022 to secure their top choices early and let the details evolve over time. This extended planning period allowed their vision to mature and adapt, resulting in changes to their color scheme, floral elements, and even a change in venue. Each adjustment was made with the intent of enhancing the overall experience, culminating in a wedding that was as dynamic and spirited as the couple themselves.

Floral Design: A Palette of Vibrance

Diving into the details, we embraced a vibrant palette of bright fuchsias, pops of lavender, light blue, warm peaches, and smooth mochas, setting the stage for a floral extravaganza. May’s peak floral season provided a wealth of beautiful blooms, including spirea, peonies, ranunculus, and bearded iris. Among these, the Moab roses were a standout feature, commanding attention with their large, dramatic heads. These roses were used in both a stunning 12-foot hanging installation featuring Adore Folklore’s boho rattan lanterns and the grand floral arch at the ceremony, making a bold statement throughout the event.

We designed with ingredient blocking techniques to showcase the exquisite selection of flowers we curated. This approach allowed us to highlight the rich textures and colors of the floral arrangements. For the reception, we crafted a spectacular centerpiece: a 6x4 foot greenery disco ball chandelier. Draped in vining greenery and accented with blooms, this piece played with depth, space, and pattern by hanging stems of single ingredients grouped together at different heights.

As personal touch we LOVED was the adornment of a small photo of Allison’s late mother. Another way we were able to honor her mother was by weaving pieces of her mom’s wedding veil into Allison’s bridal bouquet. The dainty floral cut outs strung with pearls perfectly accented Allison’s pearl earrings and floral appliqué dress.

Behind the Scenes: Challenges and Triumphs

Bringing Allison and Kyle’s vibrant floral vision to life was no small feat, and it came with its own set of challenges and learning experiences. One of the significant hurdles was working with smilax, a popular but out-of-season vine crucial for creating lush greenery installs. Knowing that Allison desired a garden-style reception, I spent nearly a year and a half researching alternatives. I explored new smilax vendors, consulted with other florists, and even considered faux greenery stems. Despite these efforts, sourcing Smilax for the wedding was fraught with hiccups.

In the end, I learned a valuable lesson: always purchase the emotional support panic product. I made an extra trip to the market to secure additional greenery, even if it meant going a bit over budget. In my experience, it's better to invest a bit more than risk not having the necessary materials to meet a client’s vision. This approach not only fulfilled Allison and Kyle’s dream but also ensured a stunning floral display.

The wedding also marked a milestone with the largest team I’ve ever assembled. I was thrilled to work with five incredibly talented designers as well as my dad, who all played vital roles in delivering and installing. This all-star team executed the day of plan perfectly allowing for post ceremony espresso martinis to celebrate. In the week leading up to the event, I enlisted two more dedicated helpers to process, prep, and build the arrangements. A special shoutout goes to San Diego SociaLights, who expertly hung all the mechanics for the installations, saving my team invaluable time and effort. Their collaboration was indispensable, and their support continues to be a favorite part of the process.

Final Thoughts: A Blooming Success

The floral designs for Allison and Kyle’s wedding left guests wowed and amazed. The sheer scale and curated color palette of the arrangements created a breathtaking atmosphere that was hard to forget. The reactions from attendees were filled with awe, highlighting how impactful a well-thought-out floral design can be.

For me, this wedding was the culmination of two years of planning and collaboration. Getting to work closely with Allison and her planner over such an extended period made the process incredibly special. It’s rare to have the opportunity to build such a deep connection with a client, and it made the result incredibly rewarding.