Spring in bloom

Weddings are joyous occasions celebrating the most important and romantic of new beginnings, which makes spring, with its bright celebration of nature reborn the perfect backdrop for a nuptial celebration.

“Spring is a time when new flowers begin to bloom, and springtime means renewal and regrowth — how appropriate for a wedding!” said Cortnie Purdy of San Diego-based Canvas & Canopy Events.

In Southern California especially, spring signals lovely weather and an abundance of natural gifts in the way of diverse flora and fresh colors. “My clients who get married in the spring tend to love beautiful, warm sunny weather, the outdoors, flowers and nature,” said Julie Pryor of Pryor Events in L.A.

Because the season marks new beginnings, added Nikki Khan of Beverly Hills’ Exquisite Events, it’s the ideal time for a wedding full of blooming flowers and other symbols of nature bursting to life.

Garden partying

Celebrating Southern California’s natural beauty, many spring weddings are held outside on private estates, by the ocean, in a garden or grove or on the grounds of a lush winery. But, Pryor said, “there’s no reason you can’t build a garden in a ballroom.”

Jesi Haack Design’s namesake designer prefers outside-the-box settings such as state parks, open fields and barns — places that “lend themselves to a beautiful view.” But Costa Mesa-based Haack added a warning about outdoor events: “Always have a backup plan. Check the weather a week out and have a tent on reserve.”

Regardless of the venue, it’s important that spring nuptials be “infused with color and fragrance,” Khan said. This can be accomplished with sweet-smelling buds of all varieties.

“After [a] dreary winter, it’s great to create a very beautiful blooming springtime wedding using things like blooming branches, wheat grass, hydrangea and highly fragrant flowers like lilac,” said event designer Sasha Souza, author of “Signature Sasha: Magnificent Weddings by Design” (Beaufort Books, 2010).

When it comes to décor, the ceremony can set the stage for a celebration of new beginnings. Haack loves to use a whimsical aisle runner, such as a floral-printed fabric, or line the aisle with fluffy poly-fill “clouds.” Additionally, she frequently uses the altar, arch or backdrop as an opportunity to add bright pops of color with bold flowers, patterned paper pinwheels, branches and streamers and colorful kites that evoke this freewheeling season.

Don’t be afraid to be adventurous with décor, mixing eclectic elements such as different shapes of tables for the reception and a variety of vintage floral china settings. Leila Khalil of Be Inspired PR decorates the dining and sign-in tables with unique trinkets like old Kodak Brownie cameras and vintage lanterns.

A Divine-Occasion’s Kathy Nosek, based in Huntington Beach, said suspending flowers, such as tulips, or colorful umbrellas above the reception creates a “‘Midsummer Night’s Dream’ kind of look — it allows it to be dreamy.”

Involving the guests

A growing trend in weddings, especially in this invigorating season, is getting the guests involved as more than just spectators. Interactive elements also show the couple’s personality, help break the ice and increase the surprise factor.

Because being outdoors lends itself to being more casual, Haack said she’s noticing more couples veering away from tradition and toward quirky concepts like snow cone cocktail carts and carnival-like activities. “I like to make the wedding interactive because it’s an awesome opportunity to include your guests and do something cool and different that furthers the design,” she said.

Some couples are kicking off the festivities with frozen lemonade or cocktails with fresh-squeezed juices and games such as bocce ball, croquet or even Scrabble. Haack likes to replace the traditional guest book with a huge mirror to be signed with lipsticks, a giant magnetic poetry board or a big kite, complete with streaming fabric tails on which guests can write their personal messages.

There’s even a new spin on the wedding photo booth: a cubicle that prints mini flipbooks of guests mugging. “It’s a cutting-edge party favor I absolutely love doing,” Nosek said.

Shades of spring

There’s really no bright or light color that can’t work for a spring wedding, but, “it’s important that you stick with only two or three colors, because with more it tends to look like Easter,” Pryor warned. “You want it to be very light, fun, whimsical and breezy, but be careful not to go overboard” with too many pastel hues. She’s most fond of yellows and purples for this season’s nuptials.

Khan added that vibrant “corals, pinks, oranges, chartreuse and lavender are . . . really big this season.” These gorgeous colors can be used in everything from the naturally beautiful blossoms and plants to vintage-colored cocktail glasses and seasonal desserts.

Alternately, this spring many planners say that navy and royal blue are making an appearance by couples influenced by the British royal wedding. Adventurous couples, Haack said, can take their garden aesthetic to a dreamy “Alice in Wonderland”-esque state with an all-metallic take on spring.

Fun with food

The first beverage a guest imbibes can set the tone of a fanciful spring wedding. “Spring is all about abundance and refreshing flavors, and this also goes for the drinks that are served,” Souza said. She recommended “very light spritzers” or cocktails with lavender, mint or cucumber.

The food-truck trend is still on the rise at weddings, Haack said. Another casual way to feed guests: interactive food stations where a chef blends heirloom tomato gazpacho, paella or colorful salads from crisp organic ingredients. “Springtime is the perfect time to start using local and fresh produce,” Souza said.

And the ideal ending to a late spring night of dancing and frolicking under the stars? Think refreshing. “Shaved ice if it was a hot day,” Haack said. Or consider Sweet Lucie’s, a vintage ice cream cart the husband-and-wife owners stock with custom, homemade, organic flavors and toppings — a sweet conclusion to a spring wedding full of whimsy.

– Emerson Patrick, Custom Publishing Writer