If 2022 was the year of testing artistic limits, 2023 was the year of breaking creative boundaries! Native Poppy's florists went wild, making flower installations and sculptures larger and more detailed than ever before. Let's review our top 10 flower installations of 2023!
Without a doubt, the highlight of 2023 was when Native Poppy founder, Natalie Gill, debuted her first rotunda exhibit at San Diego Museum of Art’s annual fundraising gala: Art Alive. Natalie's design broke records as the most visited exhibit in the history of the museum’s fundraiser, raising $1.1 million for the Museum programming. This funding will enhance cultural and educational programs for both children and adults.
Beyond the rotunda, our team had the opportunity to flower dozens of weddings, a series of public “Petal Pops” for San Diego Museum of Art’s Art Alive, a stunning silk floral installation for a floral themed bar at the Estancia Hotel, not one but two large-scale floral sea creatures, and more.
1. Art Alive 2023 at the San Diego Museum of Art - our largest, most extravagant flower installation to date!
Photography: Bauman Photographers
This two-story flower installation in the San Diego Museum of Art rotunda was designed by 15 florists over three days! It took months of prepping materials and planning design.
2. Estancia in Bloom, a floral speakeasy at the Estancia Hotel and Spa in La Jolla
This installation renewed a love of silks for us when we turned the Greenfinch Bar at the Estancia Hotel and Spa into a floral speakeasy! It was such a hit that the installation stayed up for the rest of the year (and even got a holiday update)!
3. Wedaways Travel at Del Coronado Hotel with Renee Strauss and Wild Heart Events
Photography: Redamancy Photo Film
One of our favorite styled shoots to date for Wedaways Travel! Teaming up with Wild Heart Events and Renee Strauss, we shot EIGHT event set-ups over three days including this chic bow-moment that we won’t ever forget.
4. Lobster-Inspired 80th birthday party with Amorology (a flowered lobster sculpture that went viral on Instagram)
Photography: Rebecca Yale
This “Cape Cod comes to Coronado'' themed birthday party was just calling for a crustacean. Enter a larger-than-life floral-lobster (and scallop-shell palm fronds) that created a truly magical atmosphere. This event with Amorology was one for the books!
5. Ritz Carlton Wedding in Laguna Niguel with Floral Fish Sculptures with Manna Sun Events (Plus rainbow wild flower arrangements that went viral on Instagram)
Photography: C & C Photography
These floral fish sculptures were created in honor of the couple’s last name (it means “fish” in Mandarin). Beyond the fish, what drew people into this pretty, wild wedding with Manna Sun Events at the Ritz Carlton in Laguna Niguel were the colorful, gardeny centerpieces. A six-second video showing the table top had followers reeling on Instagram, with almost 2 million views!
6. Mary Costa Photography x Kindred Presets Shoot at the Trixie Motel with Xo Kate Events and Jennefer Wilson
We teamed up with Mary Costa Photography and Kindred Presets for a pinker than pink styled shoot at the Trixie Motel in Palm Springs! Can you say, Barbiecore?!
7. Petal Pops, Promoting San Diego Museum of Art’s Art Alive 2023
Photography: Create with Gusto
In preparation for Art Alive 2023, we transformed four public locations with our signature “Petal Pops.” This year included Belmont Park's carousel, Westfield Mall UTC’s Valet Parking (a last minute pivot on a very rainy day), a restaurant entrance at The Pendry Hotel, and the Coronado Ferry Landing. It was an amazing experience to engage with our San Diego community, and we love seeing all the photos of you enjoying our work!
8. A Pastel Cliffside Wedding at Alila Marea Beach Resort in Encinitas with Amorology
Imagine stunning seaside views and a pastel floral meadow coming together, and you’ll be at this lush wedding. A “more is more” mindset for flowers transformed the space into a romantic oasis.
9. Shades of Peach Birthday Party with Kasey Schaffer Events and Kelsey Rae Designs
Photography: Jessica Rice Photography
There really is nothing our florists can’t achieve and we are always looking for folks who think outside the box and do something extraordinary!
10. Type A Soiree Twin Oaks Garden Rainbow Wedding Flower Arch
Photography: Allie Lindsey Photography
One thing we will never tire of is color. There is no such thing as too much color (or too many flowers) for a wedding, and we absolutely adore when our brides embrace it! Make your dream wedding a reality with our full service floral design.
As we wrap up 2023, we delight in the year’s artistry and can’t wait to share what 2024 has in store! For more inspiration, check out our top 10 flower installations of 2022 and top 10 flower installations of 2021.
See you on the wild side, Wild Flowers!