On a balmy spring night, XO Bloom co-owners Sarah Zahran and Laila Elsherif held an intimate dinner in their floral and gift studio located in Westlake Village, about 45 minutes north of Los Angeles.
Bloomin’ into Summer was designed to showcase XO Bloom’s summer looks, new cuisine from Good Gracious Events, and new cocktails and collaborations. As guests arrived, an unexpected light rain began to fall.
In Southern California, raindrops are auspicious, not to mention a happy harbinger of future flowers. But that night, the studio was already in full bloom. One long clear acrylic box table set with clear chairs was the focal point of the evening. The table, from Edge Design & Décor, was making its debut that evening. Appropriately named Eve, the table sported not only fig leaves but huge bunches of hydrangea, roses, and orchids artfully arranged by XO Bloom. Inside the table was a mosaic of rose petals in the evening’s pastel color palette.
Dinner and cocktails were also themed around those same colors, although the cocktail course began with a bold red. Three opaque red acrylic trays were pre-set with three bite-sized items—lobster in a tomato red parmesan taco shell, smoked chicken in a red beet hummus cone, and popcorn dusted with smoked paprika.
“We wanted to serve guests just that one appetizer all at one time for the greatest impact,” explained Joanne Purnell, Executive Vice President of Good Gracious Events, who presided over the event, introducing each course.
As guests sat to dinner, they enjoyed each colorful course with a creative cocktail from Scarlette Bartending themed around the color and mixed with just the right ingredients to complement Purnell’s menu.
The table was set with marble charger plates from XO Bloom, and each guest received a hand-lettered napkin painted with sunset colors. They also received a piece of floral jewelry art hand created by Elsherif which prompted a series of Instagram moments from the guests, each one of whom is an influencer in the event and wedding worlds.
After a colorful dinner, drinks and conversation, the evening, and the rain ended. The following morning brought a spectacular sunrise and with it, new blooms, new friendships and of course, a sky filled with the same yellows, oranges and pinks guests had enjoyed the night before.
Menu
Hors D’oeuvres
Maine lobster tomato parmesan taco
Smoked chicken red beet hummus cone
Smoked paprika dusted popcorn
Associated Cocktail
Housemade honeydew tequila, pomegranate reduction, and fresh lime layered over crushed ice
Amuse Bouche
Caramelized Cipollini yellow pepper
Associated Cocktail
Roasted red pepper gin, and ground cumin served over cold pressed pineapple and chamomile ice cubes
Begin
Scottish smoked salmon feuillete
Associated Cocktail
Mint mango vodka sgroppino
Main Course
Beef short rib risotto
Associated Cocktail
Rainer cherry whiskey sour served with a butterfly pea pod ice shot cup
Sweet Ending
Pavlova fruit love
Associated Cocktail
Grapefruit infused vodka, bitters liqueur, and a splash of prosecco served over a flower ice sphere
The Creative Team
Venue, Host and Floral Design: XO Bloom
Coordination & Design: Cindy Celis, Edge Design and Decor
Catering: Good Gracious Events
Cocktails: Scarlette Bartending
Invitations, Menu Cards: Soolip
Calligraphy on Napkins: Calligraphy by Monica
Table: Edge Design Décor
Chairs and Rentals: Party Pleasers
Lighting and Sound: Coastal Events
Photos: Sanaz Photography
