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Angel Swanson, Los Angeles Vendor: Wedding Planner Website: Events of Love and Splendor About Me: I plan, design, coordinate weddings in southern California for living. It's a dream job and I adore every aspect of it! I find inspiration everyday in nature, art, history, and fashion, and bring my whimsical personal aesthetic to each event I take on. I love to travel and am always planning my next vacation. Cooking is also a passion -- in another life I would be a Food Network star.
About angelswanson

I'm fairly predictable when it comes to my sleep patterns. I like to retire between midnight and 2 a.m., and get up around 8-9 a.m. So on any given day, you would be safe to bet that at 4 a.m., I am somewhere deep in dreamland, snuggled under the covers. Well, unless you made that bet last Wednesday. On that particular morning I forsook the warm haven of my bed to meet my very best friend, Kristin of The Treasured Petal, at the LA flower mart! It was not my first time visiting, but I wanted the opportunity to scope out the mart with a seasoned pro. I wanted to see Kris in her element! That and I can never pass up an opportunity to see Krissy, even if it is at 4 a.m. We live nearly 60 miles apart and it is absolutely excruciating!! haha ;-)

I dressed quickly, grabbing some comfy boots, skinny jeans and a long pima cotton sweater for warmth. It only took 8 minutes for me to get downtown!! Amazing! I looove driving late at night or early in the morning, when it's dark and quiet and almost otherworldly in the emptiness. I think we're so used to the hustle and bustle in LA that moments of silence can be uncomfortable. But me? I embrace it. I relish it. I roll down the windows, turn up the music and fly down the road!

After parking (for free!) on a nearby street, I met Krissy at the entrance. We spent nearly 2 hours roaming, inspecting, admiring and purchasing! Kris had a shopping list ready for a small wedding this weekend, and I had my hopes up for finding some fun, colorful blooms for my home. I am no florist and wouldn't dare try to pass myself off as one, but I have a deep love of flowers and a pretty strong floral knowledge. I know what looks good together and I enjoy assembling my own arrangements for the home. Here's a photo tour of some beauties that caught my eye!

a blurry pic I snapped as I ran across the street after parking. it's still dark as night…

beauteous blooms abound everywhere you look!

these picture-perfect anemones made me weak in the knees, and I couldn't resist taking them home in all 3 colors!

delicate poppies are among my very favorite flowers.

can anyone guess what these tight, creamy white buds are?? no, not ping pong balls on a stem…

purple kale!! be still my heart! I thought this was perfect for one of my brides getting married later this month.

my newest love: acacia! it is absolutely darling with its tiny & furry yellow pom poms. the best thing: no messy pollen like you might expect.

Once we had finished our shopping, we headed to the Flower Mart Café (formerly Operetta) for breakfast. Well, sort-of breakfast. ;-)

cute + modern décor at the cafe.

One of us opted for a veggie omelet, buttered bagel and water. The other went for a teriyaki carne asada sandwich (yeah, you read that right), served on a croissant (yes, I'm still serious) with fries and a Sunny D. Any guesses on who's who?

7:09a.m.? really??

Kris, looking positively adorable for that early in the AM.

me, looking pale as a ghost with no makeup!

ta-da! one of the arrangements I put together once I got home. happy & beautiful

As a wedding planner + coordinator, I am exposed to every aspect of the wedding process. I enjoy learning about all the facets of a wedding so joining Kris for this adventure was fun *and* educational. Good times!

Hope you all enjoyed your day! I kicked off the week right with a MEGA office re-organization. It is refreshing and downright re-energizing to work in such a streamlined (and might I add…stylish) space. xoxo, Angel

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13 Responses to “Early AM Adventure: LA Flower Mart!”

1.
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joyce

I have no idea what those creamy white buds are, but oh my goodness are those pink hydrangeas behind the purple kale?! I scoured the entire LA flower mart for them a couple weekends ago, but couldn’t find any. Then again…I didn’t get there until 8:30am.

Looks like you girls had a blast - I love going to the flowermart!

 
2.
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BeachBrideT

Those flowers are gorgeous!

 
3.
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CT

Are the ping pong balls Peonies??

 
4.
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tammi L

hahah you two are so cute. i still can’t get over how early you were up for flowers lol

 
5.
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Miss Hot Cocoa

You guys are too adorable. And I’ll take some purple kale, please!

 
6.
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nancy

ooh! angel, you are so cute! i am loving the tag you put next to your breakfast - might i add, i love your food choice - you are a girl after my own heart ;) this post was so beautifully written! are they peonies?

 
8.
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Kate@ Kids and Cocktails

Are the ping pong balls on stems ranunculus? Or super small peonies? I love flower markets and wholesale florists so much. I might never go to a florist again. Well, except for the big events!

 
9.
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Miss Quiche

This might be one of my favorite PRO posts! I love the flower stalls in NYC and Paris & have never been to a “real” flower market. I would have been in heaven!

 
10.
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Angel Swanson @ Events of Love and Splendor (message)  33 posts, Newbee

@Kate@ Kids and Cocktails: @CT: the ping pong balls ARE peonies. ;-) aren’t they adorable??

@joyce: yes, those are yummy pink hydrangea. try going earlier in the week, if possible. kris goes on wednesdays, and i have had success on a thursday. if you go early in the morning, and earlier in the week, you ensure a better selection. kris says everything is picked over by friday/saturday. hope that helps!

@Miss Hot Cocoa: isn’t the purple kale perfect for you??

@Miss Quiche: it is definitely worth a visit if you are ever in LA. ;-)

 
11.
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Lillindy

It’s like flower heaven! I’ve always wanted to go to a flower mart to check it out because there’s so many flowers out there that I know I’m not aware of.

 
12.
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khali

I have always wanted to go to the flower mart. I love getting to see your photos too. I heard that vendors get in early and regular folks can start buying after 7am. is that true?

ps- the 110 at 4am is like a race track. The best.

 
13.
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chill

I love this post! I wish there was a flower market here in Philly. I feel so deprived!

 


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Angel Swanson @ Events of Love and Splendor Angel Swanson, Los Angeles Vendor: Wedding Planner Website: Events of Love and Splendor About Me: I plan, design, coordinate weddings in southern California for living. It's a dream job and I adore every aspect of it! I find inspiration everyday in nature, art, history, and fashion, and bring my whimsical personal aesthetic to each event I take on. I love to travel and am always planning my next vacation. Cooking is also a passion -- in another life I would be a Food Network star.
 
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