A Colorful Fall Wedding at Serra Plaza: San Juan Capistrano Wedding Venue

When we think of weddings at Serra Plaza, our minds often drift to its Spanish architecture, adobe-style walls, and graceful arches. The courtyard with its stately fountain is the perfect backdrop for an outdoor wedding ceremony in Orange County. Here at Urban Marigold, we are an experienced Orange County wedding and event florist and are always ready to design for weddings at Serra Plaza.

A Bold Floral Vision

From our first chat with the wedding couple, it was clear they wanted a floral design that was bold, sumptuous, and unexpected. They embraced a wedding flower color palette rooted in nude and peach, with subtle additions of soft brown and hints of blush from Quicksand roses. This color story was woven into every floral element, from the show-stopping wedding ceremony to the stunning table-scapes.

Quicksand Roses: A Floral Chameleon

Let’s talk about Quicksand roses for a second. These roses are a dreamy, neutral-toned bloom with a soft, sandy beige base that features subtle undertones of blush, champagne, and dusty mauve. Depending on the lighting, they can appear warm taupe or take on a delicate pale pink hue. Their sophisticated, muted color makes them a favorite for romantic and modern floral designs, blending beautifully with both bold and soft color palettes.

The Show-Stopping Wedding Ceremony

The wedding ceremony at Serra Plaza was nothing short of spectacular. With its open-air setting and stunning fountain centerpiece, we knew we had to create something memorable and impactful. We designed a lush floral installation that cascaded from the fountain, featuring an abundance of seasonal flowers chosen for color, texture, and movement. The result? An eye-catching backdrop that made the couple’s wedding vows even more magical.

We complemented the floral masterpiece at the fountain with a flower meadow carefully placed around its base. The aisle markers, thoughtfully arranged along the ceremony aisle, guided the eye toward the couple. The colors and textures of these ceremony florals were designed to create drama and impact, and we think we nailed it!

We’re often asked, “Can wedding ceremony flowers be repurposed?” The answer? A big YES! We love to repurpose ceremony florals for the reception and always discuss this during the wedding planning process. On the day of, we remain on hand to carefully re-stage the wedding ceremony florals.

A Jaw-Dropping Bridal Bouquet

The bride’s bouquet? Absolutely show-stopping! We designed an overflowing arangement featuring quicksand roses, zinnias, phlox, seasonal dahlias and lisianthus. Special shout out to the delicate, dancing, chocolate cosmos that do actually smell of chocolate! All tied together with a silk ribbon. It was the perfect modern-meets-romantic wedding bouquet. If you're searching for bridal bouquet ideas, consider incorporating texture and movement with a mix of statement blooms and delicate fillers.

The Sweetheart Table: A Floral Dream

The sweetheart table should never be an afterthought! We create floral installations for sweetheart tables that look stunning on the wedding day and photograph beautifully for memories that last a lifetime. For this wedding, we repurposed the ceremony flowers, including the fountain florals and aisle markers, to create an intimate, lush design that framed the couple perfectly.

Should Wedding Reception Tables Be Rectangular or Round?

We get asked this a lot, and in our opinion, a combo of rectangular and round tables works beautifully for a reception. Mixing table shapes adds variety to the seating layout, making the space feel dynamic and visually interesting. For this wedding, each table featured stunning floral arrangements in the fall flower color palette, creating a cohesive yet exciting look.

The Wedding Reception Table-Scape: A Feast for the Eyes

Each reception table was thoughtfully curated with bud vases and floral centerpieces filled with phlox, seasonal locally sourced zinnias, dahlias (a firm fall favorite), quicksand roses, and chrysanthemums in peachy-brown tones. The table-scape was further elevated with nude-colored hurricane candles and striking black linens, bringing a modern contrast to the warmth of the florals. Against the backdrop of Serra Plaza’s enchanting courtyard, the tablescape design felt both intimate and bold, a true fall wedding dream.

A Magical Evening Under the Stars

As the sun set, Serra Plaza’s courtyard transformed into a glowing, colorful oasis. Twinkling lights, flickering candles, and warm-toned florals crated an atmosphere of pure magic. Guests danced the night away under the stars, surrounded by a setting that felt as joyful and vibrant as the couple themselves.

Why We Loved This Wedding

At Urban Marigold, we’re all about infusing color and personality into floral design, and this wedding was a perfect example of how an intentional color palette can transform a space. Every floral element reflected the couple’s unique energy, making it a wedding to remember.

If you’re dreaming of a wedding that embraces color, creativity, and modern floral design, we’d love to help bring your vision to life. Get in touch to chat about your dream wedding florals at Serra Plaza or any other fabulous Orange County wedding venue!

For lovers of colorful flowers check out our floral design for a wedding at Franciscan Gardens featuring a jaw-dropping burgundy color palette.

Vendor list for this orange county wedding featured:

Bride: @mollyclairemc

Wedding coordinator: @prettypalmleafevents 

Venue: @serraplaza

Catering: @jayscatering

Photographer: @byalexnena

Videographer: @westinfilms

Content Creator: @contentbysarahk

Florals: @urbanmarigold

DJ: @bertrl

Band: @mariachinuevocapistrano

Photobooth: @tipsytwinsphotobooth

MUA: @flawlessfaces