Wedding Flowers at Chapel at Ana Villa

Designing for the Chapel at Ana Villa requires a deep respect for light and masonry. This venue does not need to be hidden behind layers of fabric or excessive greenery; its Spanish-inspired architecture and soaring arched windows provide a structural foundation that most venues lack. The goal here is to frame the existing beauty, using floral installations to draw the eye toward the architectural focal points rather than competing with them.

We know this venue intimately, and our approach always starts with the sun. In the chapel, the light is the primary guest. In the ballrooms, the texture of the brick and the weight of the Spanish styling dictate the color story. Whether you are leaning into the airy romance of the chapel or the moodier, intimate vibe of La Cava, your floral strategy must be intentional about scale and placement.

The Spaces

The Chapel

The chapel is defined by its clean, neutral palette and the massive arched windows at the altar. It is a high-volume space with wooden floors and fixed pews. Because the seating is fixed, your aisle decor options are limited to pew-end attachments or very narrow ground-level arrangements that do not create a tripping hazard in the aisle.

• What works: Asymmetrical ground-level “nests” at the altar. These frame the couple without obstructing the view through the windows. Hanging installations from the chandeliers are possible but require a light, airy touch to ensure they don’t feel heavy in such a bright room.
• Skip: Tall, solid floral walls. You are paying for those windows; don’t cover them up with a literal wall of roses.
• Watch out: The fixed pews. You cannot move them to create more space for large floor installations mid-aisle.
• Budget hero move: Focus your entire ceremony budget on two large, high-impact floor installations at the altar. These can be easily moved to the reception to flank the sweetheart table or the bandstand.

La Cava Ballroom

This is the more intimate of the two reception spaces, characterized by exposed brick and a warm, Spanish-inspired atmosphere. The brick walls provide a wonderful, textured backdrop for photography, but they also absorb light.

• What works: High-contrast palettes. Crisp whites and greens pop beautifully against the brick, while deep bordeaux and ochre tones lean into the Mediterranean aesthetic.
• Skip: Small, spindly centerpieces. The texture of the room is “heavy” in a good way, and the florals need enough visual weight to stand their ground.
• Watch out: Lighting. Since the room is darker than the chapel, ensure your floral colors are vibrant enough to be seen once the sun goes down and the house lights are dimmed.

Grand Ballroom

The Grand Ballroom is the larger, more expansive option, featuring a Moroccan-style bar and direct access to a spacious patio. This room has more “air” than La Cava and can handle larger, more dramatic design choices.

• What works: A mix of tall and low centerpieces. Using elevated stands allows you to fill the vertical space without cluttering the guest’s line of sight across the table.
• Skip: Uniformity. This room is large enough that having every table look identical can feel institutional. Vary the heights and styles.
• Watch out: The bar area. It is a major focal point. A few well-placed arrangements here will get more “eyes” than almost any other floral element in the room.

What Works at Chapel at Ana Villa

Frame the windows, don’t fight them. The arched windows in the chapel are the venue’s greatest asset. Use “broken” arches or floor-based meadows at the altar. This creates a frame for the couple while keeping the view of the greenery outside clear.

Architectural alignment. The stone tower and arched walkways are perfect for floral “growths.” Designing arrangements that appear to be climbing the stone pillars or flanking the arched entrances creates a seamless transition between the building and the landscape.

High-contrast color stories. Because the interior of the chapel is so neutral and the ballrooms feature dark wood or brick, high-contrast palettes are essential. If you go too muted or “muddy” with your colors, the flowers will disappear into the background in photos.

Weighted outdoor installations. The grounds at The Colony can get windy. If you are placing a pergola garland or entrance arrangements near the stone tower, they must be properly weighted. We utilize heavy steel bases for any installation that isn’t physically tied to the structure.

The “Transition” strategy. Since the chapel and ballrooms have distinct personalities (bright vs. warm/textured), use your florals to bridge the gap. Carrying the same flower varieties but shifting the arrangement style from “airy” in the chapel to “lush” in the ballroom creates a cohesive narrative.

Budget Guide

The architecture of Chapel at Ana Villa is so specific that even a modest budget, if spent on scale rather than quantity, can make the space feel custom.

Tips

Repurpose the altar flowers. The chapel is just steps away from the ballrooms; move those large altar installations to the reception to maximize your investment.

Mind the pews. Use specialized pew clips or ribbons for aisle decor to avoid damaging the wood finish, as the venue is meticulous about their maintenance.

Embrace the Moroccan bar. This is a unique feature of the Grand Ballroom; don’t let it go bare, as it is a natural gathering spot for guests.

Design for the brick. In La Cava, avoid “dusty” colors like mauve or taupe, which can look muddy against the red-toned brick walls.

Utilize the pergola. If the weather is fair, the outdoor pergola is a prime spot for a lush greenery garland that provides a secondary photo backdrop for guests.