The Magic of Light and Water: Tina and Eric

Both Tina and Eric had taken their time, trying to find the one person to share their lives with… and had already nearly given up! In Eric’s words… he was tired of dating and seriously considering “just to stay home with the cat!” Well, he tried it just one more time, and he’s so grateful he did it. Because that’s when love struck. Unexpectedly, immediately – they both “just knew.” Neither Tina nor Eric could believe their incredible luck right away. But with every time they met, they kept discovering more things to love in one another. And their relationship became a true whirlwind romance: engagement after four months, and wedding after another three – today!

I was honored that they chose my company, A Day Like No Other, for their coordination and design needs. The two had found a spectacular spot on the California Coast – the Beach House Hotel in Half Moon Bay, right on the sand, and Sam’s Chowder House, a time-honored “cult” seafood restaurant next door – for their celebration.

beach house hotel

Their wedding day turned out to be overcast, with the sun only peeking out through the clouds here and there…  the light was sheer magic, light like an impressionist painting… pearly grey, soft, ethereal.

seascape

Tina did not want Eric to see her before the ceremony. Here is her spectacular ruched and beaded dress…

dress

train

… her jeweled Cinderella slippers…

shoes… and her Grandmother’s pearls.

jewelryIn Hollywood-worthy hair and makeup by Vinnia Tjhin and with her bridal bouquet in her signature colors of vivid natural blues and purples by Gingerleaf Floral …

bouquet… Tina was ready for the ceremony, held at “High Noon” directly on the water, officiated by Rev. Raymond Teague and attended by 70 of their closest friends and family members. Harpist Krista Strader‘s beautiful music provided an elegant accompaniment to the intimate ceremony.

harp

ceremony“You may now kiss the bride!”

first kiss

Just married!

just married

For Tina and Eric, it was now “photo time!” with Ryan Willis. After the requisite family photos, they could finally enjoy their  first quiet moment as husband and wife …

quiet moment

… and then, they took a stroll through the dunes…

stroll

… and when a fence got in their way, Eric simply lifted Tina across!

fenceFrom there, the two embarked on their wedded journey together…

journeyFirst stop: Wedding Reception! A long table had been set with a pale blue and tan patterned runner, napkins in blue, turquoise and purple hues in a chic ombre progression (so “of the moment!”) and grouped varied arrangements of blue and purple flowers, decorative shells and hundreds of sparkling glass gems catching the midday light.

dining tble 2The newlyweds presided in the middle…

sweetheart chairs,,, looking out over the shimmering waters of Half Moon Bay. And everyone very much enjoyed the hot chowder that Sam’s Chowder House is rightfully famous for, followed by more delicious seafood and, finally, of course: THE CAKE! A little piece of edible art by Mazzetti’s Bakery, decorated with tiny buttercream flowers in Tina’s and Eric’s wedding colors:

cake

cake cuttingCutting – and eating! – the cake concluded the festivities, and everyone was really happy, me included! Here is why I love my job so much…

jutta

Congratulations, Tina and Eric, and many happy years together!

 

 

 

Yes – Corporate Events Can Be Fun!!

So, you are absolutely positive that there is probably nothing more boring under the Sun than a corporate event? Speaker and lunch?

Well, I beg to differ! Provided, of course, you let ME organize it… A Day Like No Other, my wedding and event design and coordination company will convince you otherwise, promise! What’s the trick? A gorgeous venue (e.g. a private estate, a mansion in a park), a fun and engaging speaker, first-rate food and wine, beautiful decor and a lot of entertaining activities to round it out! For a meeting of wedding industry professionals, I pulled together “all of the above” plus a wedding fashion show with professional models, a one-of-a-kind vintage Packard limousine, exquisite party favors and raffle prizes everybody loved! Enjoy…

The Ultimate California Seaside Wedding: Kimen and Rob

California seaside wedding – what’s your first association? Rolling breakers, sea foam, rocks, sunshine and a slight breeze? Yes, yes, and yes! Kimen and Rob had it all yesterday, on a perfect Autumn day under a warming sun and a cloudless sky … right above the Pacific Ocean, on the seafront terrace of storied Moonraker Restaurant in Pacifica.

Have a look  yourself:

coastline

No wonder the two fell in love with this place instantaneously! When they hired my company, A Day Like No Other, to help design and coordinate their wedding, I jumped at the opportunity to be part of their Great Day.

For the bride -as always! – the day started off with a hair and makeup session, here with Loren and Sataya of Primp and Proper Hair and Makeup Design:

getting ready… and her Mom, as well – a wonderful Mother-Daughter occasion!

bride and mom

Then it was time to pick up her gorgeous coral-colored bouquet starring Gloriosa lilies…

bridal bouquet

… and to get dressed – with a lot of help from all her bridesmaids:

getting dressedRadiant in a ruched sateen dress with crystal embellishment and an impressive train, and a crystal-embroidered double veil, Kimen was ready to meet Rob – here’s their First Look high above the crashing waves of the Pacific, captured by Robert of George Street Photography:

First Look

I was meanwhile already busy with the ceremony setup on the oceanfront terrace – the aisle decorated with bunches of flowers in the couple’s signature coral and blue hues (created like all the wedding flowers, by Soulflower Designs ) …

aisle decor

… with “trees” of gracefully bending branches adorned with coral orchids forming a living arch under which to say their vows.

ceremony tree

The ceremony was officiated by Judge Allan Gropper, a family member, with a bridal party of nine groomsmen and four bridesmaids, all siblings and closest friends of the couple.

ceremonyWith Victoria Hauk’s ([email protected]) woodwind trio playing Bach’s cantata “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” and Mendelssohn’s Wedding March, the sounds of the Ocean and the cries of seagulls above, it probably doesn’t get more impressive – and more romantic than that! The bride’s cousin Collin videotaped it all.

husband and wifeJust Married! And now it’s party time in the beautifully decorated Moonraker Restaurant where tables adorned with coral-and-blue centerpieces were overlooking the gorgeous view of the Ocean:

table with a view

centerpiece blue

 

centerpiece with blue

centerpieceGuests feasted on Lobster Bisque with Truffle Foam and Twin Maine Lobster and Grilled Flat Iron Steak, entertained by DJ Jessie‘s music. And a major “guest magnet” was of course the photo booth by Expression Events!

After dinner, Kimen and Rob enjoyed their First Dance to Billy Joel’s “The Way You Are” and, perfectionists as THEY are, it was a perfectly choreographed dance sequence that had guest clapping and cheering with sheer joy!

first dance 4

 

First Dance 3

First Dance 2

 

After the traditional Father-Daughter Dance…

Father-daughter dance

… everyone joined in on the dance floor.

Then it was time to cut the cake, a little masterpiece in coral and ombre blue, complete with coral pieces and sea foam bubbles, by The Cakery:

cake cuttingSmall wonder that nobody wanted to leave! So we extended the party… and extended… and as the sun was setting over the Pacific…

sunset… everyone headed over to Nick’s across the street – the historic Pacifica bar and night club – for an after party. Everyone had a fantastic time, me included! And that’s why I love my job so much…

love my job!Congratulations, Kimen and Rob, and many happy years together!

 

If You Are Going to San Francisco… Sherri and Zenon’s Joyful Wedding Celebration

Sherri and Zenon had already spent a whole decade of their lives together when they took the plunge – to plan and get married! One thing was clear: it had to be something special. Really special! A destination wedding… and what would it be? “If you are going to San Francisco, be sure to wear – flowers in your hair…” That was it. San Francisco. Quite a distance from their “home base” in Canada! And since that was so, they needed a coordinator to help them plan it all from afar – and that honor fell to my company, A Day Like No Other!  We started planning at the beginning of the year, and yesterday all our efforts were rewarded with a beautiful, memorable wedding celebration at the historic General’s Residence at Fort Mason.

For our bride, the day began with a beauty session at the Omni Hotel: Marine Vaisset of Belle by Marine enhanced Sherri’s beautiful features, her milk-white skin and reddish-blonde hair, into an ethereal, classical style – and into a radiant bride! And of course, she “made sure to wear – flowers in her hair…”

bride

Here is Sherri’s impressive all-red bouquet by Tutti Fiori:

bouquet

Final touches…

shoe

Sherri had chosen a dramatic silk dress with delicate lace appliqué and a regal train:

stunning dressHere she’s taking a peek immediately before the “First Look:”

stunning dress 2Coming down the stairs…

first look 1… to a very emotional moment for both of them!

first look 2Then it was time for pre-ceremony photos on a tour across the City in a vintage red-and-silver Rolls Royce – which made for a decidedly stylish entrance at the couple’s ceremony and reception venue, the General’s Residence at Fort Mason.

arrived 2The ceremony was held on the back lawn overlooking the San Francisco Bay…

ceremony from distance

… with a good fifty friends and family members in attendance, all of whom had come all the way from Canada; and officiated by Rev. John Sullivan. And here comes the bride, escorted by her proud Dad:

here comes the bride

“I do!”

ceremony

“…. and pronounce you – husband and wife!”

husband and wife

A golden evening glow over the Bay turned the scene outerworldly beautiful…

evening glow

 

evening glow 2

… while guests enjoyed cocktails and, soon enough, a plated, French inspired dinner by La Bonne Cuisine, accompanied by soft music provided by Love in the Mix.

table setting

Every detail contributed to the elegance and glamour of the evening, from the mantelpiece decor…

fireplace

… to the display of wedding favors (fragrant artisanal soaps)

favors

 

One last photo with their very happy wedding planner…

jutta

and then Sherri and Zenon  invited their guests to an after party (transportation courtesy of City Express Limousine Service) where they would be dancing the night away.

couple