When Courtney and Mike were getting into wedding planning, their venue decision was an easy one: they fell head over heels for Thomas Fogarty Winery – a spectacular spot perched on a ridge high above Silicon Valley, with endless views from the San Francisco skyline to Silicon Valley.

Once the venue was booked, the couple enlisted my company, A Day Like No Other, to help with everything else – and that, as it turned out, was a lot! Vendor sourcing, logistics, scheduling, design and decor and last-minute changes and additions.

For a full nine months, Courtney, Mike, and for a good part also Mother-of-the-Bride Lariann, worked together to make it all happen – and finally, on a sunny, gorgeous day in mid-September, the big day had arrived.

Bride Courtney – shy by nature – started the day very nervous… and only as things began to unfold as planned, she relaxed and took it all in! Her day began with hair and makeup services by Lilly’s Beauty World and by dressing up in her diaphanous lace wedding dress and strappy heels…

… with her bridesmaids assisting. Photographer Megan Reeves captured all these precious moments.

Groom Mike had likewise dressed up – in fashionable all-black – with a boutonniere befitting the overall floral decor theme of Fall sunset colors (all floral decor by Green Petal Designs).

Ready for their First Look!

After that, the couple had many, many more photos to take, first of all with VIP guest DeeDee, the family dog …

… who OF COURSE wore a matching flower collar for her doggie Mom’s big day!

Soon, guests began arriving via shuttle (by Corinthian Ground Transportation). The ceremony lawn at the winery was beautifully decorated and ready for the big moment, and Spanish guitarist Jay Alvarez greeted guests with his melodious prelude music.

The couple had chosen a very special “flower girl” for their processional – doggie DeeDee, accompanied by her “Doggie Mom for the Day,” Melinda (by A Day Like No Other).

And here comes the bride!

The ceremony was officiated by a relative of the couple – and she had come all the way from France for that! A truly tight-knit, international family… and a very emotional moment.

“You may now kiss the bride!”

While their guests were being treated to delicious hors d’oeuvres (by Continental Catering) and exquisite Thomas Fogarty wines …

… the newlyweds had many more photos to take.

Meanwhile, the production team of A Day Like No Other was tirelessly working behind the scenes to make the celebration “unfold like magic.”

In the meantime, dinner had been set up in the open Pavilion…

… and guests found their seat assignments on a gilded mirror.

The dining tables were set with elegant black-and-white, gold-rimmed plates and gold-toned cutlery by Bright Event Rentals…

Each place setting was adorned with a stunning purple dahlia bloom… it doesn’t get much more elegant!

Centerpieces in gold-toned vessels (by Green Petal Designs) were literally glowing in the colors of the sunset, and the newlyweds’ Sweetheart Table, of course, received extra-special treatment.

Dinner is served! And what a dinner (by Continental Catering) that was…

The Dining Pavilion had been outfitted with string lights overhead (by Just De’Lights), a special gift by the Mother of the Groom – and as dusk fell, the atmosphere turned truly magical.

After dinner, guests were invited into the Hill House for Cake Cutting and dancing. Krumbs Cakes had delivered another one of their edible masterpieces…

… and decorated it with more sunset-colored flowers. So pretty!

Following time-honored tradition, the first joint task of the newlyweds was – to cut their cake!

Guests were also treated to pretty little favors – no detail had been forgotten.

Dance music was provided by DJ Erick (from Sound in Motion), and Courtney and Mike shared their First Dance as a married couple, surrounded by their applauding guests.

That, of course, brought everyone on the dance floor!

What a party… all the happiness in the world to Courtney and Mike on their shared journey!

Kristi and John are living and working in tropical Costa Rica, with lush vegetation surrounding them and monkeys as visitors on their patio – BUT they have family ties to the Bay Area, and that’s where they wanted to tie the knot after many years together in which John had already become a true stepdad to Kristi’s children Emma and Alejandro.

The couple chose the beautiful setting of Crystal Springs in Burlingame for their ceremony, followed by a reception in the nearby Clubhouse of the Crystal Springs golf course – and what a celebration that was! Every tiny detail was thought through and elevated, and so the planning process with my company, A Day Like No Other, was very intense. Finally, the big day had arrived… now look for yourself!

Kristi had her hair and makeup done offsite (by Design Her Image), and all she had to do when arriving at the venue was to step into her elegant wedding dress – which literally fit her like a glove…

… and head out for her first look with groom John, all beautifully captured by photographer Frank J. Lee.

More photos and video (by Filmore Productions) before the first guests arrived…

For her bridal bouquet and floral decor throughout, Kristi had asked for bold orange and red colors and for an equally bold look featuring her favorite flower, the spectacular Bird of Paradise, and Pampas Grass – and here is what florist Janelle of Green Petal Designs came up with:

The wedding pavilion was adorned with a huge spray of flowers, the aisle chairs showed matching smaller arrangements…

… and the aisle itself was covered with a carpet of yellow and orange rose petals. Spectacular!

The ceremony was officiated by a close friend of the couple, and Kristi’s son and daughter were their Best Man and Maid of Honor.

Here comes the adorable flower girl:

… followed by the bride, accompanied by her father and her son.

The ceremony was heartfelt, but short and sweet – and the two were finally, officially declared husband and wife. “You may now kiss the bride!”

Just married!!

While bride and groom kept taking many more photos and videos ….

… their guests were shuttled over to the Clubhouse where a cocktail reception was waiting for them.

The entrance had been decorated with the signature bold floral arrangements, and the walkway to the reception hall had been lined with giant Bird-of-Paradise plants (by Indoor Greenery). What a transformation!

But that was just the beginning… the perimeter of the reception hall had been draped (by Bright Event Rentals) …

… and the space had been transformed into an elegant indoor “jungle” with many more tall palm trees and Bird-of-Paradise plants (by Indoor Greenery) and with breathtaking tall centerpieces on the dining tables (by Green Petal Designs).

Gold Chiavari chairs complemented the elegant place settings from Hensley Event Resources…

… all in Kristi’s favorite colors, of course!

Aside from a delicious dinner (by Cheat-A-Little Catering), the guests were entertained with a stunning vintage bike-photobooth (by The Booth Bus) …

and with incredible magic tricks by magician extraordinaire Nick Ivory.

They were also sitting for caricatures by renowned caricature artist Mike Rosenthal.

After dinner, the couple shared their First Dance to their favorite tunes by DJ Mark Addington…

… who also directed the (truly rediscovered!) classic wedding crowd pleaser: the Shoe Game!

Next order of the day: cutting the wedding cake (likewise adorned with stunning Bird-of-Paradise blooms!)…

… then there was a dessert bar in addition to the cake, and lastly, guests were treated to a personalized shot glass as a wedding favor.

The newlyweds enjoyed a little private moment on the adjacent patio…

… and enjoyed their new status as Mr. and Mrs.

What a party!! Wishing you a lifetime of happiness, Kristi and John!