Craig and Mike – Just Married! An Intimate Celebration at the Historic Forest Hill Clubhouse

It had been a long time in coming. Two decades, actually. Half a life spent together, in deep commitment to one another. Craig and Mike are inseparable, always have been.

When I first met them, two soigné gentlemen seeking out a venue for an intimate celebration, I had no idea what they were up to … and then they told me that finally they’d be taking the plunge and get married, and that the historic, cozy Forest Hill Clubhouse looked just right for that occasion.

Clubhouse They asked my company, A Day Like No Other, to help plan and coordinate it all, and last Saturday, finally, was the Great Day.

Craig and Mike 1

With my assistant Angeliki coordinating, everything went exactly as planned, and the day became a veritable lovefest for the two and their closest friends and family members. And more than that – there was good food and wine and a lot of laughter! Who would have thought those two had such a mischievous streak?!

funny facesBut have a look yourself – our photographer Jennifer DeAngelis aka  “Jenny Dee” captured it all.

Here they are, in the lush garden surrounding the historic building:

Couple copy

Florist Melissa Comito-Aakre of A Simple Ceremony had added beautiful arrangements in bold Fall colors and rich texture to complement the natural surroundings …

altar piece 2… and played up that theme to the tiniest details, like the grooms’ individual yet matching boutonnieres:

boutonnieres

The guests had taken the opportunity to dress up in style as well:

details

Craig and Mike,  ready for the ceremony in the courtyard, surrounded by towering trees:

CH blkwhiteHere come the grooms!

Here come the groomsThe very personal ceremony was officiated by Maggie Beretz with seventy of the couple’s nearest and dearest in attendance.

ceremony“You may now kiss!”

first kissJust married!

just married

The newlyweds immediately mingled with their guests for Cocktail Hour, enjoying Champagne (from SF Wine Trading Company) and hors d’oeuvres by Knights Catering:

champagne

shrimp

asparagus… followed by a sit-down dinner inside around the huge fireplace.

dining rm from aboveStructured Fall-themed centerpieces on olive green linens complemented the ceremony decor theme:

dining table

centerpiece closeup…and the couple and their guests had a “jolly good time!”

diningPersonal touches included a “seating lottery” to mix guests at any table, a silly slide show (think photoshopped celebrity photos!) and an unusual guest book idea.

Delicious mini cupcakes from Miette …

cupcake tray

guest book and cake complemented a cute presentation cake with fitting topper … and the new husband-and-husband team performed their first official task together – the traditional cake cutting – with bravura:

cutting cake

… and guests did not leave a crumb behind! After that it was time for the First Dance (a choreographed performance which Craig and Mike had practiced for months) …

first dance…kicking off a wild dance party to the tunes of DJ Dan Rosenbach of Love in the Mix.

dancing

dance party blk whte

To you, Craig and Mike – may the next decades be even happier than the first two… congratulations!