Liz’ and Doug’s Joyful Wedding Day at Fogarty Winery

Posted on July 7, 2023 by jlammerts

Liz and Doug engaged my company, A Day Like No Other, early on to support their planning for their wedding day, actually, more than a year in advance. It felt like a long time! Little did we know what would be happening… among other things, buying a house, renovating it, moving in, all the while working full-time AND working on wedding planning! When we first met, the couple had just decided on their wedding venue: Thomas Fogarty Winery, high up on a mountain ridge overlooking a good part of the San Francisco Peninsula – on clear days, the views encompass the San Francisco skyline to the north all the way to Silicon Valley in the south. It is absolutely spectacular.

A fantastic starting point – and especially bride Liz was not to compromise on everything else, either! Every single vendor and every single decor element were thoroughly researched and chosen with care. The result? An unforgettable celebration where simply everything was just right.

It started with Liz’s wedding dress…

… diaphanous – and as romantic and feminine as the bride herself.

Here are Liz’s “princess slippers”…

… and here are the wedding rings!

Liz had had her hair and makeup done by Christina of Makeup by Quis before arriving at the venue. There , Liz got dressed with the help of her Maid of Honor …

… and very obviously, she is already having the time of her life.

Meanwhile, groom Doug was getting ready as well.

Ready for their First Look – both of them! Photographer Danielle Gillett captured every precious moment of the day.

The grounds at Fogarty winery offer so many romantic spots for photos – it is hard to decide where to go first.

Liz’ bridal bouquet (all flowers by Poppy’s Petalworks) reflected her romantic, feminine style and were the perfect fit both for the beautiful garden setting and for the springtime event.

A whole profusion of flowers then adorned the unconventional “arch” the couple had chosen – a perfect golden circle which would be the backdrop for their vows.

It does not get more beautiful than this!!

The ceremony on the lawn was officiated by a family member, and DJ Woody Miraglia of Big Fun Disc Jockeys together with a musician friend of the couple provided musical accompaniment.

” I Do!”

The moment they had been waiting for so long: “Just Married!!”

While their guests were invited to cocktails and hors d’oeuvres (all catering by michi’s) and had fun with the Night Owl photo booth, the newlyweds still had more photos to take. “Stars of the show” were, of course, their adorable flower girls:

Aren’t they looking like delicate porcelain dolls?

And more couple’s portraits, of course…

Meanwhile, both the caterer team and my production crew had been busy putting the finishing touches on the dinner setup in the open Pavilion.

The simple-elegant place settings were accentuated with just one delicate Eucalyptus sprig.

Of course, the gorgeous floral centerpieces were the focal point of each table.

After dinner, an incredible dessert buffet (from La Vie Douce) was awaiting the guests, and in addition to that, a beautiful wedding cake.

The couple performed their official first task as husband and wife – the ceremonial cutting of their wedding cake (also from La Vie Douce) – with joy and with bravura!

The same could be said about their First Dance which they had practiced tirelessly, and it showed!

This opened the dance floor to an epic dance party…

Before it was all over, the newlyweds stole away for a quiet moment out on the patio, overlooking the beautiful landscape.

Wishing you romance and beauty for the rest of your shared life, Liz and Doug!

Beth and Rob: a Celebration of Music, Art and Nature at Nestldown

Posted on July 5, 2023 by jlammerts

Artistic talent runs in both Beth’s and Rob’s families. Beth is an accomplished vocalist and music teacher. Rob’s mother is an exceptional painter. But there is more: both Beth and Rob are nature lovers – small wonder then, that they chose Nestldown as their wedding venue. Hidden in the Redwoods of the Santa Cruz Mountains, this wedding venue on 36 acres has it all: a natural “chapel” in an ancient Redwood grove for romantic ceremonies, rustic-elegant event spaces (think gardens with pergolas and fire tables, a “barn” illuminated by an enormous crystal chandelier) and whimsical touches galore – from a life-size train, a fairytale cottage and a sand sculpture to transportation by authentic London taxis!

After more than a year of planning, the big day had finally arrived, and it was just perfect: warm, sunny, blue skies and a slight breeze. For Beth, the day began with hair and makeup by Carly Wise who brought out the bride’s delicate features with a feminine updo and artfully-near invisible makeup. Beth was positively glowing!

Next: flowers! Beth did not want “traditional” wedding flowers – she wanted wildflowers! Loose, organic blooms in a riot of colors. Only problem: wildflowers are notoriously fragile and would not stand up to the rigors of a wedding day; they would wilt in a matter of half an hour. What to do? Enter florist extraordinaire Janelle Jacky-Litt of Green Petal Designs: she created bouquets and arrangements that look exactly like wildflowers (Beth LOVED them!) but were actually based on hardier varietals. Here is one of the bridesmaids’ bouquets.

And here she is, carrying her bridal bouquet:

Isn’t she gorgeous?!

Groom Rob with likewise getting ready…

Beth and Rob had made it a point to have as many pre-ceremony photos taken as possible – to have more time with their guests after the ceremony – so that’s where they were headed. Photographer Megan Reeves and assistant captured every precious moment – for example, the couple’s First Look.

There were also many bridal party photos on the program…

Soon enough, guests began arriving via shuttles (from Corinthian Ground Transportation), and everyone was preparing for the ceremony.

DJ Woody Miraglia of Big Fun Disc Jockeys had the music going, and three friends of the couple, two violinists and a guitarist, were ready to play for the entrance of the bride.

And here she comes, accompanied by both her parents…

The ceremony was officiated by yet another friend of the couple and as such, was heartfelt and very personal.

It was such a joyful moment.

“I Do!” – and “You may now kiss the bride!”

And here are the newlyweds!

While Beth and Rob were taking just a few more “family formals” photos, guests were treated to cocktails and hors d’oeuvres (by Betty Zlatchin Catering),

…lawn games, train rides and photobooth fun (by Night Owl Photo Booth).

Eventually, the newlyweds arrived by train and joined the party.

Meanwhile, dinner on the Main Lawn had been set up…

… with a Koi Pond as its backdrop.

While all guest tables were splendid with elegant place settings…

… with hand-painted menu cards (like all other wedding stationery and signage, designed by the Mother of the Groom) and vibrant “wildflower” centerpieces…

… the Head Table, of course, received special treatment.

Tables had not been numbered, but named after bird species – the groom is an ornithologist, after all! For entree choice markers, the couple chose various wildflower species, true to style!

And so that guests would not get lost among all the birds, the Mother of the Groom had also created an artistic map showing the location of each table.

Needless to say – the name of each table was displayed as a beautiful painting of the bird it was named after.

Over dinner, dusk began to fall, and the myriad twinkle lights installed in the tall Redwood trees surrounding the main lawn began to sparkle – it was truly magical.

Once dinner and toasts and speeches were done, guests were invited into the Barn for desserts and dancing. Again – never ones to simply follow tradition, the couple had opted for their favorite fruit pies (a huge table full of them!) over a typical wedding cake, and their guests really “dug in.” Then it was time for Beth’s and Rob’s First Dance, accompanied by more of their musician friends. Watching these two gently twirl underneath the giant crystal chandelier was a truly unforgettable moment.

Then the bride danced with her Dad and the groom with his Mom…

and after that, the dance floor was opened to an epic dance party.

with all-time favorite tunes (yes, ABBA, for example!) and glow sticks for everyone… and in the end, nobody wanted to go home! The newlyweds were whisked away into their married bliss by London Taxi… keep dancing, singing and watching birds in perpetual happiness, Beth and Rob!

Viva Magenta – Pantone Color of the Year!

Posted on January 22, 2023 by jlammerts

What an optimistic, uplifting color – so full of positive energy! It’s pure summer and sunshine to me… but, I have to say, we’ve been ahead of the curve on this one! Let me show you how we at A Day Like No Other have used magenta in the past – and then fantasize on what else one could do with it!

First up: Erin and Gabe – these two brought the vibrant colors of “south-of-the-border” to their wedding celebration, including Bougainvillea blooms – which are notoriously fragile. The only way to fulfill the bride’s wish for these specific flowers was to bring whole plants to the venue and cut the blooms for bouquets and floral arrangements right there! Florist Janelle of Green Petal Designs pulled it off – have a look at the following photos by Vicens Forns.

As you can see, we went “all-out” with a rainbow of colors – from soft pink to peach and orange – with magenta as the undisputed star. The greyish-green of Eucalyptus leaves and the warm brown of bare wooden tables provided a neutral backdrop for the colors to really “pop.”

Another bride who opted for vibrant summer colors including magenta chose a more elegant/refined setting, and it worked just as well! Have a look at “L and J” at Thomas Fogarty Winery:

Gold-toned chargers, flatware and table numbers, gold-rimmed wine glasses, terracotta-colored linen napkins and blush pink water goblets all played up the soft, feminine and elegant side of the vibrant summer hues of the floral arrangements by Nancy Liu Chin Designs.

Magenta is not only the perfect color for summer weddings – it can easily hold its own in cooler temperatures as well! At Christina’s and Cuyler’s wedding it literally lit up an otherwise gloomy, rainy day through the gorgeous floral arrangements by Royal Bloom.

Please note the bride’s matching lipstick color – isn’t it just perfect?

This gallery (by Janae Shields Photography) wouldn’t be complete without the true star of the day: Gigi! (She has tens of thousands of Instagram followers!!)

Another beautiful magenta flower is the Stargazer lily, here taking center stage in bride Laura C.’s bridal bouquet for her elegant hotel wedding – proof that “all-magenta” does work!!

I hope this gives you all lots of inspiration! What I am thinking of right now … is magenta with shimmering metallic silver, for a glamorous black-tie event. Or magenta with espresso brown. Or or or… What’s YOUR favorite combination?

Gianna’s and Kyle’s “heavenly” nuptials at Nestldown

Posted on January 16, 2023 by jlammerts

Gianna and Kyle had something like a whirlwind romance – Kyle proposed just a year and a half into their relationship, and a month later, the two had brought my company, A Day Like No Other, on board for their wedding planning. Their dream venue – Nestldown Estate in Los Gatos – was booked, and off we went on a yearlong endeavor to make their wedding celebration truly special, memorable, and above all, uniquely theirs.

Last October, the big day had finally come. Bride and groom were getting ready at Hotel Valencia in San Jose …

…. and the bride and her bridesmaids enjoyed hair and makeup services by stylists from Wowpretty Salon.

Gianna had chosen a very feminine, romantic wedding dress.

Photographer Melissa Floriano and videographer Sean Kurtela joined the bridal party to capture all the precious moments – AND the gorgeous details!

As avid “stargazers,” bride and groom chose a celestial motif for their invitations – a glittery starry sky, actually, and the bride’s earrings reflect the same “heavenly” taste!

Bride Gianna got into her dress with the assistance of her bridesmaids …

… while in a suite at the other end of the hotel, groom Kyle and his groomsmen were likewise dressing up.

Time to transfer to the venue (via Corinthian Ground Transportation) for the couple’s First Look and many photos and video footage! As their First Look location, Gianna and Kyle had chosen the charming Fairytale Cottage onsite.

Next up: couple’s portraits and bridal party photos.

Gianna wore a star-studded hairpiece to complement her earrings, and for her bridal bouquet, she had chosen ivory and dark red blooms in an effortlessly feminine style (all florals by Lotus & Lily Floral Design). Dark red was also the color of choice for the bridesmaids’ dresses…

… while the gentlemen wore classic charcoal grey (with honey-colored dress shoes!).

And here is the whole impressive lineup of 8 bridesmaids and 8 groomsmen plus officiant!

Bridal party having fun!

In the meantime, the ceremony area in the “Chapel,” a dramatic redwood grove, had been set up and decorated with a circular arch, embellished with gorgeous flowers.

At the entrance to the aisle, little containers with bubbles waited for the guests, to blow bubbles on the newlyweds after the ceremony.

And here is the “aisle” – a dramatic stairway descending down a wooded hill into the Redwood clearing.

Soon enough, guests began arriving, greeted by a customized Welcome sign.

The ceremony, officiated by a close friend of the couple, began on time, with the processional of the groom…

… and HERE COMES THE BRIDE!

Los Gatos DJs provided beautiful wedding music (and for the groom’s entrance, a march out of “Star Wars!”)

“You may now kiss the bride!”

Just married! The parents of the groom walked out with the “guest of honor” of the day – the couple’s puppy dog “Muffin.”

While the newlyweds had many more photos and videos to take…

… their guests were treated to cocktails and hors d’oeuvres (by Eisenhauer’s Catering) and to musical entertainment and photo booth fun (both by Los Gatos DJs). When it was time for dinner, guests found their seating assignments on a pretty seating chart…

… on the way to the Great Lawn where dinner tables had been set up. There were also baskets with cozy blankets to keep everyone warm.

Dark blue and maroon, accented by metallic gold, set an elegant tone. The newlyweds presided over the whole “congregation” from their special Sweetheart Table, adorned (like all guest tables) with lavish floral centerpieces by Lotus & Lily.

As dusk was falling, the lights in the surrounding trees came on, and the atmosphere turned magical.

After dinner, guests were invited to dancing in the Barn, the central building at Nestldown. A “barn” only by architectural style, it is a truly unique and elegant event space…

… crowned by an enormous crystal chandelier. This is where Gianna and Kyle enjoyed their First Dance as a married couple…

… and where they cut their “heavenly” cake (by Cake Expressions).

A photo gallery on the antique hutch displayed family photos from several generations back…

… and an open-air bar under twinkling lights and the photo booth provided entertainment in addition to dancing.

The evening came to its conclusion on another high point: an (LED-) sparkler send-off to the “Nestldown Trademark” vintage London Taxi to whisk the newlyweds away into their married bliss!

Off to a lifetime of shared happiness – that’s what we wish for you, Gianna and Kyle!

Masculine Urban Chic for Jonathan and James

Posted on January 11, 2023 by jlammerts

When Jonathan (JC) and James (JJ) approached my company, A Day Like No Other, for help with planning their upcoming wedding for 250 guests, they had chosen their venue – Hangar One, a vodka distillery, in Alameda with views of the SF Bay – but were at a loss what to do next. The sheer amount of vendor decisions and details suddenly felt overwhelming. Plus, their wedding date was a mere five months away.

So we jumped right in! We were planning for a tent for dinner and dancing – a necessity, given the open site and the October date of the event. Since the two wished for a masculine design esthetic in line with the gritty-industrial character of their venue, we chose metal dining chairs and chargers that looked like weathered concrete, accompanied by matte-black cutlery. Then there was catering, ceremony decor, flowers, music, photo and video… and a thousand more details! Our five months of planning time went by in a rush – and then the big day had suddenly come.

The two were getting ready together at a nearby hotel…

No “First Look” necessary – just fun photos together! Photographer Anna Wu and videographer Allen Myers captured every precious moment.

Time to transfer to the venue!

The bridal party in the barrel room – that’s a really impressive space…

… and it’s pretty clear why JC and JJ were so taken by this venue!

Cheers!

Then there was a little quiet time to spend with their groomsmen.

Guests began arriving for the ceremony, and each of them received a favor tote bag (filled with sunglasses, a fan and more useful little items for the evening) emblazoned with the motto “Love is Love.”

The ceremony site had meanwhile been set up by the venue staff, the catering staff and the florist crew (Green Petal Designs) – with chic translucent “Ghost” chairs, an angular arch with asymmetric floral accents and with floral arrangements on all chairs bordering the aisle. A live hedge formed a beautiful backdrop above which the San Francisco skyline rose in the distance. What a sight!

Sound in Motion DJs provided sound for the ceremony (and for the whole evening)…

And there, it’s happening – with over 250 guests in attendance.

Signing the marriage license…

… and: it’s official!

Guests were meanwhile treated to elaborate cocktails by Runway Spirits (including the vodka that is distilled onsite!), to hors d’oeuvres by Carrie Dove Catering, and to entertainment: The Booth Bus photo booth had set up and was open for (fun) business!

As the fog was rolling in as the sun was setting, Cocktail Hour concluded, and guests were invited to dinner. They found their seat assignments via custom-designed escort cards…

… arranged on a spectacular linen shot with metallic silver threads.

Then dinner was ready in the spectacular clear-walled tent (by Stuart Event Rentals – all rental items), with unobstructed views across the San Francisco Bay.

The decor (by A Day Like No Other) struck just the right balance between masculine chic, modernity and elegance, and the effortlessly overspilling floral arrangements (by Green Petal Designs) added a touch of playfulness, color and texture to the mix.

Dinner under twinkling string lights was not only delicious, but a decidedly fun occasion.

Cheers!

The next order of the day for the newlyweds: cutting the cake (by Sugar Butter Flour Bakery).

Not to forget: the official First Dance!

At the conclusion of the evening, guests got treated to whimsical favors – very special dice handpicked by the now-newlywed gaming enthusiasts…

… here serving as a very unique display for their wedding bands!

What a party… and when it concluded at Hangar One, an afterparty went on offsite. These two know how to celebrate! Keep partying, JC and JJ!

J & S – a Glorious Summer Wedding at Nestldown

Posted on January 7, 2023 by jlammerts

“J” and “S” are both very private people – so all we are allowed to share about the glorious summer wedding we at A Day Like No Other planned and designed for them are detail shots. Given how beautiful and unique their chosen venue – Nestldown – is, and given the exquisite decor and details of their nuptials, it’s well worth the effort! Photographer Stephane Leon and videographer Tony Castaneda captured every precious moment.

The bride spent the night before the wedding at the onsite guesthouse at Nestldown – an experience all its own! First order of the day: hair and makeup services by Wowpretty Salon.

The secluded patio at the guesthouse was the perfect location to capture her exquisite wedding dress.

True princess slippers – beaded and embellished – complemented this one-of-a kind dress.

Delicate mother-of-pearl jewelry, a hint of fragrance… and the bride was ready to get dressed, with the help of her mother and bridesmaids.

And here she is – ready for the ceremony! (The bride was adamant: no First Look! The first moment for her groom to see her would be at the ceremony).

A dramatic cathedral-length veil accompanied the dress – quite audacious, given the terrain at Nestldown!

Groom “S” was getting ready as well…

… wearing true classics, including monogrammed shirt cuffs – however, HIS way (no socks!).

The ceremony area had been set up in the “chapel,” a stunning natural grove of towering, centuries-old Redwood trees.

Lush arrangements of summer flowers (all floral decor by Green Petal Designs) lined the aisle which was covered with ivory rose petals. It was a gorgeous sight to behold.

This is the aisle at Nestldown for brides and grooms to enter the ceremony area – talk about drama!

While we are not at liberty to share any photos of the ceremony, we may show the beautiful dinner setup on the main lawn, with crossback chairs and classically-elegant place settings, summery centerpieces by Green Petal Designs, and the permanently installed twinkle lights in the surrounding trees which turned the scene magical as dusk was falling.

On their way to dinner, guests signed magnum bottles of the couple’s favorite wine, to be opened on milestone anniversaries to come.

Blue Heron Catering served a delicious meal as the sun was setting beyond the treetops. Next highlight of the evening: a showstopper of a wedding cake by The Buttery, as delicious as it was pretty to look at.

Dancing (including a choreographed First Dance routine!) happened in the Barn, the central building of the Nestldown event space, under an enormous crystal chandelier, and to the tunes of Big Fun Disc Jockeys.

At the conclusion of the evening, the couple departed in true Nestldown style: in an original historic London taxi!

Off to a lifetime of happiness together!

Courtney and Mike – a Glorious Fall Wedding at Thomas Fogarty Winery

Posted on December 5, 2022 by jlammerts

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!

A Tropical Fiesta for Kristi and John

Posted on December 3, 2022 by jlammerts

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!

The most unique Wedding of the Season: Kerry and Damien at the IC Mark Hopkins

Posted on September 13, 2022 by jlammerts

Kerry and Damien were the very first couple to contact my company, A Day Like No Other, after the pandemic for help with their wedding planning. From the first moment on, one thing was clear: these two would not follow convention but only their own distinct tastes and preferences. They both have a soft spot for the Golden Twenties – Art Deco, glamour, feathers, Charleston dancing, Prohibition-era cocktails and exceptionally good food. But they are also really quirky with a shared love for Godzilla and all things nerdy and geeky like Dungeons and Dragons, superhero novels, silly video games, and good sci-fi. You see – that’s not a recipe for a “cookie-cutter” wedding!

For their wedding venue, Kerry and Damien fell in love with a historic San Francisco icon – the Mark Hopkins Hotel on Nob Hill. And that’s where all the magic unfolded last Saturday, after a full eighteen months of planning!

The ceremony took place in the Room of the Dons…

… officiated by a good friend of the couple; and here comes the bride, accompanied by her two nephews.

In lieu of fresh flowers, the bride carried a “book bouquet” – handmade from the pages of one of her favorite books, and – you guessed it – she had gifted all her bridesmaids with similarly unique bouquets.

Following the ceremony, the couple had many, many photos to take with photographer Megan Reeves (all we have right now are the phone snapshots of our production team…) and video with Ric Grover of Grover Films (again – just wait until you see the REAL photos and video!), while their guests enjoyed cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. Kerry and Damien had made sure there were lots of personal touches…

Meanwhile, the historic, newly renovated Peacock Ballroom had been prepared for the main part of the evening, with gilded Chiavari chairs surrounding the dining tables topped by white marabou feather arrangements.

The amazing Amanda Castro Band was setting up on the stage, the Mark Hopkins catering team was preparing food, and the SoGood photo booth had been set up. Also at work – and for a few hours already! – was Live Painter Talia Koval, the big surprise of the evening. She had prepared her canvas to capture the couple’s First Dance – under the watchful eyes of the guests, and in oil on canvas, no less!

And here is the finished piece of art, a keepsake for the newlyweds.

But there was more! Not only one glorious wedding cake (from Butter&) adorned with Art Deco feathers and the San Francisco skyline…

… but two…

AND, yes!, you saw that correctly – Kerry and Damien with their unmistakable quirkiness had placed a bridal T-Rex couple in front of the cakes, guarding them until cake-cutting time!

And IF you thought that that was all, you were badly mistaken, because the best was yet to come! In addition to a seven-piece band, the couple had also booked three professional ballroom dancers – in Charleston costume, OF COURSE! – to give their guests an upbeat dance instruction. Needless to say, that brought everyone on the dance floor!

What an epic party! Congratulations, and a lifetime of happiness to you, Kerry and Damien!

At Last: Roxanna and Clay are Getting Married!

Posted on July 23, 2022 by jlammerts

A wedding a full three years in the making – hard to believe! But like so many other couples, Roxanna’s and Clay’s planning got derailed first by the COVID pandemic, and then by an accident and surgeries… and all that added up to three years of planning and replanning. I was so honored that my company, A Day Like No Other, was chosen for this task, with Clay’s mother deeply involved in all design decisions – and she did a FABULOUS job! Finally, the Great Day had arrived, and Heavens literally smiled on Roxanna and Clay, with a glorious summer day at Nestldown Estate in the Redwoods of Los Gatos.

Roxanna and her bridesmaids had spent the night before together at the luxurious onsite guesthouse, so the morning of Wedding Day went off to a leisurely start with hair and makeup services by Fiona and team of Urban Beauty Loft.

While the ladies were being transformed into the most beautiful versions of themselves…

… all vendor teams were hard at work behind the scenes to make the couple’s vision a reality.

The Nestldown venue team was preparing the ceremony site and all the whimsical features that the venue offers – from the life-size train to the authentic London taxis – while orchestrating a multitude of vendor deliveries.

Florist Natasha from Golden Fields Floristry decorated the hexagonal arch the couple had chosen with a profusion of gorgeous summer flowers in their favorite shades of pink, mauve and ivory.

The Betty Zlatchin Catering team under the leadership of Norema Salinas supervised the setup of the rustic bare wooden dining tables and chairs (from Bright Event Rentals) …

… which florist Natasha then decorated with lush green garlands, pink and ivory blooms and candles. Elegant place settings in gold and pink and laser-cut name “cards” completed the rustic-elegant look.

Then, of course, the catering team had to prepare food and set up the bars and and and…

All the while, our photographers (Bre Thurston and team) and videographer (Will Cook of Kindlewood Films) captured the preparations and then took the couple out into the Redwoods for their First Look.

For the time being, we only have a few preview photos from Bre in addition to our iPhone snapshots, but wait until you see ALL their photos and video!

Soon enough, guests began arriving, and our ceremony musicians – the Mersonacta string quartet under the leadership of Laura Jeannin – serenaded the guests as they were being seated in the “chapel” – an impressive natural Redwood grove.

Here comes the bride, on her father’s arm, to the sounds of Elvis Presley’s “Can’t Help Falling in Love With You.” The ceremony was officiated by a close friend of the couple, with just the right mix of lightheartedness and gravitas.

And here they are – JUST MARRIED!!!

Off to many more photos, while guests were treated to drinks and delicious hors d’oeuvres.

For extra entertainment, the couple had booked The Booth Bus, an authentic vintage VW bus outfitted with a state-of-the-art photo booth.

Next up – dinner on the Main Lawn! Guests found their table assignments on the escort card table.

The newlyweds had a beautifully decorated Sweetheart Table all to themselves, overlooking the romantic Koi Pond and presiding over the long rows of guest tables.

DJ and MC “King” Raffi of Sound in Motion invited guests to dinner and took over musical entertainment from then on. BZC Catering served a delicious farm-to-table menu, toasts were proposed …

… and as dusk fell and the string lights in the trees surrounding the Main Lawn were coming on twinkling, the scene turned truly magical.

After dinner, guests were invited to the Barn – the big indoor event space at Nestldown – which had been set up with elegant lounge furniture (from Blueprint Studios) for dancing and desserts…

and, of course, for the cutting of THE CAKE…

… a true showstopper by BethAnn Goldberg of Studio Cake. What followed was the couple’s First Dance…

… a wild dance party to the sounds of DJ Raffi’s music …

… and a Grand Send-off to the London Taxi getaway car with guests waving LED sparklers.

What a party!! Wishing Roxanna and Clay a lifetime of happiness – keep celebrating!

Wedding Woof

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