Anja and Eric in the Redwoods

A career lawyer working 12-hour days and a Dutch engineer traveling worldwide for business – when such a super-busy power couple plans a wedding, they need help. A lot of help. Anja and Eric realized that fact early on and enlisted my company, A Day Like No Other, shortly after booking their venue. As avid outdoorspeople, they had chosen Nestldown Estate, a 36-acre property of natural Redwoods, manicured lawns, elegant event spaces and whimsical extras like a lifesize toy train, a giant sand sculpture, a fairytale cottage, flying dragons… it is truly one-of-a-kind!

Our planning journey, as expected, happened with many starts and stops, depending on the couple’s workload and schedules. Catering, flowers, photo and video; music, guest entertainment, transportation and guest accommodations… there was a lot to be done! And finally, the Great Day had come.

For bride Anja, the day started with hair and makeup services by Design Her Image

… while groom Eric was likewise busy with preparations.

Time to present herself to her groom for the first time in all her wedding beauty – First Look!

Photographer Ben Ingram and The Good Folk Film team captured every precious moment.

Meanwhile, the teams of Nestldown, A Day Like No Other, La Bocca Fina Catering and florist Green Petal Designs were frantically working behind the scenes to get all preparations done in time. Guests began arriving via shuttle (Corinthian Ground Transportation), and our DJ Woody Miraglia of Big Fun Disc Jockeys began playing prelude music in the “Chapel,” a natural clearing amidst towering Redwoods, accessed by a long flight of stairs which make for the most dramatic walk “down the aisle.”

The wedding ceremony was officiated by a longtime friend of the couple, and as such was very personal – and emotional.

Just married! “You may kiss your bride!”

While guests were invited to cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, musically accompanied by Victoria Studio (Victoria Liu), a duo playing classic Chinese tunes on authentic Chinese instruments, the newlyweds had many more photos to take…

Behind the scenes and unbeknowst to the guests, a Lion Dance Troupe (Lion Dance Me) was preparing for the big surprise of the day.

Once dining tables had been set up…

… guests were invited to attend the couple’s Tea Ceremony on the Main Lawn…

… and after that, the drumroll started!

Here come the cutest Chinese lions you’ve ever seen! They cozied up to the guests, batted their eyelashes and were altogether absolutely adorable.

Guests were delighted, and then dinner took place “under the stars” and under twinkling lights, accentuated with toasts and speeches.

After dinner, guests were invited to the “Barn” – the central function space at Nestldown – for Cake Cutting and dancing.

The “Barn” is a barn just by name (and by its architectural style) – it is in fact a rustic-elegant event space with everything you might wish for, including a monumental crystal chandelier…

… below which countless couples have performed their First Dance as husband and wife, just as these two here did. And except for the traditional Bouquet Toss and Cake Cutting…

… it was all DANCE, DANCE, DANCE for the rest of the night.

It was a truly unforgettable day. Anja’s and Eric’s Grand Send-off was the high point of the night:

Bubbles…

… and an exit in an authentic vintage London Taxi!

Bon voyage!

Allison and Jeston – whirlwind planning of a glamorous wedding

If I had to give this wedding a label, it would be “classic elegance and glamour – in time lapse.” Why? We planners at A Day Like No Other had just six weeks to plan the whole elegant affair… while the couple was managing a household move! Our last vendor contract was confirmed on the day before the event. It was intense, to say the least… BUT the result was beautiful, and bride and groom were super happy!

Allison had chosen an incredible lace wedding dress with a long train and matching veil…

… and a classic bouquet in stunning purple (all florals by Green Petal Designs).

Here are their rings:

Ready for one pre-ceremony photo (all photos: Danny Dong) – without seeing each other, though!

After a wedding ceremony in their church, serenaded by harpist Aysha Gomez-Kureishi

… the couple left for photos in a vintage white Rolls Royce (from NLS).

Off they went to the Redwoods, with their harpist bringing her gilded harp along!

Isn’t that spectacular?!

All the while, multiple vendor teams were hard at work to get everything ready for Allison’s and Jeston’s reception at the historic Peninsula Golf and Country Club – the venue team, my two production managers, Nimy and Deanna, the florist crew, and our Jazz trio (Magnolia Jazz). The gold-decorated wedding cake (from Copenhagen Bakery) was delivered, and when the newlyweds arrived, Cocktail Hour was already underway, and everything had been set up for dinner…

… in the grand ballroom of the Clubhouse, beneath glamorous crystal chandeliers. The tables were adorned with lush floral centerpieces, part of them towering and part of them low and overflowing their silver compotes …

Everybody was having a great time (including the newlyweds!) .. .

… serenaded by the Magnolia Jazz Trio.

Allison and Jeston shared their First Dance as a married couple…

… and, following tradition, the bride tossed her bouquet to “all the single ladies.”

What else? Cake cutting, of course!

After that, it was only dancing, dancing, dancing… until the couple’s Grand Send-off!

Wishing you a lifetime of happiness, Allison and Jeston!

Are you inspired for your own wedding? Contact me at [email protected] for your free consultation.

A Day Like No Other – wedding coordination and design

“When only the best will do…”

Elevate your wedding 101 – the DRESS!

I assume it won’t take much convincing from my end: of course you want a gorgeous dress!

I have to say that over the last years, many of my brides “knocked it out of the park” with their dresses. Have a look:

Photo credit: ToanVen

An enormous train… (which made the dress very, very heavy, by the way…)

Photo credit: Danny Dong

A train AND an enormous veil …

Photo credit: Melissa Floriano

Diaphanous tulle, with lace applique and a risque back – two of them actually:

Photo credit: Vicens Forns

Next: pastel floral applique:

Photo credit: Danny Dong

OR: unconventional! Short and chic:

Photo credit: Sasha Photography

OR: figure hugging lace (especially if you have a supermodel figure!)

Photo credit: Juniper Spring

What is YOUR style?

Elevate your wedding 101: seating charts and escort cards

Seating charts and escort cards are a great way to create a visual focal point, even a conversation starter! The options are endless, but here are a few that we especially like:

Photo credit: A Girl with a Camera

Table assignment cards tied to peacock feathers – the gorgeous feathers are for the guests to keep.

Photo credit: Gavin Farrington

A champagne wall: escort cards tied to elegant flutes filled with bubbly!

Photo credit: Vicens Forns

Table assignments on “leaves” pinned to mandarin oranges!

Photo credit: Majesta Patterson

OR “boarding passes” for bride&groom airlines, flight number = table number.

Photo credit: Maria Hedengren

Table assignments hand-calligraphed on a shabby-chic chalkboard…

… or on a glamorous mirror.

Which one is YOUR favorite?

Contact me at [email protected] for your free consultation.

A Day Like No Other – wedding coordination and design

“When only the best will do…”

Elevate your wedding 101 – dessert!

“Life is uncertain – eat dessert first.” Right?!

Most wedding guests secretly just wait for THE CAKE, or, for that matter, another memorable dessert.

Photo credit: ToanVen Photography

While a traditional wedding cake is still the “gold standard” for a wedding dessert, there are many delicious (and impressive!) alternatives – starting with a dessert buffet:

Photo credit: ToanVen Photography
Photo credit: ToanVen Photography
Photo credit: Gavin Farrington Photography
Photo credit: Gavin Farrington Photography

More attractive options include a mini donut machine…

Photo credit: Drozian Photoworks

… churros…

Photo credit: Vicens Forns

… or, of course, ice cream!!!

Photo credit: Duy Ho

Any more questions? What is YOUR favorite?

Contact me at [email protected] for your free consultation.

A Day Like No Other – wedding coordination and design

“When only the best will do…”

Elevate your wedding 101: Drinks!

Everyone has a bar at their wedding, right? BUT you can do so much more!

First of all, stock the bar specifically with a selection that YOUR guests might like:

… and, of course, accompany it with delicious bites!

Greet your guests with a glass of REALLY GOOD champagne when they arrive:

Offer specialty cocktails, maybe honoring your pet who cannot attend, like here:

… and top it off with wine tasting, e.g. your favorite small-winery handcrafted wines:

… or even whiskey tasting!

And the absolute highlight: a champagne tower. None of your guests will forget that!

Now – are you inspired?

Contact me at [email protected] for your free consultation!

A Day Like No Other – wedding coordination and design

“When only the best will do…”

#weddingplanning, #weddingplanner, #weddingconsultant, #weddingdesign, #weddingdesigner, #californiawedding, #elegantwedding, #weddingflowers, #weddingdress, #weddingstyle, #weddinginspiration

Elevate your wedding 101: Lighting!

In my more than 15 years of designing and planning weddings, I have learned that lighting is an incredibly powerful tool in transforming an event space – and that it literally gives you “the most bang for your buck.”

String lights

Nothing conveys a more romantic atmosphere than stringlights – Bistro lights, fairy lights… whichever type you choose.

Photo credit: Tuan Bui

2. Uplights

They are the simplest to install, come in a rainbow of colors and allow you to highlight the attractive areas you want to showcase – while leaving everything else in the shadows.

Photo credit: Danny Dong

3. Gobos (patterned light projections)

These come in a variety of shapes and patterns “off the rack” OR customized to your initials or actually ANY pattern you want, and they totally transform the dance floor or a bare wall.

Photo credit: Hardy Wilson

4. Dance lights

These are, so to speak, the “icing on the cake.” Synchronized with the beat of your dance music, they transform your dance floor into a disco.

Photo credit: Frank J. Lee

Intrigued?

Contact me at [email protected] for your free consultation.

A Day Like No Other – wedding coordination and design

“When only the best will do…”

Drone Shows!

Are you a fan of real, big, colorful fireworks?

I sure am. And so it’s making me very sad that (due to the danger of wildfires) we cannot have any more fireworks at the weddings I am planning and designing – even sparklers for a festive send-off of the newlyweds are no longer permitted at most venues in California. So – what to do?!

Drones to the rescue!

The Rise of Drone Swarm “Fireworks”

Drone swarm light shows, often referred to as “drone fireworks,” are the solution. They are captivating and they are even an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional pyrotechnics. These dazzling displays use hundreds or even thousands of synchronized drones equipped with LED lights to create intricate patterns, animations, and vibrant color effects in the sky. Here is what we could do for a wedding show:

Credit: ringgrass279088 via vecteezy.com

How Drone Swarm Shows Work

Drone swarm shows rely on advanced software and precise choreography. Each drone is pre-programmed with its specific flight path and lighting instructions, enabling the entire swarm to move as a cohesive unit. The choreography is designed using 3D animation tools, allowing creators to simulate the display before it happens.

Operators monitor the drones in real-time using GPS and communication systems to ensure safety and accuracy. The drones can create everything from simple shapes like stars and hearts to complex animations like animals, text, or logos.

Fun Facts:

  • The largest drone show to date involved over 5,000 drones in China, breaking a Guinness World Record.
  • Drone displays can operate in light rain but struggle with strong winds, requiring calm weather conditions.
  • They’ve been featured at major events like the Olympics and New Year’s Eve celebrations, literally redefining “aerial entertainment.”

Are you ready for YOUR drone show?!

Aileen and Yao at the Presidential Penthouse Suite

Aileen and Yao were already planning their big, big wedding in their native Korea – but they also wanted to host a smaller event for their local friends in the San Francisco Bay Area. 50 guests, give or take… BUT elegant. What better place for that than famous Penthouse Suite in the Fairmont San Francisco, home to all US presidents and foreign dignitaries visiting the City. The couple booked my company, A Day Like No Other, to help with the festivities … and here we go!

While photographer Allexa Crosson and videographer Sig Reboquio were already documenting all the pretty details, from rings to invitations to flowers…

… the Fairmont staff under the leadership of event manager Jim Bast was busy repositioning furniture in the suite and starting kitchen operations.

Bride and groom were getting dressed…

… and florist Nancy Liu Chin delivered the bridal bouquet, boutonnieres and many, many floral arrangements for centerpieces and other tables. She also decorated the fountain on the patio with floating flowers…

… for a romantic and very polished effect.

Time for the couple’s First Look…

… with the SF City skyline as their glorious backdrop. And then – many more photos!!

Here in the famous Billiards Room – a Moroccan folly entirely decorated with elaborate tiles…

… in the two-story library whose ceiling is decorated with the outlines of constellations and where a secret passageway to the rooftop opens behind a moveable bookshelf (an escape route for all the royalty and dignitaries staying here on a regular basis…

… and in the elegant living room of the Penthouse apartment – adorned with intricately carved wood paneling, an elaborate fireplace surround and priceless antiques.

After their ceremony, officiated by a friend on the patio overlooking the meanwhile foggy City skyline, it was time to party!

Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres were served in the living room…

… and the newlyweds raised a glass to their union. DJ Marcus Lee (from Paul Stylez Events) had the music going, and everyone was in a joyful, festive mood. In the meantime, the Jim Bast and the Fairmont team and my assistant Nimy and I were hard at work to get the dining room ready for dinner…

Every place setting was adorned with a wedding-ring shaped sugar cookie…

… and a handwritten personal Thank You note by the couple – a true “labor of love!”

After dinner and speeches, Aileen and Yao were ready for their Grand Entrance …

… and their choreographed First Dance:

… followed by a truly “wild” Father-Daughter Dance to the tune of “Heartbreaker!”

The rest of the evening was one big upbeat dance party, only interrupted by Cake Cutting (Cake by Intincing Creations).

What a party! What’s next? Another REALLY big party back in the couple’s native Korea! Congratulations, Aileen and Yao!

The most expensive wedding in history…

Google it – and the first search result will be the 2016 wedding of Russian oil billionaire Said Gutseriev to Khadija Uzhakhov – to the tune of a cool ONE. BILLION. DOLLARS.

The bride’s pearl-encrusted Elie Saab gown cost the first million USD. There was extravagant decor…

… days of festivities ….

… a fleet of luxury cars for the guests, a nine-tier wedding cake…

… and performances by Jennifer Lopez, Enrique Iglesias, and Sting as well as a fireworks show to keep their guests entertained. ENORMOUS!

BUT: there is precedent!!

And that precedent took place about 600 years earlier. A royal wedding: King Charles the Bold of Burgundy married Margaret of York, sister to two successive Kings of England, in the city of Bruges, Belgium, in 1468.

Here the bride (in white lace dress) meets the groom for the first time. The bride was transported in a white horse-drawn golden litter, and she wore a beautiful gown trimmed with ermine. A truly priceless bespoke crown decorated with pearls and diamonds was made for her wedding day:

THAT wedding is estimated to have cost more than USD 300 million in current money. As was typical of royal weddings of the time, this union was not for love, not even for money – it was for purely political reasons. It was over-the-top lavish with festivities over nearly two weeks, parades, opulent dinners …

… and tournaments – one of them around a huge golden tree!

The streets of the city were covered in flowers, and all houses in the city were decorated with tapestries and banners. Well… that’s serious competition for the wedding of the Russian oligarch, don’t you think?!

In any case, inspiration for you – and for me!