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Monthly Archives: November 2023
Lauren and Darren: An Elegant Affair at Villa Montalvo
When these two decided to tie the knot, they were looking for a venue with character, something special and unique, and they turned to my company, A Day Like No Other, for help. I had an idea, and they loved it: Villa Montalvo in Saratoga, a grand historic mansion surrounded by a manicured park – a really unforgettable setting. And so we begun to put together the myriad details over nearly a year of planning time. Finally, the Great Day had come – the Sunday of Labor Day weekend.
After her hair and makeup session (by Nicole’s Vanity), the bride got into her diaphanous, lace-and-tulle dress, and the groom dressed up as well…
… with photographer Julia of Danny Dong Photography capturing all these precious moments.
The wedding flowers in the bride’s favorite muted Fall colors (by Laurel & Vine) had arrived…
… and it was time for the couple’s First Look.
The Italianate Garden at Villa Montalvo with its “Love Temple” was the perfect backdrop for many beautiful portraits…
… as well as the site for Lauren’s and Darren’s wedding ceremony under an elaborately decorated chuppah.
Soon, guests were arriving (via shuttles from Corinthian Ground Transportation)…
… and musicians from the Lucky Devils Band began playing as guests were being seated. Rabbi Dana Magat conducted a traditional Jewish wedding ceremony.
Just married! Mazel Tov!
And off to more photos…
… in the beautiful park surrounding the Villa. Guests were invited to cocktails in the Spanish Courtyard.with a full bar (by Best Beverage Catering).
Meanwhile, the teams of A Day Like No Other, of La Bocca Fina Catering and Laurel & Vine florists were busy putting the finishing touches on the dinner setup on the front verandah…
… under string lights installed by Brilliant Event Lighting.
Guests were treated to delicious dishes…
… and everyone had a good time – especially the newlyweds!
After dinner, guests were invited to a mouthwatering dessert buffet and ice cream from Scoop Microcreamery.
Following dessert, there was no holding back on dancing. Beginning with Lauren and Darren’s First Dance as a married couple…
… to music by the Lucky Devils Band…
… followed by the traditional, exuberant Hora Dance, with the couple being hoisted up in the air…
… and culminating in an epic dance party for everyone. When it was finally time to say good-bye, the newlyweds’ send-off was equally grand: with guests cheering on them with bubbles and glowsticks as they were leaving…
… in a gorgeous vintage limousine (by Elegant Journey) into their married bliss.
Again, congratulations and Mazel Tov to you, Lauren and Darren!
Let your next party take flight – in a historic airport terminal!
I know – you think that’s a totally crazy idea. I would have said the same, until today, actually. Despite having lived in San Francisco for twenty years, this part of the City’s history was completely unknown to me: an international airport terminal on Treasure Island, built in the late 1930s as a gateway for PanAm flights to the Far East. The terminal and two adjacent hangars is all that is left from these glory days… the days of the Golden Gate World expo!
So here is your history lesson:
Treasure Island is actually an artificial island in the SF Bay! In 1937, the then-revolutionary Bay Bridge was built, and in celebration of this engineering marvel, San Francisco hosted a World Exposition – on Treasure Island – and built an airport right there…
… complete with tower!
Everything is still original in its elegant Beaux Arts style…
… reminiscent of a bygone area when air travel was an exquisite luxury.
The interior features an enormous mural by artist Lowell Blair Nesbitt and authentic terrazzo flooring.
The space can easily accommodate up to 400 guests, and the heart of the party is a gorgeous period piece of a bar, with red velvet draperies and a grand piano…
… complete with a resident peacock!
I can literally see the space transformed into its previous glory – Great Gatsby would have loved it! So many possibilities… and – did I forget to mention? Parties can go on until 2 am!
At Golden Hour, guests are treated to spectacular sunsets over the City and the SF Bay – with a front row seat in the bar, looking out the back windows… the SF skyline is just on the other side of the Bay, and the ferry terminal is literally across the street. Just perfect.
Get ready to plan your next party there!
The Allure of Apricot: Pantone Color of the Year 2024
I can hardly think of any color that’s more uplifting, positive and summery – in short, any color that would make me smile and feel happy – as apricot. We all need this emotional boost right now, so: Thank you, Pantone! Spot on!
Drumroll…. here it is: “Apricot Crush!” It is SO chic…
… and it can be combined in so many ways – both within the color family, from pale peach through coral and terracotta…
… accented with complementary hues – greens, blues, purple – AND grounded with soft neutrals, especially a soft grey.
How I know that? Easy – at A Day Like No Other, we have worked with this beautiful color many times over the years (and every time in a different way). Want to see?
For a styled photoshoot, introducing the newly renovated ballrooms in the Westin St. Francis hotel in San Francisco, we offset the central new color of the ballrooms – silvery grey – with apricot, peach and coral. I think it’s a stunning combination!
Even the wedding cake played along!
Well – convinced? But this is only the beginning! For a recent late-summer wedding, we combined apricot with sage green for a fresh, summery look:
For a fall wedding last year, we played up the vibrant side of apricot with orange, rust and fiery red hues in the towering centerpieces …
… and the softer, “peachy” side of the color with shimmery napkins, champagne tablecloths and metallic gold accents.
We also added a touch of pale blue (in the water goblets) – actually inspired by the color combination of the bride’s favorite flower, the Bird-of-Paradise, which was the star in all floral arrangements.
Then, there is, of course, apricot at the center of a palette of sunny, warm hues, like in this outdoor summer wedding a few years back:
… here combined with bare wooden harvest tables and ivory runners (= the neutral hues to ground the whole riot of colors), metallic gold and terracotta for the napkins. (Photo credit: Danny Dong Photography).
You’d rather go more subtle with apricot? No problem: here combined with ivory (flowers), silver (foliage) and a pale mint green (bridesmaids dresses). Pretty, yes?
Didn’t I promise more, bold combinations…. like violet and purple? Look here and be stunned:
As you can see, the combination with deep purple and pale violet makes the apricot “pop” even more! The “neutral” color in this wedding was the navy blue of the groom’s and groomsmen’s suits.
A few more inspirations, here with the light green of hydrangeas…
I hope you are now as happy about this new Color of the Year as I am! Off to a joyful, vibrant and uplifting wedding season 2024!