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!