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!