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:
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.
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.”
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!
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?!
Weddings have always been a celebration of love and commitment, but the way they’re celebrated has evolved dramatically over the past century. From grand traditions to modern twists, weddings in the US and Europe have seen fascinating changes that reflect shifts in culture, technology, and values.
A Century Ago: Formality and Tradition
In the early 20th century, weddings were steeped in tradition and formality. In both the US and Europe, church ceremonies were the norm, often followed by modest receptions at home or in community halls. Brides wore white gowns to symbolize purity, a custom popularized by Queen Victoria in the 19th century. Large family gatherings were a must, and couples typically adhered strictly to cultural and religious customs.
For example, in Europe, weddings often included specific regional traditions, like the German Polterabend (breaking porcelain for good luck) or the French croquembouche tower instead of a tiered cake. Meanwhile, American weddings began incorporating unique trends, like elaborate bridal showers and printed invitations.
The mid-century brought prosperity and, with it, more extravagant weddings. In the US, the post-war boom allowed for bigger celebrations, with fancy banquet halls, multi-tiered cakes, and elaborate photography sessions becoming the norm. Europe, too, saw a shift toward grander ceremonies as economic recovery took hold.
Wedding dresses became more glamorous, with fuller skirts, lace details, and dramatic veils inspired by Hollywood. Some brides boldly did away with long veils in favor of face veils, headpieces or fascinators that still look chic today:
Couples began personalizing their ceremonies, although religious and cultural traditions still played a significant role.
In the 1980s and 90s, wedding dresses kept “growing,” becoming more elaborate and voluminous.
Today: Personalization and Inclusivity
Fast forward to the 21st century, and weddings have become all about personalization. In both the US and Europe, couples now have the freedom to design their weddings to reflect their unique stories. Rustic barn venues, destination weddings, and eco-friendly celebrations are all the rage.
Cultural traditions still hold value, but many couples opt for less formal ceremonies or mix traditions from different backgrounds.
From vintage-inspired beginnings to modern-day innovation, weddings in the US and Europe have transformed into a vibrant tapestry of love and creativity over the last 100 years.
It does look “yummy,” right? Certainly a very subtle, elegant color that adds both warmth and sophistication to your celebration. You can even use it for your flowers!
Here are examples from my own wedding events (we were clearly ahead of our time there!!)
Photo credit: Frank J. Lee, floral arrangements by Laurel&Vine
Photo credit: Bre Thurston, bridal bouquet FlowerGirl Em
Here are three wedding-appropriate full color schemes featuring this rich, comforting hue:
Mocha Mousse and Dusty Blue This combination balances the warmth of Mocha Mousse with the cool, calming effect of dusty blue. You will also have some ivory in the mix (think: wedding dress!), and this make this color combination Ideal for spring or summer weddings, creating a serene and elegant atmosphere. Use Mocha Mousse in bridesmaid dresses or table linens, complemented by ivory florals (and if you can find them – natural blue flowers like hydrangeas) and dusty blue accents (the following example is from emmalovesweddings.com).
Here the most prominent use of a “Mocha Mousse” hue is the color of the blond-wood chairs.
Here you see how well the “mocha mousse” tones of natural raw wood go with muted blues… AND how well all this is accented by antique gold!
Mocha Mousse, Blush Pink, and Sage Green This romantic palette combines the earthy tone of Mocha Mousse with soft blush pink and fresh sage green. The ivory of your wedding dress (and ivory flowers in your bouquets and arrangements) ties it all together. Perfect for outdoor or garden weddings, it evokes a natural and inviting ambiance. You could use Mocha Mousse for groomsmen’s suits, natural wood or other decorative elements, with blush and sage in floral arrangements and accessories (following examples by deerpearlflowers.com and elegantweddinginvites.com)
Mocha Mousse and Burgundy For a fall or winter wedding, pairing Mocha Mousse with deep burgundy creates a rich and luxurious feel. This combination adds depth and warmth to your event – with Mocha Mousse in table settings or stationery, with burgundy as the star in florals and attire, e.g. bridesmaids dresses and your bridal shoes. Little flecks of metallic gold elevate it all! Here is an example from emmalovesweddings.com:
Well…. convinced? These palettes showcase the versatility of Mocha Mousse as a warm, neutral backdrop for a multitude of colorways, allowing you to create a wedding aesthetic that reflects your personal style and the season of your celebration.
In the first half of 2024, I had the pleasure of planning and designing a very special wedding event – a celebration for a very private couple whom we shall call here “A” and “E.” When I first met them, they were already legally married; they’d had an intimate, family-only ceremony in their backyard on an auspicious date by the Chinese horoscope. The “real party” had to wait – and THAT they entrusted to my company, A Day Like No Other.
Our first task was to find an elegant venue with a view not too far from the couple’s home, and I was able to present several options to them. What they spontaneously loved was a spectacular place, perched high atop a mountain ridge with views from the Golden Gate Bridge to Silicon Valley: Thomas Fogarty Winery.
The next vendor decision was an equally easy and spontaneous one: photography team Danny and Julia Dong who captured the magic of the location and the beauty of the occasion from start to finish. Collideskope videographers joined them and recorded all those precious moments throughout the day.
After preparations at home …
… with hair and makeup services by Wowpretty Salon, bride, groom and bridal party transferred to the venue (all transportation provided by Corinthian Ground Transportation) where many vendor teams were already hard at work to get everything set up in time. Florist Karen Baba of PlanDecor begun decorating the couple’s own arch, while the bride was helped into her elaborate, light platinum-colored dress …
…by her bridesmaids.
What an incredible train!
After putting on her princess heels and receiving her gorgeous bridal bouquet, A. was ready to show herself to her “Prince Charming” …
… who had likewise been prepared by his groomsmen.
After their official First Look, bride and groom had many, many photos to take…
… first only the two of them, and then with their attendants.
Bride and bridesmaids were CLEARLY very happy with their flowers!
Guests were already arriving (via Corinthian shuttles), and DJ Derek Mizuno of Entourage Events put the finishing touches on his sound setup, supporting the soloists who, as friends of the couple, were performing as well.
The ceremony was officiated by a friend of the couple…
… in bright sunshine and with a lot of joy and smiles!
Just married! More photos for the newlyweds, while guests were treated to Fogarty wines and delicious hors d’oeuvres by Michi Catering and the photo booth (from Entourage Events) offered fun for everyone.
Dinner is ready! The Michi team had set the tables with elegant gold-rimmed china, matching gold-toned flatware, pink glassware and with shimmering lavender napkins in a loose knot…
… and florist Karen’s centerpieces provided a big pop of lively color – especially on the Sweetheart Table!
The sunset on A & E’s wedding day was spectacular – unforgettable together with the endless views…
Once dinner was over, everyone moved inside for Cake Cutting (cake by PQ Fung/ Pastry Atelier PQ) …
… and dancing. The couple had practiced an intricate choreographed First Dance routine that left everyone utterly speechless.
With that, the dance floor was officially open, and guests only took a short break to help themselves to the mouthwatering pastries from the dessert table (Pastry Atelier PQ).
The conclusion of the evening was as spectacular as the day itself – with a shimmering bubble exit for the newlyweds!
Rachel and Jim had met and lived together for more than two decades, literally “growing old together,” and then they decided to make their union official – and for that occasion they were envisioning an elegant, warm celebration with their children, grandchildren and circle of the friends acquired over a lifetime. What better setting for such a one-of-a-kind wedding than the storied Fairmont San Francisco? So Rachel and Jim secured it for their venue. And then… they realized that a lot more needed to be planned. A whole lot more. I am honored that they chose my company, A Day Like No Other, to make their vision a reality. We jumped right in… and over a yearlong collaboration on vendor bookings, logistics, design and decor, we truly became good friends!
The couple began their wedding day at their “homebase,” their room at the Fairmont….
… with this unbeatable view of the City and the Bay.
While Rachel had her hair done by her longtime hair stylist Eric Webb and her makeup applied by Tiffany Chiang of Design Her Image, photographer extraordinaire Kevin Chin captured the beautiful details.
Then bride and groom helped each other getting ready …
And even if they had seen each other during the morning preparations, Rachel wanted to have a traditional “First Look.” She was soooo excited!
Here they are, on the glorious main staircase in the Fairmont lobby.
It was so moving to see… and then it was time for many, many photos.
Meanwhile, frantic preparations were underway to get everything ready in time for guest arrival, the ceremony and Cocktail Hour and, of course, for the reception with dinner and dancing. The Fairmont team, led by Corrine Mitten, had set everything up for us already (thank you!); florist Karen Baba of Plan Decor was busy decorating the chuppah on the Fairmont Rooftop Garden; DJ Tyler Huffman and the Rhonda Sauce Jazz Trio (both from Ivy Hill Entertainment) were getting situated for sound and music, and my assistant Deanna and I were coordinating the myriad details behind the scenes.
We set up the WELCOME sign – which I had custom-designed based on the couple’s choice of invitation card, with a custom color scheme based on – you won’t believe it – the carpet pattern in the ballroom! Its elegant eggplant and antique gold arabesques were the inspiration for the whole color scheme, resulting in a very cohesive overall look and feel. These colors were ultimately chosen because they also fit so well with the bride’s dress choice of teal silk – the bridal bouquet and floral arrangements (from PlanDecor) were kept in rich jewel tones (the bride’s favorite colorway), again based on eggplant and gold.
Next came the Guest Book table – with the signage again showing the motifs and colors of the invitations; the guest book cover picking up the eggplant hue, and the big floral arrangement playing along.
Next up: Ketubah signing before the wedding ceremony.
And with that, the two are actually MARRIED.
The chuppah was waiting, resplendent in, you guessed it, eggplant, yellow and jeweltones …
All guests had meanwhile arrived, and the great moment had come! To the tunes of Rascal Flatt’s God Bless the Broken Road (played by DJ Tyler Huffman of Ivy Hill Entertainment), Rachel and Jim walked down the aisle.
The two “broke the traditional glass” TOGETHER…
… and then the whole congregation broke out chanting “Mazel Tov” to the newlyweds.
While the new couple enjoyed a little quiet retreat – and then had many more photos to take – their guests were treated to a Cocktail reception in the Pavilion Room ….
… with live entertainment by the Rhonda Sauce jazz trio.
Meanwhile, we all put the finishing touches on the elaborate dinner setup in the Crown Room…
… where subtly shimmering eggplant-colored linens and napkins (from Napa Valley Linens) coordinated perfectly with the room’s interior and intimate lounge seating (from Hensley Event Resources) in the recesses of the ballroom invited guests to quiet conversations and little breaks from the festivities.
The tall centerpieces, literally hovering above the dining tables, formed a lively color accent – without interfering with conversation across the table (something the groom had been adamant about!).
To round out the lush, rich look and warm feel of the elegant ballroom, we added a large number of tall living plants – stunning palm tree varietals and huge Bird-of-Paradise plants (from Indoor Greenery) from the entrance steps to the whole perimeter and at strategic spots in the room.
Guests found their table assignments through eggplant-colored escort cards in the exact same design as all other signage – just in an “inverted” colorway!
Ready for dinner! The newlyweds kicked off the dinner-and-dancing portion of their celebration with their Grand Entrance and First Dance to the song How Sweet It Is by Marvin Gaye (professionally choreographed by and practiced with Cynthia Glinka of Dance with Glinka).
With that, dinner service began, live music accompanied the feast, and many family members and guests proposed toasts and well-wishes. Once dinner was finished, Rachel and Jim had one more important task to accomplish: cutting their cake – traditionally the first shared task of a newlywed couple.
Per our wishes, the talented Kelly Zubal of Inticing Creations had decorated the elegant white cake with the exact floral motif that formed the common thread from invitation to signage to wedding decor.
Once that was done, everyone flocked to the dance floor to kick off the dance party with an exuberant Hora Dance during which, traditionally, the newlyweds are hoisted high up above the dancing crowd – and that’s exactly what we did!
From that point on, there was no holding back on the dance floor, and DJ…. kept everyone exactly there! It was a wonderful, unforgettable celebration – and bride and groom were SO HAPPY!!
Wishing you this happiness together for every single day, Rachel and Jim!
