Ali and Rick: Friends, Family, Food and Fun for a Fall Wedding

Posted on September 25, 2018 by jlammerts

Ali and Rick are wonderfully unconventional. Their wedding would NOT follow the common scheme of “wedding venue, garter toss, bouquet toss…” and a lot of other “frills.” They had their own vision – but they needed help to pull it off. When they asked my company, A Day Like No Other, for support, I was immediately on board.

They would have their ceremony and reception at a private residence – a “backyard wedding.” Well – until I saw that “backyard!” Perched high on a hillside with endless views and breathtaking sunsets, the Tuscan-style residence is surrounded by a lush garden, sheltered patios and porches, and a large dining patio under dense, mature trees. A dream! And off we went with our preparations. Last Saturday, it all came together on a beautiful, sunny and warm September day under blue skies and with a slight breeze. The Weather Gods were clearly playing along!

So many personal touches went into this wedding that I don’t even know where to begin… Ali’s dress had been handsewn by her mother and grandmother, and hand-embroidered and beaded – a true labor of love!

Ali’s mother, an artist, had also created all floral arrangements, had built the arch from birch logs,

… and put endless personal touches on the decor – from handwritten signage …

…. to lanterns lining the walkways and twinkling hanging lights in the trees.

For Ali and her bridesmaids, the day began with hair and makeup by Lindsay and Sarah from Miabel Artistry,

Then, Ali slipped into her dress, assisted by her bridesmaids…

… and into her pretty sandals…

… picked up her summery bouquet of her favorite flowers – sunflowers – in her favorite colors of yellow and light blue…

… and was ready to meet her “Prince Charming,” Rick.

Time for many, many photos with photographer Sandra Fazzino – just wait until you see HER photos! (So far, all we have to offer are our snapshots…)

Meanwhile, my team (assistants Alexandra and Stephanie, and myself), the delivery crew from Stuart Event Rentals, the catering crew from Elaine Bell Catering, and our DJ Henry Kim from BIG FUN Disc Jockeys were all hard at work to get our preparations done before the first guests were arriving.

The motor court of the residence had been transformed into something resembling an Italian “piazza” with living trees to disguise the garage doors, market umbrellas for shade and string lights for the later part of the evening.

Soon enough, our first guest shuttle from El Paseo Limousine arrived. Guests were greeted by more handmade signage and much-needed hand fans!

Time for the ceremony! Again, a personal touch – the ceremony was officiated by the groom’s younger brother. It couldn’t have been more personal and more lighthearted.

Just married!

Party time, and time for dinner! While our guests were enjoying their cocktails, the decor,

the views…

… and the sunset,

the ceremony area was quietly transformed into an open-air nightclub. A professional dance floor was installed, the string lights overhead came on, and DJ Henry had his disco lights ready before our guests even sat down to dinner on the back patio.

Inspired by the Tuscan atmosphere of the residence, guests were dining at beautiful bare wooden tables…

During dinner, dusk fell, and the twinkling lights in the tree made the scene truly magical.

And the glorious food served by EBC made this dinner all the more memorable!

Next up – dessert! Mini cupcakes and fruit accompanied the couple’s presentation cake (again lovingly decorated by the mother of the bride).

After that, there was no holding back! Without further ado (like a First Dance, or Special Dances, or the like…) the dance floor was opened, the disco lights came on, and the party went into overdrive!

We even had wedding crashers!! A bunch of eleven-year olds had escaped from their slumber party next door (in their pajamas!!) and snuck right onto the dance floor… Of course they were welcomed and invited to stay on until 10 pm when the music had to conclude (per local noise ordinance…) – otherwise everyone would gladly have stayed on!

Congratulations, Ali and Rick, to a truly unforgettable wedding celebration! Party on… and stay as unconventional as you are!

Erin and Gabriel – Rustic Elegance with South-of-the-Border Charm

Posted on May 27, 2018 by jlammerts

Erin and Gabe are super-busy young professionals – both physicians, working long hours. When they embarked on their wedding planning, they realized immediately that they would need support for all the details, the logistics, the design; in short, pretty much everything. I was honored that they chose my company, A Day Like No Other, to organize their preparations every step of the way.

We started with their exceptional venue, Allied Arts Guild in Menlo Park, a historic Spanish-Mediterranean compound surrounded by a beautiful, park-like garden. On Wedding Day, all the lush plantings were in full bloom, and despite a serious threat of rain in the weather forecast, we got incredibly lucky with sunshine and blue skies and were able to hold ceremony, Cocktail Hour and dinner outside, as planned.

Photo credit: Vicens Forns

Hard to believe that this hidden gem is nestled into a quiet residential neighborhood right in the heart of Silicon Valley!

Erin and Gabe and their bridesmaids and groomsmen all got ready at the nearby Garden Court Hotel…

Photo credit: Vicens Forns

… with hair and makeup services for the ladies by Fiona and Joey of Urban Beauty Loft.

Photo credit: Vicens Forns

The bride had chosen a beautiful ivory wedding dress with a lace top and flowing skirt – so young and elegant in its simplicity…

… Helping the bride into her dress is always a true mother-daughter moment…

Photo credit: Vicens Forns

Florist Janelle Jacky-Litt of Green Petal Designs brought the bridal and bridesmaids’ bouquets – and they looked exactly like Erin had envisioned them! Not an easy feat as Erin’s favorite flowers are red Bougainvilleas which are notoriously fragile and do not last in bouquets and centerpieces. Not one to ever give up easily, Janelle came up with a master plan to cut these prized blooms onsite from living plants she brought in, only hours before the ceremony… and Erin got her dream bouquet! Here it is…

Photo credit: Vicens Forns

… accompanied, of course, by matching bridesmaids’ bouquets…

Photo credit: Vicens Forns

… and boutonnieres for the gentlemen.

Photo credit: Vicens Forns

Groom …

Photo credit: Vicens Forns

… and groomsmen were also dressing up…

Photo credit: Vicens Forns

Ready for “First Look!” Photographer extraordinaire Vicens Forns and his second shooter Ana Silva captured every precious moment throughout the day and evening.

Photo credit: Vicens Forns

Bride and groom exchanged gifts right then and there – a wristwatch for the groom and stunning pearl-and-diamond earrings for the bride.

Photo credit: Vicens Forns

Time for many, many photos, with the bridal party….

Photo credit: Vicens Forns

… and without!

Photo credit: Vicens Forns

All the while, the Day Like No Other team – assistants Lisa, Alexandra, and myself – was working frantically to get everything set up in time for the big celebration!

Photo credit: Vicens Forns

The ceremony was officiated by a close friend of the couple’s and accompanied by live music by the Hit Waves Unplugged duo – “Can’t Help Falling in Love With You” for the processional.

Photo credit: Vicens Forns

It doesn’t get much more romantic than that! The bride was walked in by her Dad, as tradition prescribes…

Photo credit: Vicens Forns

During the very personal ceremony with several readings,

Photo credit: Vicens Forns

guests helped to fill a “time capsule” for the couple, to be opened on their fifth wedding anniversary.

Photo credit: Vicens Forns

And here they are, JUST MARRIED!

Photo credit: Vicens Forns

Official wedding photo:

Photo credit: Vicens Forns

Guests were treated to cocktails and hors d’oeuvres …

… on the adjacent patio – with a whole menu to choose from:

… with the pretty signage (including a program sign)…

Photo credit: Vicens Forns

… provided by the bride’s talented friend Jess. Of course, there was more fun waiting for the guests:

… and not only that: guests were also invited to watch dinner preparations: Two spectacular paellas (by Nora’s Spanish Catering) were cooking in the courtyard…

Photo credit: Vicens Forns

… and long rows of bare wooden tables (from Stuart Event Rentals) decked out with garlands and blooms in fiery reds and oranges (all by Green Petal Designs) were waiting for the guests.

Photo credit: Vicens Forns

Place settings were adorned with olive branches …

Photo credit: Vicens Forns

… and – of course – the Sweetheart Table got “special treatment!”

Photo credit: Vicens Forns

Whimsical “escort cards” showed guests their table assignments:

Photo credit: Vicens Forns

Everyone was raving about the paella! With background music by DJ Sami Funk of Heart of Gold DJs, lively conversation and free-flowing Spanish wine, everyone was having a great time.

Next up: cake cutting! A pretty lemon-buttercream cake (from Cake Coquette) with more Bougainvilleas for decor was set up inside the “Sunset Room” on an antique table, alongside chocolates and cookies.

Photo credit: Vicens Forns

The back wall had been decorated with family heirlooms and photos …

Photo credit: Vicens Forns

… and surrounded by all these sweet memories and lots and lots of candlelight, the newlyweds performed their official first joint task as husband and wife – cutting the cake.

Photo credit: Vicens Forns

What now? First Dance, of course!

Photo credit: Vicens Forns

Following that, there was no holding back – everyone hit the dance floor to the tunes of DJ Sami …

Photo credit: Vicens Forns

… under twinkling string lights from Stuart Event Rentals.

Guests took just one little break in between dancing, and that was when delicious fresh churros with chocolate sauce were served!

Photo credit: Vicens Forns

When this party did come to an end – it was on another high note: a sparkler exit to the most beautiful car imaginable, to take Erin and Gabe off to their married bliss:

Photo credit: Vicens Forns

A 1927 Stutz chauffeured by owner George Rose of Elegant Journey Limousines…

Photo credit: Vicens Forns

With our best wishes on your lifelong journey together, Erin and Gabe, and may all your days be as happy as this one!

Kelly, Chris, Kay and Franklin: an Intimate Lovefest with Friends and Family

Posted on May 20, 2018 by jlammerts

When Kelly and Chris decided to get married, it was clear from the get-go that they would need support for their planning: they both have high-powered jobs, they just moved to the Bay Area and are in the middle of a remodel, they have a young daughter, and they have a rambunctious puppy. In short, they have their hands full!

Enter A Day Like No Other to help organize and design… and everything came together beautifully yesterday. Even the Weather Gods took pity in us – despite all threats it did not rain, and it was not quite as unseasonably cold and windy as the days before; we even had some sunshine!

For Kelly, the day began with hair and makeup by Ming (Dreamcatcher Artistry) who transformed a pretty young woman into a stunning, red-carpet-worthy star. Kelly’s dramatic “backless” lace dress did the rest!

Photo credit: Juniper Spring

Crystal of Sweet Peas Floral Designs delivered a classic white bouquet …

… (and the floral décor throughout), and with that, Kelly was ready for First Look.

Photo credit: Juniper Spring

For their celebration, the couple had chosen the Portola Valley Community Hall, a strikingly modern architectural gem with soaring ceilings and lots of daylight…

Photo credit: Juniper Spring

…and with a small Redwood Grove just steps away that was perfect for their intimate ceremony, just large enough for their small congregation of only 40 guests.

A string trio of members of the SF Music Conservatory under the leadership of Cynthia Ryan provided a festive atmosphere.

Photo credit: Juniper Spring

The couple’s daughter Kay attended on the Matron of Honor’s arm, and their doggie Franklin, stylishly outfitted with a bow tie, had a front-row seat and was on his very best behavior!

The bride’s uncle officiated with personal words and a great sense of humor, and as a nod to the groom’s heritage, the couple exchanged jamalas (flower garlands) – a core element of weddings in the Hindu culture.

Photo credit: Juniper Spring

And here they are: JUST MARRIED!

Photo credit: Juniper Spring

Time for photos with Liza Head of Juniper Spring Photography (her photos have a “photo credit” line, my iPhone snapshots don’t…) while guests were treated to cocktails and hors d’oeuvres by Elaine Bell Catering (and sometimes huddling under the heatlamps provided by Stuart Event Rentals – responsible for all rentals and lighting throughout). The courtyard where the cocktail reception was held had been decorated with string lights and living 8ft Ficus trees (from Interior Plant Design) – and more trees flanked the couple’s seats at their dinner table – to bring the gorgeous outdoors inside.

A handwritten table assignment board by A Day Like No Other helped guests find their way…

Photo credit: Juniper Spring

When we opened the doors to the Great Room, guests sat down to a delicious family-style dinner by EBC, and they were entertained by DJ Cyrus (of DJ Jeremy Productions).

Photo credit: Juniper Spring

What else? Cake Cutting, of course! In accordance with their overall “green” and rustic theme, mirroring the surrounding woods and nature, the couple had chosen a “naked” cake (from Rachel’s Cakes), sitting on a tree slice…

… which was accompanied by delicious fresh ice cream by EBC.

After their First Dance…

Photo credit: Juniper Spring

… everyone gleefully joined them on the dance floor.

Photo credit: Juniper Spring

Every party eventually has to end – but this one, guests agreed, could easily have gone on forever!

Photo credit: Juniper Spring

May your life together, Kelly and Chris, go on as one joyful party – forever…

Persian Glamour at the Fairmont: Shifteh’s and Hassan’s Elegant Nuptials

Posted on October 20, 2017 by jlammerts

As seen on Carats & Cake!

Watch it live on video here!

Shifteh and Hassan were truly meant for one another – their families have been best of friends for ages, and the only surprising thing is how long it took the two to progress from “just friends” to dating and engagement! Fast-forward four years, and the two were ready to tie the knot – elegant Persian style, of course! They had booked their venue – the storied Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco – when they realized that they’d need a lot more elements to make their celebration festive and unique, and that they did not have the time to do all the necessary research, come up with the design and so many more things. They approached my wedding planning company, A Day Like No Other, for help, and we jumped right in. Design decisions, color palette, inspiration photos, vendors, entertainment ideas… a true whirlwind in the scant five months we had!

Finally the Great Day had arrived – and the Weather Gods were looking upon us very favorably with one of those golden San Francisco October days with clear skies, a warming sun and a slight breeze.

Shifteh’s day began with hair and makeup by Adelina Eidelman …

…who transformed a pretty young woman into a radiant, glamorous exotic beauty. Mr. Siasi of Rose Express Florist delivered a lush cascading bouquet of pink roses and white Phalaenopsis orchids, a perfect match for Shifteh’s luxurious Rosa Clara wedding dress …… with exquisite beading and a breathtaking illusion back:

… here is the veil…

… and the princess heels to go with it!

Not to forget: headpiece, earrings and of course – the rings and other jewelry …

Hassan was meanwhile busy getting ready himself…

For their First Look, bride and groom were allowed into the famous Fairmont Penthouse – where so far every president of the United States has stayed when visiting San Francisco.

This is the view a president would enjoy from the patio…. Definitely a very, very special spot for a First Look!

From there, Shifteh and Hassan went onto an extended photo tour with their photographers Evonne and Darren and videographers of Mario & Fran Productions.

Meanwhile, frantic preparations by the Fairmont team led by Jenni Rowe, my assistant Lisa and myself were underway to get everything ready for the Persian wedding ceremony, Cocktail Hour and dinner reception.

The ceremony was held in the Pavilion Room, with a sofreh by Lili Ghazian of Aroosi by Lili, centered under an enormous Beaux-Arts chandelier.

Here comes the bride on her father’s arm, preceded by Persian violinist extraordinaire Pourya Khademi:

The traditional ceremony was officiated – bilingually! – by Dr. Payman Amiri, with a very lighthearted touch that made everyone smile!

Following tradition, the bride’s sisters and sisters-in-law showered the couple with “sweetness” by rubbing sugar over their heads.

After the ceremony, the couple was showered with precious gifts – mostly jewelry – another beloved Persian custom. Guests were meanwhile enjoying cocktails in the adjacent Rooftop Garden, a little urban oasis, to the accompaniment of violinist Pourya – whose familiar Persian tunes literally touched the heartstrings of all guests with sweet memories.

Dinner was served in the Crown Room on the top, 24th floor of the Fairmont Tower, all decked out in champagne linens, gold toned draperies, and glorious tall centerpieces of roses, hydrangeas, chrysanthemums and orchids from Rose Express Florist…

… and chargers and chairs from Hensley Event Resources. Everything came together just perfectly.

For favors, the Mother of the Groom had prepared glittery organza bags filled with white and gold Jordan almonds, tied with personalized ribbon – a true labor of love! A memorial table was also part of the arrangements.

A mini sofreh adorned the room…

… and another table was literally bending under trays and trays of delicious Persian sweets:

As dusk fell outside…

….guests found their seats with elegant escort cards lined up in the foyer of the Crown Room:

… and with that, we were ready for the Grand Entrance of the newlyweds. These two gave a whole new meaning to the “grand” in “Grand Entrance!” Like royalty, they were accompanied by violinist Pourya…… and dancers from Niosha Dance Academy, one of them the bride’s younger sister, dancing in honor of the couple.

After that, it was time for a lavish four-course dinner, toasts and speeches, while darkness fell and the City below began to sparkle like a box of jewels:

The couple quickly stole away for a few dramatic photos …

… on the Grand Staircase. When they returned, it was already time for their First Dance as a married couple:

With that, the dance floor was officially open! Guests had the choice between rousing music by DJ Alireza and fun at the SnapFiesta photo booth. Most of them did, of course, both!

Another highlight of the evening was cake cutting…

… which in the Persian tradition is by far not as easy as it sounds: the groom first has to obtain the cake knife from a succession of dancing ladies who are teasing him and expect to be paid off generously before surrendering the knife! Eventually, after an extended Knife Dance, they let Hassan have the knife, and the couple’s first official task of cutting the cake together proceeded without a hitch. What else? Bouquet Toss, of course!

Shifteh tossed, and a single young lady caught it – so she is next in line for a celebration as glorious as Shifteh’s and Hassan’s. The evening came to a close far too soon, and everyone went home tired and happy.

Many happy years together, Shifteh and Hassan, and dance on…

Shifteh and Hassan Wedding Day

Let us create YOUR unique wedding celebration, too!

♥ Visit A Day Like No Other and enjoy our brochure! ♥

SaveSave

A Palace right out of a Fairytale for Deanna’s and Jeffrey’s Glamorous Wedding Celebration

Posted on October 4, 2017 by jlammerts

After a full ten years of courtship, Deanna and Jeffrey took the plunge and decided to get married, and they brought my wedding planning company, A Day Like No Other, on board right at the beginning. We had about a year to put together a celebration for their 300 guests, and of course the two wanted it to be extra special!

They would have their ceremony in their home parish, but then, for their reception, we would “put on the glitz!”

Finally, on my birthday (!!), it all came together in a memorable celebration. Have a look…

For Deanna and her bridesmaids, the Great Day began very early with hair and makeup services …

… expertly done by bridesmaid Merica and by the Mother of the Bride herself! (Just the first one of so many personal touches at this wedding… you’ll see).

Photo credit: Jutta Lammerts

Florist Natasha Kolenko delivered the most beautiful bouquets for bride and bridesmaids, soft and feminine, with unexpected touches like bicolor lilies and snowberries, the handles finished with antique silk ribbon…

Photo credit: Jutta Lammerts

The gentlemen got matching boutonnieres…

Photo credit: Jutta Lammerts

.. and while the ladies were busy with hair and makeup, the gents helped one another with their bow ties…

Deanna meanwhile got into her breathtaking, form-fitting lace dress with the help of her Maid of Honor…

Photo credit: Jutta Lammerts

… slipped into her golden high heels…

… donned her jewelry…

… and was ready to head off to Church! They had chosen their home parish, Our Lady of Peace in Santa Clara, where Church Coordinator Genevieve Van Tuyl organized the processional and guided the bridal party.

And here comes the bride, escorted by her parents…

One hour later: Just married!

Photo credit: Jutta Lammerts

Off they went to many more photos by Tuan and Bradley of Tuan B. & Company and video footage by Kien Nguyen of Kien Pictures! (Have a look at that beautiful wedding movie here!)

Meanwhile, frantic preparations were underway to get their reception venue ready for their reception: Dynasty Seafood Restaurant in Cupertino, a fixture for fine dining in the local Asian community. Terry Dudley and her team from Fine Linen Creations transformed a standard dining room into a fantasy of golden glitz and glamour – with miles of draperies, uplights, linens, gilded chairs and and and…

an impressive walkway for the couple …

… a custom white dance floor personalized with the couple’s names in gold script …… a Sweetheart Table fit for royalty, complete with gilded thrones …

… a matching dessert table…… and a dramatic flower wall as a “selfie backdrop!”

My assistant Myrtle Ventura and I were busy setting out the various decor elements, completing the candy bar, and putting finishing touches on the table settings with beautiful centerpieces by Natasha Kolenko in the center of the traditional “Lazy Susans…”

The groom’s cousin Bernard Balaoing, a professional DJ, had offered his services “within the family” and was busy putting together a sound system and stage lighting.

Then the dining room doors opened, and guests simply marveled at the golden opulence awaiting them.

More cousins of the bride’s and groom’s pitched in as greeters at the sign-in table. Anna Tran and Jamal Fedalizo, friends of bride and groom, performed MC duties throughout the evening (on a professional level, at that!)… so there was lots of help from friends and family to make this celebration both perfect and very personal.

After cocktails, guests were treated to a traditional 10-course Chinese banquet accompanied by an open bar. Entertainment? Plenty. Jacqueline, the sister of the bride gave the first song performance of the evening…… followed by a dance performance by the Flower Girl (yes! At a mere four years of age she mustered the courage to step on the dance floor and dance in front of 300 guests!), and another song performance by the groom’s talented cousin KC Frando…

In between, the couple changed into Vietnamese attire as a nod to the bride’s heritage…

What else? Cake cutting, of course!

What a glorious cake that was… Another piece of edible art from Gabrielle Feuersinger of Cake Coquette, pale yellow, flecked with edible 24 karat gold and decorated with artistic sugar flowers…

… accompanied by a song performance by the bride’s aunt. Two very musical families, indeed!

Throughout the evening, caricature artists Michael Rosenthal and his Dad, working as a duo, sketched caricature drawings of all guests – as special wedding favors for the guests to keep.

Photo credit: Jutta Lammerts

The waiting line literally wound “round the block!” And the newlyweds got THEIR portraits done even without sitting for the artists – Mike can do that from afar and just from an iPhone snapshot, adding the serious “BLING” on the bride’s finger, of course, with a big arrow pointing to it. So much fun!

The couple’s First Dance…

… followed by Father-Daughter, Mother-Son and Money Dances…

… opened the dance floor to the crowd, and then there was no stemming the flood any more. Dance, dance, dance!!

At the conclusion of the event, nobody wanted to go home. Everyone agreed – that was, hands down, one of the best parties ever!

Wishing you, Deanna and Jeffrey, many more parties and a lifetime of happiness!

SaveSave

Deanna and Jeff’s Wedding Highlight from Justin Thach on Vimeo.

Let us create YOUR unique wedding celebration, too!

♥ Visit A Day Like No Other and enjoy our brochure! ♥

SaveSave

SaveSaveSaveSave

SaveSave

A Union of Two Globetrotters – Tina and Paul at Thomas Fogarty Winery

Posted on September 20, 2017 by jlammerts

If there is one thing that ties Tina and Paul together (aside from their love for one another, of course!) it’s traveling and good food. They have been to places most people can only dream of: Iceland, Galapagos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Kilimanjaro. Always out for an adventure! So when they decided to tie the proverbial knot, it had to be at a special place, of course. They found it at Thomas Fogarty Winery in Woodside – a spectacular venue with endless view of vineyards and all of Silicon Valley in the distance.

Needless to say, they also chose a great caterer – Toast Catering – and to add to their impressive gallery of photos taken all over the world, they picked a fantastic wedding photographer, Todd Rafalovich. My company, A Day Like No Other, helped with all these myriad choices and details and with pulling it all together into that one Great Day with my Coordinator Mary-Kate in charge – last Sunday!

It turned out to be an unusually warm and sunny autumn day, blue skies, a slight breeze – just perfect for Tina’s and Paul’s celebration. For Tina and her bridesmaids, the day began with hair and makeup styling by Elizabeth Chang of Skyla Arts.

The bride had chosen a classic white lace dress, strapless, with a “Sweetheart” neckline and rhinestone belt:

Her bridal bouquet and all other flowers were provided by her personal friend Sarah Fisher – a true labor of love!

… and with that, Tina was ready to meet her “Prince Charming!”

Paul had likewise dressed up with the help of his groomsmen…

… made sure he had the rings…

… and so – the First Look of the couple could happen!

The ceremony was held on a lawn with endless views, officiated by a personal friend of bride and groom, and with soft music provided by DJ Kevin Combs of Elite Entertainment.

Guests then enjoyed Cocktail Hour on an expansive patio, followed by an alfresco dinner in the open-air pavilion. In lieu of a conventional guest book, Tina and Paul had chosen artwork showing a tree, with guests signing along its branches.

For their table assignments, Tina and Paul got inspired by another shared passion: Lego! Each guest got to take home a little Lego figurine. Let’s see who else gets “bitten by the Lego bug!”

And here is the dining pavilion, from above…

… with beautifully set tables awaiting the couple’s guests:

Table numbers? Quirky, whimsical and “original Tina and Paul” of course! Simple table numbers would not do for these two world travelers – they named their tables after their favorite destinations! Have a look:

The favorite of all guests was the Dim Sum station with a constant waiting line of at least 20 people!

Tina and Paul snuck out one more time with their photographer for sunset photos…

… before it was time to cut their super-cute “Wanderlust” cake by Cake Expressions:

… and everyone got to dig into delicious cupcakes!

After that, there was no holding back the crowd from the dance floor where DJ Kevin “let it rip”.. what a party!

Many happy years and exciting travel adventures on your journey together, Tina and Paul!

Let us create YOUR unique wedding celebration, too!

♥ Visit A Day Like No Other and enjoy our brochure! ♥

SaveSave

An Homage to San Francisco – Olivia’s and Jake’s Nuptials

Posted on September 19, 2017 by jlammerts

Olivia and Jake love their city. They are living in a historic neighborhood, they are exploring the city via bike, they are fully immersed. Small wonder then that for their wedding day, they chose iconic locations to make it truly meaningful to them and to their loved ones – some of whom (the bride’s parents, to start with) had come as far as from Taiwan.

When Olivia approached my company, A Day Like No Other, for help in her wedding planning, I realized very quickly that this would not be a “run-of-the-mill” affair. It would be very personal, very intimate, and very “San Francisco.”

And finally, last Saturday, it all came together beautifully on a glorious autumn day under a blue sky and a light breeze – San Francisco at its very best!

For Olivia and her Matron of Honor, the day began with hair and makeup services by Chau of A-List Hair and Makeup. She transformed two pretty young women into drop-dead gorgeous red-carpet stars! Olivia had chosen a classic ivory lace dress and a bouquet from Le Bouquet Flower Shop in elegant dark reds, blush pink and eucalyptus greens:

Ready to present herself to her fiance with a First Look! Adam of City Express Limousine chauffeured her to the Legion of Honor Museum – one of San Francisco’s most iconic institutions, with one of the largest collections of Rodin sculptures worldwide:

What better spot for their First Look but the classic colonnades of the courtyard…

Photographer Frank Lee with assistant and the video team of Amor in Motion captured every moment, as Olivia gently tapped Jake on the shoulder…

And here they are!

Off to many more photos and video footage – to Fort Point (at the Golden Gate Bridge) and the Lyon Street Steps (with breathtaking views of the Bay) – a whole picture book of San Francisco scenery!

Meanwhile, frantic preparations were underway to get both the ceremony site – a lawn in the historic Fort Mason area overlooking the Bay – and the reception venue – the Captain’s Room at the iconic McCormick & Kuleto’s restaurant at Ghirardelli Square – ready on time. The team of YPR delivered the ceremony chairs. DJ Ron Israel of Legendmakers made sure we had sound and music both out on the lawn and at the restaurant. My assistant Myrtle held out in the cold (wind and fog came up in the afternoon) guarding the fully set-up ceremony site. I was busy at the restaurant setting up decor. Team captain Larissa at the restaurant had the tables set up perfectly and the bar going.

Finally, Bride and groom arrived at their ceremony site shortly before their ceremony which was officiated by Minister Maggie Beretz – so personal and so warm! Here comes the (windswept) Bride:

Just married! Now we’ll have a photo with each and every guest:

After the ceremony, guests walked over to McCormick & Kuleto’s for cocktails and yummy hors d’oeuvres (Tuna tartare wontons and crab cakes – need I say more?!), and for the incredible views of the Aquatic Park with the historic tall ship “Balclutha” and of Alcatraz.

It was the “Golden Hour” before sunset, and the newlyweds took their time walking over with lots and lots of more photos.

Guests were meanwhile busy finding their table assignments by Olivia’s handmade chart…

… sharing their words of wisdom on prepared Q & A cards…

… and admiring Olivia’s and Jake’s engagement photos displayed in a huge, impressive coffee-table book.

Grand Entrance!

Dinner time!

Everyone swooned about the fresh seafood for which McCormick & Kuleto’s is famous. But that was not all. In addition to the elegant dessert (a rich espresso custard), there was THE CAKE! This beauty in the bride’s favorite colors, ombre from blush pink to deepest wine red, came from Cake Coquette:

The new husband and wife were clearly reluctant to even cut into it – but when they did, they revealed a luscious red velvet cake with buttercream filling underneath. So delicious!

To the amusement of all guests, Olivia and Jake sat down for the traditional “shoe game” of guessing their similarities and differences as a couple. Each one held one shoe of the bride and one of the groom in their hands and answered questions by holding up the appropriate shoe: “Who of you takes longer in the shower?” “Who is the better driver?” “Who is the better cook?” – Let’s say, Olivia and Jake did well in that game – with just a few very funny disagreements.

And when the party came to a close, everyone went home happy. It was a great celebration of love and togetherness.

Many, many years of shared happiness to Olivia and Jake!

Let us create YOUR unique wedding celebration, too!

♥ Visit A Day Like No Other and enjoy our brochure! ♥

SaveSave

Kathryn and Jeff’s wedding: simplicity and joie de vivre!

Posted on June 7, 2017 by jlammerts

Kathryn and Jeff are young Silicon Valley entrepreneurs, partners in business and partners in life. They love extreme sports (and are darn good at them), they are doggie parents, and the Great Outdoors is literally their second home. When they decided to get married, one thing was clear from the get-go: this would NOT be any conventional, slightly stuffy affair. It would be all relaxed, and all fun. My company, A Day Like No Other, helped Kathryn to bring that vision to life and to make it a reality.

For their venue, the couple had chosen Walden West Nature Preserve – gorgeous forests, meadows and a pond, no surprise here! From there, things became even more unconventional, with friends and family chipping in and making this celebration as personal as it could possibly be. On wedding day, our coordinators – Senior Coordinators Kelsey Holtzinger and Haneen Saideh assisted by Jessica Buse – were super busy behind the scenes, setting up decor and flowers and juggling the myriad details that go into a celebration as unconventional as this one.

For the bride and her nine bridesmaids, the day began with hair by Angela Cattaneo of Beyond the Ponytail and makeup services by Michele Orozco of Brush by Michele:

Kathryn complemented her classic ivory wedding dress with pearl jewelry and – unconventional, simple and comfortable wedges!

Bridal bouquet (and all other bouquets and floral decor)? A crafty friend made everything onsite from bulk-bought summer flowers in a riot of happy, bright colors, totally unpretentious and totally fun!

And here is the bride, ready to meet her “Prince Charming:”

Lots of photos from First Look on, but this is hands-down one of my favorites:

Shortly before the ceremony – officiated by a friend of the couple, of course! – the bridal party was complete and photo-ready:

Then finally the great moment had come…

And here they are – just married!

While more family photos by Daniel Neal ensued for the couple, guests were treated to cocktails and lawn games, followed by a rustic dinner by Caterman (under the expert leadership of Kayla Grizzle) complete with yummy desserts:

and a candy bar courtesy of yet another friend of the couple.

Photographer Daniel Neal and videographer Amy Heater of Sweet Tea Films stole the newlyweds away for spectacular sunset photos…

before everyone hit the dance floor, to the tunes of DJ Frank Loera of Sound in Motion and illuminated by lots and lots of string lights (by A Party Place).

Everyone agreed – it was a fabulous party, and Kathryn and Jeff were simply overwhelmed and happy. Off to this new adventure for many, many happy years together!

Let us create YOUR unique wedding celebration, too!

♥ Visit A Day Like No Other and enjoy our brochure! ♥

Julia and Charlie’s enchanted summer wedding at Hakone Gardens

Posted on May 20, 2017 by jlammerts

Julia is an organizer. She does it for a living, and she has a hard time giving up the reins on anything. But for her own wedding day, she was willing to entrust these reins to my company, A Day Like No Other. By that time, she and her fiance had already chosen their venue: Hakone Gardens in Saratoga, the oldest Japanese park in the Western hemisphere. It is glorious, especially in late Spring/early Summer. You’ll see!

Julia’s (and her bridesmaids’) day began early with hair and makeup services by Chau from AListMakeup and a church service for closest family members only. After a photo session with 102Studios, the couple arrived at Hakone Gardens, and for Julia that meant: first dress change! She exchanged her traditional Vietnamese outfit for a voluminous Western wedding dress, all lace, sequins and tulle; and got her makeup changed accordingly. In the meantime, everyone was busy with preparations. Onsite manager Tony Barbatti and his team set up the ceremony chairs (with a giant ruler, no joke!! At right angles and to the millimeter)

and helped us in a thousand ways. Ming and his team from Flourishing Gardens catering got ready for a full Chinese banquet. Crafty set up a full bar. Vicky from Queen Bridals installed incredible floral decor – all in golden yellow and rich, dark blues, a tribute to early summer! –

and hung dozens from lanterns from the tree under whose branches the couple’s Sweetheart Table was to be installed. And she transformed the front of that table into a veritable waterfall of flowers, complete with wisteria blooms. It was epic! I was meanwhile busy with the tabletops and the cute “bride” and “groom” favor boxes the bride had chosen, with setting up the dessert bar

and with coordinating all the vendors. Her bridesmaids assembled a table assignment board

at the last minute. DJ Hugh of XGenereration Entertainment and his crew set up the sound equipment and hung string lights. We were all on an adrenaline rush!

And Julia was just beaming!

Finally – time for the ceremony, officiated by a family friend…

with the most beautiful natural backdrop imaginable.

Just married!

Let the festivities begin…

AND let the guests have cake! This piece of art was made by Sharon Bui:

and at the end of the evening not a single crumb was left. As night fell, the scenery turned magical… what a day, and what a night!

The newlyweds are already off for their “mini moon” (to Maui) followed by their real Honeymoon later this year, to – you guessed it! – Japan.

Our best wishes on your lifelong journey together!

Let us create YOUR unique wedding celebration, too!

♥ Visit A Day Like No Other and enjoy our brochure! ♥

Sandra and Jacob at Hidden Villa

Posted on December 2, 2016 by jlammerts

Sandra and Jacob had very clear ideas of how their long-anticipated wedding should look and feel – rustic, relaxed, a celebration of the Fall in California, the Great Outdoors. Nothing too formal, a collaboration of their friends and families, just easy. They would do the planning all by themselves! The only help they were going to accept was a wedding coordinator for their Great Day so they could be sure everything would run smoothly. And to that end, they enlisted my company, A Day Like No Other, well ahead of time.

They chose their venue, Hidden Villa in Los Altos Hills, right in Silicon Valley, and yet – it feels like a million miles away from the hustle and bustle of the hi-tech capital of the world.

It doesn’t even have cell phone reception! So far, so good. And then life got busy. And suddenly there was a maze of venue rules and regulations to navigate. Nothing was easy. Catering the way Sandra and Jacob had hoped for wasn’t permitted. And so on and so forth. The proverbial devil was in every single detail. At one point, Sandra was totally desperate. So we all decided that a little extra help from their wedding planner would lift the burden – and allow the two to actually enjoy the time leading up to their Great Day!

Look how beautiful it all turned out to be:

While our Senior Coordinator Kelsey was the first one onsite to work her magic behind the scenes, Sandra’s day began with hair and makeup by Nancy Eklund of Miabel Artistry.

Florist Lanette Anderson of Hidden Villa had created a beautiful bridal bouquet of fresh-plucked garden flowers, all natural-looking and exactly what Sandra had hoped for.

Meanwhile Jacob was also getting ready.

Dress, shoes and jewelry were waiting…

… and now Sandra is ready to meet her groom.

First Look!

And after that, it was time for photos with Mike and Nat of Choco Studio.

The bridesmaids wore nostalgic floral dresses, the groomsmen had grey suits, and everything was “artfully mismatched,” befitting the relaxed and fun vibe of the event.

The ceremony took place outdoors …

… under a rustic chuppah …

… and “Here Comes the Bride!”

The ceremony concluded with the traditional “breaking of the glass.”

And with that, they are husband and wife – Mazel Tov!

Off to more photos in the beautiful gardens surrounding the ceremony site …

… while guests were invited to cocktails. The bar was decorated (a labor of love from family members!) with bunting and pennants fluttering in the light autumnal breeze, and lawn games were awaiting the grown-ups (and all sorts of toys for the little guests!).

Dinner took also place outdoors, and with dusk falling, the scenery under the string lights (by AM Party Rentals) turned magical.

Guests found their seats following a seating chart crafted by the couple…

… and simple garden flower arrangements adorned the tables.

Catering duties were shared by Continental Caterers and the couple’s all-time favorite food trucks: the Waffle Roost and Hiyaaa!

Everyone had a really great time!

143 Photo Booth was a hit with the guests, and DJ Turner Hayes of Elite Entertainment rounded out the fun during the later part of the evening with a traditional Hora Dance, followed by a wild dance party for everyone!

But that was by far not all!

Jacob’s Dad had brought his band for a very special performance – he’d never been more proud to play music than on this day!

There were delicious desserts (lots of them!) …

… and once that beautiful party came to an end, guests received very practical wedding favors – flashlights for the way back to their cars!

True to its name, Hidden Villa became engulfed and hidden in darkness, and the sounds of nature took over again… exactly the way that Sandra and Jacob wanted it to be.

A wonderful beginning to a hopefully long and happy journey together – our best wishes on your way!

Wedding Woof

Category Archives: DIY

Ali and Rick: Friends, Family, Food and Fun for a Fall Wedding

Erin and Gabriel – Rustic Elegance with South-of-the-Border Charm

Kelly, Chris, Kay and Franklin: an Intimate Lovefest with Friends and Family

Persian Glamour at the Fairmont: Shifteh’s and Hassan’s Elegant Nuptials

Let us create YOUR unique wedding celebration, too!

♥ Visit A Day Like No Other and enjoy our brochure! ♥

A Palace right out of a Fairytale for Deanna’s and Jeffrey’s Glamorous Wedding Celebration

Let us create YOUR unique wedding celebration, too!

♥ Visit A Day Like No Other and enjoy our brochure! ♥

A Union of Two Globetrotters – Tina and Paul at Thomas Fogarty Winery

Let us create YOUR unique wedding celebration, too!

♥ Visit A Day Like No Other and enjoy our brochure! ♥

An Homage to San Francisco – Olivia’s and Jake’s Nuptials

Let us create YOUR unique wedding celebration, too!

♥ Visit A Day Like No Other and enjoy our brochure! ♥

Kathryn and Jeff’s wedding: simplicity and joie de vivre!

Let us create YOUR unique wedding celebration, too!

♥ Visit A Day Like No Other and enjoy our brochure! ♥

Julia and Charlie’s enchanted summer wedding at Hakone Gardens

Let us create YOUR unique wedding celebration, too!

♥ Visit A Day Like No Other and enjoy our brochure! ♥

Sandra and Jacob at Hidden Villa