A & E – a magical late-summer wedding

Posted on December 20, 2024 by jlammerts

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!

Wishing you a lifetime of happiness together!

Rachel and Jim – a one-of-a-kind union

Posted on December 19, 2024 by jlammerts

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!

A Romantic Summer Garden Party for Isheeta and Alex

Posted on August 19, 2024 by jlammerts

If ever there was a super-busy young couple planning their wedding, it’s THEM! Groom Alex is working long hours as a software engineer. Bride Isheeta was completing Medical School during our planning time and took her final exams just weeks before her wedding. Together they managed TWO cross-country moves while we were collaborating on their Big Day. Small wonder they needed the help of my company, A Day Like No Other, to plan their wedding celebration!

They had fallen in love with one of the most romantic venues in all of the San Francisco Bay Area, Thomas Fogarty Winery. Nestled into rolling vineyards, and perched high up on a mountain ridge, with endless views from the San Francisco skyline to Silicon Valley – it clearly spoke to these two nature lovers!

After nearly a year of diligent planning, the Great Day had finally arrived – a beautiful, sunny early summer day under blue skies and with a slight breeze. Just perfect.

For bride Isheeta, the day began with hair and makeup services by Vivian Sampson Beauty…

… followed by dressing up with the help of her Mom – the quintessential Mother-Daughter moment!

And likewise, groom Alex and HIS Mom had THEIR moment.

Photographer Melissa Floriano and Avalos Films videographers captured all these precious scenes, from start to finish.

The first big highlight of the day was, of course, the couple’s First Look…

…. followed by many, many photos of the bride and groom…

… also with their bridal party.

Meanwhile, the teams of A Day Like No Other, Continental Caterers, Green Petal Designs florals and Big Fun Disc Jockeys were hard at work setting up the ceremony area, decorating and cooking and making sure that both the bar and the sound systems were in place in time.

Florist Janelle of Green Petal Designs had created stunning bouquets and floral arrangements with the bride’s favorite flowers – orchids and roses. So elegant… Time was going by so quickly, guests were arriving (via shuttles from Corinthian Ground Transportation), and then – the ceremony began. Groom Alex was escorted by both his parents…

… a super cute flower girl (with an orchid flower crown!) stole the show…

… and after her, bride Isheeta appeared with her parents.

Always such an emotional moment… and the scenery was simply breathtaking.

The ceremony was officiated by a longtime friend of the couple – it doesn’t get much more personal than that!

“You May Now Kiss the Bride!” – and there they are, just married!

While guests were enjoying cocktails and hors d’oeuvres supplied by Continental Catering, serenaded by DJ Woody of Big Fun Disc Jockeys and entertaining themselves with making a Polaroid scrapbook for the couple ….

… the newlyweds had more pictures to take.

Dinner time! Our catering team had set up dinner tables in the open Pavilion with elegant chairs and tabletop items from Hensley Event Resources …

… shimmering linens and napkins from Napa Valley Linens …

…. and dominated by potted Phalaenopsis orchids from Green Petal Designs.

It was a really glamorous dinner setup…. and that was not the only surprise!!

After dinner, more delights awaited – first off: wedding cake and a dessert bar (from La Vie Douce)!

Once the cake had been cut, there was no holding back on dancing. The newlyweds opened the dancefloor with their First Dance…

…. and that was the beginning of one wild dance party!

The open Deck was illuminated by thousands of twinkle lights, the bar was open, and even the non-dancers were having a fabulous time.

Wishing you a lifetime of happiness, Isheeta and Alex!

See it all Live!

And if you desire a wedding just as beautiful as theirs… choose A Day Like No Other – wedding coordination and design.

“When only the best will do!”

Andrea and Pedro – an Elegant Country Club Wedding

Posted on July 18, 2024 by jlammerts

When Andrea and Pedro first approached my wedding planning company, A Day Like No Other, they had pretty much settled on their venue but were seeking help with everything else – and it was fortunate that they had not yet booked that venue… Being very familiar with it, it was obvious to me that this would by far not offer sufficient room and function spaces for the 180-people event that the couple was envisioning. So – we started over! Again, fortunately, Andrea and Pedro quickly found their perfect venue among the alternatives that I proposed: Silver Creek Valley Country Club in San Jose, an elegant property with a golf course amid green rolling hills, a ceremony area with a waterfall as a backdrop, and a clubhouse with a beautiful patio for cocktails and a huge ballroom with picture windows for dinner and dancing (plus a super supportive venue manager!!).

Our planning took close to a year, and finally, finally – the Big Day arrived.

For the bride, it started with hair and makeup services by Wowpretty Salon …

… and getting ready with her bridesmaids.

Andrea had chosen an elegant strapless, formfitting lace wedding dress…

… and glittery bridal shoes fit for a princess!

Photographer Frank J. Lee captured every moment from start to finish.

What’s missing? Her bridal bouquet, a very feminine, handtied summer bouquet with English Garden Roses in soft hues of ivory, pink and rust (all wedding flowers by Marie Krick of Laurel & Vine).

Ready for her pre-ceremony photos! Following time-honored tradition, Andrea had decided to let her groom first see her at the ceremony. Groom Pedro had meanwhile also gotten dressed up with the help of his groomsmen…

Ready for many photos on the beautiful grounds of the property.

Soon, their guests began arriving by shuttle (by Corinthian Ground Transportation), and many work teams – the A Day Like No Other team Haneen and Diane, the venue crew, the florist, the DJ (Henry Kim of Big Fun Disc Jockeys) – were busy putting the finishing touches on the ceremony setup.

Under a gilded circular arch in front of palm trees and a waterfall, a friend of the couple’s officiated their wedding ceremony.

Here comes the bride:

“You may now kiss the bride!”

Just married!

While guests were treated to cocktails and delicious hors d’oeuvres, photographer Frank took official wedding photos …

… and bridal party photos…

… and then, he took the newlyweds around the property for many more photos. And how do you get around in a golf club? That’s the fun part – in a golf cart, of course!

Again, frantic activity was happening behind the scenes – the photo booth (by Night Owl Photo Booth) had to be set up in time and the dining room had to be prepared for dinner. The couple had chosen metallic gold accents (gold Chiavari chairs and chargers) and pink napkins to go with their pink and rust centerpieces.

Grand Entrance!!

After a delicious dinner (inhouse catering at the venue), the newlyweds shared their much-anticipated choreographed First Dance.

DJ Henry Kim had learned a Spanish-language script for bilingual announcements just for Andrea and Pedro!

He kept the party going with Father-Daughter Dance, Mother-Son Dance, the traditional Money Dance…

… and the wild “hora loca” with dance lights and glowsticks!

What a party!! The couple’s festive Send-off happened in the same spirit of joy and exuberance:

Wishing you a lifetime of happiness together, Andrea and Pedro!

Sheida and Homer – a Fairytale right out of 1001 Nights

Posted on June 30, 2024 by jlammerts

A whirlwind wedding planning project for a superbusy couple and a fairytale wedding – that was my first task in 2024! Sheida had contracted my wedding planning and design company, A Day Like No Other, after I had planned her older sister’s wedding a few years back – and her first surprise for me was that we only had 7 weeks until the Big Day. The venue (Boulder Ridge Golf Club in San Jose) had been booked… but that was it so far. So we went to work! And time literally flew by…

On the morning of Wedding Day, Sheida and Homer woke up to a gloomy sky and light rain – it was such a disappointment… but they kept their high spirits and got ready for the festivities.

Sheida’s day started with hair and makeup services by Adelina Eidelman, and bridesmaids and mothers simultaneously enjoyed services by Faces by Emily.

Sheida had chosen a romantic Savin of London wedding dress with lavender rose applique… a real dream! (One that we were lucky enough to secure at such short notice, thanks to our friends at Nouvelle Vogue Bridal Salon).

Isn’t it fabulous? All her other accessories played into this theme of romance, elegance and soft lavender hues.

Photographers Danny and Julia Dong and Frame Story videographers were there from the get-go to capture every beautiful detail throughout the day.

With help from her bridesmaids, Sheida got all dressed up …

… and groom Homer got into his elegant dinner jacket – ready for their First Look!

That happened at their getting-ready location, the historic Dolce-Hayes Mansion in San Jose.

Then a little meteorological miracle happened, and the skies literally smiled on our couple: the sun came out, and the rain stopped! Just in the nick of time to prepare for their elaborate ceremony outdoors, as originally planned.

And here is their stunning sofreh-aghd (by Aroosi by Lili), honoring the bride’s Persian heriage, with every single element full of symbolism:

Here comes the bride, on her proud Dad’s arm, serenaded by violinist Pourya Khademi.

During the ceremony, female family members rub sugar over the couple’s heads – symbolizing the sweetness of marriage (over a thin cloth, actually – to prevent everything getting too sticky…)

It was a beautiful scene – with the sun coming out behind the clouds… drama!

After the ceremony, guests were treated to unforgettable entertainment – starting with an authentic Lion Dance, a nod to the groom’s Chinese heritage.

Meanwhile, a number of vendor teams had been working their magic behind the scenes to transform the dining room at the Club into a gorgeous scene – with draping all around, ceiling swags and twinkle lights, and suspended greenery and chandeliers over the dancefloor (all by Fine Linen Creation)…

… and stunning tall centerpieces from Blackistone Florist (all personal flowers and all floral decor). The couple’s Sweetheart Table received special treatment, of course!

DJ AMP had the music going, and the kitchen at Boulder Ridge Golf Club was ready to serve dinner.

On their place settings, guests found a traditional Persian bowl as their keepsake, and there were elegant chocolates as well…

… in addition to all the delicious Persian sweets from the sofreh.

True to form, the couple’s Grand Entrance to dinner was anything but standard: Niosha Dance Academy, a Persian dance troupe, performed to the delight of all their guests.

After dinner, guests were treated to an elegant wedding cake…

… which the bride and groom cut expertly, as their first official task as a married couple.

Finally, what everyone had been waiting for: dancing started! The newlyweds opened the dance floor with a choreographed routine…

… and that was the start of a wild dance party for everyone – including a Bouquet Toss! To keep everyone energized, Bun Me Up served bao buns as late-night snacks.

Sheida and Homer snuck out for a few moments with photographers and videographers for some more nighttime photos…

Wishing you a lifetime of happiness together, Sheida and Homer – and keep celebrating!

Amina’s and Kevin’s glamorous wedding party

Posted on April 8, 2024 by jlammerts

Amina and Kevin had already gotten (legally) married a while ago, in a very small ceremony…

… but they were still dreaming of a “real” wedding celebration. This plan got postponed… and postponed… but finally they decided on a date (mid-December) and a venue, the elegant Silver Creek Valley Country Club in San Jose. I was honored that they chose my company, A Day Like No Other, to help them put it all together and orchestrating the day.

Having waited so long, Amina pulled all the stops! Have a look… starting with her preparations early in the morning at Dolce-Hayes Mansion in San Jose where Martha Tafoya of Beauty Innovations and her team applied makeup and styled hair for the bride and her entourage, making sure each of them was looking their best ever – really, becoming Red Carpet-worthy beauties.

Amina had chosen glamorous “glass slippers” (or rather: stilettos!) fit for a princess…

… and a truly dramatic, sparkly dress with an enormous train…

… and her proud Mom helped her to get into it. Such a quintessential Mother-Daughter moment!

And here she is – bride Amina in allher finery!

Meanwhile, groom Kevin had also dressed up “to the nines” in an elegant tux and bow tie…

Isn’t he looking stunning?! Now, off to their First Look, all captured by Toanven photographers.

Oh… did I forget to mention her royal-length veil?! (That’s even longer than a cathedral veil – as the name says, meant for royalty!) Amina’s was, hands-down, the most dramatic wedding dress/veil of the year!

Amina’s classic-white bridal bouquet and Kevin’s matching boutonniere (as well as the elaborate floral decor for dinner) came from the Flower Divas.

Soon enough, guests began arriving to Cocktail Hour and to the lavishly decorated ballroom where the formal dinner was held.

The two rental companies (Pleasanton Rentals (linens) and Hamid Decor) and the Flower Divas had definitely outdone themselves!

The couple’s Sweetheart Table got, of course, extra-special treatment.

Amina and Kevin clearly enjoyed their big moment with their Grand Entrance to the ballroom.

A huge dessert buffet by MadinaBakes was waiting for the guests after dinner.

And then, there also was THE CAKE!! An enormous towering confection from Cake Expressions, in a buttercream lace pattern matching Amina’s dress, and decorated with a profusion of white roses by the Flower Divas.

More photos at the Club! The stunning spiral staircase in the Clubhouse is a MUST for all wedding photos.

Meanwhile, guests were entertained first by pianist Tin Yi and then with a photo booth by ReadySteadyPose. But – what would a party be without dancing?! THIS party definitely had the crowd on the dance floor with DJ Anthony Karabetyan by DNA Entertainment.

When finally – VERY late! – this unforgettable party came to an end, it did so with another flourish.

Here are the newlyweds, headed out with, of course, a luxury getaway car.

What a day!! Wishing you a lifetime of happiness on your shared journey, Amina and Kevin!

Elizabeth’s and George’s Joyful Fall Wedding at Nestldown

Posted on February 8, 2024 by jlammerts

Elizabeth and George met as undergraduate students in Kansas – they were actually set up by a mutual friend and despite long geographical separation after graduation, have been inseparable ever since. Having settled in Sacramento where George is a neurology resident while Elizabeth is a traveling executive, they were finally able to plan the next, decisive step in their relationship: getting married! As dedicated outdoorspeople, they fell in love with Nestldown, an elegant venue nestled in the Redwoods of Los Gatos, California, and in order to pull it all off long-distance (from Sacramento, where THEY live, and from Kansas, where both their families live), they enlisted the help of my company, A Day Like No Other.

Finally, the Great Day had arrived. Here is Elizabeth getting ready, with our photography crew of JJ Chen Photography capturing all these precious moments throughout the day. Her Mom helped her with her preparations – such a quintessential mother-daughter experience…

Elizabeth had chosen an ultrafeminine, flowing dress …

… and with her hair and makeup (by Nicole’s Vanity) done, she was all smiles!

Groom George was likewise getting ready…

Done!

Time to proceed to Nestldown for their First Look!

Always such a special moment… After that – it was pre-ceremony photo time…

… for the couple solo as well as together with their impressive lineup of bridesmaids and groomsmen! Soon enough guests began arriving (via shuttles by Corinthian Ground Transportation), and the Nestldown crew, the florist team (from Ida Blooms), the A Day Like No Other team, The Moment Studio videography and our DJ Henry Kim (of Big Fun Disc Jockeys) got everything prepared for the wedding ceremony in the “Chapel,” a breathtaking natural Redwood grove. And here comes the bride, escorted by both her parents.

The ceremony, officiated by the uncle of the bride, was heartfelt, lighthearted and filled with joy and laughter.

Just married! And while their guests were treated to delicious drinks and hors d’oeuvres (by Poetry in Motion Catering), the newlyweds had to take some more photos, of course.

Finally the couple got to join their guests and take a bite and a sip, too!

After Cocktail Hour, the whole party relocated to a nearby restaurant – Teleferic Barcelona – for dinner and dancing. The newlyweds made a big entrance!

Everything was ready for them – the tables were glowing …

… with candlelight, with specialty linens (by NVL) in the bride’s favorite vibrant orange and with elegant floral garlands (by Ida Blooms).

Music was provided by DJ Woody Miraglia (by Big Fun Disc Jockeys), and after dinner, there was no holding back from dancing! The only exception was Cake Cutting – Elizabeth and George did not have just ONE cake; they had three – all equally delicious and artistic! (by Fleur de Cocoa).

The rest of the evening was spent dancing, dancing, dancing…

… and after that, the die-hard party girls and boys accompanied the newlyweds to an afterparty nearby. If that was not enough – the parents of the bride invited a whole local crowd to yet another wedding reception at their home back in Kansas, two days later. That’s how much Elizabeth and George are loved!! Wishing them a lifetime of happiness on their shared journey!

And here is a video of the couple’s ceremony at Nestldown:

If you are hoping for an equally beautiful wedding yourself – contact me at [email protected]!

A true “Insider Wedding” – Deanna and Brandon

Posted on January 14, 2024 by jlammerts

Deanna is one of my assistants at my wedding planning company, A Day Like No Other. Having diligently worked her way up from shadowing to assisting to ultimately leading the production of weddings (while still working her 9-5 job), she finally took the plunge – and a full-time wedding planner position at Wedgwood Events in Sacramento. This was intense training on the job for a full year, and with all this experience “under her belt,” she was ready to tackle her biggest project yet: her own wedding!

This is Deanna “on the job” and how our brides and grooms have seen her…

Deanna and her fiance Brendan met in an Intro to Acting class at UC Davis when she was a freshman and he was a junior. They dated throughout college and, after graduation, Brendan moved to LA to live with Deanna and her family for 5 years. In 2021, they moved to Sacramento for Brendan’s job as an environmental scientist for the California Water Quality Control Board; he is now working on a Master’s degree in Natural Resources online at Oregon State University. Deanna has moved on to become a catering event specialist at UC Davis and is still working as a wedding coordinator for A Day Like No Other; long-term, she is hoping to establish herself as a wedding planner and coordinator in Sacramento and the Central Valley.

And this is Deanna on her own wedding day – radiant!

In November 2023, a month after celebrating 11 happy years together, Brendan and Deanna got married at Antiquité Maison Privée, a former antiques shop – which added its own touch to the bride’s wedding aesthetic. She was inspired by her memories growing up in Southern California, her love of Spanish architecture and Mexican folk art. Her color scheme was based on sunsets and Talavera tiles. The backdrop of the former antiques shop led her to add more vintage-y elements like velvet and lace table linens and etched water goblets. The weather on November 4th, the day of the wedding, was PERFECT – Deanna and Brendan were really lucky in that respect! Everything fell into place really beautifully (Wedding Day coordination: Taylor Kelley Events).

The day began with hair and makeup services by Christy Reynolds Beauty at the Hyatt Regency Sacramento, and the bride and her bridesmaids had a lot of fun together, as documented in photo and video by Lily and Lime.

The bride was helped into her wedding dress (from Sparkle Bridal Couture) by her Mom – such a wonderful mother-daughter moment!

What’s missing? Princess slippers ….

… and the bridal bouquet (by Flowers by Jordan)!

Groom and groomsmen were meanwhile also getting ready and having equal fun!

One quick pre-ceremony bridal party photo…

Soon enough, their guests began to arrive for their joyful wedding ceremony under a profusion of lavish flowers in sunset colors…

And now: “You may kiss the bride!”

Just married! Mazel tov!

While the newlyweds had many, many photos to take…

… their guests were already enjoying drinks and hors d’oeuvres (Jackson Catering & Events) while being entertained with live music by the Midtown Jazz Trio.

Time for dinner! Here Deanna’s artistic talents came to shine – starting with her creative escort card display:

… and “guest book” poster.

From dinner tables…

…and the couple’s antique Sweetheart Table (rentals: Blossom Farm Rentals and Barnswallow Rentals; linens: MG Linen Rentals)…

to elegant placesettings…

… with Talavera tile table numbers – everything bore the stamp of the bride’s aesthetic. Well – did I forget to mention the wedding cake (Freeport Bakery) …

… which perfectly played along with the Talavera tile theme?

The newlyweds performed their traditional first task as a wedded couple – cake cutting – with bravura, and then there was no holding back the whole crowd from dancing! DJ Buzzardball played up a storm, Deanna and Brendan performed their choreographed First Dance…

… and all guests joined them in the exuberant traditional Hora Dance, hoisting bride and groom up in the air!

What an unforgettable party! Wishing you love and happiness on your way, Deanna and Brendan!

How to choose a wedding band for your destination wedding

Posted on January 10, 2024 by jlammerts

A guest post by Kelly Peterson

Every engaged couple deserves to have their dream wedding day come to fruition. For many, the perfect celebration will involve jetting off to a special destination abroad in order to exchange vows in the most picturesque and paradisal of settings.

A wedding held close to home involves plenty of planning and preparation as it is – so, when it comes to crossing off your pre-wedding checklist in an unfamiliar environment, even the most minute of tasks can feel a lot more stressful. It’s lucky, then, that once you’ve got your vendors such as your food, decor and entertainment sorted, the rest is pretty much plain sailing.

One of the most crucial elements to plan is your wedding band – but, how do you choose the right one for a wedding abroad? In this article, we take a look at three things you should keep in mind.

Stick to your theme

Those who choose to wed abroad usually have a special place in mind; somewhere that really means something to the both of them as a couple. Whether you’re setting off in search of hot weather, spectacular views, or perhaps with a view of honoring a cultural tradition, choosing a destination wedding means that you’ve got a built-in theme for your big day, and much of your designs and decor are pre-decided for you.

In order to make your destination wedding experience feel that much more authentic, you’re going to want to choose a wedding band that can match the mood and atmosphere of your celebration. This might mean choosing a band local to your wedding venue that incorporates instruments and songs that are culturally relevant to your chosen part of the world – a great way to celebrate the beauty of your chosen location, and incorporate some great traditional dance moments.

Read reviews and check their experience

It’s easy to shop around for great wedding entertainment when you’re doing so at home, in your day-to-day environment. Trying to find the perfect musical act in a foreign country is a different story altogether – particularly without the ability to rely on recommendations from people you know and trust.

For this reason, it’s best not to take any chances when it comes to picking your wedding entertainment abroad. It’s crucial to do plenty of research on the available bands in your chosen location, and to choose one that comes with lots of positive reviews from previous couples who have opted for a destination wedding. Prior experience is essential, as you want to know that your wedding band will be able to do your vision justice.

Similarly, if you’ve found your dream wedding band a little closer to home you’ll want to make sure that they have experience playing at weddings abroad, to avoid any complications or surprises when the big day arrives.

Arrange a meeting

Collaboration is key when it comes to getting the most out of your wedding entertainment. It’s easy to set up a quick meeting with your chosen wedding band if they’re local – perhaps even to meet the group a few times prior to the big day in order to make sure that everything is in order.

When it comes to hiring a band local to your destination abroad, you’re less likely to have time to chat back and forth – and most of your communication is likely to be via video call, email or over the phone. Because of this, you’ll want to optimize any contact time that you do have with your band, in order to ensure that you’re both on the same page prior to the big day. This could mean setting up an initial meeting before signing on the dotted line, and turning up prepared with key questions you have for your band. Ultimately, you’re going to want to communicate as much as you can as early as possible, to avoid any delays or miscommunications further down the line.

Go with your gut

While there are a few things to consider, choosing a band for your destination wedding is an exciting process, and shouldn’t feel daunting. Once you’ve got the practicalities covered it’s best to choose with your gut, for a destination wedding band that truly speaks to who you are as a couple.

Three Tips for a Greener Wedding Breakfast

Posted on December 12, 2023 by jlammerts

A guest post by Kelly Peterson

If you’re planning a sustainable wedding, you may be wondering how to tackle your wedding breakfast. Although wasted food is one of the most common offenders to carbon footprints at weddings, there are plenty of ways to ensure your guests are satiated in a more eco-friendly fashion.

Here, we share three golden tips for a greener wedding breakfast.

Opt for local, seasonal produce

Whilst some wedding venues require you to use their in-house caterers, others allow you to choose your own. Having control over your catering is a valuable tool when it comes to ensuring it’s as green as possible.

Opting for local caterers who prioritise sustainability in their own businesses, and use fresh, locally sourced produce is the best way to reduce any carbon emissions from transporting food ingredients. If they can, opting for organic produce also reduces the environmental impact of your produce.

Supporting small businesses is a great option, as many are more eco-friendly than larger chain catering companies. Look for green flags such as using free range, high welfare animal products, organic fruits and vegetables, and sustainable packaging. Not only will using seasonal produce make your wedding breakfast greener, it will taste absolutely delicious as well.

Consider alternative options

There’s no rule that you have to have a three-course meal for your wedding breakfast if you don’t want to. There’s loads of creative, fun options that can not only add a unique quality to your wedding but can also help reduce the carbon footprint of your day. Food trucks, grazing tables, buffets and barbeques all help to ensure there’s as little food wastage as possible throughout your wedding breakfast.

The beauty of food trucks is that each meal is made to order, and any leftover produce is likely to be used for following events by the supplier. Adding more vegetarian or vegan options, or even having a meat-free wedding breakfast if that suits you, is another brilliant way to reduce the overall environmental impact of your feast.

Be smart with your add-ons

From your alcohol to your wedding favours, each small element of your celebration has the potential to further boost the eco-credentials of your big day. Try to use sustainable brands, offer fewer dessert options, opt for a smaller wedding cake and use eco-friendly wedding favours. Consider what your guests will actually use, rather than what’s traditional – for example, edible favours are less likely to be left behind at the end of the night.

By making multiple small changes to your offerings, you’ll find you reduce the environmental impact of your entire wedding. If you have to use your venue’s caterers, ask them questions about their food waste policy, as well as their other internal sustainability policies, to ensure their ethics align with your own.

Keep your vision in mind

Ultimately, hosting a greener wedding breakfast is all about making multiple small changes to your menu, to ensure that your sustainable values echo through each element of your meal. By keeping your eco-friendly vision in mind when booking your venue, caterers and suppliers, it’s more than achievable to enjoy your wedding breakfast at a smaller cost to the environment.

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Category Archives: Festivities