A Gala Evening to Remember: French-American Business Awards

Posted on June 5, 2014 by jlammerts

The San Francisco Bay Area is a veritable melting pot of cultures, and so it’s not surprising that businesses here have their roots in many different countries. One example is the French-American community, spread out from the Wine Country to the City and further south, with its own support system: the French-American Chamber of Commerce in San Francisco, FACCSF. In an effort to further encourage this already thriving and vibrant business community, FACCSF created a business award to honor outstanding local French-American businesses in various categories. The first such award ceremony was planned to take place in 2014, and of course this occasion called for a polished event. FACCSF turned to my event planning business, A Day Like No Other, to make that happen. Truly an honor!

Yes, and a challenge … I always love a good challenge! Why that was? As a non-profit organization, FACCSF devotes all its funds to the community it supports, so events like our awards night need a lot of sponsors. What to do? 1.) Ask friends and colleagues in the event planner community for their assistance, and 2.) replace funds with creativity! Now have a look how it turned out last night!

We chose a historic landmark as our venue, the General’s Residence at Fort Mason. Not only is it an ornately decorated mansion…

… it also has unsurpassed views of the San Francisco Bay right across to Alcatraz.

But of course we didn’t stop there! We added “son et lumiere” (sound and light), food and wine, flowers and other decor to make it an elegant party to remember.

My friend Dan Rosenbach of Love in the Mix provided both background music and lighting…

… while Mega Event Production provided the stage and dining room A/V and lighting.

Arriving guests were greeted with the quintessential French welcome drink: a glass of champagne…

… accompanied by delicacies from Michi’s – my friend Mr. Shin had brought his famous sushi bar where guests enjoyed his creative Asian-Fusion cuisine, freshly prepared to order.

And here we are all together (Mr. Shin formally invited me to be a member of the Michi family!):

Following the initial Cocktail Hour, guests were invited into the festively decorated dining room where tables glistened with silver-rimmed plates on silver-toned chargers, glasses and silverware (all sponsored by my dear friend Mike Seramin of Abbey Party Rentals)…

and elegant centerpieces by another friend of mine, Annette Shulman of Petals Flower Studio, anchored the tablescape amidst a profusion of votive candles and matching shimmering glass gems.

What followed was a delicious dinner, a “joint venture” of my friends Maureen Kelly of Knights Catering and Hugh Groman of Hugh Groman Catering.

Here is Maureen’s fanciful presentation of a seasonal salad with goat cheese…

… followed by Hugh’s deceptively simple-looking Mediterranean salmon packages (just imagine: salmon steamed on a bed of potatoes, lentils, mushrooms and pesto aioli in a sealed parchment package… open and inhale deeply! So delicious…)

After that luxurious meal, guests were ready for the revelations of the evening: the winners of the FABA awards 2014 in the categories: High-Tech, Agribusiness/Gastronomy/Wine and Sustainability/Life Sciences. Our tireless photographer extraordinaire, Shhivika Chauhan, captured all the festivities in high style.

And now, of course, there was even more reason to celebrate!

Desserts and more champagne were awaiting in the lounge, among other things intensely flavored rainbow macaroons from L’Artisan Macaron…

Mr. Shin has just discovered the macarons …. much to his joy!

… and guests enjoyed it all in good company and high spirits. Our greatest compliment? Guests simply refused to leave!! Thank you to all my good friends and other sponsors whose enthusiasm and generosity made this splendid gala possible!

Starstruck – Erica’s and Lincoln’s Heavenly Nuptials

Posted on June 4, 2014 by jlammerts

Dear readers: before you even start, grab your hanky. Here comes one of those “The stars were aligned…” love stories. A real, true one!

Just a few years ago, Lincoln, the groom, had given up on getting married. He told a friend, “Since I won’t get married – let’s just throw a party. A big one – in lieu of a real wedding party!” Which she did, in fact… (and at that real wedding yesterday, she was his decorator!)

Erica, as her Dad said, had already faced a number of challenges in her life… but the moment she met Lincoln, she was transformed. Utterly, completely – and he knew, she had met “the one!”

How they met: through one of their shared passions – dancing! Music lovers, both of them (Erica is a professional harpist, and Lincoln plays in a mandolin orchestra), they met at a ballroom dance, and Lincoln fell for Erica immediately, and hard. Erica, more cautious by nature, took a little longer, but after all, Lincoln can be very persuasive. Done deal!

And – you have to know – Lincoln is very elegant, even a little bit old-fashioned, in the best sense. Following tradition, he proposed on one knee – at the Iguazu Falls in Brazil. It doesn’t get much more dramatic than that!

And of course, a photo of this momentous occasion had to be present at their wedding…

Just 18 months after their first encounter, the two got married, and I was so honored that they chose my company, A Day Like No Other, for their wedding coordination and design. They wanted an elegant, formal wedding, and they wanted – stars! Erica, the bride, is an amateur astronomer, and so we set out to incorporate the Moon and the Stars into this exquisite affair.

First step: find a venue! The two chose the Brazilian Room, a historic building in Tilden Regional Park in the hills above Berkeley. (Was that choice, maybe, inspired by the location of the proposal?)

An open Great Room with exposed wooden beams and a soaring ceiling opens onto a ceremony lawn that seamlessly flows into the verdant hilly landscape.

The bride got ready at the historic Claremont Hotel in Berkeley with hair and makeup expertly styled by her friend Kim Denny.

Meanwhile her groom was getting ready as well…

Coit Limousine service delivered her to the Brazilian Room where Lincoln was already waiting…

… dressed in a traditional morning suit, fitting for this elegant occasion. But the bride insisted on remaining unseen until the ceremony, so we literally snuck her into the building!

Erica had chosen an embroidered ivory A-line gown that literally floated around her and whirled with every step, complemented by a crystal-encrusted belt and elegant veil.

Finally, the great moment had come! Eighty of their closest friends and family members witnessed the very personal ceremony officiated by their friend Karryn Nagel, which incorporated a “Passing of the Rings” ritual. The groom’s nephew (stylishly outfitted in a 3-piece suit like his older brothers and his Dad) passed the rings to all guests present, to impart on them all their good wishes…

All the while, harpist Jessica Schaeffer provided a beautiful musical background.

And then, they were pronounced husband and wife, and the real fun was about to begin…

Just married!

Now come the myriad personal touches that made this wedding celebration so unique: the bride had styled her wedding shoes herself – with a star motif on a midnight-blue background:

Friends of the couple, Kris, a former actor proficient at stagecraft, and Anne (who would catch the bouquet later that night …), had built them a photo booth, and what a spectacular one at that!

Every single guest took a turn, and then signed the guest book – which, of course, was also special. In lieu of a conventional book, we came up with the idea of a historic typewriter…

To direct guests to their assigned tables, we did not use conventional escort cards (of course not…) – Erica found antique-looking picture frames which doubled as wedding favors, and combined them with handwritten star-studded name cards.

During Cocktail Hour, Silver Strings Mandolin Orchestra (the groom’s ensemble) played for the guests…

Meanwhile, the Great Room was ready for dinner, with centerpieces by the couple’s friend Lizzie Maxwell…

and decor by another of their friends, Jane Dougherty – think custom-made sconces of midnight-blue tulle with sparkling lights… speaking of which: the bride and I had found sparkling stars from Glimmers Inc. which, floating in the guests toasting glasses, added a truly heavenly touch to all those good wishes!

The duo “The Harpoons” (Harp and Bassoon – did you guess it?) kept guests entertained over dinner,

and Morningstar Entertainment took over for dancing.

But we are getting ahead of ourselves. During dinner, guests were asked to propose one impromptu toast per table, and since most of this artistic couple’s guests were artists themselves, musicians, actors, performers – these toasts turned into artistic improvisations of the highest order. From hilarious skits to funny poems (in perfect meter and professional intonation) and rock star impersonations with slightly tweaked lyrics: it was rather a cabaret than mere toasts! In these moments, all the depth of personal connections, the warmth of long-time friendships, and the commitment of all these friends and family members to an extraordinary couple became apparent. Every single guest contributed to their happy union in a personal way… a rare and precious moment to behold.

Another case in point: the star-shaped gold-and-blue cake, home-baked in professional quality by the couple’s friend Effie Seiberg (complemented by some more from Sweet Adeline Bakeshop):

Once the cake cutting (and -eating) was done, Erica and Lincoln enjoyed their First Dance to “Never Stop Falling in Love” by Pink Martini. These two are professional grade ballroom dancers, and just watching them twirl and lead and follow and twirl again was a treat all in itself.

Dancing with the stars, definitely! And that’s what they all did for the rest of the evening… and photographer extraordinaire Amy Carr and videographer Adrian Quintero captured every precious moment.

Wishing our stars Erica and Lincoln “happily ever after” from the bottom of our hearts! And have a wonderful Honeymoon in Maui!

Angie’s and Michael’s Dream Wedding at Kohl Mansion

Posted on June 2, 2014 by jlammerts

Angela and Michael are not only deeply in love – they also share values and many common interests. They are both deeply connected to their families. They are both music lovers; Angie is even a violinist in a community orchestra and devotes a good part of her free time to practicing and rehearsing. They both appreciate good food. And on and on…

When they embarked on their first big common project – their wedding! – my company, A Day Like No Other, was honored to be booked for the wedding coordination. Bride and groom are very organized and systematic and had a good part of all the “wedding puzzle” pieces in place already, first and foremost their gorgeous venue: Kohl Mansion in Burlingame.

On Wedding Day, May 31st, all weather gods were smiling broadly upon Angie’s and Michael’s outdoor celebrations… the day was summery, warm but not too hot, under a cloudless blue sky with a light breeze. Simply perfect!

For the Bride, the day began with a beauty session for herself and her bridesmaids with hair stylist Elaine Nicdao and makeup artist Ally Kennedy. And look what a fabulous job they did:

The bride wore a diaphanous, etherial, crystal-embroidered couture dress by Rosa Clara from Nouvelle Vogue Bridal Salon, complemented by an elaborate, sparkly headpiece, also from Nouvelle Vogue.

And the bridesmaids were lovely, too!

In accordance with her wedding colors of blush pink and ivory, Angie chose her bridal bouquet…

… as well as ceremony flowers, an elaborate chuppah and centerpieces from Floral Design Studio, and they were all equally stunning.

The couple’s more than one hundred and fifty guests from all over the world were greeted with music by Turnaround Jazz Trio and DJ CAMS Scott Campbell, and the very personal ceremony was co-officiated by their friends Laura Shih and Suneel Gupta, incorporating elements of both the bride’s Chinese and the groom’s Jewish cultural backgrounds.

Here comes the Bride!

No Jewish wedding would be complete without breaking a glass (which Michael did) and the guests’ shouting the traditional blessing of Mazel Tov (which they all did)… and here they are, just married:

While the newlyweds disappeared for their mandatory family photos…

…. with photographer Sandra Fazzino, guests enjoyed Cocktail Hour with delicious treats from Toast Catering – and that was just the beginning of all the fabulous food provided by Toast! To keep everyone entertained, the couple had provided a special guest book: a scrap book with cards, markers, stickers… to be completed by the guests; and Say Ya Photo Booth, which turned out to be a true guest magnet.

At the conclusion of Cocktail Hour, the newlyweds and their Bridal Party had a truly Grand Entrance, every moment captured by Ocean Blue Videography …

…immediately followed by another honored Jewish tradition: the exuberant Horah Dance…

… during which the couple is hoisted high up on chairs to the delight of the cheering crowd!

After so much excitement, it was definitely time for dinner – and what a dinner that was! In the candle-lit double-height main hall of Kohl Mansion and within a sea of flowers, guests enjoyed their gourmet food…

… as well as a surprise performance of the groom and the bridal party who sang and enacted a Disney medley for the bride; and a slide show to follow. Dinner concluded with a delicious cake from Cakes by Maggie and an ice cream bar:

After dessert, Angie and Michael enjoyed their First Dance as a married couple:

…opening the dance floor for everyone. The bride quickly changed into an elegant qipao as a nod to her Chinese heritage – and danced the rest of the night away. What a fantastic party!

And here is why I love my job so much:

Let’s wish the couple what they promised each other in their vows – to build a happy, healthy long life together. Mazel Tov!

Vannie’s and Richard’s Sunny Wedding at the Los Altos History Museum

Posted on May 31, 2014 by jlammerts

A love story more than a decade in the making – and today, finally, it’s official: Vannie and Richard are Mr. and Mrs.! With more than a hundred guests as their witnesses, the two tied the knot at a very historic and romantic place – the History Museum in Los Altos,

surrounded by all that used to constitute rural life in the area in the last century or two; from ancient ploughs to … well, not quite so ancient tractors! Guests learned, among other things, that a plot for a single-family home in the heart of what is now Silicon Valley went for $ 55o – in the year 1917… That has changed! So much for the charming historic backdrop. Vannie’s and Richard’s personal history began exactly 11 years ago when they met in college, at UCLA.

They were assigned to the same dorm, and Vannie immediately felt intrigued by this attractive, slightly withdrawn “brooding artist” (Richard was majoring in Design) with that oddball sense of humor. “He seemed so … mysterious,” she muses when looking back. It took all her willpower and persistence (“or, what my parents call stubbornness,” jokes the bride) to win Richard over. But since Richard never does anything half-heartedly, his commitment was absolute, and that they’d be getting married at some point was a foregone conclusion. Well, finally this point did come, and the two chose a cozy and romantic venue (Los Altos History Museum) – and my company, A Day Like No Other, as their coordinator. Truly an honor!

Vannie had devised the decor theme and handmade most of the decorations herself in her wedding color, a sunny bright yellow. She fashioned a backdrop from strips of fabric and various hues of yellow, she made paper garlands with white, silver and yellow pompoms, and more big and small pompoms to hang from the mature trees shading the courtyard for Cocktail Hour.

A clothesline strung between the trees was hung with snapshots from the couple’s decade-long courtship, and in lieu of a guestbook, guests signed a vintage globe.

Even the flowers were “designed by Vannie!” The bouquets for herself and her bridesmaids were simple bunches of Queen Anne’s Lace,

and the centerpieces consisted of stacks of books, topped by cream English Country roses in mason jars, complete with a little yellow flag for table numbers.

Guests found their way inside the courtyard, guided by cute yellow pinwheels lining the path, and signage was, of course!, likewise handcrafted by the bride: chalkboards for the program, the menu and the table assignments.

While my assistant Angeliki and I were busy putting everything up in their assigned spots, Vannie had her hair and makeup masterfully done by Susie Chhuor. Photographer Bre Thurston orchestrated Vannie’s and Richard First Look and many, many more photos throughout the day! The bride wore a spectacular ivory silk Reem Acra gown with beaded cap sleeves.

And here comes the Bride!

The short and very personal ceremony was presided over by minister Daniel Kennedy,

and while the couple was busy with more photos …

… their guests were treated to cocktails and hors d’oeuvres by Schumann’s Four Seasons Caterers, who also served a lavish family-style dinner,

outside under romantic string lights, as dusk was falling.

Then it was time for… cake cutting? Not quite! The bride and groom did this part of their celebration again “their way:” they cut a giant donut tower, and finished the dessert phase with ice cream sandwiches for everyone.

DJ Jeremy (who had already played beautifully for ceremony and cocktail hour) was now gearing up for the “dancing part” of the evening! After Vannie’s and Richard’s romantic First Dance,

the crowd got inside for a wild dance party and really let it rip.

And here is why I love my job so much!

What a fantastic celebration… congratulations, Vannie and Richard, and our best wishes for a long, happy life – “growing old together…”

How to Find the Perfect Venue – 101

Posted on May 27, 2014 by jlammerts

So – he finally popped the question.

Stuck that big rock on your finger. You are engaged. Congratulations!

What now …? Like – wedding planning? Yes! Preferably with a professional (I happen to know – I am one. Look up my portfolio: A Day Like No Other!). But in any case, it never hurts to come up with a few ideas yourselves. First and foremost: what should your venue be like? (Once you know that, your wedding planner can help you to find one in your preferred area).

Maybe you’ve been dreaming of a particular venue for a while. Then, by all means, go for it!

But if not, here are a few pointers to get you going.

1.) Where would you feel most comfortable and happy on the best day in your life? On the beach, with your feet in the sand (so to speak); deep in the woods; in a romantic garden? Or rather indoors – in a mansion or hotel? Or are you rather the “modern/cutting edge” type, and a hip urban space – think art gallery – would be the way to go? Or do you see yourself on a ranch, maybe?

Get inspired: here are a few venues as examples.

On the beach in Half Moon Bay

Stone Pine Estate, Carmel Valley

Holman Ranch, Carmel Valley

Liquid Sky Oceanfront Estate, Half Moon Bay

2.) What’s the style of your festivities – what would make you happiest? Would you like to go for high elegance, or rather rustic/bohemian charm? Is your style sleek and modern, or historic and ornate? Would you like to include Do-it-yourself work or rather have a professional unified design?

Here’s what I’m talking about:

Foreign Cinema, San Francisco

DIY escort cards at a rustic wedding

A glamorous affair at General’s Residence, Fort Mason, San Francisco

3.) What about privacy? If you’re leaning towards a hotel wedding, all the logistics will be taken care of, because that’s what hotels do. But unless you buy out the whole hotel, there will be other guests around – and that means you’ll have onlookers, like it or not. And the same holds true for all public places, like parks and beaches. If that’s not your style, you should rather think of a mansion that you can completely rent out for your day – but be aware that the logistics will be a lot more complicated. You’ll have to bring in all you need for your celebration, from chairs and tables to china, glassware, flatware, and linens.The same, by the way, holds true if you’re thinking of a nice, relaxed backyard wedding at your parents’ house… few properties are equipped to handle parties of 150 people – so be prepared to rent portable bathrooms and book a valet parking service!

Some options for you…

Ceremony setup, Four Seasons Hotel, San Francisco

Merchant Exchange, San Francisco

Kohl Mansion, Burlingame

4.) The time of the year: it is important, after all – even in sunny California. An outdoor wedding in San Francisco in July? Not necessarily a good idea – it may well be pretty foggy. The same on the beaches… and the same from late October to March. Or a garden party in the East Bay in August? Your guests might suffer from temperatures above 90 degrees. And if that was not enough: please think of the time of the day that you are envisioning your wedding. For example, sunset in November is at 4:30 pm… and the atmosphere of a wedding celebration changes dramatically with the time during the day. Imagine an evening wedding – that calls for an elegant cocktail hour, a sit-down dinner and dancing afterwards, right? Dress code, decor – probably elegant! Now imagine a late morning wedding outdoors, followed by brunch – that, on the contrary, feels more like a relaxed, picnic style affair – and maybe no dancing since it’s still plain daylight. If that’s what you are after, look for venues that offer celebrations until 8 or 10 pm only. They are often very affordable, just because of this limitation.

Monarch Cove Inn, Capitola – for daytime weddings

5.) How important is the “dancing part” of the party to you? If that’s the high point of your wedding vision, make sure your venue allows for music until late into the night. Oftentimes music outdoors is restricted, e.g. has to cease by 10 pm – so dancing has to be planned for indoors only. Alternative: choose a “stand-alone” venue with no neighbors far and wide. Ranches far out on the California Coast are a good bet for that.

Sylvan Lake Estate in the CA wine country – outdoor music allowed until 2 am!

6.) How long is your guest list? Once you’ve narrowed down your choices by style, type of venue, time of year and time of day… it’s time to crunch the numbers. First – the guest numbers! Exclude venues with less capacity than your guest count (or revisit your planning…) and don’t even plan on cramming a few more guests than allowed into your venue. Fire codes simply don’t allow to exceed the official numbers. You don’t want to put anyone in danger, after all. And while you’re at it, crunching numbers, the site fee is, of course, a consideration as well. Many venues offer discounts for off-season bookings or weekday bookings; it’s certainly worth asking. And so that you’re comparing apples with apples: remember that the cost for a hotel includes furniture, service and the decor on site… and the cost for an “empty shell” venue is just that with a lot of add-ons.

Well, looking over what I just wrote up for you, I am a bit concerned that you are now more overwhelmed than ever… don’t despair! Get started, and if you find it hard, email me: [email protected]

Butterflies in Their Stomach… Michele’s and Rui’s Wedding at Monarch Cove Inn

Posted on May 23, 2014 by jlammerts

This is the story of many impossible twists and turns… worthy of a Hollywood movie! And yet, today all this became beautiful reality: Michele and Rui tied the knot at one of the most romantic places far and wide, historic Monarch Cove Inn in the quaint little town of Capitola close to Santa Cruz, on the California Coast. But we are getting ahead of ourselves!

Both Michele and Rui had already spent a good part of their respective lives – with long marriages, grown children.

Michele had been in a relationship for close to ten years when a spiritual person – actually a total stranger – told her she’d be getting married within a year. Michele wasn’t convinced. Her relationship made her less and less happy or fulfilled. She certainly had no plans to get married… Little did she know! A chance encounter on New Year’s Eve proved fortuitous and fateful at the same time. She met Rui – they just talked – and Michele broke off her relationship three days later. Rui, not a religious man, had been desperate enough to actually ask God to send him love again, and less than two weeks later, he met Michele. It didn’t take him long to tell her that they’d been destined for one another. Michele, not a fan of the Beach and the Ocean, started researching possible wedding venues – chanced upon Monarch Cove Inn, and fell for it head over heels.

Not only is it a hidden gem of a romantic Victorian cottage, it has the most stunning view of the Monterey Bay from its backyard!

Its name is derived from the Monarch butterflies taking a break in their annual migration right here at Monarch Cove in Capitola, covering whole trees with their glorious orange wings.

Butterflies: how fitting to the excitement of these two lovebirds who brought friends and family together from all over the world to be a part of this string of little miracles bringing them together.

Rui was adamant: he was not going to see his bride before the ceremony. So – she checked into the Inn’s stunning whole-floor bridal suite a day ahead of time…

…with plenty of room for a beauty parlor for herself and her attendants, come wedding day! Just look to what a view she woke up:

If ever there was such a thing like a “princess for one day,” here she is!

While Michele got her hair and makeup expertly done by Mona Smith (831-464-1700), the A Day Like No Other team (my assistant Angeliki and myself), the venue staff, Five Star Catering and florist extraordinaire Frederick James of Luxuries Floral Design were all busy decorating the beautiful grounds.

Arriving guests were greeted by fragrant gardenias floating in a sparkling fountain…

…and a gift table, adorned with one of Frederick’s stunning floral arrangements in Michele’s sunny color scheme of yellow and aqua …

The rustic arch was built from branches, twigs and fresh flowers right there, on site:

Can you imagine a more romantic setting to say your vows?

Following the ceremony, officiated by Pastor Prince (925-202-8447), the newlyweds headed off to a photo session with family friend Don Carol (510-706-9954), and here is their “official wedding photo!”

Their guests meanwhile enjoyed specialty cocktails and hors d’oeuvres and music by DJ Phelan ([email protected]). They had fun with a photo booth by Casino Events and received beautiful wooden frames for their photo strips as wedding favors.

And then it was time for a huge early dinner, followed by dessert. In lieu of a traditional big wedding cake, Michele and Rui had opted for cupcakes in their wedding colors from Noland’s Cake Shop …

Isn’t that cute?

Guests took a break from dancing for those – and did not leave a single one behind! When it was time to say goodbye, a shuttle from The Santa Cruz Experience was already waiting for happy wedding guests, many of whom took some beautiful flowers from Luxuries home for a living memory of a truly wonderful day.

And here is why I love my job so much!

Create the Perfect Team – and Enjoy the California Coast!

Posted on May 15, 2014 by jlammerts

Today I had the honor and the pleasure to coordinate another elegant luncheon for WIPA (Wedding Industry Professionals Association) – as the Events Chair for Northern California it’s my task to do that four times a year, and I absolutely love it!

After our 2014 kick-off meeting at the Mandarin-Oriental SF, it was time for a quintessential Californian beachside retreat… which we found in the quaint little town of Half Moon Bay. Our luncheon was hosted by Cetrella Restaurant, locally renowned for its excellent Mediterranean cuisine, and nominated for a much-deserved Michelin star four years in a row!

The day began with Cocktail Hour and “Meet & Greet” in the lounge, with wine and hors d’oeuvres and with jazz piano tunes by Lee Allen.

Guests could “shoot” their own keepsakes in Oran Cohen’s Night Owl open-air-style photo booth – not only good for the “goofy” kind, but also for beautiful portraits and group shots.

What’s next? Let’s consult our program booklets! Elegantly designed by Vellum & Vogue and beautifully printed by StationeryHQ, they set the tone for the day.

As the program said: then it was time for “continuous learning!” True to WIPA’s dedication to ongoing education of members (and not-yet members alike), we welcomed the speaker of the day, Tina Moran, event planner extraordinaire at her company Oh So Swank!

Drawing on two decades of industry experience,(and aided by Fantasy Sound‘s A/V set-up) Tina presented, “Creating the Perfect Team.” She touched on how to optimize vendor interactions, how to streamline the workflow with clients and how to navigate the treacherous waters of “legalese…” – we all took a lot of food for thought home!

Speaking of food… that was the reward immediately following Tina’s presentation! And what delicious food that was – beet salad followed by juicy roast chicken on risotto – everyone was simply “digging in!” To enhance the experience, we had a lot of beautiful decor: specialty linens in matching patterns and colors (ivory, taupe, mustard yellow) from Napa Valley Linens and centerpieces by Stems Floral Boutique in vibrant, summery colors and rustic design that perfectly complemented the texture and style of the linens.

To top it off, twinkling stars from Glimmers Inc. played party favors – dressed up in little organza bags today; but they are really in their element submerged in champagne (they are fully FDA-approved!) and sparkling from within.

Over lunch, the traditional WIPA raffle took place, with generous prizes: five gift certificates for make-up instruction from Wowpretty Salon, a voucher for a Hornblower dinner cruise, and another one for a stay at Costanoa eco resort. We had seven beaming winners today!

The real treat for everyone, however, was still to come! After lunch, guests were shuttled in a luxurious van (by City Express Limousine Service) to Cetrella’s sister property, Liquid Sky, just 10 minutes south of Half Moon Bay, but seemingly in a different world! And the Weather Gods were smiling on us…

Perched on a cliff overlooking the Ocean, Liquid Sky is a dramatic wedding venue for up to 25o guests – with breathtakingly beautiful views.

Our guests today could enjoy these views from Liquid Sky’s patio, curled up in chic and oh-so-comfortable lounge sofas and chairs from Hartmann Studios – of course with tables and market umbrellas and colorful pillows and and and… to make it picture-perfect!

Magnolia Jazz Band under band leader Robbie Schlosser (here getting ready) performed …

… on the patio to the delight of the guests, who enjoyed dessert from Sweet Springs Rental‘s sky-blue nostalgic gelato cart accompanied by heavenly coffee from Travelin’ Joe‘s espresso bar.

Last but not least, the memories of this very special day will be kept fresh by Wendy Maclaurin Richardson‘s photos and Michael Loeb‘s video of today’s event. Thank you to all our generous sponsors and contributors – it was wonderful!

Venue Spotlight: Holman Ranch – with all the Bells and Whistles!

Posted on April 3, 2014 by jlammerts

Holman Ranch in Carmel Valley? Yes, of course! A mainstay in the California wedding scene, the go-to place for elegant weddings in classic California style for many, many years already. But what you don’t know yet is what owners Nick and Hunter, who purchased the 400+ acre property eight years ago, have made out of it. It’s truly mind-boggling! They created a top vineyard and state-of-the-art winery complete with a subterranean wine cave that holds its temperature at a constant 58 to 60 degrees all on its own. They achieved the coveted “certified green” and “sustainable” ratings for their enterprise. They improved their event spaces and can now host weddings with sit-down dinners up to 375 guests. They have a stellar cast of preferred vendors to make even the wildest wedding dreams come true.

Today was – showtime! Nick and Hunter, together with many of their preferred vendors, invited local wedding industry professionals to a huge party to give them a taste of just how beautiful this place is. And that’s an invitation that I most certainly did not turn down!

The tour of Holman Ranch actually started even before that – because our gracious hosts had even invited us all to stay over, either at the Ranch, or, like in my case, at one of their affiliated hotels: Vendange and Hofsas House in Carmel and Gardener Ranch in Carmel Valley. Guests were picked up by shuttle bus (courtesy of Main Event Transportation) and taken right up to the wine cave, where host Nick gave us all a crash course in winemaking and offered his “virgin Chardonnay” to go with that. We learned that a “virgin” Chardonnay is one that’s not wood-barrel aged and therefore much purer in taste. Quite a revelation! Wild Thyme Deli and Michael’s Catering had put together a delicious cheese, fruit and nut buffet to provide some solid underpinnings for all the great wines we’d be treated to throughout the day.

Once we were sufficiently educated in enological matters, we were taken up to the top of the property where, on the ceremony lawn overlooking the verdant, rolling hills of the Santa Lucia mountain range, countless couples have tied the knot in high style. Lots of activities were awaiting the guests – from makeup and massages by Marilyn Monroe Spas to flyfishing lessons, from olive-oil and balsamico tasting to lasso cracking instructions – there was never a dull moment! Chic Party Rentals had supplied a beautiful clear tent with string lights and chandeliers, more top-notch caterers were offering their culinary delights, first and foremost the famous Michi Shin (“With Michi – Life is Always Beautiful!”),

and dessert came from a cute, nostalgic, baby-blue ice cream cart by Sweet Springs Rentals: stocked with the most wonderful gelato flavors. My alltime favorite is Blackberry-Cabernet. Heavenly! And all the while guitarist Terrence Farrell of Kelly Productions was serenading us with classics from The Beatles to Spanish Guitar to American Favorites.

Tables were set with a profusion of flowers by Christine Cater Floral Design – poppies in vibrant yellows and oranges gracefully bent and mingled all along, setting a mood of summery, playful elegance.

And that’s what Holman Ranch is all about! Oh, I forgot to mention – not only that, but it is a venue with a heart. It is a labor of love by Hunter and Nick, it is the fruit of countless hours of effort to make it better and better, and it shows. It’s welcoming, it’s warm, and you’ll love it from the moment you set foot on it.

Go, Holman Ranch!

They Did It Their Way – Beautifully! Lauren’s and Francisco’s Great Day

Posted on March 1, 2014 by jlammerts

For Halloween of 2013, a young couple decides to take their two little boys to a different neighborhood for trick’n treating. No big deal, right? Wrong. Much bigger deal than anyone would’ve thought. Just wait.

While they are there, they come upon a storybook house, truly magical, under mature trees, right out of “Harry Potter,” with a warm and inviting glow on that cold winter evening.

They did not know what it was – but they knew one thing instantaneously: that’s where they wanted to get married! They had been toying with the idea of a Spring wedding for quite some time, but had not gotten into planning anything – until that momentous Halloween evening. They could not get the memory of this mysterious house out of their heads. Was it perhaps somebody’s home? Could it at all be rented? Lauren started her detective work and found out – to her great joy – that, indeed, their dream house could be rented! It turned out to be the historic Forest Hill Clubhouse, not only the beloved gathering place for the neighborhood, but also a hidden gem of an event venue that has seen many a birthday party, anniversary celebration, and, of course, many a wedding in its 93-year old history. The two came visit and fell in love even more with the story book charm of the Clubhouse, inside and out. They rented it on the spot, and from that moment on, Lauren’s and Francisco’s wedding plans took on a life of their own.

Soon enough the two realized what a huge task they had taken on – to be completed in less than three months! As a busy professional couple with two kids plus Lauren’s musical pursuits (she is a violinist in an amateur orchestra) there was simply not enough time to get it all done by themselves. Enter A Day Like No Other, my wedding planning company! The two entrusted the planning to me, and off we went, all three of us, on a brainstorming, designing and planning “blitz!” So much fun… First of all: nothing conventional, please! Just a short ceremony in the romantic courtyard, only with family in attendance, no bridesmaids, no groomsmen, and then a fun dance party with all their friends. Okay!

Colors? Natural, please – ivory and brown and the delicate blu-ish hues of ivory hydrangeas tinged with a little blue and green. Flowers? Oh yes. Lauren knew exactly what she wanted, and Annette Shulman of Petals Flower Studio translated the bride’s vision into charming reality, including a beautiful arch for the ceremony, ivory rose petals on the aisle… and a gorgeous bridal bouquet and matching centerpieces.

Have a look:

With all the meticulous planning done and all the details in place, my assistant, Kelli DeSeelhorst ([email protected]), orchestrated the Great Day from start to finish.

The bride was meanwhile getting ready in the romantic Bridal Preparation Room, well hidden from curious eyes…

… and getting into her etherial vintage lace dress…

… complemented by an oh-so-feminine bouquet of white “Vendela” roses and wispy, sky-blue Tweedia…

Finally, the great moment had come… I do!

“You may now kiss the bride!”

The new husband and wife, together with their families, went off for photos (with photographer Mark Thackery of pier 23 photography) right afterward,

and at 5 pm they joined their guests at the Clubhouse for music, dancing and hors d’oeuvres by Chez Fayala.

The Great Room of the Clubhouse had been magically transformed with twinkle lights (a whole workforce of friends and family members had descended on the Clubhouse in the early morning to make it happen)

and dining tables were resplendent in linens, china and stemware by Unica Party Rentals, elegant centerpieces by Petals Flower Studio, and glass gems glittering in the light of votive candles.

To top it off, chairs had gotten the royal treatment with copper organza sashes…

… and a garland in the style of the invitations (that the groom had designed himself!) announced the joyous occasion:

What’s still missing? Right – the cake! It came from Sunset Bakery, and look what a stunner that was…

One more dance…

At the end of the evening, husband and wife – again! – “did it their way:” not a getaway car, no… In the glow of sparklers waved by their guests, the two took off on Francisco’s vintage Vespa. That’s what I call individual style!

Congratulations on a wonderful wedding celebration, and many happy years “your way” together!

WIPA 2014 Kick-Off at the Mandarin-Oriental, San Francisco

Posted on February 25, 2014 by jlammerts

It doesn’t get much more elegant than that, you agree, right? The Mandarin-Oriental Hotel in San Francisco’s Financial District is truly the epitome of sleek East-meets-West sophistication… plus: it offers, hands down, the best view in all of the City!

As the Events Chair Northern California for WIPA (Wedding Industry Professionals Association), I jumped of course at the opportunity to hold our first festive luncheon of the year at this prestigious venue. Together with my co-chair Melanie Leinweber and with Emily Cross,our gracious hostess at the Mandarin Oriental, I dove headfirst into planning – and finally the Great Day arrived, and we found ourselves manning the registration desk!

The festivities began with a Cocktail Hour up on the 40th floor Sky Deck with views of the San Francisco Bay, Golden Gate Bridge, and with the Transamerica Pyramid seemingly at arm’s length.

Contrary to all forecasts, the Sun came out, and guests thoroughly enjoyed the incredible setting, enhanced by delicious hors d’oeuvres (by the Mandarin-Oriental chef),

a selection of top-notch wines (courtesy of Foley Family Winery)

and wedding-themed music by the Espiritu Ensembles.

Adding to the delightful experience was a jewelry show with stunning pieces by Gleim the Jeweler…

… artfully modeled by the gorgeous Aryan Omar:

Following Cocktail Hour, guests were treated to a welcome by new Board President Kevin Dennis…

and an inspirational lecture by “radical educator” Cindy Novotny.

Her theme was, “Building YOUR Brand –

… more important than ever in the increasingly competitive landscape of the Wedding Industry. How do I set MY business apart from the competition? “Treat all your clients as if they were the only ones, and give them your full attention;” “Follow up and recap immediately after a client contact;” “It only takes one client encounter with a thoughtless or inconsiderate associate of yours to ruin your reputation…” many valuable insights to take away! And her engaging and entertaining style earned Cindy an instant fan club..

All of it was captured real-time by Thomas Hughes Films:

… and by Indulge Wedding Photography (whose beautiful photos you are admiring right now!)

Then it was time for a formal luncheon in the Embassy ballroom:

… set with elegant linens by Napa Valley Linens and dramatic floral arrangements by Mandy Scott Flowers:

Place settings were adorned with menu cards by Gwenn Connolly Designs (who also created the chic program books) and chocolate favors by ChocoVogue.

And the food was simply stellar…

Cindy, our speaker, was my “Lady Luck” at the biggest raffle in WIPA history…

with prizes by Poppyhearts, Nikki Boyle Fitness, Mandy Scott Flowers, Sweet Lauren Cakes, and two hotel stays at the Claremont Resort in Berkeley and the Mandarin-Oriental, San Francisco. That made people smile!

We wrapped up the joyous occasion in the Library, outfitted with chic lounge furniture by Hartmann Studios…

… over coffee and delicious European mini pastries by Patisserie Gerhard Michler:

It was a wonderful event, thanks to all our charming guests and generous sponsors, and that made the hostess very happy!

Wedding Woof

Category Archives: Festivities