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!

Wedding dress parade! The most beautiful dresses my brides wore in the last 12 months

Posted on June 4, 2024 by jlammerts

Different as all these beautiful wedding dresses are, one thing’s for sure: none of my bride opted for “minimalist” – all to the contrary! Figure-hugging silhouettes, plunging necklines, looong trains and even longer (cathedral!) veils – it was OPULENCE! Add to that expensive lace and hand-applique, and you get a veritable dream lineup of bridal couture.

And what’s REALLY new: color effects instead of pure white. Enough said; here they are!

A (nearly…) transparent lace bodice, a bare back and a form-fitting, flowing silhouette with train for an elegant summer wedding at Nestldown Estate.

A mermaid dress with a lace bodice, empire waist and a dramatic train of hand-appliqued lace.

A similar style with a lace bodice, but here with a plunging neckline and over-the-shoulder lace straps, plus an even longer train of hand-appliqued lace AND a cathedral veil. Below another look, from behind:

The next gown is in a different style, but just as feminine…

A classic ballgown style with layers and layers of tulle for the skirt; the lace from the bodice continues below the waist in elegant floral scrolls and wisps.

This very unusual wedding dress combined a bare back with a demure, covered-up (albeit transparent!) front and transparent billowing long sleeves as well as an overskirt that was then removed for dancing.

Next comes the hands-down most dramatic of all wedding dresses of the last year! Just look and be amazed… and be aware that this dress was HEAVY. Very heavy!

A train fit for royalty…

… with a billowing cathedral-length veil…

… and the most delicate pearl and sequin embroidery over a lace applique.

Last but not least, the NEW trend of adding a little pastel color to the traditionally all-white dress:

Delicate powder pink and baby blue flower motifs sprinkled all over the tulle overlay of this dress…

… and hand-appliqued lilac rose motifs in this elegant (Savin of London) couture gown.

Breathtaking, isn’t it? So what’s YOUR favorite style? Let me know!

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 find your perfect wedding dress

Posted on January 14, 2024 by jlammerts

Having planned the wedding events of nearly 200 brides – here is OUR advice on finding the perfect dress!

Email me at [email protected] for your free consultation!

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.

How to Choose the Perfect Caterer for your Wedding

Posted on December 19, 2023 by jlammerts

Why you NEED a wedding planner!

Posted on November 27, 2023 by jlammerts

After having planned, designed and produced close to 200 weddings, I’d like to share a bit of advice with all newly engaged couples: please watch my LinkedIn video!

Wedding Woof

Category Archives: Celebration, Tea Ceremony, Wedding flowers