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

Posted on June 7, 2017 by jlammerts

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Then finally the great moment had come…

And here they are – just married!

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

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

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

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

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

Let us create YOUR unique wedding celebration, too!

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

Glorious Persian-American Fusion at the Fairmont SF: Bita and Walter

Posted on May 18, 2017 by jlammerts

When Bita and Walter met – not so long ago – it was instantaneous attraction: they have so much in common! They are both engineers, they both love baseball, food, and above all, traveling. Not much later, Walter proposed – on a Christmas trip to Cuba! Immediately after their return home, Bita jumped into action. She wanted to get married in April. Yes, April. In a little over three months from that day on. When she approached my company, A Day Like No Other, for help with that whirlwind project, all she knew was that it should be an elegant wedding with good food, and that it should incorporate elements of her Persian cultural traditions.

Long story short – on April 29th, all of Bita’s (and Walter’s!) dreams came true at the Fairmont Hotel SF. For Bita, the day began with hair styling (by Tony Nash) and make-up application (by Pretty Girl Makeup) with a glorious view of The City…

Then it was time to get into her breathtaking dress that the talented ladies at Nouvelle Vogue Salon had helped her find at the last minute…

accompanied by true Cinderella slippers!

Nicole Reyes of SF Florist supplied the bridal bouquet (and all other flowers for the event), a dream in Spring pastels:

And with that, Bita was ready for Walter’s First Look at her! Simply saying he was overwhelmed would be a gross understatement…

Just seeing these two so deeply in love and devoted to one another was such an honor and a privilege!

After their first photos (by Myrtle Photography), their celebration began in the majestic Crown Room with an authentic Persian sofreh-aghd (designed by Aroosi by Lili),

officiated by Nilou Nouri, and with music by Persian master violinist Pourya Khademi. For the Persian side of the family, this was a real taste of home – and for the American guests, it was a wonderful introduction into the rich cultural heritage of the bride. Pourya stayed on through Cocktail hour in the Pavilion Room while we finished preparations for dinner in the Gold Room. Escort cards for Bita’s and Walter’s 170 guests, adorned with the same Golden Gate bridge motif as the invitations, were displayed on a bed of rose petals…

tables were decorated with beautiful centerpieces and votives from SF Florist,

and on their place settings guests found favor bags filled with typical SF chocolates lovingly assembled by the bride herself.

Dinner was, you guessed it, a Persian buffet (by Orchid Catering) and well worth the wait…

and after that, there still was the delicious cake courtesy of the Fairmont’s own pastry chef.

After the couple’s First Dance,

DJ Aykut got the crowd going with the perfect mix of Persian and Western favorites. Bita and Walter were simply happy, happy, happy… and now, as we speak, they are off to their Honeymoon on the Maldive Islands. What a celebration!

Wishing you a lifetime of happiness on your journey together and many more exciting trips!

Let us create YOUR unique wedding celebration, too!

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

A & D at Holman Ranch – a very secret affair…

Posted on December 26, 2016 by jlammerts

Now that sounds intriguing, doesn’t it? My couple is very, very private, and so all I can do is call them “A” and “D” – by their initials. Don’t be disappointed – there will be no photos of a radiant bride to share (she WAS radiant on her wedding day!)… BUT she and her new husband did allow me to share a few detail shots and of course photos of their romantic venue, Holman Ranch, with you all! (Photographer Lyndsay Undseth elevated all these details to art status – you will see…)

The couple had invited only closest family and friends – every single guest had played an important role in their lives. Even at a guest count of around 100, their celebration felt close and intimate. The bride had specified a romantic style with blush pink as the accent color in addition to ivory, and our florists, Briana and Krista of Gavita Flora, did a marvelous job!

Beautifully calligraphed wood and chalkboard signs by HeartPaperSoul added an extra touch…

Ready for the ceremony – here are the rings!

… and the dress…

… a boutonniere…

… and the breathtaking bridal bouquet.

Our couple said their vows on the Ceremony Lawn overlooking the valley, with a dramatic backdrop of billowing clouds from wildfires raging on the other side of the mountain range separating Carmel Valley from the Pacific Coast.

Paddle fans doubling as ceremony programs were welcomed by all guests – it was a really hot day!

Guests showered the newlyweds with rose petals from cute little paper cones that they found on their chairs.

After ceremony and Cocktail Hour, guests were invited to the Rose Patio for a delicious meal by Paradise Catering.

Tables were set with linens and china from Chic Event Rentals and with gorgeous centerpieces in mercury glass containers by Gavita Flora:

In lieu of table numbers, tables were named after the groom’s favorite animals – on watercolor cards!

Outside, we were treated to a beautiful sunset:

Following dinner, guests walked over to the Carriage House Lawn…

where a buffet of wedding cake and Greek desserts (especially Baklava – from Epsilon Restaurant, honoring the bride’s heritage) was waiting.

… and then, of course, it was time for dancing! The Carriage House was illuminated by myriads of twinkling lights…

… and the Wonderbread 5 band got the crowd going…

Nobody wanted to leave! Bride and groom had seen that coming – and so the party continued through the night at a nearby bar. It was truly an epic celebration!

Is Blue The All-Purpose Bridesmaid Dress Color?

Posted on December 18, 2016 by jlammerts

By guest author Wendy Dessler

Blue has been considered a primary color for weddings for centuries. Many of us assume it is because blue is so beautiful and easily accented, that it works well with any venue. This is all true. But to find why blue has held on in the rainbow of colors for so long, we have to look to history.

You have probably heard the rhyme associated with brides, “Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.” This was more than a rhyme during the Victorian era. This was a recipe for a happy marriage and one people strongly believed in. Something old represented something passed down in the bride’s family that signified her family always would be there for her. Something new was an item to represent a new hope and a new life as a wife. Something borrowed was an item loaned from a happily married woman, who passed her happiness and hopes on to the new bride. Something blue was a symbol of a true and faithful union. Blue represented purity and honor.

In ancient Rome, brides wore blue as a statement to their modesty and fidelity. Christian customs also use blue as a sign of purity. Many ancient pictures and statues of the Virgin Mary show her dressed in blue. As time evolved, brides moved toward the white gown for themselves, but in order to have the blessing of history, kept the color blue in their wedding in the form of blue bridesmaids dresses.

Modern blue

Today’s bride is looking for a more dramatic blue. She wants something more elegant than pastels and less harsh than navy. The ink blue bridesmaid dress is a perfect choice. A deep and rich blue that is tasteful and lovely, yet softer and more easily worn than the darker blues. A fantastic publication that will give you ideas on how to incorporate blue into your wedding is www.TheKnot.Com.

Accessories

Silver, sparkle, and crystals pop with ink blue. This is the color of refined class. However, ink blue is worn well with plum and purple. It pairs well with cream, wine, and gray. While ink blue bridesmaids dresses are elegant, by carefully choosing an accessory color, it can easily fit into any wedding location. Style Me Pretty is a good resource on how to tastefully add your bridal accessories.

Florals that work

The beautiful thing about ink blue is you can use a wide array of floral arrangements. Bouquets of simple peach roses are beautiful with blue. A floral arrangement of red and white roses is a classy and elegant addition. Take the flowers to the next level by adding in a few blue hydrangeas. There are few flowers that will not pair well with blue.

There is a final line of the “something old, something new” rhyme. The final line reads, “And a sixpence in her shoe.” A sixpence was a coin made in Britain for four centuries. It was worth about six cents. The tradition was for a bride to slip a sixpence in her shoe at her wedding and it was to bring her wealth throughout her married life. Whether you believe in folklore or not, add a pop of blue to your wedding and have a beautiful union!

About the author:

Wendy is a super-connector with OutreachMama and Youth Noise NJ who helps businesses find their audience online through outreach, partnerships, and networking. She frequently writes about the latest advancements in digital marketing and focuses her efforts on developing customized blogger outreach plans depending on the industry and competition. You can contact her on Twitter.

LaRay and Nathan – Couture and Elegance on a Spectacular Cliff

Posted on December 8, 2016 by jlammerts

LaRay and Nathan first fell in love with one another – and then, when looking for the perfect place to make their deep commitment official, they fell in love with a place. A private estate, to be precise – perched high up on a cliff above the Pacific, just an hour south of San Francisco, yet looking and feeling as if it were lightyears away.

This unanimous decision was the starting point for all other planning steps – they were not interested in the usual “wedding frills.” They wanted the breathtaking setting of their venue to speak for itself. They wanted high elegance to match the drama of Nature. They wanted only their nearest and closest friends and family members around, everyone with a very special meaning to them (and that included their beloved dog Louis, here with his favorite dog walker Liz).

And they wanted the evening to conclude with a memorable dinner and wine. How that turned out? Let me show you!

LaRay and Nathan had enlisted my company, A Day Like No Other, for their wedding planning needs, and we got it all lined up and organized – so when the day of their wedding approached, they were not stressed out but simply – excited.

Florist Janelle Jacky-Litt of Green Petal Designs had erected a tall chuppah-like structure on the bluff dramatically perched above the crashing surf of the Pacific.

Since Nathan is so tall, Janelle had to build an extra-high structure with extra flowers – a profusion of white and green, mirroring the carpet of white petals on the aisle – and the bride’s Oscar de la Renta wedding dress.
“First Look:” Nathan is overwhelmed!

Arriving guests were treated to a bar…

… and then the time had come for the ceremony, officiated by a longtime friend and mentor of the bride.

The bride was preceded by Flower Dog “King” Louis:

Rings? Yes! presented in style on “something blue:”

During the ceremony, the couple released Monarch butterflies…

… who felt right at home among all those flowers!

Just married! And here is, for the record, the official wedding photo:

Bride and groom then poured the champagne for their guests themselves – in a classic champagne fountain, overflowing from coupe to couple, until everyone’s glass was filled.

Following this spectacular Cocktail Hour, the couple and their guests proceeded to Cetrella Restaurant …

… in nearby Half Moon Bay for dinner – Cetrella has been nominated for a Michelin star several years in a row, and you can imagine what an extraordinary wedding dinner that must have been! The bride literally “let her hair down” again…

… for the festivities which included (of course!) world-class wine; a photo booth, and…

… a classic white wedding cake – a tradition that even these two elegant non-traditionalists observed.

Oh happy day… we are wishing LaRay and Nathan a long happy life together! May you always be looking in the same direction, hand in hand, with a warm Sun shining down on you, just like you did on your wedding day…

CREDITS:

Ceremony venue: private estate; Reception venue: Cetrella Restaurant; Couple’s accommodations: Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay; Rental items: Classic Party Rentals; Transportation: Skylark Limousine, Black Tie; Photographer: Iran Ramirez (ph: 650-888-7088); Videographer: Thomas Hughes Films; Photo booth: Photo-Matica; Dog walker: Elizabeth Murray; Butterflies: Cloverlawn Butterflies

Sandra and Jacob at Hidden Villa

Posted on December 2, 2016 by jlammerts

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

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

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

Look how beautiful it all turned out to be:

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

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

Meanwhile Jacob was also getting ready.

Dress, shoes and jewelry were waiting…

… and now Sandra is ready to meet her groom.

First Look!

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

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

The ceremony took place outdoors …

… under a rustic chuppah …

… and “Here Comes the Bride!”

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

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

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

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

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

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

… and simple garden flower arrangements adorned the tables.

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

Everyone had a really great time!

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

But that was by far not all!

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

There were delicious desserts (lots of them!) …

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

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

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

Elopement of a Glamour Heiress – A Stylized Photoshoot

Posted on April 2, 2016 by jlammerts

A few weeks backs, my company, A Day Like No Other, created exactly that – if only for a stylized photo shoot! Once in a while, I let my fantasies run wild and make these daydreams a short-lived reality, just for long enough to take photos and preserve these flights of fancy.

So here is the daydream that we set to scenes and pictures AND to music (and all published in Ceremony Magazine of Spring 2016!).

A glamorous young heiress, super-wealthy, beautiful and spoiled (yes! She can have anything she wants, and she’s used to that!), elopes to San Francisco with her fiancé (who is just as beautiful and not poor, either…) to get married at one of the City’s most iconic venues: the Imperial Floor of the Westin St. Francis Hotel in the heart of the City. Said young heiress is all into 1920s silver screen goddess glamour – that’s her style; nothing less.

To bring this vision of elegance, style and beauty to life, I rounded up more than a dozen collaborators, and all of them did a fabulous job in what they do best – so the results are, I believe, spectacular. But have a look yourselves!

Our couple is traveling to San Francisco in style – in a vintage silver Rolls-Royce, chauffeured by a driver in uniform (who in real life happens to be a private collector and owner of three more of these beauties, and who just loves to put on a great show with me!). Bride and groom ask for a road stop on the Presidio, in front of a historic chapel and amidst the typical San Francisco fog.

Their chauffeur sets out an elegant picnic for them, with tea, pastries and champagne, and their violinist (!!) who is traveling with them, serenades them from the background.

The bride is wearing an Italian silk travel wedding dress and a vintage mink shrug, and the groom is dapper in his classic tuxedo.

After their picnic, they proceed to the Westin St. Francis hotel…

…to get ready on the Imperial Floor (the ballroom floor that is only accessible by private elevator key…) where everything is being prepared for their ceremony in Alexandra’s Ballroom. The bride needs to change, of course, have hair and makeup done according to her ceremony look, and to don some exquisite vintage jewelry – Art Deco pieces set in platinum.

For their ceremony, floral arrangements and classic wedding tunes played by their traveling violinist form a fitting backdrop, and once married, the two are showered with rose petals.

Time for portraits – and of course, our bride has brought her cute little dog; the two are inseparable!

Once all the photos are done, the couple can finally sit down at their sweetheart table,

… which is lavishly decorated with elegant linens, stunning floral arrangements, an antique menorah candelabra, and exquisite china, glassware and flatware befitting the occasion. Their table offers a spectacular view, overlooking the heart of San Francisco from 34 stories up…

And, yes, of course there are custom-designed, calligraphed menu cards as an extra touch of excellence!

The best is still to come: a dessert table with not one, but two wedding cakes in true Art Deco style, but with a delicate surprise: elegant ladies’ shoes (all edible, including the label on the insole!!) as toppers.

After so much enjoyment, the couple tops it off with their First Dance – which is, of course, just as spectacular as everything that came before. A Dream Day Like No Other in pictures…

We would like to thank all our contributors who made this folly possible:

Ceremony Magazine

Our photographer: Vicens Forns for Ceremony Magazine

Our models, Lindsay Knox, and her manager, Mom Casandra Knox, Gavin Farrington and Sherlock the dog

Our venue: The Westin St. Francis Hotel

Hair and Makeup: Miabel Artistry

Wedding dresses and accessories: Nouvelle Vogue

Vintage jewelry: Gleim the Jeweler

Rentals: Classic Party Rentals

Linen rentals: Napa Valley Linens

Calligraphy: Monks of Age

Wedding cake and pastries: Morgane Ric, 510-776-1643. info.jolicake@gmail.com

Floral décor: A Loves in Bloom

Violinist: Joyce Lee

Antique candelabra and candlesticks: Poetica Art and Antiques

Forecasting Trends at Hamlin Mansion: WIPA kicks off 2016

Posted on March 2, 2016 by jlammerts

Last week, months of planning came to fruition in a spectacular event: the WIPA 2016 kick-off meeting at historic Hamlin Mansion in San Francisco. To me, this was extra special because it marked the conclusion of nearly four years as Event Chair and the Regional Director of Programs for the WIPA SF Bay Area Chapter. I absolutely wanted to conclude my tenure on a high note – and that’s what happened.

Our speaker set the theme: Kate Patay of Creative Coverings, acclaimed wedding industry expert and frequent speaker around the nation, presented “Forecasting Trends” – based on a multitude of media channels and, of course, social media. AND in her capacity as Director of Sales and Marketing at one of the area’s pre-eminent linen rental companies, she also set the tone for the design by sponsoring exquisite linens which I used as the jumping-off point for the rest of the event design. True to her theme, she chose from the Pantone Colors of the Year, mainly a dusty rose with lots of sparkle, expanding both into lighter hues up to ivory and down to an elegant mocha and chocolate. It was perfect both for the rich wood paneling in the Mansion’s Great Room – where we enjoyed both Cocktail Hour and later on coffee and dessert – and for the light-filled dining room overlooking the San Francisco Bay.

Heavens were literally smiling on us with blue skies and a slight breeze, and the venerable mansion presented itself from its most beautiful side. Misti Layne of Images by Misti Layne (photography) and Kien Nguyen of Kien Pictures (videography) made sure not a single moment was lost!

A mock ceremony setup demonstrated what it could be like for a real wedding… with chairs from Stuart Event Rentals (who also sponsored lounge furniture and the dining setup). Living hedges from Interior Plant Design gave the scene extra polish and elegance.

Guests were serenaded by Matt Roads Trio from Ivy Hill Entertainment and could hang out in the elegant lounge…

The bar was stocked with world-class wines from Wente Vineyards…

Time Capsule Party provided a totally different photo booth experience: guests received their photos printed on vintagey- looking aluminum plaques – outfitted with magnets! I am sure, countless ones are now gracing fridges around the Bay Area!

Two of the most important attendees: caterer Elaine Bell and speaker Kate Patay

And here are some of the delicacies that Elaine treated our guests to at Cocktail Hour:

We had even more to offer to our guests – our own gold-metallic (temporary…) tattoos with the WIPA logo from AnnaBee! They are fully customizable and are such a pretty idea for weddings!

That’s me greeting guests at the door – with Mr. Shin from Michi’s.

Everything was prepared for the educational part of the day, with Fantasy Sound providing A/V services.

When Kate Patay began her presentation on “Forecasting Trends,” our guests were riveted. Kate is such an engaging speaker, lively and funny, that you don’t even notice how much you are learning while being entertained! Everybody took home a lot new insights and “food for thought.”

After the swearing-in ceremony of the incoming Board of Directors…

… a festive luncheon was awaiting our guests, with tables covered in sequined linens from Creative Coverings, glistening with china, glassware and flatware from Stuart Event Rentals, and gorgeous spring flowers from Green Petal Designs.

Every guest found a pretty favor box at their place setting, chock-full with samples from Kiehl’s.

Lunch presentation was so artful that one hardly dared to touch it – but on the other hand, the food was way too delicious NOT to dig in!

Following lunch, we all returned to the Great Hall where dessert was waiting for us: delicious fresh meringues from Le Grand Meringue:

… and fantastic cakes from Perfect Endings:

A lucky winner takes home one of the gorgeous centerpieces…

… and guests just didn’t want to leave!

A shuttle bus from Destination Systems took guests back to their cars in comfort and ease, and everyone agreed: that was a great start into the WIPA year 2016!

Thanks again to all our generous sponsors!

We Are Going for the Gold Again!

Posted on February 2, 2016 by jlammerts

… and vote for us! Couldn’t be easier – just click the link!

Krista and Ben: a Glamorous “Aussie” Wedding in Big Sur

Posted on September 29, 2015 by jlammerts

Big Sur, that stretch of California coastline between the Monterey Peninsula to the North and the Central Coast to the South, is definitely one of the most spectacular landscapes on Earth. It’s famous as a retreat for spiritual seekers, for alternative lifestyle, artists – and celebrities! Model Karlie Kloss comes hiking here to decompress, and actress Natalie Portman got married here at a private estate.

As did my beautiful couple, Krista and Benjamin! When they first set foot on Wind and Sea Estate in Big Sur, perched high on a cliff above the sea, it was a done deal for them… this is where they would get married.

At Wind and Sea, a striking wrought-iron gate opens to reveal a stunning property…

… even with its own beach access! (It’s a bit steep, admittedly…)

I am so happy that Krista and Ben brought me in right away to organize it all for them through my company A Day Like No Other. It would be a “long-distance planning” process, that was clear – because these two are living in Australia! Krista had been working in the SF Bay Area and fallen in love with the beauty of California, when she met Benjamin, an attractive young businessman from Australia, at a conference in San Francisco – and fell in love again, right away… with Ben! It didn’t take her long to follow him to Sydney. For their wedding, they chose this spectacular spot to show Krista’s family from Ohio and Ben’s family from Australia the breathtaking beauty of California. We started planning early in 2015 – Thank God for email, Skype and Pinterest! – and couldn’t even imagine that date of September 26. But suddenly, we were there… and it was a glorious day.

Krista had requested a “rustic glam” style for her wedding. We translated that in: Wooden harvest tables with gold Chiavari chairs (by CHIC Event Rentals), sequined runners in blush and gold (from Napa Valley Linens), cream and blush mixed floral arrangements with a lot of texture and lots and lots of mercury gold votives and vases (by Green Petal Designs). And the “icing” on it? Gilded Australian animal figurines from kangaroos to wombats, doing duty as place card holders and table decor!

The pretty invitations already set the tone for the celebration to come:

… and finally, the Great Day had arrived. The forty “nearest and dearest” guests who had come from all over the world to be with the couple on their wedding day, were brought in from Monterey by shuttle bus (from Discovery Charters) and welcomed in style:

For Krista, the day began with a hair and makeup session with Jessica Morton of Miabel Artistry who transformed a pretty young woman into a glamorous beauty. Krista had chosen a sequined, diaphanous Jenny Packham dress from Nouvelle Vogue, and with that, her crystal-encrusted headpiece and her romantic bouquet (also from Green Petal Designs), she literally moved Benjamin to tears…

And here come the real stars of the day: the couple’s children! Macy wore a romantic flower crown:

… and her brother Toby dazzled in an all “grown-up” outfit matching his Dad’s:

Here’s Krista’s dapper groom Ben getting ready, boutonniere and necktie and all …

The ceremony was held at a natural amphitheater in the expansive garden of the property, overlooking the endless Pacific, and officiated by a longtime friend of the couple.

It turned out to be a glorious, sunny day with a light breeze – simply perfect!

Finally, it was time – Krista was escorted to the ceremony by her Dad…

The moment could not have been more beautiful and more intimate.

And then it was definitely time to party – on the wraparound patio that follows the house from North to South end with unobstructed views of the Ocean and of the sunset:

The bride had requested an oyster bar to accompany cocktails on her special day:

… and that was followed by a farm-to-table dinner by Amy Padilla of Feel Good Foods Catering.

Together with the oyster bar, it was, hands down, the ultimate dining experience! The cake was “imported” from Layers Sensational…

… and it was cut as the first official “joint venture” of the newlyweds!

Guitarist Richard DeVinck serenaded the wedding party from ceremony through Cocktail Hour and dinner and then transitioned seamlessly to DJ’ing for a joyful dance party inside, while dusk fell…