Mariko and Phillip: Glamour and Urban Chic

Posted on October 14, 2023 by jlammerts

We all know how much San Francisco has to offer – Golden Gate Bridge, historic mansions, the SF Bay, gritty-industrial buildings, the most beautiful Beaux-Arts style city hall in the nation… What if you are getting married, and you can’t decide where in San Francisco? Then you do what Mariko and Phillip did: all of the above! A ceremony in City Hall,

Photo credit: SF City Hall image gallery

….followed by a reception at Gallery 308, an industrial space overlooking the SF Bay. Their guests even got treated to a little sightseeing tour to historic Ghirardelli Square, on the way from ceremony to reception. That all made for complex logistics – that was what they had my wedding planning company, A Day Like No Other, for – but it was all well worth it.

Mariko’s day began super early – at 6 am! – so she would be ready for her First Look at 9 and her ceremony at 10. Her photographer Kristen Murakoshi of Studio Ma was already waiting for her and for groom Phillip at City Hall. Mariko brought her elegant bridal bouquet in muted summer colors and cascading tiny orchids (all floral decor by Green Petal Designs).

Then it was time for many, many photos – SF City Hall is just gorgeous! And so was our couple…

Soon enough, the first wedding guests were arriving (in shuttles by Corinthian Ground Transportation), officiant Maggie Beretz prepared for the ceremony, and pianist Lara Garner began playing prelude music as guests found their seats. The ceremony took place on the Grand Staircase under the soaring rotunda of City Hall.

It doesn’t get much more grandiose than that… And here they are, “just married!”

Time for a kiss – one of many…

While the wedding guests were taken by shuttle on a mini sightseeing tour to historic Ghirardelli Square, the newlyweds had time for many more photos in and around City Hall.

From there – off to Fort Mason, to their lunch reception for 200 guests at Gallery 308, an industrial space overlooking the SF Bay.

Exactly Mariko’s and Phillip’s colors! And their style – they had asked me for a design in ’70s style and colors and had chosen their invitations accordingly:

… and for their table flowers, they wanted Ikebana style in exactly these colors. You think that these design ideas are too disparate to be integrated into one cohesive style? Think again! We made it happen. Here are the beautiful centerpieces by Green Petal Designs.

When the newlyweds arrived at their reception venue, the venue staff had set up their tables and chairs, the catering staff of Smokin’ Yankees BBQ under the leadership of Bekah Juencke had laid the tables with linens, napkins, and elegant china, flatware and glassware from Hensley Event Resources; with paper cranes folded by the couple themselves for good luck;

the centerpieces were in place,

delicious BBQ food was being served, bartender Will Mar and team had the bar in full swing, and Travelin’ Joe’s coffee and waffle bar was open, too.

DJ Ron Israel of Spotlight Occasions had the music going, and a delicious dessert bar was waiting for the guests as well.

The whole reception was quietly and efficiently orchestrated “behind the scenes” by the two experienced production managers from A Day Like No Other, Nimy and Myrtle.

Bride and groom were happy!

After the festive luncheon, Mariko and Phillip shared their First Dance as a married couple…

…. and that brought their guests to the dance floor, too.

When the festivities concluded in the late afternoon, everyone agreed: this was one unforgettable party!

Keep dancing and celebrating on your shared journey, Mariko and Phillip – with our best wishes on your way!

Taylor and Sheldon’s Joyful Summer Wedding

Posted on July 27, 2023 by jlammerts

Taylor and Sheldon are a busy professional couple, living out of state – and for planning and designing their wedding, they enlisted the help of my company, A Day Like No Other. They had chosen a venue close to where the bride grew up and where her parents are still living: Thomas Fogarty Winery in Woodside. Simply perfect for the garden-themed summer wedding the couple was envisioning, elegant and romantic in ivory and lilac hues, with a few metallic gold accents.

Their invitations set the tone:

The bride and her bridesmaids were getting ready at the house of the bride’s parents, with hair and makeup services by Aqua Beauty Lounge.

A timeless mother-daughter moment…

Not to forget the jewelry…

And here she is… dramatic!

Lastly – the bridal bouquet (all florals by Laurel & Vine):

And with that, Taylor was ready to present herself to her husband-to-be.

Sheldon had meanwhile also dressed up…

…. and was ready for the “First Look.”

Always such a touching moment…

Time for many, many photos with photographer Kevin Chin and for video with videographer Martin Meyer!

Official wedding photo, right?

Meanwhile, the ceremony area had been set up, officiant Chris Thielen had arrived, and DJ Paul Burchfield of Big Fun Disc Jockeys had the music going as guests began to arrive (via shuttles from Corinthian Ground Transportation). It was the perfect summer day, warm and sunny under a cloudless blue sky, and with a slight breeze.

The ceremony lawn offers endless views, from the San Francisco skyline all the way to Silicon Valley.

And here comes the bride, on her father’s arm.

After her father formally “gave her away” to Sheldon, Taylor joined him and officiant Chris Thielen for the ceremony.

Ring exchange…

… and “You may now kiss your bride!”

Just married!! And off to many more photos and video …

… while guests enjoyed Fogarty wines and hors d’oeuvres (all food and bar services by Melons Catering) on the open Deck at Fogarty Winery.

The Melons Catering team had meanwhile set up dinner in the open Pavilion…

… with elegant china, placemats, glassware and cutlery from Hensley Event Resources, on beautiful linens by Napa Valley Linens.

Impressive centerpieces (by Laurel & Vine) were the stunning focal point of each table.

All elements had been carefully chosen to complement the overall look of summery elegance and luxury – including the seating chart for guests…

… and beautifully packaged favors in the wedding colors.

The Head Table, of course, got extra-special treatment!

After a delicious dinner (by Melons Catering)…

and many toasts and speeches…

… AND a group photo with all their guests…

… it was definitely time for dancing and for cutting the cake (by Susie Cakes)!

The newlyweds completed this time-honored first task in their marriage with bravura.

For her choreographed First Dance, the bride had changed into an “easier” (but no less stunning!) dress…

Applause!! Next up – Bouquet Toss…

… and Garter Toss!

And what followed then, was a truly EPIC dance party!

What a celebration! Our best wishes on your way, Taylor and Sheldon!

E & D – a very private wedding celebration at Thomas Fogarty Winery

Posted on July 20, 2023 by jlammerts

Disclaimer up front: we are only allowed to show you the beautiful details of this wedding celebration – not the couple, not their bridal party, family or guests. The couple are very private people, and we have to respect that, so all names on signage and stationery are redacted, and we cannot share photos showing recognizable faces. BUT there is still a lot to see!

While planning her wedding with the support of my company, A Day Like No Other, the bride gave me clear directives for my design process: the color scheme – the whole spectrum from periwinkle, light and dark blue to purple hues, accented with a small dose of metallic silver – and the overall style of the event – everything classic and feminine. What a brief to work with! Have a look how all this turned out:

The bride had her invitation suite and most of her wedding day stationery custom-designed (by Momental Designs), based on watercolor artwork showing the beautiful venue and its surroundings and accented in her chosen colorway. It was the perfect way to set the stage for what was to come!

For her bridal bouquet, the bride had specified a “hand-tied, symmetrical, contained” design – and here it is in all its beauty (all florals by PlanDecor):

The altar arrangements were a reflection of both the natural beauty of the venue and of the bride’s preference for classic wedding flowers in her favorite hues.

Cocktail arrangements and centerpieces played up the same theme – it was all one perfect harmony of design and colors across all decorative elements.

The dinner setup in the open Pavilion came together beautifully, and heat lamps ensured the comfort of the guests.

Linen and napkin colors as well as the silver chargers were the “supporting actors” in our design scheme…

… and even the table numbers were following along!

Guests found their seating assignments on a board that OF COURSE kept to the blue and lilac hues and floral motifs we already know…

The couple was busy taking post-ceremony photos with their photographer extraordinaire, Megan Reeves...

… while guests were indulging in hors d’oeuvres (all catering and bar by Continental Catering) and Fogarty wines.

Finally, the newlyweds rejoined their guests at dinner, presiding from their Sweetheart Table. After that came dancing, dancing, dancing!!!

So – have I promised too much? The design and decor of this wedding celebration were so cohesive and beautiful… I hope you’ll all get inspired!

Beth and Rob: a Celebration of Music, Art and Nature at Nestldown

Posted on July 5, 2023 by jlammerts

Artistic talent runs in both Beth’s and Rob’s families. Beth is an accomplished vocalist and music teacher. Rob’s mother is an exceptional painter. But there is more: both Beth and Rob are nature lovers – small wonder then, that they chose Nestldown as their wedding venue. Hidden in the Redwoods of the Santa Cruz Mountains, this wedding venue on 36 acres has it all: a natural “chapel” in an ancient Redwood grove for romantic ceremonies, rustic-elegant event spaces (think gardens with pergolas and fire tables, a “barn” illuminated by an enormous crystal chandelier) and whimsical touches galore – from a life-size train, a fairytale cottage and a sand sculpture to transportation by authentic London taxis!

After more than a year of planning, the big day had finally arrived, and it was just perfect: warm, sunny, blue skies and a slight breeze. For Beth, the day began with hair and makeup by Carly Wise who brought out the bride’s delicate features with a feminine updo and artfully-near invisible makeup. Beth was positively glowing!

Next: flowers! Beth did not want “traditional” wedding flowers – she wanted wildflowers! Loose, organic blooms in a riot of colors. Only problem: wildflowers are notoriously fragile and would not stand up to the rigors of a wedding day; they would wilt in a matter of half an hour. What to do? Enter florist extraordinaire Janelle Jacky-Litt of Green Petal Designs: she created bouquets and arrangements that look exactly like wildflowers (Beth LOVED them!) but were actually based on hardier varietals. Here is one of the bridesmaids’ bouquets.

And here she is, carrying her bridal bouquet:

Isn’t she gorgeous?!

Groom Rob with likewise getting ready…

Beth and Rob had made it a point to have as many pre-ceremony photos taken as possible – to have more time with their guests after the ceremony – so that’s where they were headed. Photographer Megan Reeves and assistant captured every precious moment – for example, the couple’s First Look.

There were also many bridal party photos on the program…

Soon enough, guests began arriving via shuttles (from Corinthian Ground Transportation), and everyone was preparing for the ceremony.

DJ Woody Miraglia of Big Fun Disc Jockeys had the music going, and three friends of the couple, two violinists and a guitarist, were ready to play for the entrance of the bride.

And here she comes, accompanied by both her parents…

The ceremony was officiated by yet another friend of the couple and as such, was heartfelt and very personal.

It was such a joyful moment.

“I Do!” – and “You may now kiss the bride!”

And here are the newlyweds!

While Beth and Rob were taking just a few more “family formals” photos, guests were treated to cocktails and hors d’oeuvres (by Betty Zlatchin Catering),

…lawn games, train rides and photobooth fun (by Night Owl Photo Booth).

Eventually, the newlyweds arrived by train and joined the party.

Meanwhile, dinner on the Main Lawn had been set up…

… with a Koi Pond as its backdrop.

While all guest tables were splendid with elegant place settings…

… with hand-painted menu cards (like all other wedding stationery and signage, designed by the Mother of the Groom) and vibrant “wildflower” centerpieces…

… the Head Table, of course, received special treatment.

Tables had not been numbered, but named after bird species – the groom is an ornithologist, after all! For entree choice markers, the couple chose various wildflower species, true to style!

And so that guests would not get lost among all the birds, the Mother of the Groom had also created an artistic map showing the location of each table.

Needless to say – the name of each table was displayed as a beautiful painting of the bird it was named after.

Over dinner, dusk began to fall, and the myriad twinkle lights installed in the tall Redwood trees surrounding the main lawn began to sparkle – it was truly magical.

Once dinner and toasts and speeches were done, guests were invited into the Barn for desserts and dancing. Again – never ones to simply follow tradition, the couple had opted for their favorite fruit pies (a huge table full of them!) over a typical wedding cake, and their guests really “dug in.” Then it was time for Beth’s and Rob’s First Dance, accompanied by more of their musician friends. Watching these two gently twirl underneath the giant crystal chandelier was a truly unforgettable moment.

Then the bride danced with her Dad and the groom with his Mom…

and after that, the dance floor was opened to an epic dance party.

with all-time favorite tunes (yes, ABBA, for example!) and glow sticks for everyone… and in the end, nobody wanted to go home! The newlyweds were whisked away into their married bliss by London Taxi… keep dancing, singing and watching birds in perpetual happiness, Beth and Rob!

Viva Magenta – Pantone Color of the Year!

Posted on January 22, 2023 by jlammerts

What an optimistic, uplifting color – so full of positive energy! It’s pure summer and sunshine to me… but, I have to say, we’ve been ahead of the curve on this one! Let me show you how we at A Day Like No Other have used magenta in the past – and then fantasize on what else one could do with it!

First up: Erin and Gabe – these two brought the vibrant colors of “south-of-the-border” to their wedding celebration, including Bougainvillea blooms – which are notoriously fragile. The only way to fulfill the bride’s wish for these specific flowers was to bring whole plants to the venue and cut the blooms for bouquets and floral arrangements right there! Florist Janelle of Green Petal Designs pulled it off – have a look at the following photos by Vicens Forns.

As you can see, we went “all-out” with a rainbow of colors – from soft pink to peach and orange – with magenta as the undisputed star. The greyish-green of Eucalyptus leaves and the warm brown of bare wooden tables provided a neutral backdrop for the colors to really “pop.”

Another bride who opted for vibrant summer colors including magenta chose a more elegant/refined setting, and it worked just as well! Have a look at “L and J” at Thomas Fogarty Winery:

Gold-toned chargers, flatware and table numbers, gold-rimmed wine glasses, terracotta-colored linen napkins and blush pink water goblets all played up the soft, feminine and elegant side of the vibrant summer hues of the floral arrangements by Nancy Liu Chin Designs.

Magenta is not only the perfect color for summer weddings – it can easily hold its own in cooler temperatures as well! At Christina’s and Cuyler’s wedding it literally lit up an otherwise gloomy, rainy day through the gorgeous floral arrangements by Royal Bloom.

Please note the bride’s matching lipstick color – isn’t it just perfect?

This gallery (by Janae Shields Photography) wouldn’t be complete without the true star of the day: Gigi! (She has tens of thousands of Instagram followers!!)

Another beautiful magenta flower is the Stargazer lily, here taking center stage in bride Laura C.’s bridal bouquet for her elegant hotel wedding – proof that “all-magenta” does work!!

I hope this gives you all lots of inspiration! What I am thinking of right now … is magenta with shimmering metallic silver, for a glamorous black-tie event. Or magenta with espresso brown. Or or or… What’s YOUR favorite combination?

Gianna’s and Kyle’s “heavenly” nuptials at Nestldown

Posted on January 16, 2023 by jlammerts

Gianna and Kyle had something like a whirlwind romance – Kyle proposed just a year and a half into their relationship, and a month later, the two had brought my company, A Day Like No Other, on board for their wedding planning. Their dream venue – Nestldown Estate in Los Gatos – was booked, and off we went on a yearlong endeavor to make their wedding celebration truly special, memorable, and above all, uniquely theirs.

Last October, the big day had finally come. Bride and groom were getting ready at Hotel Valencia in San Jose …

…. and the bride and her bridesmaids enjoyed hair and makeup services by stylists from Wowpretty Salon.

Gianna had chosen a very feminine, romantic wedding dress.

Photographer Melissa Floriano and videographer Sean Kurtela joined the bridal party to capture all the precious moments – AND the gorgeous details!

As avid “stargazers,” bride and groom chose a celestial motif for their invitations – a glittery starry sky, actually, and the bride’s earrings reflect the same “heavenly” taste!

Bride Gianna got into her dress with the assistance of her bridesmaids …

… while in a suite at the other end of the hotel, groom Kyle and his groomsmen were likewise dressing up.

Time to transfer to the venue (via Corinthian Ground Transportation) for the couple’s First Look and many photos and video footage! As their First Look location, Gianna and Kyle had chosen the charming Fairytale Cottage onsite.

Next up: couple’s portraits and bridal party photos.

Gianna wore a star-studded hairpiece to complement her earrings, and for her bridal bouquet, she had chosen ivory and dark red blooms in an effortlessly feminine style (all florals by Lotus & Lily Floral Design). Dark red was also the color of choice for the bridesmaids’ dresses…

… while the gentlemen wore classic charcoal grey (with honey-colored dress shoes!).

And here is the whole impressive lineup of 8 bridesmaids and 8 groomsmen plus officiant!

Bridal party having fun!

In the meantime, the ceremony area in the “Chapel,” a dramatic redwood grove, had been set up and decorated with a circular arch, embellished with gorgeous flowers.

At the entrance to the aisle, little containers with bubbles waited for the guests, to blow bubbles on the newlyweds after the ceremony.

And here is the “aisle” – a dramatic stairway descending down a wooded hill into the Redwood clearing.

Soon enough, guests began arriving, greeted by a customized Welcome sign.

The ceremony, officiated by a close friend of the couple, began on time, with the processional of the groom…

… and HERE COMES THE BRIDE!

Los Gatos DJs provided beautiful wedding music (and for the groom’s entrance, a march out of “Star Wars!”)

“You may now kiss the bride!”

Just married! The parents of the groom walked out with the “guest of honor” of the day – the couple’s puppy dog “Muffin.”

While the newlyweds had many more photos and videos to take…

… their guests were treated to cocktails and hors d’oeuvres (by Eisenhauer’s Catering) and to musical entertainment and photo booth fun (both by Los Gatos DJs). When it was time for dinner, guests found their seating assignments on a pretty seating chart…

… on the way to the Great Lawn where dinner tables had been set up. There were also baskets with cozy blankets to keep everyone warm.

Dark blue and maroon, accented by metallic gold, set an elegant tone. The newlyweds presided over the whole “congregation” from their special Sweetheart Table, adorned (like all guest tables) with lavish floral centerpieces by Lotus & Lily.

As dusk was falling, the lights in the surrounding trees came on, and the atmosphere turned magical.

After dinner, guests were invited to dancing in the Barn, the central building at Nestldown. A “barn” only by architectural style, it is a truly unique and elegant event space…

… crowned by an enormous crystal chandelier. This is where Gianna and Kyle enjoyed their First Dance as a married couple…

… and where they cut their “heavenly” cake (by Cake Expressions).

A photo gallery on the antique hutch displayed family photos from several generations back…

… and an open-air bar under twinkling lights and the photo booth provided entertainment in addition to dancing.

The evening came to its conclusion on another high point: an (LED-) sparkler send-off to the “Nestldown Trademark” vintage London Taxi to whisk the newlyweds away into their married bliss!

Off to a lifetime of shared happiness – that’s what we wish for you, Gianna and Kyle!

Masculine Urban Chic for Jonathan and James

Posted on January 11, 2023 by jlammerts

When Jonathan (JC) and James (JJ) approached my company, A Day Like No Other, for help with planning their upcoming wedding for 250 guests, they had chosen their venue – Hangar One, a vodka distillery, in Alameda with views of the SF Bay – but were at a loss what to do next. The sheer amount of vendor decisions and details suddenly felt overwhelming. Plus, their wedding date was a mere five months away.

So we jumped right in! We were planning for a tent for dinner and dancing – a necessity, given the open site and the October date of the event. Since the two wished for a masculine design esthetic in line with the gritty-industrial character of their venue, we chose metal dining chairs and chargers that looked like weathered concrete, accompanied by matte-black cutlery. Then there was catering, ceremony decor, flowers, music, photo and video… and a thousand more details! Our five months of planning time went by in a rush – and then the big day had suddenly come.

The two were getting ready together at a nearby hotel…

No “First Look” necessary – just fun photos together! Photographer Anna Wu and videographer Allen Myers captured every precious moment.

Time to transfer to the venue!

The bridal party in the barrel room – that’s a really impressive space…

… and it’s pretty clear why JC and JJ were so taken by this venue!

Cheers!

Then there was a little quiet time to spend with their groomsmen.

Guests began arriving for the ceremony, and each of them received a favor tote bag (filled with sunglasses, a fan and more useful little items for the evening) emblazoned with the motto “Love is Love.”

The ceremony site had meanwhile been set up by the venue staff, the catering staff and the florist crew (Green Petal Designs) – with chic translucent “Ghost” chairs, an angular arch with asymmetric floral accents and with floral arrangements on all chairs bordering the aisle. A live hedge formed a beautiful backdrop above which the San Francisco skyline rose in the distance. What a sight!

Sound in Motion DJs provided sound for the ceremony (and for the whole evening)…

And there, it’s happening – with over 250 guests in attendance.

Signing the marriage license…

… and: it’s official!

Guests were meanwhile treated to elaborate cocktails by Runway Spirits (including the vodka that is distilled onsite!), to hors d’oeuvres by Carrie Dove Catering, and to entertainment: The Booth Bus photo booth had set up and was open for (fun) business!

As the fog was rolling in as the sun was setting, Cocktail Hour concluded, and guests were invited to dinner. They found their seat assignments via custom-designed escort cards…

… arranged on a spectacular linen shot with metallic silver threads.

Then dinner was ready in the spectacular clear-walled tent (by Stuart Event Rentals – all rental items), with unobstructed views across the San Francisco Bay.

The decor (by A Day Like No Other) struck just the right balance between masculine chic, modernity and elegance, and the effortlessly overspilling floral arrangements (by Green Petal Designs) added a touch of playfulness, color and texture to the mix.

Dinner under twinkling string lights was not only delicious, but a decidedly fun occasion.

Cheers!

The next order of the day for the newlyweds: cutting the cake (by Sugar Butter Flour Bakery).

Not to forget: the official First Dance!

At the conclusion of the evening, guests got treated to whimsical favors – very special dice handpicked by the now-newlywed gaming enthusiasts…

… here serving as a very unique display for their wedding bands!

What a party… and when it concluded at Hangar One, an afterparty went on offsite. These two know how to celebrate! Keep partying, JC and JJ!

J & S – a Glorious Summer Wedding at Nestldown

Posted on January 7, 2023 by jlammerts

“J” and “S” are both very private people – so all we are allowed to share about the glorious summer wedding we at A Day Like No Other planned and designed for them are detail shots. Given how beautiful and unique their chosen venue – Nestldown – is, and given the exquisite decor and details of their nuptials, it’s well worth the effort! Photographer Stephane Leon and videographer Tony Castaneda captured every precious moment.

The bride spent the night before the wedding at the onsite guesthouse at Nestldown – an experience all its own! First order of the day: hair and makeup services by Wowpretty Salon.

The secluded patio at the guesthouse was the perfect location to capture her exquisite wedding dress.

True princess slippers – beaded and embellished – complemented this one-of-a kind dress.

Delicate mother-of-pearl jewelry, a hint of fragrance… and the bride was ready to get dressed, with the help of her mother and bridesmaids.

And here she is – ready for the ceremony! (The bride was adamant: no First Look! The first moment for her groom to see her would be at the ceremony).

A dramatic cathedral-length veil accompanied the dress – quite audacious, given the terrain at Nestldown!

Groom “S” was getting ready as well…

… wearing true classics, including monogrammed shirt cuffs – however, HIS way (no socks!).

The ceremony area had been set up in the “chapel,” a stunning natural grove of towering, centuries-old Redwood trees.

Lush arrangements of summer flowers (all floral decor by Green Petal Designs) lined the aisle which was covered with ivory rose petals. It was a gorgeous sight to behold.

This is the aisle at Nestldown for brides and grooms to enter the ceremony area – talk about drama!

While we are not at liberty to share any photos of the ceremony, we may show the beautiful dinner setup on the main lawn, with crossback chairs and classically-elegant place settings, summery centerpieces by Green Petal Designs, and the permanently installed twinkle lights in the surrounding trees which turned the scene magical as dusk was falling.

On their way to dinner, guests signed magnum bottles of the couple’s favorite wine, to be opened on milestone anniversaries to come.

Blue Heron Catering served a delicious meal as the sun was setting beyond the treetops. Next highlight of the evening: a showstopper of a wedding cake by The Buttery, as delicious as it was pretty to look at.

Dancing (including a choreographed First Dance routine!) happened in the Barn, the central building of the Nestldown event space, under an enormous crystal chandelier, and to the tunes of Big Fun Disc Jockeys.

At the conclusion of the evening, the couple departed in true Nestldown style: in an original historic London taxi!

Off to a lifetime of happiness together!

Courtney and Mike – a Glorious Fall Wedding at Thomas Fogarty Winery

Posted on December 5, 2022 by jlammerts

When Courtney and Mike were getting into wedding planning, their venue decision was an easy one: they fell head over heels for Thomas Fogarty Winery – a spectacular spot perched on a ridge high above Silicon Valley, with endless views from the San Francisco skyline to Silicon Valley.

Once the venue was booked, the couple enlisted my company, A Day Like No Other, to help with everything else – and that, as it turned out, was a lot! Vendor sourcing, logistics, scheduling, design and decor and last-minute changes and additions.

For a full nine months, Courtney, Mike, and for a good part also Mother-of-the-Bride Lariann, worked together to make it all happen – and finally, on a sunny, gorgeous day in mid-September, the big day had arrived.

Bride Courtney – shy by nature – started the day very nervous… and only as things began to unfold as planned, she relaxed and took it all in! Her day began with hair and makeup services by Lilly’s Beauty World and by dressing up in her diaphanous lace wedding dress and strappy heels…

… with her bridesmaids assisting. Photographer Megan Reeves captured all these precious moments.

Groom Mike had likewise dressed up – in fashionable all-black – with a boutonniere befitting the overall floral decor theme of Fall sunset colors (all floral decor by Green Petal Designs).

Ready for their First Look!

After that, the couple had many, many more photos to take, first of all with VIP guest DeeDee, the family dog …

… who OF COURSE wore a matching flower collar for her doggie Mom’s big day!

Soon, guests began arriving via shuttle (by Corinthian Ground Transportation). The ceremony lawn at the winery was beautifully decorated and ready for the big moment, and Spanish guitarist Jay Alvarez greeted guests with his melodious prelude music.

The couple had chosen a very special “flower girl” for their processional – doggie DeeDee, accompanied by her “Doggie Mom for the Day,” Melinda (by A Day Like No Other).

And here comes the bride!

The ceremony was officiated by a relative of the couple – and she had come all the way from France for that! A truly tight-knit, international family… and a very emotional moment.

“You may now kiss the bride!”

While their guests were being treated to delicious hors d’oeuvres (by Continental Catering) and exquisite Thomas Fogarty wines …

… the newlyweds had many more photos to take.

Meanwhile, the production team of A Day Like No Other was tirelessly working behind the scenes to make the celebration “unfold like magic.”

In the meantime, dinner had been set up in the open Pavilion…

… and guests found their seat assignments on a gilded mirror.

The dining tables were set with elegant black-and-white, gold-rimmed plates and gold-toned cutlery by Bright Event Rentals…

Each place setting was adorned with a stunning purple dahlia bloom… it doesn’t get much more elegant!

Centerpieces in gold-toned vessels (by Green Petal Designs) were literally glowing in the colors of the sunset, and the newlyweds’ Sweetheart Table, of course, received extra-special treatment.

Dinner is served! And what a dinner (by Continental Catering) that was…

The Dining Pavilion had been outfitted with string lights overhead (by Just De’Lights), a special gift by the Mother of the Groom – and as dusk fell, the atmosphere turned truly magical.

After dinner, guests were invited into the Hill House for Cake Cutting and dancing. Krumbs Cakes had delivered another one of their edible masterpieces…

… and decorated it with more sunset-colored flowers. So pretty!

Following time-honored tradition, the first joint task of the newlyweds was – to cut their cake!

Guests were also treated to pretty little favors – no detail had been forgotten.

Dance music was provided by DJ Erick (from Sound in Motion), and Courtney and Mike shared their First Dance as a married couple, surrounded by their applauding guests.

That, of course, brought everyone on the dance floor!

What a party… all the happiness in the world to Courtney and Mike on their shared journey!

A Tropical Fiesta for Kristi and John

Posted on December 3, 2022 by jlammerts

Kristi and John are living and working in tropical Costa Rica, with lush vegetation surrounding them and monkeys as visitors on their patio – BUT they have family ties to the Bay Area, and that’s where they wanted to tie the knot after many years together in which John had already become a true stepdad to Kristi’s children Emma and Alejandro.

The couple chose the beautiful setting of Crystal Springs in Burlingame for their ceremony, followed by a reception in the nearby Clubhouse of the Crystal Springs golf course – and what a celebration that was! Every tiny detail was thought through and elevated, and so the planning process with my company, A Day Like No Other, was very intense. Finally, the big day had arrived… now look for yourself!

Kristi had her hair and makeup done offsite (by Design Her Image), and all she had to do when arriving at the venue was to step into her elegant wedding dress – which literally fit her like a glove…

… and head out for her first look with groom John, all beautifully captured by photographer Frank J. Lee.

More photos and video (by Filmore Productions) before the first guests arrived…

For her bridal bouquet and floral decor throughout, Kristi had asked for bold orange and red colors and for an equally bold look featuring her favorite flower, the spectacular Bird of Paradise, and Pampas Grass – and here is what florist Janelle of Green Petal Designs came up with:

The wedding pavilion was adorned with a huge spray of flowers, the aisle chairs showed matching smaller arrangements…

… and the aisle itself was covered with a carpet of yellow and orange rose petals. Spectacular!

The ceremony was officiated by a close friend of the couple, and Kristi’s son and daughter were their Best Man and Maid of Honor.

Here comes the adorable flower girl:

… followed by the bride, accompanied by her father and her son.

The ceremony was heartfelt, but short and sweet – and the two were finally, officially declared husband and wife. “You may now kiss the bride!”

Just married!!

While bride and groom kept taking many more photos and videos ….

… their guests were shuttled over to the Clubhouse where a cocktail reception was waiting for them.

The entrance had been decorated with the signature bold floral arrangements, and the walkway to the reception hall had been lined with giant Bird-of-Paradise plants (by Indoor Greenery). What a transformation!

But that was just the beginning… the perimeter of the reception hall had been draped (by Bright Event Rentals) …

… and the space had been transformed into an elegant indoor “jungle” with many more tall palm trees and Bird-of-Paradise plants (by Indoor Greenery) and with breathtaking tall centerpieces on the dining tables (by Green Petal Designs).