The Dogs in our Lives – and our Weddings!

Posted on May 9, 2014 by jlammerts

Dear Canines, I have to offer you my sincerest apologies. I have shamefully neglected you lately, writing about your humans only. Which is not right – among other things because of the name of this publication: Wedding Woof!

So here’s to the “woofs” in Wedding Woof – and especially to those who were or will be stars in my weddings at A Day Like No Other! After all, I am the only wedding planner in all of Northern California specializing in dog-friendly weddings… so, now I’ll finally live up to that reputation and give all my readers a glimpse of how my couples have included (or will include) their beloved companions in their weddings.

Let’s start with Natasha and Fabian. They had a very traditional wedding with a full Catholic Mass for their ceremony, followed by a huge celebration for close to 250 guests. Their beloved boxer girl wasn’t allowed at the Church (of course not…) nor at their venue. But the two found a way!

They headquartered in a beautiful dog-friendly hotel very close to their reception venue – and that’s where they spent the night before their wedding, the morning of their wedding day and later on their First Night (Inn at the Presidio). That way they had their pretty canine with them most of the time (and for the photos, of course!) – and while they were away, she was lovingly being taken care of onsite, just waiting for her humans to return to her at the end of the day, “just married!”

“Lucky” was even luckier! Her people (Peggy and Jose) got married outside, so their rambunctious puppy was allowed to stay onsite – but the waiting time until finally she was allowed close to her master and mistress again, stretched to near infinity for her…

Now it’s time for a walk – off to married bliss!

Next up: Pastis and Milo! They were allowed to accompany their humans (Valerie and Andrew) all the time at their very dog-friendly wedding venue (Pasadera Golf Club, now Jack Nicklaus Golf Club, in Monterey). They even were the pro-forma ring bearers…

Now come – two Cody’s!

Cody no. 1 is living with Amy and Tec who will get married in San Francisco in August. I happen to know because I am their wedding planner! And Cody happens to know, too – he actually mailed the “Save-the-dates:”

Isn’t that cute?!

And here’s one more cutie: Cody no. 2. He is living with Pamela and John, and he will definitely be the star at their wedding in July:

His humans went to great lengths to find a totally dog-friendly venue so he could be with them all the time. Diablo Ranch in Walnut Creek proved to be the perfect choice for a wedding celebration equally kid- and dog-friendly, with a carnival theme and lots of fun for everyone.

Last but not least there is Buzz, an Australian Shepherd, without whom his Master’s wedding would have been – unthinkable! So Philipp, his loving Dad, and Michelle, his Mom-to-be, went on a quest to find an elegant but dog-friendly venue. On a hot day in August, they and their constant companion Buzz visited and instantaneously fell in love with Stonepine Estate in Carmel Valley. Said the groom, “Buzz used the first moment we were distracted to escape and jump into the reflecting pool – to emerge dripping and dirty, shaking vigorously, a total mess… Michelle and I were sure that that was the end of our wedding dreams at Stonepine! They would never let us come back. In a word, we were heartbroken. But – miracles still happen! Instead of being shocked, someone appeared with a stack of fluffy white bath towels for the canine visitor’s convenience… needless to say, that’s where we got married, with Buzz in attendance!”

Please share your story – [email protected]

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

Posted on April 3, 2014 by jlammerts

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Go, Holman Ranch!

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

Posted on March 1, 2014 by jlammerts

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

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

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

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

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

Have a look:

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

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

… and getting into her etherial vintage lace dress…

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

Finally, the great moment had come… I do!

“You may now kiss the bride!”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

One more dance…

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

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

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

Posted on February 25, 2014 by jlammerts

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

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

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

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

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

and wedding-themed music by the Espiritu Ensembles.

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

… artfully modeled by the gorgeous Aryan Omar:

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

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

Her theme was, “Building YOUR Brand –

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

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

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

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

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

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

And the food was simply stellar…

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

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

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

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

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

Shaina and Eric – Sheer Elegance at the Four Seasons

Posted on February 24, 2014 by jlammerts

Shaina and Eric are a super-busy, super-organized young Silicon Valley couple; what they set out to do – they can accomplish! But when it came to their Wedding Day, they wanted to simply sit back and enjoy it, instead of doing it all themselves; and I feel honored that they entrusted their Wedding Day to my company, A Day Like No Other.

Here they are, on an engagement photo:

After a courtship of four years, the two were envisioning a grand affair with 240 guests from all over the world – Hong Kong, Shanghai, Canada… and it would be in the most elegant setting imaginable: the famed Four Seasons Hotel in San Francisco. The Four Seasons is not only a luxurious venue, it also boasts fantastic City views from its ballroom floor where the festivities took place.

Charmed Limousine service took the Bridal Party there and around town for photos.

At the party, guests were greeted by a very personal photo guest book and invited to share their thoughts, good wishes and marital wisdom:

The Veranda ballroom provided an impressive setting for their ceremony, with chair covers by Seko Events Decor and flowers throughout by Huckleberry Karen Designs. Gusto Lopez of The Life in Digital videotaped every precious moment.

Shaina was resplendent in hair and makeup by Fiona of Imagi by Fiona, and a lace applique dress accompanied by shimmering pearl jewelry.

The ceremony was officiated by Chris Thielen of Personal Weddings by Chris. And here comes the Bride – escorted by her Dad.. his proudest moment!

For her processional, the Bride had chosen a traditional piece, Pachelbel’s Canon in D – but in a very unusual instrumentation: Julio Reyes Duo played it beautifully with Guitar and Flute.

… ” I declare you – husband and wife!”

While the newlyweds had family photos taken by the Duy Ho Photography team and then observed a traditional Tea Ceremony with their parents, guests enjoyed a Cocktail Hour with gorgeous views, Guitar and Flute music, full bar and hors d’oeuvres – and Night Owl photo booth for entertainment:

David Robinson, Four Seasons Director of Catering, and his crew were meanwhile working behind the scenes to transform the ballroom into a beautiful dining area:

The head table was adorned with the bridal bouquet and bridesmaids’ bouquets – all a dream in ivory hydrangeas, and blush and pink rose varieties:

Once guests had taken their seats for a formal dinner, doors opened to the Grand Entrance of the Bridal Party… and of the newlyweds!

While guests were feasting, the bride changed into a gorgeous traditional Chinese qipao of red guipure lace and then began visiting the many, many tables.

By then, flower girl Josephine was all tired, and it cost a huge chocolate chip cookie from Jutta to cheer her up:

Dinner concluded with a buffet of delicious desserts and cupcakes by Sibby’s…

… and, of course, The Cake by A Spoonful of Sugar:

… expertly cut by the new husband and wife team!

Then it was time for dancing! DJ Woody Miraglia of Big Fun DJs kept the crowd going until way later than originally planned …

… and Shaina and Eric were in heaven!

And here is why I love my job so much:

Many happy years together, and our very best wishes on your journey!

Photo credit: all photography courtesy of Duy Ho Photography except for images no. 2, 12, 18 and 23.

Grand Reopening Party of a Historic Wedding Venue: the Forest Hill Clubhouse!

Posted on February 2, 2014 by jlammerts

Last Wednesday, my company, A Day Like No Other, had the honor of coordinating the Grand Reopening Party of a historic wedding venue in San Francisco, the Forest Hill Clubhouse. Built as a gathering place for the Forest Hill neighborhood by Bernard Maybeck (famous for his adaptations of the Arts and Crafts style, and famous for building the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco for the World Expo 1906), it had seen countless community parties, regular use for all sorts of gatherings, and, of course, countless couples tie the knot in its 94 year-long life – but all this had taken its toll, and much-needed repairs could no longer be postponed.

On April 1st, last year, the beloved venue closed its doors for an extensive overhaul and structural and seismic upgrades, overseen by an architect, you guessed it, specializing in Maybeck buildings. Renovations were done with the utmost respect to the stellar architectural pedigree, and the result – you’d hardly notice any change! Except, of course, for the new ADA-compatible bathrooms, new state-of-the-art catering kitchen, and new beautiful hardwood (dance) floor. Time to party, and time to show it all to the local wedding industry community! And that’s exactly what happened last Wednesday – even if the Weather Gods turned against us and delivered steady rain.

The San Francisco Bay Area Wedding Pro’s community flocked to the warm and inviting historic Clubhouse, visible from afar thanks to the dramatic lighting installation by Monique Albert of Just De’Lights.

The mature trees towering above the wedding patio and courtyard were uplit, Italian market lights were strung along the perimeter, and inside a warm glow from amber uplights provided an oh-so-inviting atmosphere on this rainy day (plus, of course, pin spots, highlighting the decor to its best effect). The impressive, oversize fireplace provided extra warmth – and suddenly the rain didn’t feel so bad any more!

More delights were awaiting the guests: beautiful, yummy finger food by Brian Morriss’ Cheat-a-Little Catering …

and by Kelser Colino’s 1542 Innovative Catering…

… kept coming out of the brand-new kitchen (and, believe me, guests kept digging in!); accompanied by a good selection of wines…

AND – a wine tasting experience by Cindy Turano’s and Nisa Andersson’s company, Wine Affair, who bring wine education to any party or gathering. And that was in high demand!

To round out the culinary experience, Daniel Cho had brought a spread of heavenly desserts from Cako, a company founded by 5star pastry chefs with the intent “to bring smiles on people’s faces!” And that’s exactly what happened. Daniel’s huge trays of goodies were emptied in no time… success!

Our rental items had been generously sponsored by Melanie Leinweber of Hartmann Studios, and so guests could celebrate in style and upscale decor – with the exquisite specialty linens picking up the historic building’s colors in shimmery hues of teal and copper, perfectly complemented by the romantic floral arrangements of Angel Blackshere of Angel’s Petals.

Kalena Brose of Kalena Brose Events …

… and A Day Like No Other together with florals from Janelle Jacky’s Green Petal Design …

… showed table designs – one streamlined and modern, the other historic and Parisian… so guests had a lot of “eye candy” too, to feast on.

And what’s a party without music? We had music! The Abbott Brothers, a band specializing in Classic Americana and Bluegrass, accompanied the swinging party with their tunes – which blended perfectly with the nostalgic surroundings.

And so that nobody would forget the Clubhouse as a venue for this and all coming wedding seasons, graphic designer John Feeney had created a flyer with all the necessary information – and in order to make the magic of this wonderful evening last a little longer, photographer Shhivika Chauhan captured it all with her camera.

Thank you to all who helped to make it happen, thank you to all who attended, and thank you to all who’ll spread the word that the historic Forest Hill Clubhouse is open again for intimate, romantic, elegant wedding celebrations!

A Year in Glorious Wedding Dresses: All My Brides!

Posted on January 2, 2014 by jlammerts

Happy New Year to all my readers, and, of course, to all my brides (and grooms) for whom 1/1/14 marks their first New Year as husband and wife!

Traditionally, the transition to a new year always invites to also look back to the year we just completed, and I’d like to follow that tradition – with a twist! Let’s look back to the glorious dresses my ever-so-creative and chic brides chose for their Great Day.

And the winner is… no, no, that’s up to each and every one of you who the winner is! I can only tell you the winner by numbers, and that is the classic A-line dress with a fitted bodice, still close to the body around the hips, and gently flaring below to a more or less dramatic train. Universally flattering, this style is quite versatile – embellished with ruching, lace, embroidery, appliqués, made from various materials, and with necklines as different as “sweetheart” or “asymmetrical, “with trains of varying lengths, not two A-line dresses are alike. Have a look:

Then there are the “trumpet” gowns – basically a more form-fitting A-line close to the body down to nearly knee-height with a flare below the knee.

Here in precious lace – and the next one in silk sateen

with a long, long train:

Here comes an asymmetrical neckline – quite unique!

Surprisingly, none of my brides chose a classical ballgown style – nor a “mermaid” dress, either (mermaid dresses are figure-hugging down to mid-calf height and require – let’s face it – nothing less but a supermodel figure! And even then they are not for the faint of heart!). But what else my brides chose definitely deserves your attention.

We had the demure, elegant, covered-up style:

… and a nostalgic look (a family heirloom dress, nothing less!)

One of my brides had her dress custom-tailored with a dramatic back and a lace “overcoat” to wear as a cover-up for the ceremony:

Another one wore a feathery, bead-embroidered confection that could have passed as an elegant cocktail dress:

The floor-length shift dress made a come-back in high style and elegance, the first one by Reem Acra…

… and this one by Jin Wang;

And last, but certainly not least, the two “stunners” in our show!

Number one: a Vera Wang dress …

and number two: an ultra-luxurious gown of pale champagne silk duchesse with precious lace appliqué and a dramatic train:

Inspired?

I bet you are! And now – pick your own very favorite!

La Soiree – Gala Decor with French Flair

Posted on December 1, 2013 by jlammerts

For La Soiree, the annual fundraiser gala of the French-American Chamber of Commerce in San Francisco, my company, A Day Like No Other, was invited to design one dining table for the VIP sit-down dinner. Top chefs from the Greater Bay Area were cooking high-end cuisine right at the tables, and professional sommeliers were serving perfectly matched top-of-the-line wines. A truly festive occasion, and definitely one that called for a creative, unique, stunning table decor! So we went to work – a full four months ahead of time.

First step: I decided to showcase what I love most about France (except for the food – which the chefs would be taking care of!), and that’s the streets of Paris, and the way Parisians live in their city year round, Spring through Winter. I would have artwork of Parisian street scenes and trees or topiaries appropriate for the seasons shown on the paintings.

Second step: I assembled my team. Florist Janelle Jacky of Green Petal Designs, graphic artists Diana Morawski, Carla Ginsberg and Lindsey Latimer of Cranial Island Studios and Photographer Jen Daniels. Ready to go!

Diana, Carla and Lindsey designed four tableaux, one for every season:

Golden foliage for Autumn, Bastille Day decorations for Summer, eerie twilight and dancing snowflakes for Winter, and a downpour with lightning in the sky for Spring – presided over all year by the iconic Eiffel Tower. I had these paintings mounted on wooden panels (front and back) and cut these out to a rounded outline reminiscent of Paris Metro station entrances… and then wooden stands were handcrafted to hold the four tableaux up on the table.

Next came the tablecloth: I was lucky to find a beautiful tan Toile de Jouey with a delicate black pattern of Eiffel Towers, script and stamps – so nostalgic and so perfect! That set the tone for everything else: black chargers, and chair sashes and napkin rings hand-sewn from tan silk and black lace, to evoke slightly sinful French lingerie…

Enter Janelle, our florist: she designed four trees to exactly mirror the artwork and the season depicted on each panel, and she “planted” each tree in black French-style urns…

Here comes “Spring:”

… Summer:

… Fall ….

… and Winter!

To round it out, Janelle and I used a “ground cover” of small pebbles and ivy branches, evoking the graveled walkways in Parisian parks (think Jardin du Luxembourg) and topped it with seasonal details – little blooms, fruit, fall foliage, and, of course, snow… a few gilded tealights and voila! Here’s the finished tablescape:

Guests loved it… Vive la France – and Bonne Soiree!

Tara and Michael: Elegance Choreographed to Perfection

Posted on November 27, 2013 by jlammerts

“Come Dance With Us!” was the motto of Tara’s and Michael’s exquisitely elegant wedding in Carmel-by-the-Sea, last weekend. And their celebration was, in fact, a perfectly choreographed affair – in every sense.

Tara and Michael have so much in common, their love of dancing only one among many things. As Michael said, “Tara and I – we are of the same feather…” And what “feather” is that? To start with, each of them is a Math wiz. They love the perfection of numbers. They are super smart. They are both perfectionists. They are extremely organized, analytical and detail-oriented. Small wonder they expected their wedding day to be just as perfect and organized! I feel really honored that they entrusted that all-important “project” to my company, A Day Like No Other, as their wedding planner.

The two met only in February this year, but they both knew right away that they had met their perfect mates (unbeknownst to each other, that’s what they told their best friends that same evening!). A true whirlwind romance ensued. Following time-honored tradition, Michael formally asked Tara’s father for her hand in marriage – and got it! After that, nothing held them back to set their wedding date. As Tara put it so aptly (on her sign explaining her puzzle piece “guest book”), “It may have taken us a while, but we finally found the perfect fit.” Just 9 months from their first date, the two got married last Saturday in one of the most romantic places I know – Carmel-by-the-Sea. After the bride’s mandatory Hair and Makeup session (Caitlin at Spa on the Plaza),

… both bride and groom were busy getting ready…

… at Quail Lodge Resort in Carmel Valley…

It was a glorious, golden late Autumn day, and the pond full of the namesake quail was glittering in the sun…

The two had their “First Look” moment on a bridge crossing the pond… it could have been right out of an Impressionist painting, Monet perhaps, and it was most definitely the pinnacle of romance. Photographer Ken Kato and videographer James Ferrandini of Thomas Hughes Films captured all those special moments throughout the day – First Look:

… and a stroll through Carmel-by-the-Sea with storybook charm:

Then it was time for a stretch limo transfer to their wedding mass in the historic Church of the Wayfarer in Carmel-by-the-Sea…

… The bride carried a breathtaking bouquet (by Swenson and Silacci) in her wedding colors – purple hues from pale mauve to lavender and a deep eggplant color.

The Bride had chosen ceremony music with very special meaning and memories attached, all flawlessly performed by BellaQuattro Strings and rounded out by a soprano solo – sung by bridesmaid Landra.

It is official:

Following the wedding mass, a couple “official wedding photos” were in order:

While the new Mr. and Mrs. had their photos taken, an elegant cocktail reception was awaiting Tara’s and Michael’s more than 100 guests at Quail Lodge…

… on the patio overlooking the extensive park and golf course surrounding the venue.

Guests enjoyed browsing a veritable photo gallery of the couple from babyhood to engagement photos (see above) along with three signature cocktails and hors d’oeuvres.

Tara and Michael were meanwhile rehearsing one more time the intricate steps of their First Dance – as a surprise for their guests, they had prepared and practiced over and over a choreographed dance performance on a medley of songs, accompanied by DJ John of DNA Entertainment…

… which was literally jaw-dropping proof that these two are, indeed, a perfect match AND professional-grade dancers!

The ensuing elegant sit-down dinner took place around the central dance floor – with tables dominated by tall centerpieces of large mauve roses, white orchids and hydrangea, purple lisianthus and and… just have a look for yourself:

In lieu of conventional table numbers, tables were named after the couple’s favorite dances.

In accordance with her purple wedding colors and the elegance of her whole celebration, Tara had designed a suite of classic wedding stationery – from invitations to programs, menu and escort cards to favor wrappers and various signage – in purple and ivory colors, and she had accented every single piece with a hand-stamped border of romantic scrollwork.

And after dinner? More dancing, of course! And cutting the cake (by Patisserie Bechler), too…

Guests enjoyed creamy, berry-studded cheesecake and coffee, more dancing, and finally – a whimsical sendoff of the couple! During the reception, groomsmen and bridesmaids had sneaked away to secretly decorate the couple’s car with paper flower garlands, purple tulle ribbon and “Just Married” signs, not to forget dozens of empty soda cans tied to the rear bumper… So the whole merry party sent the two off right into their Honeymoon – “down under!”

And here is why I love my job so much…

Congratulations, Tara and Michael, and keep dancing together for many, many happy years to come!

The Magic of Light and Water: Tina and Eric

Posted on October 27, 2013 by jlammerts

Both Tina and Eric had taken their time, trying to find the one person to share their lives with… and had already nearly given up! In Eric’s words… he was tired of dating and seriously considering “just to stay home with the cat!” Well, he tried it just one more time, and he’s so grateful he did it. Because that’s when love struck. Unexpectedly, immediately – they both “just knew.” Neither Tina nor Eric could believe their incredible luck right away. But with every time they met, they kept discovering more things to love in one another. And their relationship became a true whirlwind romance: engagement after four months, and wedding after another three – today!

I was honored that they chose my company, A Day Like No Other, for their coordination and design needs. The two had found a spectacular spot on the California Coast – the Beach House Hotel in Half Moon Bay, right on the sand, and Sam’s Chowder House, a time-honored “cult” seafood restaurant next door – for their celebration.

Their wedding day turned out to be overcast, with the sun only peeking out through the clouds here and there… the light was sheer magic, light like an impressionist painting… pearly grey, soft, ethereal.

Tina did not want Eric to see her before the ceremony. Here is her spectacular ruched and beaded dress…

… her jeweled Cinderella slippers…

… and her Grandmother’s pearls.

In Hollywood-worthy hair and makeup by Vinnia Tjhin and with her bridal bouquet in her signature colors of vivid natural blues and purples by Gingerleaf Floral …

… Tina was ready for the ceremony, held at “High Noon” directly on the water, officiated by Rev. Raymond Teague and attended by 70 of their closest friends and family members. Harpist Krista Strader‘s beautiful music provided an elegant accompaniment to the intimate ceremony.

“You may now kiss the bride!”

Just married!

For Tina and Eric, it was now “photo time!” with Ryan Willis. After the requisite family photos, they could finally enjoy their first quiet moment as husband and wife …

… and then, they took a stroll through the dunes…

… and when a fence got in their way, Eric simply lifted Tina across!

From there, the two embarked on their wedded journey together…

First stop: Wedding Reception! A long table had been set with a pale blue and tan patterned runner, napkins in blue, turquoise and purple hues in a chic ombre progression (so “of the moment!”) and grouped varied arrangements of blue and purple flowers, decorative shells and hundreds of sparkling glass gems catching the midday light.

The newlyweds presided in the middle…

,,, looking out over the shimmering waters of Half Moon Bay. And everyone very much enjoyed the hot chowder that Sam’s Chowder House is rightfully famous for, followed by more delicious seafood and, finally, of course: THE CAKE! A little piece of edible art by Mazzetti’s Bakery, decorated with tiny buttercream flowers in Tina’s and Eric’s wedding colors:

Cutting – and eating! – the cake concluded the festivities, and everyone was really happy, me included! Here is why I love my job so much…

Congratulations, Tina and Eric, and many happy years together!