The 5 hottest wedding trends for 2025

Planning a wedding in 2025? Here are the five hottest trends that will make your special day unforgettable. From eco-friendly designs to futuristic tech, weddings in 2025 are all about personalization and innovation.

1. Eco-Friendly Weddings

Sustainability is not just a buzzword—it’s becoming a wedding essential. In 2025, eco-conscious couples are opting for environmentally friendly décor, using locally sourced, seasonal flowers (which is also the most budget-friendly option!), sustainable materials like wood and bamboo, and minimizing waste. Another way to do that? Restrict the use of anything disposable – rent china, glassware and flatware instead (it looks much nicer, too!).  Expect more outdoor ceremonies where nature is the star of the show, adding a touch of elegance while remaining kind to the planet. Many of MY couples have been making this exact choice for years: look at these examples!

Megan Reeves Photography
Photo by ADLNO
Bre Thurston Photography

2. Romantic Pastel Palettes

If you’re dreaming of a fairytale wedding, pastel color schemes are here to stay. Soft hues of pink, lavender, and baby blue create a romantic, ethereal vibe. Floral arrangements and whimsical lighting add to the charm, turning your venue into a dreamy, almost magical setting. These colors pair beautifully with delicate decor, like sheer curtains and vintage table settings – AND with the trendy not-only-white wedding dresses like this dream dress by Savin of London.

Danny Dong Photography
Image generated by AI

3. Micro-Weddings with an Intimate Touch

Micro-weddings are continuing to rise in popularity, with couples focusing on quality over quantity. Fewer guests mean more intimacy and the chance to spoil your loved ones with personalized touches, such as handwritten notes, custom playlists, or bespoke meals. The cozy atmosphere of a small wedding also allows for more meaningful interactions with each guest – without guests whispering to each other, “And how are YOU connected to the couple?!” One example from this summer: a couple who invited their family and closest friends to a FIVE DAY wedding weekend at a remote resort, to spend quality time with the people they love. Another example: my smallest wedding ever – a mature couple and their grown children, 5 persons total.

Gavin Farrington Photography

4. Futuristic Tech-Inspired Weddings

For couples looking to add a modern twist, 2025 brings weddings infused with futuristic elements. Think metallic color palettes, LED lighting and dance floors, holographic decorations, and smart technology to create an immersive experience. From interactive dance floors to custom light shows (think drone shows!), tech weddings are both innovative and fun, ensuring your guests will never forget the night.  One of my couples – both mathematicians – even named their tables after their favorite algorithms!

Maria Hedengren Photography
Image generated by AI

5. Destination Weddings with a Boho Twist

Destination weddings continue to reign, especially on breathtaking beaches and exotic landscapes – among other things, because the guest count is mostly significantly lower than at a close-by wedding venue, again shifting the emphasis from quantity of guests to quality of experience. However, 2025 is bringing a boho-chic aesthetic to these getaways. Picture tropical flowers, soft textiles, and relaxed, rustic décor paired with the natural beauty of a sunset backdrop. The vibe is relaxed yet luxurious, making it perfect for adventurous couples seeking something unique. Examples? Here they are – from two of my couples of years ago. They were clearly ahead of their time!

Frank J. Lee Photography
Kevin Chin photography, bouquet by Green Petal Designs
Image generated by AI

Each of these trends brings its own special flair, so whichever direction you choose, your 2025 wedding will definitely be one-of-a-kind and “so YOU!”

A Romantic Summer Garden Party for Isheeta and Alex

If ever there was a super-busy young couple planning their wedding, it’s THEM! Groom Alex is working long hours as a software engineer. Bride Isheeta was completing Medical School during our planning time and took her final exams just weeks before her wedding. Together they managed TWO cross-country moves while we were collaborating on their Big Day. Small wonder they needed the help of my company, A Day Like No Other, to plan their wedding celebration!

They had fallen in love with one of the most romantic venues in all of the San Francisco Bay Area, Thomas Fogarty Winery. Nestled into rolling vineyards, and perched high up on a mountain ridge, with endless views from the San Francisco skyline to Silicon Valley – it clearly spoke to these two nature lovers!

After nearly a year of diligent planning, the Great Day had finally arrived – a beautiful, sunny early summer day under blue skies and with a slight breeze. Just perfect.

For bride Isheeta, the day began with hair and makeup services by Vivian Sampson Beauty

… followed by dressing up with the help of her Mom – the quintessential Mother-Daughter moment!

And likewise, groom Alex and HIS Mom had THEIR moment.

Photographer Melissa Floriano and Avalos Films videographers captured all these precious scenes, from start to finish.

The first big highlight of the day was, of course, the couple’s First Look…

…. followed by many, many photos of the bride and groom…

… also with their bridal party.

Meanwhile, the teams of A Day Like No Other, Continental Caterers, Green Petal Designs florals and Big Fun Disc Jockeys were hard at work setting up the ceremony area, decorating and cooking and making sure that both the bar and the sound systems were in place in time.

Florist Janelle of Green Petal Designs had created stunning bouquets and floral arrangements with the bride’s favorite flowers – orchids and roses. So elegant… Time was going by so quickly, guests were arriving (via shuttles from Corinthian Ground Transportation), and then – the ceremony began. Groom Alex was escorted by both his parents…

… a super cute flower girl (with an orchid flower crown!) stole the show…

… and after her, bride Isheeta appeared with her parents.

Always such an emotional moment… and the scenery was simply breathtaking.

The ceremony was officiated by a longtime friend of the couple – it doesn’t get much more personal than that!

“You May Now Kiss the Bride!” – and there they are, just married!

While guests were enjoying cocktails and hors d’oeuvres supplied by Continental Catering, serenaded by DJ Woody of Big Fun Disc Jockeys and entertaining themselves with making a Polaroid scrapbook for the couple ….

… the newlyweds had more pictures to take.

Dinner time! Our catering team had set up dinner tables in the open Pavilion with elegant chairs and tabletop items from Hensley Event Resources

… shimmering linens and napkins from Napa Valley Linens

…. and dominated by potted Phalaenopsis orchids from Green Petal Designs.

It was a really glamorous dinner setup…. and that was not the only surprise!!

After dinner, more delights awaited – first off: wedding cake and a dessert bar (from La Vie Douce)!

Once the cake had been cut, there was no holding back on dancing. The newlyweds opened the dancefloor with their First Dance…

…. and that was the beginning of one wild dance party!

The open Deck was illuminated by thousands of twinkle lights, the bar was open, and even the non-dancers were having a fabulous time.

Wishing you a lifetime of happiness, Isheeta and Alex!

See it all Live!

And if you desire a wedding just as beautiful as theirs… choose A Day Like No Other – wedding coordination and design.

“When only the best will do!”

By biggest wedding ever: Christine’s and Young’s FIVE-day celebration!

After a full decade of courtship, Christine and Young, both physicians, decided that “enough was enough” and it was time to finally get married! They turned to my company, A Day Like No Other, to help them find just the right fit for their venue and vendors, plan and design the Great Day, and, of course, orchestrate the festivities. And off we went… in a (at least to me!) very unexpected direction: instead of a glamorous party, these two prioritized quality time with their “nearest and dearest” far more – they were going to invite them all to a five-day resort retreat, plus more friends to their wedding celebration. Suddenly, I was facing a HUGE project.

For their “home base,” the couple chose Ralston White Retreat, a converted mansion tucked away in the Redwoods high above the little township of Mill Valley in Marin County, accommodating 30+ guests, typically for Thursday-through-Monday retreats; exactly what they had in mind for their nuptials.

That the front lawn is heart-shaped for all the romantic weddings that this venue has hosted over the years was, of course, an added bonus! Due to its secluded location (and winding, one-lane mountain access road…) the logistics of this wedding proved difficult, to say the least – but we had about a year to plan. Two caterers for every day of the retreat. Linens, rental items, beverages, snacks, guest entertainment and a myriad details for the day before and after the wedding … to keep all house guests (including doggies!) well-fed, happy and entertained.

And then, of course, everything needed for a typical wedding celebration! And suddenly, Wedding Day was upon us – for Christine, that meant hair and makeup services (by Kary Li) to start the day.

The mansion was already filled with flowers and gifts…

… and photographer Frank J. Lee started very early to capture all these details …

… and the whole atmosphere of this exceptional wedding – INCLUDING Christine’s and Young’s delightful puppy Mochi and HIS homebase:

Once hair and makeup were done, Christine got into her elegant wedding dress..

… and jewelry…

… with the help of her friends.

Girls definitely having fun!

The experienced production team from A Day Like No Other (Nimy and Narod) orchestrated the whole event discreetly from “behind the scenes,” from start to finish – a huge task! Soon the first vendors started to arrive, to load in, to set up, in order to get everything ready in time. The Boba Guys set up their station to tide hungry guests over from brunch to ceremony. Rental items (from Bright Event Rentals) were delivered and installed, alongside all the setup that the venue team, Christy and Gabe, had to do;

parking valets (West Park Express) got ready to park the guests’ cars, Mademoiselle Colette Catering delivered both brunch for the houseguests and a dozen delicious small wedding cakes;

florist Janelle of Green Petal Designs delivered the bridal bouquet …

… and boutonnieres and installed the ceremony decor;

DJ Paul of Big Fun Disc Jockeys set up music and lights (supported here by my fabulous production lead, Nimy)…

… and Le’s Kitchen Catering under the expert leadership of Christina Hsu and Amy Tang had their hands full with cooking and setting up tables and chairs.

Christine and Young – traditionalists in that respect – had decided NOT to see each other before the ceremony, and photographer Frank went back and forth between the two, capturing a host of SEPARATE pre-ceremony photos.

And here is the undisputed star of the show: Mochi on his Mom’s arm.

Ceremony time! Here comes the bride.

Father Gerry diCaprio conducted the wedding ceremony, and – “You may now kiss the bride!”

Just married! While guests were enjoying cocktails, the newlyweds had many, many “together” photos to take. Plenty of opportunities in the beautiful woods surrounding Ralston White Retreat!

Come dinnertime, the string lights surrounding the dining area created a truly magical scene. Place cards were tied to blankets – welcome wedding favors to keep off the evening chill under the towering Redwoods.

The traditional ceremonial Cake Cutting, following the conclusion of dinner, was as unconventional as this whole wedding: in lieu of one big, towering wedding cake, the couple had opted for smaller Black Forest cakes from their favorite French bakery, Mademoiselle Colette – one on each dining table – as delicious edible centerpieces, for the guests to help themselves. Bride and groom cut the first two of the cakes …

… and not a single crumb was left from all this deliciousness!

After that, the whole party moved indoors for dancing to the tunes of DJ Paul.

The newlyweds opened the dance floor with their formal First Dance…

… and all their guests followed suit! Everyone was having a great time, and bride Christine only interrupted the dancing with her Bouquet Toss.

The party went on and on, a lot longer than anticipated… what an unforgettable celebration!

Wishing you a world of happiness on your way, Christine and Young!

Andrea and Pedro – an Elegant Country Club Wedding

When Andrea and Pedro first approached my wedding planning company, A Day Like No Other, they had pretty much settled on their venue but were seeking help with everything else – and it was fortunate that they had not yet booked that venue… Being very familiar with it, it was obvious to me that this would by far not offer sufficient room and function spaces for the 180-people event that the couple was envisioning. So – we started over! Again, fortunately, Andrea and Pedro quickly found their perfect venue among the alternatives that I proposed: Silver Creek Valley Country Club in San Jose, an elegant property with a golf course amid green rolling hills, a ceremony area with a waterfall as a backdrop, and a clubhouse with a beautiful patio for cocktails and a huge ballroom with picture windows for dinner and dancing (plus a super supportive venue manager!!).

Our planning took close to a year, and finally, finally – the Big Day arrived.

For the bride, it started with hair and makeup services by Wowpretty Salon

… and getting ready with her bridesmaids.

Andrea had chosen an elegant strapless, formfitting lace wedding dress…

… and glittery bridal shoes fit for a princess!

Photographer Frank J. Lee captured every moment from start to finish.

What’s missing? Her bridal bouquet, a very feminine, handtied summer bouquet with English Garden Roses in soft hues of ivory, pink and rust (all wedding flowers by Marie Krick of Laurel & Vine).

Ready for her pre-ceremony photos! Following time-honored tradition, Andrea had decided to let her groom first see her at the ceremony. Groom Pedro had meanwhile also gotten dressed up with the help of his groomsmen…

Ready for many photos on the beautiful grounds of the property.

Soon, their guests began arriving by shuttle (by Corinthian Ground Transportation), and many work teams – the A Day Like No Other team Haneen and Diane, the venue crew, the florist, the DJ (Henry Kim of Big Fun Disc Jockeys) – were busy putting the finishing touches on the ceremony setup.

Under a gilded circular arch in front of palm trees and a waterfall, a friend of the couple’s officiated their wedding ceremony.

Here comes the bride:

“You may now kiss the bride!”

Just married!

While guests were treated to cocktails and delicious hors d’oeuvres, photographer Frank took official wedding photos …

… and bridal party photos…

… and then, he took the newlyweds around the property for many more photos. And how do you get around in a golf club? That’s the fun part – in a golf cart, of course!

Again, frantic activity was happening behind the scenes – the photo booth (by Night Owl Photo Booth) had to be set up in time and the dining room had to be prepared for dinner. The couple had chosen metallic gold accents (gold Chiavari chairs and chargers) and pink napkins to go with their pink and rust centerpieces.

Grand Entrance!!

After a delicious dinner (inhouse catering at the venue), the newlyweds shared their much-anticipated choreographed First Dance.

DJ Henry Kim had learned a Spanish-language script for bilingual announcements just for Andrea and Pedro!

He kept the party going with Father-Daughter Dance, Mother-Son Dance, the traditional Money Dance…

… and the wild “hora loca” with dance lights and glowsticks!

What a party!! The couple’s festive Send-off happened in the same spirit of joy and exuberance:

Wishing you a lifetime of happiness together, Andrea and Pedro!

Sheida and Homer – a Fairytale right out of 1001 Nights

A whirlwind wedding planning project for a superbusy couple and a fairytale wedding – that was my first task in 2024! Sheida had contracted my wedding planning and design company, A Day Like No Other, after I had planned her older sister’s wedding a few years back – and her first surprise for me was that we only had 7 weeks until the Big Day. The venue (Boulder Ridge Golf Club in San Jose) had been booked… but that was it so far. So we went to work! And time literally flew by…

On the morning of Wedding Day, Sheida and Homer woke up to a gloomy sky and light rain – it was such a disappointment… but they kept their high spirits and got ready for the festivities.

Sheida’s day started with hair and makeup services by Adelina Eidelman, and bridesmaids and mothers simultaneously enjoyed services by Faces by Emily.

Danny Dong Photography

Sheida had chosen a romantic Savin of London wedding dress with lavender rose applique… a real dream! (One that we were lucky enough to secure at such short notice, thanks to our friends at Nouvelle Vogue Bridal Salon).

Danny Dong Photography

Isn’t it fabulous? All her other accessories played into this theme of romance, elegance and soft lavender hues.

Danny Dong Photography

Photographers Danny and Julia Dong and Frame Story videographers were there from the get-go to capture every beautiful detail throughout the day.

Danny Dong Photography

With help from her bridesmaids, Sheida got all dressed up …

Danny Dong Photography
Danny Dong Photography

… and groom Homer got into his elegant dinner jacket – ready for their First Look!

Danny Dong Photography

That happened at their getting-ready location, the historic Dolce-Hayes Mansion in San Jose.

Danny Dong Photography
Danny Dong Photography

Then a little meteorological miracle happened, and the skies literally smiled on our couple: the sun came out, and the rain stopped! Just in the nick of time to prepare for their elaborate ceremony outdoors, as originally planned.

And here is their stunning sofreh-aghd (by Aroosi by Lili), honoring the bride’s Persian heriage, with every single element full of symbolism:

Danny Dong Photography
Danny Dong Photography
Danny Dong Photography

Here comes the bride, on her proud Dad’s arm, serenaded by violinist Pourya Khademi.

Danny Dong Photography

During the ceremony, female family members rub sugar over the couple’s heads – symbolizing the sweetness of marriage (over a thin cloth, actually – to prevent everything getting too sticky…)

Danny Dong Photography

It was a beautiful scene – with the sun coming out behind the clouds… drama!

Danny Dong Photography

After the ceremony, guests were treated to unforgettable entertainment – starting with an authentic Lion Dance, a nod to the groom’s Chinese heritage.

Danny Dong Photography

Meanwhile, a number of vendor teams had been working their magic behind the scenes to transform the dining room at the Club into a gorgeous scene – with draping all around, ceiling swags and twinkle lights, and suspended greenery and chandeliers over the dancefloor (all by Fine Linen Creation)…

Danny Dong Photography
Danny Dong Photography

… and stunning tall centerpieces from Blackistone Florist (all personal flowers and all floral decor). The couple’s Sweetheart Table received special treatment, of course!

Danny Dong Photography

DJ AMP had the music going, and the kitchen at Boulder Ridge Golf Club was ready to serve dinner.

Danny Dong Photography

On their place settings, guests found a traditional Persian bowl as their keepsake, and there were elegant chocolates as well…

Danny Dong Photography

… in addition to all the delicious Persian sweets from the sofreh.

True to form, the couple’s Grand Entrance to dinner was anything but standard: Niosha Dance Academy, a Persian dance troupe, performed to the delight of all their guests.

Danny Dong Photography

After dinner, guests were treated to an elegant wedding cake

Danny Dong Photography

… which the bride and groom cut expertly, as their first official task as a married couple.

Danny Dong Photography

Finally, what everyone had been waiting for: dancing started! The newlyweds opened the dance floor with a choreographed routine…

Danny Dong Photography
Danny Dong Photography

… and that was the start of a wild dance party for everyone – including a Bouquet Toss! To keep everyone energized, Bun Me Up served bao buns as late-night snacks.

Danny Dong Photography

Sheida and Homer snuck out for a few moments with photographers and videographers for some more nighttime photos…

Danny Dong Photography
Danny Dong Photography

Wishing you a lifetime of happiness together, Sheida and Homer – and keep celebrating!

Lauren and Darren: An Elegant Affair at Villa Montalvo

When these two decided to tie the knot, they were looking for a venue with character, something special and unique, and they turned to my company, A Day Like No Other, for help. I had an idea, and they loved it: Villa Montalvo in Saratoga, a grand historic mansion surrounded by a manicured park – a really unforgettable setting. And so we begun to put together the myriad details over nearly a year of planning time. Finally, the Great Day had come – the Sunday of Labor Day weekend.

After her hair and makeup session (by Nicole’s Vanity), the bride got into her diaphanous, lace-and-tulle dress, and the groom dressed up as well…

… with photographer Julia of Danny Dong Photography capturing all these precious moments.

The wedding flowers in the bride’s favorite muted Fall colors (by Laurel & Vine) had arrived…

… and it was time for the couple’s First Look.

The Italianate Garden at Villa Montalvo with its “Love Temple” was the perfect backdrop for many beautiful portraits…

… as well as the site for Lauren’s and Darren’s wedding ceremony under an elaborately decorated chuppah.

Soon, guests were arriving (via shuttles from Corinthian Ground Transportation)…

… and musicians from the Lucky Devils Band began playing as guests were being seated. Rabbi Dana Magat conducted a traditional Jewish wedding ceremony.

Just married! Mazel Tov!

And off to more photos…

… in the beautiful park surrounding the Villa. Guests were invited to cocktails in the Spanish Courtyard.with a full bar (by Best Beverage Catering).

Meanwhile, the teams of A Day Like No Other, of La Bocca Fina Catering and Laurel & Vine florists were busy putting the finishing touches on the dinner setup on the front verandah…

… under string lights installed by Brilliant Event Lighting.

Guests were treated to delicious dishes…

… and everyone had a good time – especially the newlyweds!

After dinner, guests were invited to a mouthwatering dessert buffet and ice cream from Scoop Microcreamery.

Following dessert, there was no holding back on dancing. Beginning with Lauren and Darren’s First Dance as a married couple…

… to music by the Lucky Devils Band

… followed by the traditional, exuberant Hora Dance, with the couple being hoisted up in the air…

… and culminating in an epic dance party for everyone. When it was finally time to say good-bye, the newlyweds’ send-off was equally grand: with guests cheering on them with bubbles and glowsticks as they were leaving…

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is DannyDong_20230903_L_90-copy.jpg

… in a gorgeous vintage limousine (by Elegant Journey) into their married bliss.

Again, congratulations and Mazel Tov to you, Lauren and Darren!

The Allure of Apricot: Pantone Color of the Year 2024

I can hardly think of any color that’s more uplifting, positive and summery – in short, any color that would make me smile and feel happy – as apricot. We all need this emotional boost right now, so: Thank you, Pantone! Spot on!

Drumroll…. here it is: “Apricot Crush!” It is SO chic…

… and it can be combined in so many ways – both within the color family, from pale peach through coral and terracotta…

… accented with complementary hues – greens, blues, purple – AND grounded with soft neutrals, especially a soft grey.

Henri Matisse: Mme Matisse

How I know that? Easy – at A Day Like No Other, we have worked with this beautiful color many times over the years (and every time in a different way). Want to see?

Photo credit: Sandra Fazzino

For a styled photoshoot, introducing the newly renovated ballrooms in the Westin St. Francis hotel in San Francisco, we offset the central new color of the ballrooms – silvery grey – with apricot, peach and coral. I think it’s a stunning combination!

Photo credit: Sandra Fazzino

Even the wedding cake played along!

Photo credit: Sandra Fazzino

Well – convinced? But this is only the beginning! For a recent late-summer wedding, we combined apricot with sage green for a fresh, summery look:

Photo credit: Studio Ma

For a fall wedding last year, we played up the vibrant side of apricot with orange, rust and fiery red hues in the towering centerpieces …

Photo credit: Frank J. Lee Photography

… and the softer, “peachy” side of the color with shimmery napkins, champagne tablecloths and metallic gold accents.

Photo credit: Frank J. Lee Photography

We also added a touch of pale blue (in the water goblets) – actually inspired by the color combination of the bride’s favorite flower, the Bird-of-Paradise, which was the star in all floral arrangements.

Then, there is, of course, apricot at the center of a palette of sunny, warm hues, like in this outdoor summer wedding a few years back:

… here combined with bare wooden harvest tables and ivory runners (= the neutral hues to ground the whole riot of colors), metallic gold and terracotta for the napkins. (Photo credit: Danny Dong Photography).

You’d rather go more subtle with apricot? No problem: here combined with ivory (flowers), silver (foliage) and a pale mint green (bridesmaids dresses). Pretty, yes?

Photo credit: Frank J. Lee Photography
Photo credit: Frank J. Lee Photography

Didn’t I promise more, bold combinations…. like violet and purple? Look here and be stunned:

Photo credit: Sandra Fazzino

As you can see, the combination with deep purple and pale violet makes the apricot “pop” even more! The “neutral” color in this wedding was the navy blue of the groom’s and groomsmen’s suits.

Photo credit: Sandra Fazzino

A few more inspirations, here with the light green of hydrangeas…

Photo credit: Prof. Matthias Geiger
Photo credit: Megan Reeves Photography

I hope you are now as happy about this new Color of the Year as I am! Off to a joyful, vibrant and uplifting wedding season 2024!

Mariko and Phillip: Glamour and Urban Chic

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).

Photo credit: Studio Ma

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

Photo credit: Studio Ma
Photo credit: Studio Ma
Photo credit: Studio Ma

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.

Photo credit: Studio Ma

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

Photo credit: Studio Ma

Time for a kiss – one of many…

Photo credit: Studio Ma

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.

Photo credit: Studio Ma
Photo credit: Studio Ma
Photo credit: Studio Ma

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

Photo credit: Studio Ma
Photo credit: Studio Ma
Photo credit: Studio Ma
Photo credit: Studio Ma

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:

Photo credit: Studio Ma

… 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.

Photo credit: Studio Ma

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;

Photo credit: Studio Ma
Photo credit: Studio Ma
Photo credit: Studio Ma

the centerpieces were in place,

Photo credit: Studio Ma

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.

Photo credit: Studio Ma

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

Photo credit: Studio Ma

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.

Photo credit: Studio Ma

Bride and groom were happy!

Photo credit: Studio Ma

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

Photo credit: Studio Ma

…. 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

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

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!