What’s MY magic wand for creating ambiance? Lighting. It can transform any room dramatically, enhance its beauty and make less-attractive areas literally disappear in the shadows.
And here are the dramatic changes in what a room can look like…
with regular white lighting:
… or with gold-toned uplights around the perimeter…
… or transformed into a sensuous lounge with dimmed ceiling lights and dark red uplights…
… or with a “clubby” vibe in purple:
… or back to elegance with gold-toned pinspots on the individual tables:
… or (my personal favorite) illuminated by candlelight!
Point made – the room looks and feels totally different in different light.
One of my favorite design aspects for any wedding I create is the floral decor for the wedding dinner. The style is, of course, a reflection of the overall aesthetic of that given wedding celebration – so here are the absolute frontrunners in my wedding design practice.
Rustic green garland with flowers and fruits
For an elevated rustic style, the all-time favorite is a green garland with flowers and fruits on bare wooden “harvest” tables:
Isn’t that pretty? Combine with beautiful crossback chairs, ceramic plates, maybe colored glassware and even gold-toned cutlery – guests will LOVE it.
Classic elegance in white
For a classic-elegant look, you can never go wrong with white-on-white high/low centerpieces; either double-height like in this image, or half the tables with a tall arrangement and the other half, alternating, with low arrangements. Roses, lilies and orchids are the “gold standard” for this look.
Add shimmering white linens, gold-rimmed china and either upholstered dining chairs or gold-toned “Chiavari” chairs – and voila! Timeless elegance.
A dream in pink
Lastly – the ever-popular romantic pastel palette AND floral chandeliers! That’s how to create “WOW” at your wedding…
Matching draping of the perimeter, chair covers with a bow and an abundance of candlelight complete this dreamy look. Just be aware that not all venues allow to hang something from the ceiling (and floral chandeliers are surprisingly heavy!) – so ask first before you order.
We expect that in 2025, weddings will be all about personalization, sustainability, and immersive experiences that create unforgettable memories. Couples are opting for intimate celebrations with unique elements, leaving a lasting impression on guests. From eco-friendly practices to cutting-edge technology, here’s a look at the top trends that we at A Day Like No Other foresee transforming the wedding landscape in 2025.
1. Eco-Friendly Weddings 🌱
With a growing focus on sustainability, couples are choosing to make eco-conscious choices for every aspect of their wedding, from invitations to decor. Biodegradable confetti, plantable invitations, and locally-sourced catering are becoming popular. Minimalist designs, such as using seasonal flowers or potted plants as decor, add to the sustainable ethos. Would that be the right thing for you?
2. High-Tech Touches and Virtual Components 💻
Technology is enhancing wedding experiences through augmented reality (AR), drones, and live-streaming. Couples can now invite guests who can’t attend in person through VR technology, creating an immersive experience. Digital guest books and AR photo booths are also becoming staples. Since the vast majority of MY clients are working in high tech in Silicon Valley, I will definitely offer such suggestions to them!
3. Personalized Wedding Attire 👗
Brides and grooms are opting for custom-made attire that reflects their personalities. Some are choosing bold colors, while others are selecting multifunctional outfits that can transform from ceremony to reception style. Non-traditional choices, such as jumpsuits, detachable skirts, and embroidered accessories, are popular. One of my latest couples celebrated their cultural heritage – bride Gypsy, groom Viking – in their wedding attire, similar to the photo below. The gentlemen actually wore raw furs as collars!
4. Micro-Weddings with Macro Experiences 🌍
The trend of intimate weddings continues, with couples investing in high-quality experiences for a smaller guest list. Micro-weddings allow for unique touches like destination ceremonies, gourmet tasting menus, and elaborate, multi-day celebrations. The latest dream destinations: St. Barth’s, Anguilla, Bora Bora… and of course Iceland, which is still a big trend.
5. Bold Color Schemes and Statement Florals 💐
Couples are embracing bold colors like emerald green, royal blue, and deep burgundy for a striking look. Statement florals, such as oversized arrangements or flowers suspended from the ceiling, add drama to the decor. Floral arches and hanging gardens are also gaining popularity. It’s really, “Go big or go home!”
6. Interactive Food and Drink Stations 🍹
Interactive dining experiences are a huge hit in 2025. Couples are setting up live cooking stations, custom cocktail bars, and dessert stations where guests can personalize their orders. Think DIY pizza bars, gourmet s’mores stations, and signature cocktail mixology sessions. One of my recent couples had a sushi roll station, another one a creme brulee bar (with custom toppings). The possibilities are nearly endless!
7. Unique Venue Choices 🏞️
Traditional venues are taking a back seat to unique, offbeat locations. In 2025, couples are choosing to host weddings at unconventional venues such as art galleries, botanical gardens, rustic barns, and even ancient ruins. Outdoor weddings at vineyards or mountaintops are still trendy. I have done wedding ceremonies on the decks of historic tallships and chartered yachts… one in a recording studio where celebrities like Willie Nelson did recordings… one at Monterey Bay Aquarium, one at the SF Academy of Sciences. Are you already getting inspired?!
8. Interactive Entertainment 🎶
From live bands to immersive experiences like magicians or caricature artists, couples want entertainment that engages guests. Silent discos, hologram performers, and interactive storytelling for speeches are emerging as popular options. Several of my couples have booked artists to capture the wedding day through live painting. We’ve had dance instruction in Charleston moves for a Great Gatsby-themed wedding; there are poets for hire who will write a haiku for each guest. Again, so many possibilities!
9. Weekday Weddings 📅
To save costs and access more availability, couples are increasingly opting for weekday weddings. They often add unique elements like a weekend getaway for guests or hosting pre-wedding dinners and post-wedding brunches to create a multi-day celebration. And the cost savings are substantial! (That is, if you choose Monday through Thursday – Friday weddings are already considered “regular” wedding days…). Just keep in mind that your guests would have to take days off to attend; a weekday date might make it impossible for some.
10. Modern Wedding Registries 🎁
Traditional registries are being replaced by experiential gifts. While in the past, it was considered rude and very bad style to ask for cash gifts, the rules have relaxed in the last few years. Couples are opting for cash funds towards home renovations, honeymoon adventures, or contributions toward experiences like cooking classes or wine tastings, instead of the standard kitchenware and appliances. Chinese couples have always been and are still in luck here: cash gifts in the famous “red envelopes” are a time-honored tradition in the Chinese culture. No etiquette fauxpas here!
Conclusion:
We at A Day Like No Other anticipate that 2025 will be a year of breaking traditions and embracing innovation in the wedding industry. From sustainable choices to high-tech enhancements, each trend is about creating a memorable, personalized experience. Couples are encouraged to prioritize their values, invest in quality over quantity, and create a celebration that truly represents them.
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!”
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…
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 …
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;
… 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!
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!
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!
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.
… 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).
… 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…
… in a gorgeous vintage limousine (by Elegant Journey) into their married bliss.
Again, congratulations and Mazel Tov to you, Lauren and Darren!
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!
