Wedding dress parade! The most beautiful dresses my brides wore in the last 12 months

Different as all these beautiful wedding dresses are, one thing’s for sure: none of my bride opted for “minimalist” – all to the contrary! Figure-hugging silhouettes, plunging necklines, looong trains and even longer (cathedral!) veils – it was OPULENCE! Add to that expensive lace and hand-applique, and you get a veritable dream lineup of bridal couture.

And what’s REALLY new: color effects instead of pure white. Enough said; here they are!

A (nearly…) transparent lace bodice, a bare back and a form-fitting, flowing silhouette with train for an elegant summer wedding at Nestldown Estate.

A mermaid dress with a lace bodice, empire waist and a dramatic train of hand-appliqued lace.

A similar style with a lace bodice, but here with a plunging neckline and over-the-shoulder lace straps, plus an even longer train of hand-appliqued lace AND a cathedral veil. Below another look, from behind:

The next gown is in a different style, but just as feminine…

A classic ballgown style with layers and layers of tulle for the skirt; the lace from the bodice continues below the waist in elegant floral scrolls and wisps.

This very unusual wedding dress combined a bare back with a demure, covered-up (albeit transparent!) front and transparent billowing long sleeves as well as an overskirt that was then removed for dancing.

Next comes the hands-down most dramatic of all wedding dresses of the last year! Just look and be amazed… and be aware that this dress was HEAVY. Very heavy!

A train fit for royalty…

… with a billowing cathedral-length veil…

… and the most delicate pearl and sequin embroidery over a lace applique.

Last but not least, the NEW trend of adding a little pastel color to the traditionally all-white dress:

Delicate powder pink and baby blue flower motifs sprinkled all over the tulle overlay of this dress…

… and hand-appliqued lilac rose motifs in this elegant (Savin of London) couture gown.

Breathtaking, isn’t it? So what’s YOUR favorite style? Let me know!

Stacey and Michael – at Last…!

… at Thomas Fogarty Winery in Woodside! The two had been together a full seven years, were parents to three cats (the youngest kitten having been adopted two weeks before their wedding!) – so all their friends agreed: it was about time! Stacey and Michael are super busy young professionals, so when they decided in Spring to “make it official” in October of 2018, they were looking for help. A lot of help! My company, A Day Like No Other, was entrusted with all the preparations, and off we went…

The two had chosen their venue, a spectacular winery overlooking all of Silicon Valley with endless views, and a day that turned out to be proverbial “Bay Area Golden October:” sunny, with blue skies, and warm. Just perfect.

The bride arrived at the venue in full hair and makeup (by A-List Makeup) and all she needed to do was get into her gorgeous wedding dress with the help of her bridesmaids…

… pick up her vibrant, Fall-colored, richly textured bridal bouquet (from Laurel & Vine)…

… and here she is, ready for her First Look:

Groom Michael and his groomsmen were meanwhile also getting ready…

… donned their boutonnieres, and the Best Man took care of the rings.

With that, Bride and Groom were ready for their official First Look:

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Time for many, many photos with bridesmaids and groomsmen (by Sandra Fazzino Photography) and video (by Sway Media) while the teams of Thomas Fogarty Winery, Laurel & Vine Florals, and Toast Catering were busy with preparations. DJ Justin of JustIntertainment set up their sound systems while my assistant Trisha and I set up decorations and made sure that all went smoothly and on time.

Very soon, the first guests were arriving – they were greeted by a vintage baby-blue typewriter to leave their messages and well-wishes for the couple.

In addition to the (already quirky) typewriter in lieu of a conventional guestbook, we had provided a map for all guests to mark from where they had traveled to be with Stacey and Michael on their special day…

… and here they see the first of many kittens that would pop up throughout that whole wedding celebration in honor of the couple’s beloved felines!

Time for the ceremony which was officiated by a longtime friend of the couple, aided by more friends who read passages from Antoine de St. Exupery’s “Le Petit Prince” during the ceremony.

You may now kiss the bride! And here they are, just married… and so happy!

For the couple, it meant… more photos! And for their guests, cocktails and hors d’oeuvres on the open deck, with gorgeous views.

For “escort cards,” the couple had come up with yet another quirky and unexpected idea: custom cookies decorated in the “College colors” of each particular guest! A smart idea as most of their guests were their friends from college…

Dining tables in the beautiful open “Pavilion” were adorned with centerpieces matching the bride’s bouquet, and the table numbers were another loving nod to the couple’s cat babies.

The couple’s Sweetheart Table got, of course, a little extra-special treatment!

Time for the Grand Entrance of the newlyweds!

… and for speeches…

… and then, for dessert! Another quirky choice: delicious, fragrant mini donuts (by Harvey’s Donuts) – everyone decided to “re-start the diet tomorrow!”

The couple “wowed” everyone with their elaborate First Dance …

… which opened the dance floor to everyone and to an epic dance party!

Everyone – young and old – had a great time, and then we gave the newlyweds a Grand Send-Off in style, with glowsticks:

Dance on, Stacey and Michael … for a lifetime of happiness!