Fashion repeats itself cyclically – don’t we all know that? The same holds true for wedding cake trends, and so many, many of my past couples’ cakes are “of the moment” again! Here’s a walk down wedding memory lane – and at the same time, a preview of next year’s hottest trends!
Nostalgia and kitsch
YES!! The kitschy cake topper is back… (if it was ever really gone!)
Cake by Studio Cake; Nathan Worden Photography
Artistic pleats and sculptural decor
There is renewed appreciation for technically complicated, highly artistic cakes – we’ve had quite a few of those over the years, spectacular ones!
Cake by La Vie Douce Designs; Danny Dong Photography
Cake by Avocado Catering; Sandra Fazzino Photography
Fruit decor
A perennial classic!
Cake by Krumbs Cakes; Frank J. Lee Photography
Huge, towering cakes
This one certainly “takes the cake!”
Cake by Cake Expressions; Toanven Photography
Unusual shapes
These are really fun cakes – from vintage suitcases to ladies’ slippers…
Cake by Cake Coquette; Maria Hedengren Photography
Cakes and Petit Fours by Morgane Ric; Vicens Forns Photography
Floral decor – from edible flowers to sugar confections
Needless to say – the more elaborate the decor, e.g. a whole cascade of handmade sugar flowers, the higher the price tag…
Cake by Krumbs Cakes; Megan Reeves Photography
Cake by Cake Coquette; Tuan B Photography
And “all that glitters:” metallic accents!
Sheer gold never fails to impress…
Cake by Ritz-Carlton SF Patissier; Usman B Photography
And now YOU have the very difficult task to decide which one YOU want!!
An incredible discovery today: a historic mansion, literally minutes away from downtown Austin in a quiet neighborhood – and once you pass through the wrought-iron gate onto the flagstone driveway, you find yourself in a different world.
The Mediterranean-inspired architecture of the mansion with its neoclassical influences, the surrounding manicured park with mature trees (many magnolias among them!) and the peace and serenity of the 10-acre estate transport you in a zen-like state of mind; I guarantee it.
An additional building of the same vintage – the 1920s – houses a gym and spa, and then there is a hotel building with 52 rooms which looks and feels exactly the same; hard to believe it’s just a few years old! Designer extraordinaire Ken Fulk managed the nearly impossible – both for the mansion which was gently renovated while preserving its historic charm, and for the new hotel building which was constructed using historic materials including encaustic tile and reclaimed wood floors and a classical architectural vocabulary like this interior courtyard surrounded by arcades. Nothing is “fake” – it all breathes authenticity and luxurious understatement.
And then – did I already say that it’s the most exclusive wedding venue in all of central Texas? With just over 30 wedding events per year – maximal 6 of them buy-outs – the venue makes sure that each couple and their guests receive the full attention and effort of the dedicated staff. In short, they are treated like royalty!
Indoors, the mansion exudes the quiet charm of its beginnings a century ago, with period furnishings and decor, but without the feel of a museum; rather like a well-aged private home, handed down through the generations and lovingly cared for.
The property, under the umbrella of the luxury hotel group Auberge, prides itself on extraordinarily good food: from the same kitchen and the same chefs who run the onsite Michelin-starred restaurant.
For all its elegance and sophistication, it’s a cozy, warm and welcoming space with a French-Mediterranean atmosphere – and it even has a patio with outdoor seating.
Back to weddings! There are several outdoor ceremony areas to choose from…
… all equally beautiful and with the option to use the back facade of the mansion as the gorgeous backdrop for your vows!
Just imagine the possibilities… with draping and flowers and and and…! And if you’d rather not chance the weather, you can have your ceremony in the former chapel which otherwise serves as a stylish space for dancing. In short… you can have it all, and all here, onsite – a complete, unforgettable wedding weekend with your guests. For me, Commodore Perry Estate was a true revelation. I’m charmed!
When planning your wedding reception, you might be in doubt what’s better, more beautiful, more practical – round or rectangular dining tables?
While there is certainly no “right” or “wrong” and no “one-size-fits-all” solution – there are several aspects to consider.
1.) How much room do you have, relative to your guest count? Rectangular tables are more “space-economical” than round ones.
Studio Ma Photography
2.) What’s the shape of your dining/ballroom? Square or very open spaces (like, e.g. a lawn) look better with round tables, narrow rectangular floor plans look better with rectangular tables.
Gavin Farrington Photography
3.) How formal is your event? Round tables signal more formality, while rectangular tables, especially if arranged in long rows, are considered more informal.
Sandra Fazzino Photography
4.) What’s your design vision? Tall, round floral centerpieces are best displayed on round tables;
Danny Dong Photography
floral/greenery garlands look best on long rows of end-to-end rectangular tables.
Vicens Forns Photography
5.) Practical necessities: aisles need to be 36 inches wide for guest movement and for waitstaff/service.
Mae Stier Photography
Advantages and disadvantages of round tables:
They facilitate interaction between guests and feel more intimate, but as we stated above, they take up more space than rectangular ones.
Advantages and disadvantages of rectangular tables:
Guest interaction is more limited to the persons seated to the immediate left and right and to the person across the table. Rectangular tables are great for buffet set-ups, food stations and bar set-ups and for very structured dinner layouts, but they might need some extra dress-up in order not to look too basic.
Can you mix round and rectangular dining tables?
YES! But it should not be done haphazardly, but preferably in a symmetrical pattern. Look how beautiful this can be:
Danny Dong Photography
I hope this all will help you in envisioning YOUR perfect dinner setup!
Weddings are joyous celebrations, but they can also generate significant waste and carbon emissions. Fortunately, couples today are embracing eco-friendly choices that reduce environmental impact while keeping the day just as magical. A sustainable wedding is not about compromise—it’s about creativity and conscious decision-making.
Eco-Friendly Venues Choosing a venue that prioritizes sustainability is a powerful first step. Outdoor settings like gardens, vineyards, or family properties minimize the need for excess décor. Many venues now integrate renewable energy, water conservation systems, and waste reduction programs—making it easier for couples to celebrate responsibly. But even forbidding disposable serveware and plastic-bottled water in favor of real china and real glassware ONLY (like, for example, several high-end venues in the SF Bay Area do), is actually a great step towards less waste.
Danny Dong Photography
Sustainable Décor and Florals Instead of single-use décor, couples are opting for rentals, repurposed items, or natural elements. Locally grown flowers reduce carbon footprints while supporting nearby farmers. For an eco-chic touch, consider potted plants that can be gifted and that will live long after the wedding – something I frequently recommend. Potted orchids in particular are a hit with my couples! Here are a few examples from previous weddings:
Mae Stier photography
Frank J. Lee Photography
OR you could use your dessert in lieu of a floral centerpiece! We’ve done it last year – have a look:
Frank J. Lee Photography
Conscious Catering Food is often the largest contributor to waste. Sustainable catering emphasizes seasonal, locally sourced ingredients and plant-forward menus. Farm-to-table food is fresh and delicious – the way to go! Especially for Cocktail Hour appetizers and dessert bars (see below an example from one of my weddings), it is so easy to do that. Donating leftovers to local shelters ensures that nothing goes to waste while extending the joy of your celebration to the community – this is something we do on a regular basis.
ToanVen Photography
Attire and Accessories From renting gowns to choosing ethically produced fabrics, fashion choices can also go green. Brides and grooms increasingly select attire they can wear again, or they repurpose vintage pieces—giving garments a second life. These two of my brides had a wedding dress re-tailored: Ali right below wore her grandmother’s dress, and Nicole had her mother’s wedding dress cut short and taken in – and it fit her like a glove!
Sandra Fazzino Photography
Megan Reeves Photography
Invitations, Escort Cards and Favors Digital invitations and RSVP platforms dramatically cut down on paper waste. For those who love tangible keepsakes, recycled paper or seed-embedded stationery is both stylish and eco-friendly. As for favors, you could gift experiences, offer edible treats (macarons or chocolates!), tree seedlings or seed packets (which could actually do double-duty as escort “cards!”) or donations to environmental causes instead of disposable trinkets. The photo below is from the wedding of a dog-loving couple – they made a donation to an animal charity on behalf of their guests.
By weaving sustainability into each detail, you can create a wedding that not only celebrates your love but also honors the planet—leaving behind cherished memories, not excess waste. We at A Day Like No Other have been doing this from the outset (some of the photos in this article are 13 years old!), and so we have gained extensive experience with environmentally friendly practices. Plan your wedding with us! We’ve got the ideas, the experience AND the expertise!
Not the “core” choice of wedding flowers, for sure – but these flowers have a LOT going for them. They are first and foremost Fall flowers, and I would recommend using them in season as that is when they are the freshest, you have the largest selection and the lowest price for them.
Both asters and chrysanthemum varietals (“mums” for short) are great team players in wedding arrangements and bouquets, going well with roses, calla lilies and even with orchids, as a textural contrast. Their colors run the gamut from light yellow and peach, pink, coral red to wine red and from lavender hues to darkest purple.
Let me show you what we have!
Spider Chrysanthemum
Exotic, thread-like sculptural petals creating a dramatic, airy and elegant bloom —great for dramatic bouquets or as standout florals for a “fireworks” effect.
Decorative chrysanthemum
Full, rounded blooms (pom-poms) that add fullness and texture or intricate blooms (quill variey) ideal for detailed floral arrangements.
New England Aster
Tall, late-season asters in shades of purple—perfect for garden bouquets
Michaelmas Daisy (an aster varietal)
Compact asters with delicate lavender petals with golden centers, ideal for elegant accents, symbolizing late-season charm.
These images showcase the richness and variety you can work with in floral design—ranging from sculptural impact to textural softness. Use them individually or layered together in a mood board to convey bloom diversity, textures, and color palette.
And here are examples of these beautiful flowers used in bridal bouquets and wedding arrangements:
Probably the most iconic of wedding flowers, already a cliche… roses are symbolic of love, passion and beauty. So much so that many of my brides reject them right away as their wedding flowers: “overdone, expected, old-fashioned, boring” etc. etc.
What they overlook are all the advantages that roses offer: a riot of colors, a variety of shapes – from the classic sculpted single-bloom rose to the lush, full English Garden roses (big as peonies and round like ranunculus) to spray roses, carrying many small blooms on each stem.
Gavin Farrington Photography
Let me go into the advantages of roses:
Available year-round, sturdy and robust (i.e. long-lasting), reasonably priced (yes, that exists!) and then, of course, variety of shapes and a rainbow of colors from white/ivory to yellow, powder pink, shocking pick, magenta, red to purple and near-black. Only disadvantage (and that is more for your florist) – thorns need to be removed before handling, but that would be all!
Here are some more examples of this gorgeous flower, solo and combined in bouquets.
Gavin Farrington Photography
Gavin Farrington Photography
One more thing: I absolutely predict a big come-back for the famous Baccara rose: long-stemmed, velvety dark red – nearly black. It’s dramatic and elegant, and I’ve even designed bridal flowers around this idea – each bridesmaid carrying just one of these statement roses, and the bride a whole bouquet. Have a look:
(And aside from the visual drama – there you have a bridesmaids’ “bouquet” at $10. Unbeatable, right?!)
A couple very mindful of their cultural and religious traditions – AND of family tradition! They got married in exactly the same spot where the bride’s parents had tied the knot, 35 years prior. Only difference: this time the weather was much better!
The “spot” was Thomas Fogarty Winery, an elegant event venue perched on a ridge high above Silicon Valley, with endless views to the San Francisco skyline, and surrounded by producing vineyards – the wines from these vineyards were, of course, served at the celebration!
http://gavinfarrington.com
But I am getting ahead of myself…
After a year of planning with my company, A Day Like No Other, the big day had finally arrived.
After hair and makeup styling at her parents’ home, Sarah was driven to Fogarty Winery where she would dress up and present herself to her future husband officially for the first time – a “First Look.”
http://gavinfarrington.com
http://gavinfarrington.com
The quintessential mother-daughter moment with the mother preparing her daughter for getting married.
http://gavinfarrington.com
http://gavinfarrington.com
Florist Janelle Jacky-Litt of Green Petal Designs provided Sarah with her bridal bouquet…
http://gavinfarrington.com
… in elegant white-on-white, textured and with a feminine softness – and there she is in all her finery!
http://gavinfarrington.com
Groom Justin, meanwhile, was also getting ready for the big moment, supported by his brother and the other groomsmen.
http://gavinfarrington.com
http://gavinfarrington.com
http://gavinfarrington.com
Immediately after their First Look on a balcony overlooking the vineyards and the valley, Sarah and Justin read their personal vows to each other – a very tender and unforgettable moment for both of them.
http://gavinfarrington.com
http://gavinfarrington.com
http://gavinfarrington.com
While both were taking lots and lots of photos with photographer extraordinaire Gavin Farrington and his assistant Paula, all the other vendor teams were hard at work with preparations.
The ceremony area was set up with chairs, a chuppah and lavish floral decor (by Green Petal Designs),
http://gavinfarrington.com
http://gavinfarrington.com
http://gavinfarrington.com
Immediately preceding the wedding ceremony, the couple signed their ketubah.
http://gavinfarrington.com
My assistant Quan and I set up the elegant WELCOME sign that the artistically gifted bride had created herself, along with all other wedding stationery; and there were a myriad of other details to take care of…
http://gavinfarrington.com
The team of Culinary Eye Catering set the tables in the open Pavilion, DJ .Zhaldee of Entourage Events was setting up sound systems, Rabbi Debbie Pine arrived for the ceremony, and violinist Joyce Lee got settled to accompany this ceremony with classical tunes.
http://gavinfarrington.com
Guests arrived via shuttle buses (from Corinthian Ground Transportation), and soon we were ready for the long-anticipated, big moment. Here comes the bride!
http://gavinfarrington.com
After a traditional (but light-hearted!) Jewish ceremony…
http://gavinfarrington.com
http://gavinfarrington.com
… Sarah and Justin broke a glass, also per tradition …
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… and were declared “husband and wife.”
http://gavinfarrington.com
http://gavinfarrington.com
Just married!! And soooo happy…
Next? More photos, of course – and cocktails and hors d’oeuvres (by Culinary Eye Catering) …
http://gavinfarrington.com
http://gavinfarrington.com
… for the guests who were asked to write their well-wishes and messages for the newlyweds on vintage travel postcards, to be gathered into a keepsake album.
http://gavinfarrington.com
http://gavinfarrington.com
“Travel” was a big theme at this wedding as this is the couple’s shared passion – they got engaged in Kenya, for starters! And that’s why tables were named after some of their favorite destinations, “Nairobi” rubbing shoulders with “San Francisco…” and “Cancun” with “Tahoe!”
Sarah and Justin used the time not only for many more portraits…
http://gavinfarrington.com
http://gavinfarrington.com
http://gavinfarrington.com
… but also to rehearse their choreographed First Dance one more time.
http://gavinfarrington.com
http://gavinfarrington.com
Dinner time! Guests found their assigned tables on a mirrored seating chart…
Two super-busy young professionals, living out of state, planning an elaborate wedding at Nestldown Estate just outside Silicon Valley – it’s clear they needed assistance! I was so honored that they chose my company, A Day Like No Other, to help with the planning and design, and the bride’s parents took over the tasks of site visits and tastings that had to be done in-person. After a year of planning and designing, everything finally came together beautifully under blue skies and a warming May sunshine.
For Sally and her friends, her sister, mother and mother-in-law, the day began at the elegant Hotel Los Gatos…
… where they all received beauty services by Felicia Wei and assistants of Bun Bun Bridal Lab – and look how gorgeous the results were! Photographer Gavin Farrington with second shooter Paula captured the whole day from start to finish – however, for the time being, all we have to show are my cellphone shots. Just wait until you see the professional photos!
At Nestldown, meanwhile, several vendor teams (including myself and my associate Stephanie Hui) were hard at work to get everything ready for the celebration; Ephraim of Apis Florals and his crew put up gorgeous floral arrangements…
…. a gilded circular arch, decorated with a profusion of flowers, and a sofreh-aghd, the traditional Persian wedding spread (the bride is of Persian heritage), in the “Chapel,” a natural clearing in the Redwoods at Nestldown, where all ceremonies are held.
Guests were arriving via convenient shuttle service (by Corinthian Ground Transportation) and making their way to the lavishly decorated ceremony area.
Time for the ceremony!
Here comes the bride, with her parents, serenaded by the Corelli Strings trio. The unique Persian-American ceremony was officiated by Sally’s best friend from college, together with Sally’s sister, with participation from her uncle, nephews and nieces, and a friend of the couple. This was a very personal, heartfelt moment for all.
The sofreh was a labor of love by the bride’s parents – her father built the table himself, her mother supplied all the symbolic items that are displayed on the sofreh, and her sister contributed to the ceremony with explanations for all guests who might not be familiar with the Persian wedding customs.
As part of the wedding ceremony, female family members shower the couple with sugar, rubbed over their heads, symbolizing the sweetness of marriage.
Just married!!
While Chris and Sally had to take more romantic photos – and video by Two4Tea – on the beautiful grounds of Nestldown…
…their guests enjoyed cocktails (by Bacchus Wine and Spirits) and hors d’oeuvres by Wylder Space Catering at the “Apple Knoll” event space – under a pergola hung with crystal chandeliers!
Another personal touch: Chris’ and Sally’s beloved canine Neville was cheering guests from the cocktail napkins…
… and Corelli Strings again provided the elegant musical background.
A truly elegant affair! Come dinner time, guests were invited to Nestldown’s Main Lawn …
… where tables with elegant floral centerpieces…
… a seating chart arranged on a huge mirror….
…..and place settings with individual leather name tags awaited them.
After a delicious dinner (by Wylder Space Catering) and heartfelt speeches by their parents, everyone moved inside the “Barn”, the central event space at Nestldown, for cutting the wedding cake and enjoying Persian desserts (by C’est Si Bon Bakery)…
… and for a huge surprise for the couple: a saxophonist whom the bride’s sister had secretly hired to play alongside DJ Woody Miraglia (of Big Fun Disc Jockeys) – a dream come true for Sally and Chris! Saxophonist Justin Ward, a musician through and through, accompanied the newlyweds’ First Dance under the giant crystal chandelier…
… and from that moment on, it was only “dance, dance, dance” for the rest of the evening. A Grand Send-off with shimmering bubbles was the last high point of this incredible celebration, before the couple was whisked away in the authentic vintage London taxi which is one of the special perks at Nestldown.
Keep celebrating and dancing, Sally and Chris – wishing you a lifetime of happiness together!
30 yrs ago, a young couple starting their family purchased 180 acres of wilderness in the Santa Cruz Mountains and, through persistent hard work, they “moved a mountain” in the literal sense of the word; they transformed it into their vision of a garden oasis, for themselves, their children and ultimately, for wedding celebrations. They built a huge (elegant!) barn – already planned as a fully outfitted event space – where their children could play; a storybook cottage for their girls, a life-size train for their boys (father and son), a tree house… and over the years added innumerable extra touches to what is now the ultimate elegant wedding destination in the Redwoods. With a natural Redwood “chapel” for ceremonies, ponds, meadows, 36 acres of manicured gardens, mature trees with permanently installed twinkle lights casting a magical glow at dusk – Nestdown has become the perfect combination of elegance and natural beauty. It is still owned and managed by the same family, meanwhile supported by the children who had the good fortune growing up in this magical place.
Photo credit Melissa Floriano
I have been honored to be included in the small handful of wedding planners allowed to work at this exceptional venue, and here are images from the many, many weddings I have been privileged to plan, design and produce there. Let me show you around…
The “Chapel,” a natural clearing in the redwoods, paved with flagstones for the most romantic ceremony spot imaginable.
Photo credit Bre Thurston
Photo credit JJ Chen
These are the wedding photos you want to see again and again, down the road, in twenty years…
Photo credit Bre Thurston
Photo credit Melissa Floriano
Photo credit Megan Reeves
Photo credit Megan Reeves
Of course, you need a photo with the Fairytale Cottage…
Photo credit Melissa Floriano
… and with the train… and the tree house… while your guests are enjoying cocktails!
Photo credit Melissa Floriano
Dinner on the Main Lawn is magical, as dusk is falling…
Photo credit Bre Thurston
Photo credit Bre Thurston
… and after that, it’s dancing, dancing, dancing under the enormous crystal chandelier in the Barn.
Photo credit Ben Ingram
And at Nestldown, the Grand Send-Off of the newlyweds is definitely one of the highlights of the event!
Photo credit Bre Thurston
Through a “tunnel” of cheering guests, the couple departs to a waiting authentic London taxi!
Photo credit Melissa Floriano
Bon voyage and a lifetime of happiness – which started on this magical day at Nestldown.
