A Persian Celebration

One of my favorite events of 2007 was a celebration that was held in a Castle called Castello di Amorosa in Calistoga, California (Northern Napa Valley). It was a fairy tale evening that consisted of Persian Dancers, Beautiful Traditions including a Hookah Lounge and a very detailed Persian Altar called a Sofreh . This is what happens when 2 doctors from Harvard mesh and fall in love- an extraordinary event!!

There are so many out of this world photos from this event which was held in October that I would like to share with all of you but I am saving many of the pictures for my new website that I am working on.....so here is a sneak peek!!

Photo Credits: Claire Lewis Photography

Outside the Castle among the grape vines

The family tree


The Persian Dancers were Outstanding!



The florist, Tanja from Blumengarten and myself collaborated together to design the look and feel, Pomegranite fruits were everywhere (very symbolic for Persians).



The Mezze Table during the Cocktail Reception overlooking the Napa Valley at sunset.
Credit: Alex's Catering

Autumn Wedding in Woodside

Here are a few images from an October wedding in Woodside. The couple wanted simple elegance as this was their second wedding this year (they just had a wedding in Korea a few weeks prior). The weather was impeccable and the bride's Monique Lhuillier gown was absolutely stunning!
Photography credit: Wendy Maclaurin Richardson

Destination Wedding- Mexico

I love destination weddings! They are so incredibly fun for everyone including the sunkissed bride, the elated groom and the guests who can attend a party while on vacation! Here are a few photos from a wedding in Los Cabos, Mexico from July. The wedding couple was from Chicago and so were many guests who flew in to enjoy the festivities. They dined overlooking the Sea of Cortez and ended the night with a bang- a fabulous display of fireworks, the song that played during the firework display was Mexico by James Taylor- it was magical (can you believe we even had a full moon?!). Pardon the photos- they are from my digital camera - as the professional photos are yet to arrive to mi casa-- I believe the photographer is on Mexican time! Andale!~

Auberge du Soleil, Napa Valley, California

Biana and Anthony contacted me in September, 2006 via the internet to assist them with a dream destination wedding in Napa Valley. They needed a wedding planner to assist them with finding the perfect venue and all the key vendors and details. I recommended Auberge du Soleil, the celebrity hideaway in Rutherford (home to Christina Aguilera's rehearsal dinner). After 10 months of phone conversations and emails we finally met and you can see what I created for them. It was nothing less than luxe, romantic and perfect!!

Credits: Nancy Liu Chin Floral, Richard Woods Photography, Perfect Endings Cake, and of course Lulu Events Design!

Meadowood, St. Helena, California

Meadowood is a majestic club in St. Helena, California that is nestled in a beautiful grove of old redwood trees. It is glamourous enough that Robert Redford takes his family there for a low key dinner and that is exactly what he did the evening of my clients wedding. As soon as I showcased this venue to my clients' Stephanie and Davis from Dallas on one of their scouting trips they were in love and the planning began. We offered their guests lavendar champagne cocktails that highlighted the subtle hue that was selected for the wedding - a light purple hue and a hint of cocoa. We hung chandeliers from trees and the crowd danced to Jack Johnson and the Red Hot Chile Peppers. One of my favorite weddings of the summer!

Credits: Meadowood, Napa Valley

• Catering Perfect Endings- Cake
• Blumengarten - Floral
• Brian Cline -Band and Acoustics
• Classic Party Rentals- linens, chairs and goblets
• Richard Woods Photography
• Lulu Events- Event Design
  
  
  

Clos Pegase Winery, Calistoga, California

A favorite event that I planned in May was a rehearsal dinner at a famous winery in Calistoga- Clos Pegase. It was a perfect evening in the valley- and the nite was spent toasting and roasting the happy couple.

Credits

• Catering: Elaine Bell
• Photos: Susan Jackson Photography
• Design: Lulu Events

Cabo del Sol, Los Cabos, Mexico

Los Cabos, Mexico is a fabulous spot to host a destination wedding! It has much to offer and is a quick flight from California. I have actually had the pleasure of planning 2 weddings this year in Cabo! It can be challenging planning a wedding in a far away land and working with vendors in Mexico can be task in itself but both weddings went off without a hitch!

The wedding featured below was held in April at the Cabo del Sol Club, it was an intimate wedding (37 guests) that featured mango margaritas for the guests to cool off with after the ceremony which was held overlooking the ocean. Seashell Boutineires were custom made for the groom and his attendants. Guests dined on a 4 course meal that included a Lemon Chardonnay Granita served on a bed of iced Bougouinvilla and it was very eye catching! The 9 piece mariachi band made sure that a fun time was had by all and added the perfect spanish touch.

Enjoy the photos amigos!

Asian Art Museum, San Francisco, California

The Asian Art Museum is one of the most beautiful places to host an event in San Francisco! I had the pleasure of working at this venue to create a very extraordinary wedding.

Photos by Andrew Weeks
Floral by Nancy Liu Chin
McCalls Catering- lighting and cuisine
Lulu Events- design
I Dream of Cake- wedding cake

Fairmont Hotel, San Francisco, California

In March, I had the pleasure of working with a very glamourous client who was looking for some drama to infuse in to her white glove dinner party at the regal Fairmont San Francisco. The theme of Phantom of the Opera came to life with gold masks infused in to the low floral centerpieces and the hostess wore a feather boa. A little surprise for the guests was a lemon sorbet intermezzo served in individual iced swans. We had a beautifully lit skyline of San Francisco skyscrapers as the backdrop (we also ordered up a full moon from Mother Nature of course). Mission Accomplished- We sent the guests home swooning!