Sweet and Romantic Asian Art Museum Wedding

We've worked at a lot of weddings at the Asian Art Museum, but no matter how many times we've been there, we are still very much in love with this classic San Francisco landmark venue, especially when it comes to weddings.

Earlier this year, I posted some pictures of Danielle and Jonathon's destination wedding in San Francisco. It was such a delight for us to work with this down to earth, sweet, Boston-based couple! Because we are so use to working with out of town couples, the planning was extremely smooth and efficient. Danielle, Jonathon, and Danielle's parents took 2 trips out here during the whole duration of the planning, and accomplished all that they needed to--site visits, tastings, meetings, etc. The rest was done via email, dropbox, google docs, and skype.

Now, I get to relive the prettiness all over again, through the lens of talented photographer, Sarah Peet! Kudos to Sarah for documenting the day so perfectly, from the limitless love between this adoring couple, to the unspoken emotions between the families, to the eye candy all throughout the wedding.

The morning of the wedding couldn't have started off on a better foot. While Danielle and the ladies got dolled up under the magic of Mimi & Taylor's team, the suite they were in at the Mandarin Oriental provided them spectacular views of the city and its renown landmark buildings and bridges.

Jonathon and his men took it easy that morning with a casual brunch before getting into their tuxes. For Danielle and Jonathon's "first look", we decided to head up to the 40th floor deck in the hotel. Due to high wind issues, we couldn't remain outside, but still got to maximize the great lighting there.

A vintage rolls royce took them to the pier, and to Mission Dolores park (where Danielle's grandmother and grandfather had their first date!) for photos. The bridal party and families were not far behind in a luxury shuttle by Pure Luxury Transportation.

Danielle and Jonathon married inside the old Mission Dolores church. Though small in size, the church is big in character and history.

After a meaningful, and personal ceremony, guests were shuttled off to the Asian Art Museum for the reception....beginning with a festive cocktail hour on the Loggia, where guests were entertained with the art exhibits on the second floor in between delicacies by Componere Fine Catering.

Following the cocktail hour, the drapes to Samsung Hall were swag opened, revealing a sweet, romantic setup for 100 guests. A combination of long farm tables and round linen tables wrapped around the room, with a spacious dance floor in the center. Eclectic, vintage furniture were placed by the dance floor, offering a cozy setting for those that wished to kick back and watch the dancing. When guests entered the room, they were immediately awe-inspired by the 4 tier wedding cake which sat perfectly atop the vintage sewing table provided by One True Love.

After a fantastic dinner by Componere Fine Catering, which included a surf and turf entree of Butter Poached and Cast Iron Seared Filet Mignon, Maine Lobster-Green Garlic-Morel Mushroom Fricasee Asparagus, and Smoked Potatoes, amongst other amazing courses, the guests danced the night away to the tunes played by DJ Jason Mitchell. In between all the dancing, guests were treated to a Nitro Ice Cream Brownie Sundae Station, where they had made-to-order ice cream with -320 liquid nitrogen.

To satisfy everyone's sweet tooth further, guests got to leave with an assortment of fresh macarons made by Componere Fine Catering's own pastry chef, Erin Emmett.

As always, this wonderful wedding couldn't have happen without an amazing team in the background.....

Event Planning + Production--Jubilee Lau Events
Event and Floral Design--Nancy Liu Chin Designs
Ceremony Venue--Old Mission Dolores Church
Reception Venue--Asian Art Museum
Photographer--Sarah Peet Photography
Videographer--Weddings on Film
Caterer--Componere Fine Catering
DJ--Jason Mitchell
Vintage Furniture--One True Love
Lighting/Draping--Enhanced Lighting
Cake--Inticing Creations
Rentals--Classic Party Rentals
Makeup/Hair--Mimi & Taylor
Vintage Rolls Royce--NLS Limousines
Shuttle Buses--Pure Luxury Transportation
Hotel Room Blocks--Mandarin Oriental & Omni Hotel
Paper Goods--Lucky Luxe
Calligraphy--Little Miss Press

Leslie and Jeffrey's Wedding Featured in BRIDES

Humbled. Honored. Proud. Elated. We're beyond thrilled that in three years, we've had three separate weddings featured in the national magazine BRIDES. I personally don't plan my clients' weddings with a goal for it to be published in a magazine (unless they specify in the beginning that they would like for it to be published), but I feel so happy and giddy when that does happen, because I think it's such a meaningful keepsake for the clients. Imagine being able to show that to your children, or grandchildren!

Leslie and Jeffrey's wedding is especially deserving of getting this SIX page spread in BRIDES. Every detail was so meticulously designed and planned, with Leslie at the helm as a super involved bride and a group of very talented Event Professionals to support her. Beaulieu Garden is a beautiful, magical property in the wine country. As soon as you drive down the tree lined path, you cannot help but instantly fall in love with the picturesque beauty around you. It was the perfect place to hold Leslie and Jeffrey's 'summer getaway' wedding, where friends and families traveled from all over the world to celebrate with this special couple.

This wedding had all the elements of a perfect guest experience. From the moment the guests arrived, they were greeted by valet attendants, followed by a Paula Le Duc Fine Catering staff with their famous out-of-this-world minted ice tea. Imagine strolling through a lovely rose garden with minted ice tea on a warm summer day, before being greeted by smiling ushers to show you to your seats for the ceremony. The ceremony began precisely at the invitation-stated start time, which I find to be extremely important in respect to all of your guests who made the effort to arrive early or on time. After witnessing a heartfelt ceremony, guests took another stroll to the adjacent 'Secret Garden', where they were greeted with delicious hors d'oeurves from Paula Le Duc Fine Catering, which included Pecking Duck Mini Tacos, Buttermilk Fried Chicken Bites, and Ahi Tuna Cones, amongst other delicacies. Several vignettes were designed by Leslie and Gloria Wong where guests got to peer into the lifestyle of Leslie and Jeffrey, along with special childhood memories and meaningful travels.

Dinner was served under an arbor filled with twinkle lights and vines, with romantic, flickering candles hanging above the head table where Leslie and Jeffrey enjoyed an evening of laughter, extraordinary food, and great music with those that matter to them most. The party continued after dinner, where guests danced under the starry sky, enjoyed cupcakes with varying shades of pink frosting, a wedding cake by Cake Coquette that was way too pretty to cut up, and a photobooth where the laughter never stopped.

Though it was hard to say good bye at the end of the evening, Leslie and Jeffrey were sent off in their vintage car with all the love and blessings in the world from their friends and family.

A Sweet and Classic Wedding

Classic weddings never go out of style. I love this simple, sweet wedding that I worked on with Nancy Liu Chin Designs a year and a half ago, at the Menlo Circus Club on a hot summer day. The lush, pink peonies filled this tucked away space with sweetness. Lovely all around....thanks Nancy for the two great boards below which brings back all the memories of that beautiful June day!

Photography by Cooper Carras Photography

Black Tie Wedding at the Bently Reserve

I can't really say any one wedding is my 'favorite', because I really do love all my weddings in their own special ways. I have yet to have two weddings where it looked or felt the same. The clients are always different, their visions are different, and their experiences are very different.

Planning Helen and Hwa's wedding was like planning a wedding for a friend. From our very first phone consultation from across the country, we really established a strong trust and rapport. Helen's all about meticulous spreadsheets and flowcharts to keep organized, and I got excited over that because I am the same way!

Helen and Hwa, besides being extremely smart (she just got accepted the Harvard for her Masters when we first started planning the wedding), are also very fun-loving with one another and has the love, respect, and admiration for one another that every couple desires to have. It was an absolute pleasure to work with them!

Both being successful bankers in NYC, they naturally fell in love with the Bently Reserve in San Francisco as their wedding venue. In collaboration with the uber talented Nancy Liu Chin, we created a sophisticated, elegant black tie soiree for Helen, Hwa, and their guests who traveled from all over the world to be a part of this celebration.

A few weeks prior to the wedding, Helen had a few surprises for Hwa that she asked me to help her with. Ofcourse, I was more than eager to help her 'make it happen'! One of the surprises was for the Golden Gate String Quartet to play the Michigan Fight Song as Hwa walked down the aisle during the Processional, as a tribute to his school. Hwa, as reserved as he usually was, couldn't help breaking into a grin when he realized what tune he was walking down the aisle to. It was fantastic!

Componere Fine Catering was the caterer for this beautiful black, white, and pink Bently Reserve wedding, and they totally added the wow factor with creative delicacies such as:

Warm Goat Cheese-Pistachio Croquettes with Red Wine Poached Pear

Mini Kobe Beef Burgers with Slow Roasted Tomato, Garden Micro Arugala and White Truffle Aioli

Reverse BLT: Fried Green Tomatoes, Black Pepper Bacon, Fresh Mozzarella and Arugala

After a sumptuous dinner, guests dance the night away with Pop Rocks, In and Out burgers, red velvet cake by Butterfly Cakes, and milkshake shooters!

This wedding was recently featured in Style Me Pretty! Check it out here.

Thank you to my A team of Event Professionals that worked tirelessly alongside me to produce this stunning soiree for Helen and Hwa!

Event Planner/Producer: Jubilee Lau Events
Event/Floral Designer: Nancy Liu Chin Designs
Venue: Bently Reserve
Photography: Lisa Lefkowitz Photography
Cinemtaography: Kevin Chin Cinema
Caterer: Componere Fine Catering
Makeup and Hair Stylist: Get Your Do Up
Officiant: Diana Morgan
Ceremony and Cocktail Musicians: Golden Gate Strings
Band: Pop Rocks
Lighting and Draping: Enhanced Lighting
Rentals: Classic Party Rentals
Specialty Furniture and Props: Blueprint Studios
Cake Designer: Butterfly Cakes
Transportation: Classic Cable Car 
Paper Goods: Peculiar Pair Press