WEDDINGS LOVE STORIES SIX REAL-LIFE DREAM WEDDINGS
STYLE GUIDE
53 WAYS TO DESIGN YOUR SPECIAL DAY
EXPERT ADVICE INSIDER SECRETS TO PLANNING
WINTER/SPRING 2015
$5.99
DISPLAY MARCH 31, 2015 1 D I A BUNTIL L O A RT S
Here at La Soie Bridal, we welcome each bride to our salon to make memories that will last a lifetime.
1413 CYPRESS STREET WALNUT CREEK P: (925) 933-9988 F: (925) 933-9987 WALNUTCREEK@LASOIEBRIDAL.COM WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/LASOIEBRIDALSALON
WALNUT CREEK’S
Best Kept
Secret
JASMINE LEE PHOTOGRAPHY
JASMINE LEE PHOTOGRAPHY
KAT MA PHOTOGRAPHY
3800 Valley Vista Rd, Walnut Creek 925.934.3600 Ext. 21 bdutler@playboundaryoak.com
®, and The Diamond. The Promise.™ are Trade Marks used under license from The De Beers Group of Companies. © Forevermark 2014. Forevermark®,
A TRUE PROMISE WILL NEVER BE BROKEN Less than one percent of the world’s diamonds can carry the Forevermark® inscription - a promise that each is beautiful, rare and responsibly sourced.
JEWELER
LOGO PLACEHOLDER INSERT URL HERE
GORGEOUS VIEWS
*
A HISTORIC SETTING
*
CUSTOMIZABLE WEDDING PACKAGES
Celebrate your most important moment at The Claremont Hotel Club & Spa and create an unforgettable wedding for you and your guests, all in one spectacular location. With fitness at The Club, relaxation at the Spa, stellar dining at Paragon and Meritage, and activities overlooking gorgeous views at every turn, the possibilities are yours to cherish. Speak to a Wedding Planner 800-551-7266 or catering@claremont-hotel.com
W W W. C L A R E M O N T- H O T E L . C O M
*
4 1 T U N N E L ROA D , B E R K E L EY, C A 9 4 7 0 5
CONTENTS VOLUM E ONE
FEATURES
36
LOVE STOR IES
From an elopement in the woods to country-club class, here’s how six couples with East Bay ties tied the knot.
46 ARROWOOD PHOTOGRAPHY
STYLE GU ID E
Cakes, invitations, venues, and that extra touch: How to achieve the wedding look you want.
D I A B L O A RT S 5 DIABLO WEDDINGS 5
CONTENTS VOLUM E ONE
11
GET T I NG R EA DY
What to pop after the question is popped; splurge-worthy ways to spoil the bride-to-be; little touches to delight your guests, from paper cranes to poetry; enhancing your wedding with tech; Bay Area bridal fair inspiration; and a local way to register for gifts.
21
ADVI CE / WEDDI N G G U R U
“OMG! I’m engaged!” Chill out: Joyce Scardina Becker is here to help.
25
FLOWERS/ BRI DAL BOU QU ETS
We break down a bride's most delicate accessory with help from local florists.
56
RES OUR C E G U IDE
BEST W ISH ES
On the Cover Photography: Colson Griffith. Dress: Tulle New York, available at Kinsley James in Walnut Creek. Belt: Angels Petals. Model: Missy Olivares. 6 DIABLO W A RT E DSD I N G S
ARTIST CREDIT ARTIST CREDIT ARTIST CREDIT
80
PHOTOGRAPHY BY ERIKA PINO/STYLED BY ADREA CABRERA
Bridal boutiques, caterers, DJs, florists, photographers, venues, wedding planners, and other recommended vendors.
WEDDINGS EDITOR IN CHIEF
Susan Dowdney Safipour Roger Gurbani
ART DIRECTOR
Stacey Kennelly
MANAGING EDITOR, DIABLO WEDDINGS
MANAGING EDITOR, DIABLO
Kristen Haney
SENIOR EDITOR ASSISTANT EDITOR ART/WEB ASSISTANT
Peter Crooks
Rachelle Cihonski
Samantha Schneider
COPY EDITOR
LeeAnne Jones
GROUP PUBLISHER
Barney Fonzi
SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES
Marilyn Beck Rivera, Toni Tighe, Megan Tuggle ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES
Nicole Alexander, Chloe Pak MARKETING DIRECTOR
Dave Reik
M A R K E T I N G A N D C I R C U L AT I O N M A N AG E R M A R K E T I N G C O O R D I N AT O R
Melinda Solomon
Amanda Stratmeyer
SALES AND MARKETING INTERN
Elizabeth Searl
EDITORIAL INTERNS
Jose Basulto, Danielle Crider, Alexa Gambero, Erica Gilbert D I R E C T O R O F O P E R AT I O N S
Eileen Cunningham
AD PRODUCTION AND PRODUCTION
Jennifer Brazil, Debra Donovan, Ron Henry, Renate Woodbury P R O J E C T M A N AG E R / A D C O O R D I N AT O R
Sarah Schultz
A D M I N I S T R AT I O N CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Brendan N. Casey
STAFF ACCOUNTANT
Sylvia Bajjaliya
A C C O U N T S P AYA B L E
Ana Magaña
A C C O U N T S R E C E I VA B L E / R E C E P T I O N I S T H E L P D E S K A D M I N I S T R AT O R
Cheryl Davis
Nick Rubalcaba
ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT AND THE PUBLISHER
Jodie Aranda
D I A B L O P U B L I C AT I O N S F O U N D E R A N D P R E S I D E N T
Steven J. Rivera
(925) 943-1111 M A I L I N G A D D R E S S 2520 Camino Diablo, Walnut Creek, CA 94597-3939 B Y F A X (925) 943-1045 B Y E - M A I L d-mail@maildiablo.com O N T H E W E B diabloweddings.com W E B S I T E F O R D I A B L O M A G A Z I N E diablomag.com W E B S I T E F O R D I A B L O C U S T O M P U B L I S H I N G dcpubs.com FA C E B O O K facebook.com/diablomagazine I N S T A G R A M instagram.com/diablomagazine T W I T T E R twitter.com/diablomagazine
H O W TO R E A C H U S F O R A D V E R T I S I N G, S U B S C R I P T I O N, A N D G E N E R A L I N F O R M AT I O N TO COMMENT ON EDITORIAL CONTENT
(925) 943-1111
Diablo Weddings is published by Diablo Country Magazine Inc. All rights to the contents of this magazine are owned in full by Diablo Country Magazine Inc. Diablo Weddings may not be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher. Views expressed herein are those of the authors and advertisers and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the ownership or the management of the magazine. Contents © 2015. All rights reserved.
8 DIABLO WEDDINGS
create the wedding of your dreams.
Wine & Roses features several unique wedding venues that provide the setting for a small intimate ceremony or a large reception accommodating up to 350 guests. We offer award-winning creative cuisine, exceptional service, luxurious hotel rooms & suites, full service resort spa with preparatory and bridal services & unique gifts, and a private bride’s changing room. The Garden Ballroom is a breathtaking setting with an open beam ceiling, fireplace, beverage bar, and its own private garden of white birch trees. The Cellar Room features tall ceilings, a stone fireplace and large french doors that open to a private patio and gardens. Our outdoor settings provide plenty of room for seating surrounded by botanical gardens and deodar trees. C O N TA C T 2 0 9 . 3 7 1 . 6 1 1 7 O R E M A I L sales@winerose.com W I N E & R O S E S • 2 5 0 5 W. T U R N E R R O A D , L O D I , C A L I F O R N I A 9 5 2 4 2
winerose.com R E S TA U R A N T AT W I N E & R O S E S
GETTING R EADY T I P S / I NS P I RATI ONS / TR E NDS / HAP P E NI NG S
J
Just because you’ll have family flying in from out of town doesn’t mean your sparkling wine has to, also. Celebrate with flutes of these East Bay sparklers made using the painstaking French méthode champenoise. Aubin Cellars NV Verve Brut Sparkling: Sourced from Oregon’s Willamette Valley, the brut sparkling from Oakland’s Aubin Cellars showcases a blend of pinot noir and chardonnay grapes, which gains added complexity from the addition of a barrel-aged sparkling base from the previous vintage. Expect superfine bubbles, plus notes of pear and soft huckleberry. $30, aubincellars.com.
CHEERS TO YOU What to pop after you pop the question.
SHUTTERSTOCK
BY K RI ST EN H ANEY
Crooked Vine Pinot Noir Rosé Sparkling Wine 2013: Family owned and operated, Crooked Vine sources the grapes for its sparkling rosé from its estate in the Livermore Valley. The resulting bubbly has notes of strawberry, apple, and vanilla crème, with bright acidity and an even brighter ruby hue. If your tastes trend more traditional, the family also owns the Stony Ridge Winery label, which makes a sparkling Malvasia Biana in a more expected tint. $28, crookedvine.com. R&B Cellars Methode Champenoise Chanson des Etoiles: Point Richmond's R&B Cellars produces its award-winning Chansons des Etoiles (“song of the stars”) with pinot noir and chardonnay grapes sourced from the North Coast appellation. The grapes are fermented in separate lots and then blended for a 10-month secondary fermentation. The wine is crisp and bright, with creamy notes and fine bubbles. $30, rbcellars.com. D I A B L O W E D D I N G S 11
GET T IN G R EADY PAM PE R YOU R S E L F
THE VIP TREATMENT Splurge-worthy ways to prep for your special day. BY STAC EY KE NNE LLY
Book the ultimate dress shopping experience
Do a sexy photo shoot
Taking a risk and bearing it all for boudoir photos might be exactly the boost you need. Jennifer Skog, based in Dublin, will bring out your sensuality in a classy way. For fun, non-intimidating vibes, contact pals and business partners Tiffany and Erica of Benicia-based Adeline and Grace Intimates. If there’s a particular location in which you want to disrobe, Angie Capri will come to you. To get your friends in on the fun, book a shoot at Oakland's DNA Premium Photography, and giggle your way through the experience as a group. (Don’t worry: Each woman does her shoot in private!) jenniferskog.com, adelineandgraceintimates.com, angiecapri.com, dnapremiumphotography.com. 12 DIABLO WEDDINGS
Get spoiled at the spa
Meeting with vendors, signing contracts, writing checks … oh my! Wedding planning can be stressful. To keep your cool, rally your main ladies and schedule a day of pampering. Plan a day of facials, mani-pedis, and massages at Changes Salon and Day Spa in Walnut Creek. Manager Cristiana Andersson suggests the exclusive Amazon Rain Experience, which combines lymphatic massage and a full-body clay mask, followed by a rinse-off in the Vichy shower. You can add a catered lunch and gift bags, too. 1475 N. Broadway St., Walnut Creek, (925) 947-1814, changessalon.com. To imbibe and unwind, head to Walnut Creek’s Beauty Lounge. The salon offers cocktails, champagne, and other beverages, so you and the girls can kick back with a drink while receiving treatments. Chocolate-covered strawberries or a cheese tray are available upon request. For brides, owner Noemi Woods suggests the organic detox pedicure. For the bridal party, she suggests a mini-facial. (Just make sure it’s a few days before the wedding to avoid rosy complexions.) 1512 Palos Verdes Mall, Walnut Creek, (925) 954-8421, beauty lounge925.com. For a laid-back, DIY affair, book an afternoon at Le Jardin at the Spa in Pleasant Hill. The outdoor garden area is available to use with the purchase of five regularly priced spa services, including aromatherapy massage, vitamin C facials, and foot treatments with reflexology. Pack a picnic or grab your favorite takeout for the group on the way. As a bonus, each guest who receives a treatment will take home a cleanser for her skin type. 1603 Oak Park Blvd., Pleasant Hill, (925) 935-4247, lejardin03.wix. com/html_le-jardin-at.
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: COURTNEY YEE (2); SHUTTERSTOCK; ADELINE AND GRACE INTIMATES; COURTNEY YEE (2)
For big city treatment without leaving the burbs, schedule the VIP bridal experience at Kinsley James, a couture bridal shop in Walnut Creek. This new service includes two hours of private shopping time in the boutique, plus flowers, specialty food, mimosas, desserts in your wedding colors, and more. You can also add a limousine, photographer, and hair and makeup services to your appointment. If there’s a certain designer you’re after, book when the designer is hosting a trunk show, and he or she will personally help you shop. 1623 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Walnut Creek, (925) 330-9228, kinsleyjames.com.
A N A P A V A L L E Y
I C O N
AN UNFORGETTABLE
WEDDING
Napa Valley’s Wine Country infuses every wedding with romance and our wedding services team will turn your dream wedding into an unforgettable experience. As Napa Valley’s premier wedding destination, Silverado Resort and Spa brings all the romance and natural splendor of California Wine Country to your special day.
SilveradoResort.com
|
707 257 5440
G ET T IN G R EADY F IN D I DEAS
THE LITTLE THINGS Creative ways to delight your guests. BY RACH EL L E CI H O NS K I
2015 WEDDING AND BRIDAL FAIRS Inspiring
At the Bay Area Wedding Fairs, sip and shop your way through hair, makeup, DJ, and florist booths, and more. Concord, Pleasanton, San Francisco, Treasure Island; bayareaweddingfairs.com.
Local
The annual Livermore Valley Wine Country Wedding Soirée at Wente Vineyards is the ultimate showcase of Tri-Valley vendors. Livermore, livermoredowntown.com.
Fashionable
Meet more than 40 vendors and watch professionally produced fashion shows at The Great Bridal Expo fairs. Burlingame, San Francisco; greatbridalexpo.com.
Luxurious
The Luxury Wedding Show features a mock ceremony and reception, plus runway shows, gift bags, wine and cake tastings, live music, and a designer reception table showcase. San Francisco, luxuryweddingshows.com.
Beat the Heat Outdoor summer weddings can be risky when it comes to high temperatures and extended sun exposure. Be prepared with wedding program fans. The Aerialist Press in Emeryville will print and prop your programs on fan handles for you. theaerialistpress.com.
Bridal Bard Forget a wedding photo booth: opt for a poetry booth instead. Silvi Alcivar, a San Francisco–based poet, uses her red Royal typewriter to create unlimited on-the-spot poetry wedding favors. Guests can request any subject and 14 D I A B L O W E D D I N G S
Hors d’oeuvres, tastings from renowned chefs, a champagne bar, a runway show, and more than 80 exhibitors are a few of the highlights at Modern Luxury Wedding’s event. San Francisco, modernbridal.com. take home their unique poem on beautiful paper customized to match your wedding theme. thepoetrystore.net. To Have and To Fold An old Japanese legend promises that one thousand origami cranes bring good luck to the folder and recipients. Hanging cranes in the home are also thought to bring good luck to the house. Nancy McNally in San Francisco folds and sells paper origami cranes through her Etsy shop. The cranes can be used as place card holders that double as decorations and guest favors. etsy.com/shop/localcolorist.
Trendy
At the San Francisco Wedding Fair, enjoy champagne, and sample trendy hors d’oeuvres and wedding cakes. Grooms can drop by the gentlemen’s lounge for sports score updates, snacks, and cold beer. San Francisco, sfweddingfair.com.
Charitable
Ur Local Bride sponsors the A Match Made in Heaven charity wedding gown sale and bridal fair, featuring vendors galore. Lafayette, Redwood City; urlocalbride. com/eastbay/bridal-events. —R. C.
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: AMANDA JAFFE; MIA NAKANO; COURTESY OF THE AERIALIST PRESS
Say Cheese Some guests come for the cake, but some—believe it or not—aren’t particularly fond of the traditional dessert. Not to worry: For couples (and attendees) who are more inclined toward savory than sweet, The Cheese School of San Francisco makes cheese cakes: cakes literally made from wheels of cheese. Order one of their predesigned cakes online, or create your own custom design. thecheeseschool.com.
Gourmet
Copyright © 2014 Wente Vineyards. All Rights Reserved. 0289
SIP SAVOR I DO FIVE GENERATIONS OF WORLD-CLASS HOSPITALITY N ESTLED IN THE ROLLING HILLS AND LUSH VINEYARDS OF L IVERMORE V ALLEY ’ S W INE C OUNTRY , W ENTE V INEYARDS OFFERS WEDDING GUESTS UNPARALLELED VISTAS AND AN APPEALING , NATURAL ENVIRONMENT FOR A CEREMONY AND RECEPTION . W ITH A REPUTATION FOR FINE FOOD & WINE AND STELLAR SERVICE , W ENTE V INEYARDS HAS BECOME ONE OF THE MOST SOUGHT AFTER VENUES IN THE B AY A REA . T HE FIRST - CLASS CATERING SERVICES WILL CREATE AN EXCEPTIONAL WINE COUNTRY EXPERIENCE FOR YOU AND YOUR GUESTS .
ESTD
1883
V I N E Y A R D S
FAMILY OWNED . ESTATE GROWN . CERTIFIED SUSTAINABLE .
A R, L, C A --
WENTEVINEYARDS . COM
•
JOIN US ON FACEBOOK , FOLLOW US ON TWITTER
& INSTAGRAM
G ET T IN G R EADY D OW N LOA D T HI S
WIRE YOUR WEDDING Four high-tech tips to enhance your soiree. BY STAC EY KE NNE LLY
Get clever with cameras
For panoramic shots even the best photographer can’t capture, consider purchasing a drone from Berkeley-based 3D Robotics. The IRIS+, an all-in-one performance drone, functions as an aerial camera crew. Have someone control the drone’s path in real time with GPS via an Android device, or draw a flight path ahead of time. You can even program the drone so it is always centered on the two of you. 3drobotics.com. To keep with that Silicon Valley vibe, outfit the bride or groom with Google Glass. Place the wearable technology on the bride to record that sentimental but fleeting trip down the aisle, or on the groom to preserve the moment he first laid eyes on his blushing bride. Ask the officiate or a member of the wedding party to sport the specs if you want the couple to look picture perfect. google.com/glass. Another way to capture the walk down the aisle is to stick a GoPro video camera inside the bride’s bouquet. Just make sure to remove it before she tosses the bouquet into the crowd of single ladies. gopro.com.
Crowdsource photos and videos
Broadcast the big day
Even those who are ill or far away can witness the festivities, thanks to several online services that make it easy to broadcast in real time. Ustream can live broadcast nuptials via mobile device, camera, or laptop webcam, allowing anyone with Internet access to get in on the action. Specialized sites such as I Do Stream employ professional videographers, who can bring the broadcasting equipment to you. If you want to do it yourself, they’ll provide you with step-by-step setup instructions. I Do Stream also sends an electronic invite to your loved ones so they know when and where to tune in. ustream.tv, idostream.com. 16 D I A B L O W E D D I N G S
If there are only a few people who can’t be with you, consider using a familiar free tool such as Skype or Apple FaceTime. skype.com, apple.com.
Create a DIY wedding app
It’s now easier than ever to build apps for special events. Even technological neophytes can negotiate Yapp to select a theme, upload photos, and create pages including a guestbook. Guests who install your app can then find directions, review the schedule, upload photos to a live feed, and receive last-minute notifications, such as a change in venue due to weather. yapp.us.
If you’re looking for something created specifically for brides and grooms, try Appy Couple. This service lets you tell your love story, highlight your entourage, specify a dress code, highlight hotels for guests, and share other helpful info. The apps you create also function as websites, so even your grandma without a smart phone can get in on the fun. appycouple.com.
ILLUSTRATION BY DELICATESSEN
Disposable cameras are so, well, disposable. Create a hashtag for your guests to use when uploading photos to social media, or download Eventstagram to see a live feed of your guest’s photos. Or try WedPics, a photo- and videosharing app that compiles shots from your guests into a personalized album for you and your honey to review later. eventstagr.am, wedpics.com.
The Cooperage Located in downtown Lafayette, The Cooperage is the ideal location for bridal showers, engagement parties and rehearsal dinners. Treat your guests to a truly fantastic celebration in a stylish setting. Our event specialists will be your planning partners, offering their expertise to help you make your event an experience to remember with a flexible banquet menu, extensive wine list, award-winning cocktails and food, and personalized and friendly service. We can accommodate parties large or small. In addition to our two separate private dining spaces, communal table and partially enclosed heated patio, the dining room and entire restaurant are available for special events.
For more information: Special Events Direct Line: (925) 457-1680 events@thecooperagelafayette.com www.thecooperagelafayette.com (Private Parties) 32 Lafayette Circle, Lafayette
GET T IN G R EADY H IT T HE S HOPS
THE ULTIMATE WISH LIST Ditch the big-box stores for one of these local registry options. BY STAC EY KE NNE LLY
Antique Offerings
Elsie Green House and Home
For items with a story, visit Elsie Green House and Home showroom in Concord, the warehouse location for this mostly online business. Laurie and J. P. Furber—both veterans of the corporate design industry—hand-select treasures from France, Morocco, and beyond, including refurbished furniture, authentic farm tables, and vintage flatware. The Furbers will set aside your picks and hold onto guests’ purchases until they can be delivered to you in one fell swoop. 2954 Treat Blvd., Ste. C, Concord, (925) 323-5311, elsiegreen.com. Luxurious Linens
Misto Lino
SDH European linens and Arte Italica glass and pewter dishware are the draws at this high-end home store with locations in Danville and Lafayette. If you’re not sure where to start, a sales associate with an eye for design will help you pick out anything from a complete holiday table setting to a luxurious bedding set. If you want to shop after hours, schedule a time and the staff will have wine and cheese waiting. 704 Sycamore Valley Rd., Danville, (925) 837-6575; 3585 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette, (925) 284-6565, mistolino.com. Vibrant Tabletops
This home, kitchen, and gift store with locations in Danville and Walnut Creek is a go-to spot for china, table settings, and glassware. Create an account online or visit the store to browse with a sales associate or on your own. Your guests can purchase the gifts online or in-store, making this a good option for weddings with lots of out-of-towners. Registry isn’t yet offered at the new Danville location, but the store is expected to start offering the service in 2015. 700 Sycamore Valley Rd., Danville, (925) 362-0122; 1129 Broadway Plaza, Walnut Creek, (925) 947-1991, davidmbrian.com. Whimsical Wares
Maison d’Etre
Step into this romantic home boutique on College Avenue in Rockridge, and owners Fred Womack or Patty Brunn—self-described artists, florists, and ardent cooks—will gladly guide you around the store and photograph the items that strike your fancy. Go for some eco-friendly linens in nature-inspired hues or throw blankets in fun patterns. Womack or Brunn will then personally compile the list for you to share with friends and family. 5640 College Ave., Oakland, (510) 658-2801, maisondetre.com. 18 D I A B L O W E D D I N G S
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: CEDRIC GLASIER; COURTESY OF SDH LINENS (2)
David M. Brian
2355 North Main Street 925.934.2000 | marriott.com/oakwc Our newly renovated California Ballroom will make your special day something to remember for up to 300 guests. Our award winning chef’s will amaze and delight with culinary craftsmanship. The Marriott Walnut Creek features 338 guest rooms, 12 suites, 17,000 sq. ft. of flexible meeting space, Atrio Restaurant and Marriott Great Room/Lobby with live music on Friday and Saturday nights.
2730 North Main Street 925.932.3332 | hiewalnutcreekhotel.com 164 beautifully renovated guest rooms, complimentary hot breakfast daily, free parking, free Internet access, IHG Reward Points, and an outdoor heated swimming pool and spa in a beautiful courtyard setting. Ask how you can get a free suite for the bride and groom!
Unique Options for the Savvy Bride in
WALNUT CREEK A sophisticated reception in the Marriott Ballroom? An intimate ceremony outdoors at Boundary Oaks with its spectacular views amidst resplendent oaks? Or, be surrounded by 1000 exquisite flowering rose bushes at The Gardens at Heather Farm? From theater and music to a robust nightlife and quality shopping and dining, your guests will thank you as they experience Walnut Creek! Contact us for recommended venues; amenities; professional services; and overnight guestroom accommodations to begin planning your unforgettable wedding in Walnut Creek. Check out our special wedding hotel packages! 1.888.934.4692 | www.gowalnutcreek.com
2389 North Main Street 925.935.4010 | motel6.com Fully remodeled, Motel 6 offers the lowest price of any national chain in the area for your family and friends. We are pet-friendly and conveniently located less than a mile from downtown Walnut Creek. Group discounts available.
2079 Mt. Diablo Boulevard 800.353.5059 | diablomountaininn.com Successfully built on friendly service, fantastic value, and a central location, Diablo Mountain Inn is the perfect choice for savvy budget travelers to Walnut Creek, the East Bay and beyond.
Celebrate Your Wedding Day at
Grape Arbor
Ellen Rowe Concannon Victorian
Cask and Barrel Room
Our 30-year-old Grape Arbor is constructed of entwined table grape varieties and uniquely trellised in a high arch that seasonally showcases its gorgeous, hanging grape clusters.
Built in 1895, the Ellen Rowe Concannon Victorian is a breathtaking backdrop for ceremonies. The lawn is bordered with olive trees and grape vines, creating a stunning, natural setting.
The dramatic 50-year-old, French White Oak, upright barrels lining the Cask and Barrel Room create an enticing aroma of aging wines, providing a beautiful atmosphere for your reception.
4590 Tesl a Road, Livermore C A 94550
Š 2014 Concannon Vineyard, Livermore, CA
Nestled in the serene Livermore Wine Country, Concannon Vineyard is the perfect location to celebrate your wedding day. To book, call Samantha Harper at (925) 583-1576 or email Events@ConcannonVineyard.com
ADV IC E AS K TH E EX PE RT
MASTER PLANNER
One of the Bay Area’s top wedding coordinators gives tips on surviving the big day.
TOP TO BOTTOM: COURTESY OF JOYCE SCARDINA BECKER; LARS WANBERG/WITHERS WANBERG PICTURES (3)
B Y S T A C E Y K E N N E L LY
T
To Joyce Scardina Becker, nothing is greater than a celebrated moment. “Nothing, nothing, nothing,” she says. Becker is the author of Countdown to Your Perfect Wedding and owner of the San Francisco–based company Events of Distinction. She’s also director of the wedding planner certificate program at Cal State East Bay, where she uses her 30 years of experience to train others to produce flawless productions. So what are Becker’s secrets to a no-stress nuptial? We talked to her to find out.
Top: Joyce Scardina Becker; bottom: Airline-themed touches at a wedding planned by Becker.
Q: He proposed. OMG! What do I do first? A: Well, first you should start with a “yes,” and accept the proposal. [Laughs] Then there should be some private moments between the couple: It’s almost like taking a deep breath. I would keep it private for a couple of days or a couple of weeks—whatever time you need to savor the moment. Because the moment that you announce it to the world, your situation will change tremendously. Q: Then what? A: If you are going to work with a planner, it’s time to contact them. A planner is an advocate and someone that can help you every step of the way. So if you’re going to hire a planner, let them do their job: There’s no need to look online, no need to start thinking about venues. If you’re not going to hire a planner, you need to do some homework before you randomly start going out and looking for venues. You need to prepare some type of binder for yourself with tabs. You can certainly do this on your computer, but sometimes it’s nice to have something tangible. Then, sit down with your fiancé and go through a written exercise. The bride and groom should separately take notes on what their wedding should look like or be like. If you need visuals, then at that point go online or start a little Pinterest board. Q: What happens after you write that stuff down? A: Come together over a bottle of wine or dinner, and start sharing. It’s really important not to shut the other person down: The rule is, you can’t say whether you like or dislike something until the other person is done talking. After you go through this experience of sharing, you should come to the beginning of compromising together. This is going to be a life lesson: Not only are you going to have to compromise on the wedding, you’re going to have to compromise as a married couple. The next exercise—and people are very shortsighted about doing this—is writing down your guest list. Some couples say, “Oh, we’ll have 200 people” or “We’ll have 300 people.” But you need to write D I A B L O W E D D I N G S 21
e n i W
u a L &
. . . r e ght
. r e t f A r e v E y l i p p a H
$5 SHIPPING WITH PURCHASE OF SIX BOTTLES OR MORE ENTER CODE “IDO” AT CHECKOUT
FEATURING CA’ SECCO & CA’ ROSA FRIZZANTE S PA R K L I N G W I T H I TAL I AN S T Y L E Visit www.camomi.com to purchase. Contact us for special event pricing: 1.877.622.6664
ADV IC E AS K TH E EX PE RT
Becker creates a dream Italian wedding with custom food stations for a couple that loves purple and green.
down everyone’s correct name and address because only then can you guesstimate how many guests are going to be invited versus how many guests are really coming. Once you have a pulse on your guest count—there’s usually a 20 percent decline on a wedding that’s local, and 30 percent if it’s a destination—you can go to the next step. What time of year do you want this wedding, and what are some dates that you want to consider? From there, you can start thinking about a site.
ARROWOOD PHOTOGRAPHY
Q: What questions do you hear most often? A: Budget is a real big concern. Sometimes, the first words out of their mouths are, “How much is this going to cost?” But if the couple goes through that exercise to understand what they want first, it’s really not about how much: It’s about prioritizing what they value most. They’ll make better decisions if they understand the value of what they’re getting for their money. Q: What is the biggest mistake couples make? A: Not understanding contracts. I’ve had very intelligent clients—some even attorneys themselves—who made very unintelligent decisions when it comes to contracts. I recently had a destination bride who was getting married in Lake Tahoe. She signed a contract for a minimum of $30,000 plus tax and gratuity for 150 guests. A month before the wedding, she did not have 150 guests—she had 100—and there was no way her 100 guests were going to meet the minimum. She hired me after she signed it, and I saved the day. The venue
agreed to do a brunch the following day to meet that $30,000 food-anddrink minimum. But it could have been a big problem. Q: What should a couple never cut corners on? A: Here is the phrase I use: “Consider the needs of your guests.” A wedding is no different than company coming to your home. When people come to your home, you want to make it easy on parking. You don’t charge for beverages. You greet them lovingly. You accept their coats. You offer them a beverage and hors d’oeuvres. You have a lovely dinner and don’t short-change food. Also, don’t short-change staffing. I often look at the food and it’s reasonable, but what they’re missing is the right number of staff. It should be one person per table if you have fine dining. Q: How have sites such as Pinterest and The Knot changed the role of the wedding planner? Have they made your job easier or harder? A: It’s bittersweet. Brides sometimes think they know everything. Q: Any awesome trends you’ve been seeing lately? A: Details, details, details. Signage is just taking over. And I’m not talking about blackboard signs. We’re sick of those. We do the most darling, hand-painted signs that are very dramatic. We recently did an airline theme for a couple that met on a Southwest flight. We had signs for the “nuptial terminal” when guests arrived. Where gifts were accepted was called “baggage claim.” And the dinner area was the “boarding zone.” We have also been doing a lot of custom design for food stations or
hors d’oeuvres or desserts that fit a theme. We keep taking it up a notch. We’re building things. A florist is no longer just a florist: If my florist can’t build me a setting to execute a thematic design, then that’s not the florist for me. And getaways [dramatic exits for the bride and groom] are coming back. We just did a wedding at the St. Francis Yacht Club [in San Francisco] where the bride and groom got on the groom’s sailboat and sailed away. We did another getaway for a couple that wanted to make a fabulous impact but also get to the airport on time for an overnight flight to Hawaii. So we had a helicopter pick them up on the golf course. The groom’s family paid for that. [Laughs] Q: How important is a theme? A: I think it’s very personal, and I think that guests really enjoy it. Do you have to have a theme? No. But you do want to make it personal. Otherwise, it’s generic. But there is a major difference between themes and styles. A style is how you furnish something. Vintage is not a theme; vintage is a style. Contemporary is a style. Traditional is a style. Themes can be anything. We’ve done a spice theme—“the spice of life”—for a couple that loved to cook. We’ve done “climbing pinnacles” for a couple that liked to hike and ski. Q: Let’s talk about the big day. What do you see couples, especially brides, getting most hung up on? How can that drama be avoided? A: To be honest with you, it’s the uncontrolled parts—a groomsman who goes down to the hotel coffee shop when he’s supposed to be at the pre-ceremony photos—that
cause problems. It’s not the bride and groom; it’s the other people you’re relying on, and it’s usually your immediate family or your bridal party. Q: How can a difficult bridal party be avoided? A: Pick and choose carefully people that are incredibly near or dear to your heart—people that are mature and that you can count on, people that can afford it. If you know your girlfriend is high maintenance, then maybe that’s not the person to be in your bridal party on that day. Give her a different role. Q: What do you love most about this business? A: You think about life when you’re old, and you’re going to want to remember the good times. You’ll remember your wedding, your birthday parties, anniversaries, the birth of your child. It’s a life moment, and nothing could be better than that. eventsof distinction.com. ■
JOYCE’S TIPS Stay Organized “When someone is unorganized— whether they’re planning a wedding or heading out to a job interview— the panic starts.” Avoid Trends “Trends have nothing to do with a bride and groom’s personality. It’s really about understanding the colors and other things that [they] love.” Pick Your Wedding Party Wisely “Go small and careful. There are some darling brides who have 12 bridesmaids. By that point I call it a conga line.” D I A B L O W E D D I N G S 23
A Luxury BlowDry and Bridal Bar
Mon–Wed: 8 am–7 pm Thu–Sat: 8 am–8 pm Sun: 9 am–6 pm (Services provided in-salon, on-location and by appointment.)
3587 Mt. Diablo Boulevard • Lafayette idodrystyle.com @idodrystyle
FLOWER S B R IDAL BOU QU ETS
HAND CANDY
Six East Bay florists take on the ultimate bridal accessory. BY RACH EL L E CI HONSKI AND STAC EY KE NNE LLY P H OTO G RAPH Y BY ERI KA P I NO / STYLE D BY ADR EA CAB R E R A
1
S H APE
Pointy Veronica breaks up the bouquet so it’s not too round.
2
SOFT AND ROMANTIC
SWAP
Old-fashioned David Austin Juliet roses are a good alternative to peonies, which brides love but can be hard to find.
Katherine Bergman Floral Designs
PLANTS USED : David Austin Juliet rose / Dianthus / Geranium foliage / Hydrangea / Rice flower / Spray rose / Tweedia / Veronica
“This bouquet is for the traditional bride and would be elegant in a rustic wedding with a cottage or vintage feel. All of the materials go together like an English garden bouquet—like you’d picked them out of a garden. I was going for something timeless.” —KATHER I NE BER GMAN BY APPOIN TM E N T ON LY, WALNUT CR EEK , (925 ) 210-04 87, FLOR ALD ESI GNER .COM D I A B L O A RT S 25 D I A B L O W E D D I N G S 25
1
COLOR
Quicksand roses in soft colors look beautiful with ivory and blush bridal gowns.
3
MO OD
Little pink grass flowers grown in Half Moon Bay add a natural feel.
2
SHAP E
Velvety Dusty miller leaves make the bouquet less structured.
N A T U R A L LY TEXTURED PLANTS USED : Dusty miller / Orchid / Quicksand rose / Succulent / Wild grass
“I started with roses that were softer and girlier and added textural elements from there, including the succulents. If you notice, there’s a slight pink edge to the succulent tips, like they’re kissed. They’re from my garden: I like to buy the whole plant and use the flowers, then replant and reuse the plant again.” —MEGAN HANEY BY A P P O I N TM E N T ON LY, 1537 N. MA IN ST., ST E. R , WALNUT CR EEK , (925 ) 962-1119, MEGANHANEYD ESI GNS.COM 26 D I A B L O W A RT E DSD I N G S
ARTIST CREDIT ARTIST CREDIT ARTIST CREDIT
Megan Haney Designs
Celebrate your wedding in the splendor of Sonoma County. We’ve got the perfect setting for the day you’ll never forget. From small, intimate gatherings to large open-air celebrations; from the wine country elegance of Cline’s gardens and barrel room, to the Tuscan grandeur of Jacuzzi Family Vineyards. It’s all right here. Come see what we’re talking about.
WWW.CLINECELLARS.COM
WWW.JACUZZIWINES.COM
CONTACT CMERINO@CLINECELLARS.COM
1
T EXTU RE Yellow cockscomb adds unexpected variation.
2
COLOR
Ranunculus is prolific and comes in a variety of colors.
C H E E RY AND BRIGHT
PLANTS USED : Calla lily / Cockscomb / Poppy / Ranunculus / Rose / Tulip
“I wanted fun flowers that were different and had lots of texture—something you don’t always see. I would make this for a bride who is bright and cheerful, and really likes a lot of color.” —SAR AH V ELEN 9 1 5 MAIN ST., ST E . D, PLEASANTON, (925 ) 931-1290, BLO OMI ESO NMAI NCA .COM 28 D I A B L O W A RT E DSD I N G S
ARTIST CREDIT ARTIST CREDIT ARTIST CREDIT
Bloomies On Main
OFFSITE OFFSITE CATERING CATERING & & HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT
SERVING SERVING THE THE GREATER GREATER EAST EAST BAY BAY PHONE: PHONE: 925-934-0598 925-934-0598
SCOTTSWC.COM SCOTTSWC.COM
1333 1333 N. N. CALIFORNIA CALIFORNIA BLVD, BLVD, WALNUT WALNUT CREEK CREEK CA CA 94596 94596 PHOTOS COURTESY OF JENNIFER SKOG PHOTOGRAPHY PHOTOS COURTESY OF JENNIFER SKOG PHOTOGRAPHY
1
MO O D
Carnations—which have an old school, vintage feel—are making a comeback.
2
HI G HLI G HT
Red peonies are a focal flower on which to build the bouquet.
THE OMBRÉ EFFECT
PLANTS USED : Anemone / Carnation / Chocolate Cosmos / Garden rose / Peony / Scabiosa / Sweet pea
“I started with the dark red side and worked my way across to the light pink side for that ombré effect: The bouquet gets wispier as it goes. It’s more for a whimsical, outdoor wedding.” —DARWI N HAR R I SO N 2 345 BOU LEVA RD C IR ., WALNUT CR EEK , (925 ) 934 -6877, FLO R ALI .COM 30 DIABLO W A RT E DSD I N G S
ARTIST CREDIT ARTIST CREDIT ARTIST CREDIT
Florali
FOR THE
NAPA VALLEY WEDDING
of your dreams I T C O U L D O N LY B E
2000 MAIN STREET, ST HELENA, CA | 866-708-9463 | WWW.BERINGER.COM
1
2
SHA P E
MOOD
Delicate orchids are supported by stronger, surrounding flowers.
Scabiosa gives an additional touch of feminine color.
3
OPEN AND A I RY
TEXTURE
Wax flowers create a loose, just-picked feel.
PLANTS USED : Butterfly Blue scabiosa / Hydrangea / Phalaenopsis orchid / Spray rose / Wax flower
“This bouquet could be used for both a very formal wedding—black tie—or an outdoor wedding for a bride that loves a formal flower such as the orchid. I think that the contrast of formal in the blossoms used and the more relaxed, just-picked structure is a unique combination.” —CONSTANCE SHR ECENGOST BY APPOIN TM E N T ON LY, MARTI NEZ, (925 ) 228-6123, SUNSHI NEFLOWER S.COM 32 D I A B L O W A RT E DSD I N G S
ARTIST CREDIT ARTIST CREDIT ARTIST CREDIT
Sunshine Flowers Wedding and Event Design
Medical & Surgical Dermatology For Healthy Skin Offering treatments for: Skin Cancer Moles Precancerous Lesions Acne, Eczema, and Rashes, Warts, molluscum, Keloid and Scar Revisions Psoriasis and Vitiligo
A place where beauty and healthy skin meet
Cysts and Lipoma
Visit us at our Center of Excellence
Physician-Strength Skin Care Products
Hair and Nail Disorder Underarm Sweating
with a 10,000 square foot, state of the art, newly renovated suite. We are dedicated to
Cosmetic Dermatology For Beautiful Skin
Medical, Cosmetic, and Surgical
Offering treatments for:
Dermatology and are a place for
Tattoo, Moles, Birthmarks, and Scars
medical skin consultation,
Face, Neck, Body Tightening, Lifting, and Rejuvenation
aesthetic rejuvenation, and face and body contouring.
Frown Lines and Jawline Reduction Rosacea, Facial Redness, Veins, and Post-injection Bruising Pigmentation and Melasma Sun Damage and Scars Body Sculpting Thinning Hair and/or Balding Hair Removal
Schedule your free consultation appointment today! Call 925-328-0255 www.DrWilliamTing.com Dr. William Ting, MD Board Certified Dermatologist and Mohs Surgeon 2262 Camino Ramon San Ramon, CA 94583 Tel: (925) 328-0255 Email: staff@CalDermCare.com
Visit www.DrWilliamTing.com for an extensive list of medical, surgical, and cosmetic treatments, product lines, lasers, and therapies offered. *Welcoming new Medicare patients
1
2
SHAP E
Calla lilies add volume.
MOOD
Veronica gives the bouquet movement— like that of a wildflower field—and a little bit of surprise.
DEEP AND DRAMATIC
3
TEXTUR E
PLANTS USED : Anemone / Captain Paris calla lily / Peony / Privet berry / Veronica
“I could definitely see this bouquet in a winter wedding. The richness of the jewel tones and the drama of the peonies and callas would be so beautiful on a chilly December night. Add some candlelight, and it would be so pretty.” —EMI LY COURT Z 358 1 MT. DIA BLO BLVD., ST E . C , LAFAYETTE, (925 ) 310- 4 5 4 6, FLO R ETLAFAYETTE.COM 34 DIABLO W A RT E DSD I N G S
ARTIST CREDIT ARTIST CREDIT ARTIST CREDIT
Privet berries are unusual and provide contrast.
Floret
AUTO GALLERY
PHONE: 925-648-1434
HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT
CATERING SERVICES
SCOTTSWC.COM/BLACKHAWK
REAL WEDDINGS Meet six happy couples who recently said “I do.”
36 D I A B L O W E D D I N G S
TARA MARIE PHOTOGRAPHY
D I A B L O W E D D I N G S 37
PEO PLE R EAL W ED D I N G S
➻ Elopement in the woods.
L A U R A L AW S O N and NICK VISCONTI R AT T L ES NAK E RI D G E, CAS CAD ES, WASHI NGTON
Professional snowboarder Nick Visconti first met Laura Lawson at The Vine at Bridges in Danville. The year was 2010, and there was a thunderbolt. “It hit me like a brick over the head,” says Nick, who is from San Ramon. “When I saw Laura, something in my heart aligned. Our spirits were connected.” Laura was also smitten, but she was hesitant to hand her heart to a snowboarding stud who spent most of his time on the road and had an avalanche of admirers in his wake. “I was fearful,” says the artist, who grew up in Dublin. “Nick was gone so much, it was hard to keep track of him. I didn’t feel like I fit in with his lifestyle.”
Dress: freepeople.com | Flowers: Ballard Blossom, Seattle | Officiant: Joel Parker (friend) | Photographer: Benj Haisch, Seattle/Tacoma | Videographer: Janssen Powers Media, Seattle
38 DIABLO WEDDINGS
BENJ HAISCH
P
At the time, Laura was newly diagnosed with an eye disease that will eventually steal her sight. “I was in a stagnant place emotionally,” she says. “But being with Nick was very healing. He is an adrenaline junkie and lives as much life as possible every day. I needed that.” Three years later, Nick and Laura were planning a weddinga big one. But as the guest list mushroomed to 400, it became overwhelming. “We just didn’t want our wedding to be all about decor and invitations,” says Laura. “We wanted it to be about us.” So Nick and Laura changed their minds, and on a Thursday afternoon in May, they eloped. Laura walked deep into the woods to meet Nick at the foot of their favorite hiking trail, Rattlesnake Ridge in the Washington Cascades. With towering conifers as their witnesses, a close friend married the two before they hiked two miles upward. At the very moment they reached the top, a storm broke out. “It felt like the whole world was applauding us,” says Laura, who now lives in Portland, Oregon, with Nick. “We looked out across valleys and mountains, saw lightning, heard thunder, and felt rain. It felt beautiful, intimate, and kind of dangerous. “[It was] the most incredible moment of my life.” —Hannah Craddick
XXXXXXXXXXXX
PEO PLE R EAL W ED D I N G S
➻ A family affair.
LISA BARNARD and TREVOR STOCK PALM EV ENT CENT ER , PLEASANTON
L
Bridal Gown: Bridal Galleria, San Francisco | Cake: Katrina Rozelle Pastries and Dessert, Alamo | Caterer: Palm Event Center, Pleasanton | Entertainment/Lighting: Fantasy Sound Event Services, Livermore | Flowers: The Flower House, Livermore | Hair/Makeup: Bellezza Cristali’s Hair Salon, Danville | Invitations: Paper Source, Walnut Creek | Music: Krista Strader (harpist) | Photographer: Tara Marie Photography, San Francisco | Transportation: Black Tie Transportation, Pleasanton
40 DIABLO WEDDINGS
TARA MARIE PHOTOGRAPHY
Lisa Barnard and Trevor Stock’s love story unfolded at a Walnut Creek bar in the wee hours of a spring morning in 2010. Trevor walked in, and Lisa, instantly taken, was too shy to talk to him. After hours of stealing glances, Trevor’s brother Todd approached Lisa and told her there was someone he wanted to introduce her to. Lisa and Trevor spent the next several hours talking at Hubcaps diner around the corner, and she learned that he grew up in Walnut Creek, was living in Los Angeles, and had been in two movies, Rumor Has It and You, Me, and Dupree. Trevor realized Lisa was the one a few months later when he drove home to L.A., only to turn around and drive back to see her again the next day. Their fall wedding at the Palm Event Center in Pleasanton was a group effort, with plenty of help from Lisa’s mom, Arlette, and her sister, Danielle. Lisa and Trevor’s guests of honor were their sons, Quinn and Peyton. And saying “I do” in Lisa’s hometown made the day that much more special. —Gina Gotsill
➻ Vineyard vows.
M E G A N M C I L H A R G EY a n d DA L L A S S A R T Z
NIGHTINGALE PHOTOGRAPHY
W ENT E V I NEYARDS, LI VE R MOR E
M
Megan McIlhargey and Dallas Sartz are proof that Cupid is a very patient guy. Megan, a former runway model, and Dallas, a former NFL linebacker, grew up near each other in Granite Bay but never met. Their careers took them across the country, and they both returned to Northern California at around the same time. Megan took a job at the Beach Hut Deli near Folsom Lake, and one day Dallas stopped in for lunch with friends. Dallas was drawn to Megan’s blue eyes, and he soon became a regular at the deli, driving 40 miles from Davis to Granite Bay every few days to see her. He finally asked her out. The couple had an intimate ceremony in June 2012 and hosted a big wedding the next summer at Wente Vineyards. Megan, whose parents are from San Ramon, made a statement in her blushtone Monique Lhuillier gown, and Dallas looked sharp in Hugo Boss and Burberry. The couple’s eight-month-old daughter, Monroe, served as a bridesmaid, and provided a favorite wedding moment when she burst into applause at the conclusion of the ceremony. Cupid surely agreed. —G.G.
Bridal Gown: Monique Lhuillier, Los Angeles | Cake/Caterer: Wente Vineyards, Livermore | Entertainment/Lighting: Fantasy Sound Event Services, Livermore | Flowers: The Flower House, Livermore | Hair/Makeup: Jessica Mishler and Thu Lippy, AJF Salon, Sacramento | Invitations: minted.com and freelance calligrapher | Photographer: Nightingale Photography, Oakland
D I A B L O W E D D I N G S 41
PEO PLE R EAL W ED D I N G S
➻ A dream come true.
VINCE OLSON and R O N R I P L EY B ENT LY RES ERV E, SAN FR ANC I SCO
R
Vince Olson and Ron Ripley met in 1999 at Club 1220 in Walnut Creek. At first, Ron found Vince to be a little “aloof,” but as the night unfolded, they began to click. Soon, the two were dating. One night, while coming home from a friend’s rehearsal dinner in San Francisco, Vince unexpectedly pulled off at the Orinda exit and found a spot on the side of the road. He said to Ron, “I think I’m falling in love with you.” When their relationship survived and thrived through a trip to New Orleans—and when Vince bought Ron a road bike so he could do the AIDS LifeCycle ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles—the couple bonded completely. After a year and a half, they bought a house in Martinez, and found their dream home in Walnut Creek a couple of years later. In 2009, Vince and Ron adopted Shasta, a black Lab pup, and the family was settled. Proposition 8 was struck down in 2013, and the couple had already planned a European vacation, with two nights in Paris. Ron made a reservation at Lapérouse for a salon privé, a single-table dining room with a velvet couch. After dinner, Vince was served a ruby confection with spun sugar, a ring, and the question “Will you marry me?” in French. He said yes. Their relaxed September wedding in the round at the Bently Reserve in San Francisco included a photo booth, where Vince and Ron were captured planting kisses on Ron’s 92-year-old grandmother’s cheeks. —Nicholas Boer
Caterer: Le Méridien, San Francisco | Dessert: Kara’s Cupcakes, Walnut Creek and melindasmarvels.com | Entertainment: Big Fun Disc Jockeys, Cupertino | Flowers: Church Street Flowers, San Francisco | Invitations: echoletterpress.com | Lighting: Got Light, San Francisco | Linens: La Tavola, San Francisco | Photo Booth: Say Ya Photobooth, San Francisco Photographer: Sherman Chu, Danville | Planner: Dreams on a Dime, San Francisco | Rentals: Hartmann Studios, Richmond | Wedding Logo: chykalophia.com
42 DIABLO WEDDINGS
SHERMAN CHU
DIABLO WEDDINGS 43
PEO PLE R EAL W ED D I N G S
➻ Storybook bliss.
and
V I D YA PA I H A R S H I T H AV U L A CASA REAL AT RU BY H I L L W I N E RY, P LEASANTON
I
Bridal Gown: Ordered through Sari Palace, Berkeley | Cake: Cake Creations by Bev, Livermore | Caterer: Turmeric Restaurant, Sunnyvale | Entertainment: Envy Soundz, Fremont Flowers: Victoria’s Florals and Event Design, San Francisco | Hair/Makeup: Christal Caladiao, Fremont | Henna: Ravie Kattaura, Fremont | Invitations: weddingpaperdivas.com Photographer/Videographer: Wedding Documentary, Los Gatos | White Horse: Vintage Carriage Company, Lincoln
44 DIABLO WEDDINGS
WEDDING DOCUMENTARY
It doesn’t get much more storybook than a groom arriving on a noble white horse, and a bride adorned in magnificent silks in rich colors, jeweled embroidery, and roses. That dream came true for Vidya Pai and Harshith (Hershey) Avula, who wed in a traditional Indian-Hindu ceremony under a gold and silver mandap overseen by Agni, the Hindu god of fire. Every exquisite detail was in place, down to the lavish mehndi, henna lacework tattoos on the bride’s hands and feet that took more than four hours to craft. Vidya was born and raised in Walnut Creek, while Hershey called Fresno home. The two met in 2009 at medical school at the UC San Diego, when they were introduced at the birthday party of a mutual friend. For their wedding and dancefilled reception at Pleasanton’s Casa Real four years later, they looked to their South Indian culture, and then enlisted Vidya’s mother to pull the joyous event together. —Carey Sweet
➻ Country club classic.
AMY HOTALING and JIM KEHRIG D I AB LO CO UNT RY CLUB, DI AB LO
A
JAMES BRIAN STUDIOS
Amy Hotaling knew by their second date that Jim Kehrig was the one. The two watched a movie at his place—Cool Runnings, his favorite—and after he dropped her off, he sent her a text telling her what a great time he had. “It was a gut feeling: I could tell he liked me, too,” says Amy, the daughter of the owners of Christe James Fine Jewelry Works in downtown Danville. “He was a major gentleman. And I thought, ‘Oh, he’s done for.’ ” Jim—who works in his family’s Danville real estate business— proposed on Christmas morning a year and a half later, in a characteristically goofy stunt that required Amy to dig through the pockets of a pair of his corduroy pants that she couldn’t stand. Their search for a wedding venue took them around the Bay Area—from Livermore wine country to Napa—but they felt most at home at the Diablo Country Club, where they were drawn to the estate’s old-world charm. Amy and Jim married there in May, at the fifth hole, with 160 friends and family at their sides— including many of the pals who were with them at McGah’s Pub and Pianos in Danville on the night they met. Amy says the day went by in a flash, but she can sum it up in one word: happy. —Stacey Kennelly ■
Entertainment: Brian Fitzsimmons, 21st Century Sounds, Alamo | Flowers: Delford West Flowers, Livermore | Hair: Taylor Cercone, Lafayette | Makeup: Tylar Leonard and Kathryn Horen, Pleasanton | Minister: Reverend Tim Mills, Pinole | Photographer: James Brian Studios, Walnut Creek | Rentals: Gagnon’s Party Rentals, Danville | Transportation: Black Tie Transportation, Pleasanton | Photo Booth: Photobooth Royale, Emeryville | Planner: Lindsay Lauren Events, Danville
DIABLO WEDDINGS 45
YOUR WEDDING DAY, Tips for styling your East Bay celebration. B Y
LINDA LENHOFF
YOUR WAY
46 DIABLO WEDDINGS
OPPOSITE PAGE: SHUTTERSTOCK; THIS PAGE: RACHEL CAPIL PHOTOGRAPHY
FROM SAVE-THE-DATES TO THE CAKE, WE’VE SCOURED THE EAST BAY FOR THE BEST WEDDING INSPIRATION BY STYLE. WHETHER YOU’RE LOOKING FOR A VINEYARD VIBE OR SOMETHING A LITTLE MORE OFFBEAT, WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED. D I A B L O W E D D I N G S 47
THE
R USTI C WEDDING Just add burlap. 48 DIABLO WEDDINGS
OPPOSITE PAGE: SHUTTERSTOCK; THIS PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: SHUTTERSTOCK; COURTESY OF THE WEDDING PARTY; ONELOVE PHOTOGRAPHY; STACEY PENTLAND PHOTOGRAPHY; COURTESY OF SWEET ADELINE; COURTESY OF LUSCIOUS VERDE; STACEY PENTLAND PHOTOGRAPHY
VIBE/ THIS UNDERSTATED STYLE DRAWS INSPIRATION VENUE
FROM THE COUNTRYSIDE BY INCORPORATING EVERYTHING FROM COWBOY BOOTS AND RAFFIA TO CANDLELIGHT AND PICTURE-PERFECT BARN DOORS.
DRESS Go for form-fitting lace dresses with delicate straps, birdcage and lightweight veils, and romantic ruffles. Berkeley’s The Wedding Party offers vintage-inspired dresses you won’t find everywhere else. thewed dingpartyonline.com.
Get ready in the stunning mansion at Elliston Vineyards in Sunol (below), and then take photos in the 2,000-square-foot Terrace Room, Victorian gazebo, and hillside gardens. Set your ceremony outside in the fragrant garden. “It’s secluded, and you feel like you’re far away from everything,” says Elliston’s Madeline Simmons. elliston.com. Surround yourself with wooden wine barrels and twinkle lights at Murrieta’s Well in Livermore, which offers a 100-year-old winery building, terracotta tile stairway, and the Barrel Room, where rustic meets glamour. murrietaswell.com. Also in Livermore, experience farmyard bliss at BoaVentura de Caires Winery, which boasts a beautiful barn, lawn and garden areas, backdrops of pastoral views, a century-old farmhouse, and rolling vineyards. boaven turavineyard.com.
CAKE
Consider a pastel-colored cake with horizontal stucco frosting, a method that involves running a spatula around the cake to make patterns. Adorn with branches and succulents, or real flowers cascading down the side. For an extra down-home feel, order mini pies from Berkeley’s Sweet Adeline Bakeshop. sweetadelinebakeshop.com.
Invites
Mix a variety of organic materials, but keep the design refined and a little bit highbrow. Good materials include repurposed and etched wood, paper bags, and natural linens. For an extra personal touch, enlist help from Susan Gildea Personalized Printing in Berkeley. susangildea.com.
DECOR Natural elements that are pretty—but not over-the-top girly—are key. Start with wood tables, and then add a burlap or white linen runner, lace, and mismatched silver, as well as simple blooms or grape leaves and eucalyptus. Browse Etsy for artists who specialize in hand-calligraphed wooden signs, including Martinez’s HeartcraftedCo. etsy.com/ shop/heartcraftedco.
Extra Touch
Break the ice for your guests by providing a bourbon bar. These crowd-pleasing, barrel-aged libations will get your friends and family mingling. Stop by Alameda-based St. George Spirits, and take your pick. stgeorgespirits.com.
D I A B L O W E D D I N G S 49
THE
NAUTI CAL WEDDING
Make the most of the Bay. 50 DIABLO WEDDINGS
VIBE/ REMINISCENT OF MISTY CAPE COD’S SOARING
OPPOSITE PAGE: RACHEL CAPIL PHOTOGRAPHY; THIS PAGE: CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: RACHEL CAPIL PHOTOGRAPHY; ALLYSON WILEY; RACHEL CAPIL PHOTOGRAPHY (2); COURTESY OF CAKE DELIGHT; SUZIE MCKIG; RACHEL CAPIL PHOTOGRAPHY
GULLS AND PICTURESQUE LIGHTHOUSES, WATERFRONT WEDDINGS ARE A GREAT WAY TO SHOW OFF OUR REGION’S BREEZY, BEAUTIFUL WATERWAYS.
DRESS
Stay comfortable in a crisp white dress from J’aime Bridal in Pleasanton that will wear well in the wind, and choose vibrant accessories such as bright blue heels. Bridesmaids will appreciate a flattering navy blue dress from one of the many lines the store carries, or something in pale blue, which looks stunning in photos taken near the water. jaimebridal.com.
VENUE
Have your ceremony at The Lighthouse at Glen Cove Marina in Vallejo (below), with sailboats bobbing in the water and the 1910 white Victorian as your backdrop. Then, dance the night away on the lawn, and stay at the Lighthouse Inn upstairs. thelighthousegcm.com. For another boutique accommodation, choose Joie de Vivre’s Waterfront Hotel in Oakland, on the boardwalk at Jack London Square. Marina and Bay views and yachtlike details such as wood finishing and portholes make this unstuffy spot a charming place to celebrate. jdvhotels.com. Or, also in Oakland, choose between an indoor reception or one outside on the pier at Lake Chalet Seafood Bar and Grill on Lake Merritt. If you’re really daring, arrive or depart from the ceremony via a rowboat or kayak (after March 2015), or a sleek Venetian gondola from nearby Gondola Servizio. thelakechalet.com, gondolaservizio.com.
CAKE Cake Delight in Livermore can craft you a cake with fondant waves in blue ombré. Top it off with a figurine of the happy couple setting sail in a toy boat. For something more neutral, choose seashell-inspired tones. cakedelight.com.
Extra Touch
Invites
Enlist help from the designers at Berkeley’s Twig and Fig, who can customize stationery with octopuses, nautical stripes and maps, and anything else you can dream up together. twigandfig.com.
DECOR Keep it classic with navy
Work with your caterer to set up an oyster and champagne bar, complete with baby bottles of Tabasco sauce. Or order shiny blue chocolate anchors from Gourmet Works in Pleasanton, which are unexpected and provide a little cachet. gourmet works-pleasanton.com.
blue and white, and add boats and anchor details. Or select tones that are more neutral and pair them with plenty of white, suggests Lindsay Noonan of Lindsay Lauren Events in Danville. lindsaylaurenevents.com. D I A B L O W E D D I N G S 51
THE
BOHO WEDDING Break the rules. 52 D I A B L O W E D D I N G S
OPPOSITE PAGE: COURTESY OF DAUGHTERS OF SIMONE; THIS PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: RACHEL CAPIL PHOTOGRAPHY; COURTESY OF DAUGHTES OF SIMONE; ERIC SAHLIN; COLSON GRIFFITH PHOTOGRAPHY; MARCELLA TYLER; LISA LEFKOWITZ; RACHEL CAPIL PHOTOGRAPHY
VIBE/ UNCONVENTIONAL AT HEART, ANYTHING GOES VENUE
AT A BOHO WEDDING. KICK OFF YOUR SHOES AND GRAB YOUR FLOWER CROWN: TRADITION TAKES A BACKSEAT AT THIS TYPE OF AFFAIR.
DRESS
Skip the traditional bridal shop and find a dress at Loho Bride in San Francisco, which specializes in vintage bridal dresses from S.F.–based Daughters of Simone. Or choose something from Grandma’s closet or a consignment store: A secondhand dress with lace, pearls, or embroidery can be reborn with alterations. daughtersofsimone.com.
UC Botanical Garden’s 34-acre site in Berkeley overlooks the Bay and may be the ideal place for a natureloving boho couple, with its twinkling outdoor patio, scented garden, peaceful redwood grove, and woodsy amphitheater seating. botanical garden.berkeley.edu. Perhaps the granddaddy of Berkeley venues, the Brazilian Room (below) at Tilden Park stands tall with its floor-to-ceiling leaded glass windows and handsome wooden interior. Enjoy its lovely garden of foxglove, lavender, and a cherry tree that blooms pink in April, as well as a flagstone patio, views for miles, and outdoorsy, national park feel. brazilianroom.org. If you’re looking for more than a hint of cool, consider the Oakland Museum of California, which provides an artful and historic setting. Dine in the gardens, on the rooftop terraces with views of the rising moon and Lake Merritt, or in the indoor dining area that overlooks a koi pond. museumca.org.
CAKE Opt for a naked cake, which forgoes frosting on the sides and isn’t supersweet. Cake Lafayette tops it off with blooms. cakelafayette.com.
Extra Touch
Invites
Personalize invites with hand lettering or your own artwork. If you’re not artistically inclined, see Etsy for handmade pop-up, scratch-off, and laser-printed cards. Or hire a stationer who specializes in natural materials and textures, such as Good on Paper in Berkeley. goodon paperdesign.com.
DECOR Scour the monthly Alameda
Angels Petals’ flower veils are handcrafted in Martinez and will leave your guests mesmerized. Or make your own with flowers, craft tools, and instructions from YouTube. angels petals1.blogspot.com.
Point Antiques Faire for trays, vintage linens, and mismatched dishes. Create arrangements with different bottles filled with long-stem flowers. Say “I do” under an arch crafted from recycled wood. alamedapoint antiquesfaire.com.
DIABLO WEDDINGS 53
THE
G LAM WEDDING
Shimmer and shine. 54 DIABLO WEDDINGS
VIBE/ YOUR SOMEDAY HAS FINALLY ARRIVED, AND
OPPOSITE PAGE: BRIAN MACSTAY PHOTOGRAPHY; THIS PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: ANHTUAN HONG; BRIAN MACSTAY PHOTOGRAPHY; DANNY DONG PHOTOGRAPHY; SHUTTERSTOCK; ANHTUAN HONG; RACHEL CAPIL PHOTOGRAPHY; COURTESY OF RUBY HILL GOLF CLUB
YOU WANT TO THROW A SOPHISTICATED SOIREE WITH A DECIDEDLY UPSCALE FEEL. BALL GOWNS, BLING, BEDAZZLED FONDANT CAKES—NOTHING IS TOO OVER THE TOP FOR YOU.
DRESS
Big is back: Pick out a voluminous ball gown or A-line dress from La Soie Bridal in Walnut Creek, and put the guys in traditional black tuxedos. And glam is all about the accessories: Add a rhinestone belt, white gloves, a long veil, and brilliant jewelry. To give yourself a polished, 1920s Hollywood look, add a birdcage veil and bold red lipstick. lasoiebridal.com.
VENUE
Pleasanton’s Ruby Hill Golf Club (below) provides a romance-packed wow factor, with its breathtaking main dining room (really, more of a ballroom), 40-foot ceilings, glass windows, chandelier, and Florentinemotif carpet. After the ceremony, make your big entrance as a couple down the club’s impressive grand staircase. rubyhill.com. The Claremont Hotel Club and Spa in Berkeley has myriad indoor venues, from ballrooms to swanky lounges to rooms overlooking the San Francisco Bay. If you want, stay a few days before or after the wedding to be spoiled by spa treatments and relaxation. claremontresort.com. Also contemplate Casa Real at Ruby Hill Winery’s 20,000-squarefoot Mediterranean villa, which features an elegant grand salon, limestone accents, hand-carved doors, and tables to accommodate up to 600 guests. Opt to rent dramatic chandeliers and colored up-lighting. casarealevents.com.
CAKE Back in are multilayer cakes with elaborate fountains, lighting features, and cute toppers. Go square, and order one with smooth fondant, sparkly ribbon, and cascading flowers from Alamo’s Katrina Rozelle. katrinarozelle.com.
Extra Touch
Invites
Glamorous invitations call for something flourished that you might not use every day, as well as formal wording. Concord’s Creative Designs by Mimi can add crystal adornments, buckles, and sashes in silver and white, or black and gold. creativemimi.com.
DECOR Opulent ballrooms, chan-
Another way to add sparkle, literally: Venues where it’s legal allow guests to line up holding lit sparklers and salute the bride and groom, as they make their showstopping exit.
deliers, and bold colors with glittering accents make a statement. Add moody up-lighting and go-go lights. Put together your tabletop settings starting with luxurious rentals from Napa Valley Linens in Emeryville. nvlinens.com. DIABLO WEDDINGS 55
RESOURCE GUIDE BR IDAL B O UT I Q U ES / CAK ES / CATE R E R S / E NTE RTAI NM E NT / FLOR I STS / I NV I T ES / P H OTO G RAPHE R S / VE NUES / W E DDI NG P LANNE R S
BRIDAL BOUTIQUES Blossom's Bridal and Formal 6700 Amador Plaza Rd., Dublin (925) 560-0402, blossomsdress.com Bridal Galleria 3 Embarcadero Center, San Francisco (415) 362-2277, bridalgalleria.com Bride's Corral 150 N. L St., Livermore (925) 455-1244, thebridescorral.com Flares Bridal and Formal 1700 N. Broadway St., Ste. 100, Walnut Creek (925) 939-3306, flaresbridal.com J’aime Bridal 719 Main St., Pleasanton (925) 846-8459, jaimebridal.com Kinsley James 1623 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Walnut Creek (925) 330-9228, kinsleyjames.com La Soie Bridal 1413 Cypress St., Walnut Creek (925) 933-9988, lasoiebridal.com Loho Bride (Daughters of Simone) 550 15th St., Studio 19, San Francisco (347) 562-7407, lohobride.com Sari Palace 1000 University Ave., Berkeley (510) 841-7274 The Wedding Party 2612 Alcatraz Ave., Ste. 3, Berkeley (510) 420-1338, theweddingpartyonline.com
56 DIABLO WEDDINGS
CAKES Café Attila 2211 San Ramon Valley Blvd., Ste. B, San Ramon (925) 837-2886, cafeattila.com Serves Tri-Valley Cake 35 Lafayette Cir., Lafayette (925) 385-0202, cakelafayette.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area, Wine Country Cake Creations by Bev Livermore (925) 216-0482, cakecreationsbybev.com Serves Tri-Valley Cake Delight 147 N. Livermore Ave., Livermore (925) 373-7786, cakedelight.com Serves Tri-Valley Carolyn Wong Cakes Berkeley (510) 717-0798, carolynwongcakes.com Serves Northern California The Cheese School of San Francisco 2124 Folsom St., San Francisco (415) 346-7530, thecheeseschool.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area Filigree 1987 Santa Rita Rd., Ste. B, Pleasanton (925) 484-0400, purefiligree.com Serves East Bay Area Fox and Fawn Bakehouse Benicia (707) 280-0667, foxandfawn.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area, Wine Country
Gala Bakery 1432 Vía Lacqua, San Lorenzo (510) 278-8004, galabakery.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area
Primrose Bakery 350 Main St., Pleasanton (925) 249-1261, primrosebakery.com Serves East Bay Area
Glass Slipper Gourmet Concord (925) 685-9042, glassslippergourmet.com Serves Northern California
Sugar Mill Cake Co. Oakland (510) 610-8616, sugarmillcakes.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area, Wine Country
Have Your Cake San Francisco (650) 873-8488, haveyourcake.org Serves San Francisco Bay Area
Sweet Adeline Bakeshop 3350 Adeline St., Berkeley (510) 985-7381, sweetadelinebakeshop.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area
Indie Cakes and Pastries 2530 10th St., Ste. 3, Berkeley (510) 220-3057, indiecakes.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area Kara’s Cupcakes 1388 N. Main St., Walnut Creek (925) 933-2222, karascupcakes.com Serves East Bay Area Katrina Rozelle Pastries and Desserts 215 Alamo Plaza, Ste. B, Alamo (925) 837-6337; 5931 College Ave., Oakland (510) 655-3209, katrinarozelle.com Serves East Bay Area, Wine Country Le Gateau Elegant 1479 Newell Ave., Walnut Creek (925) 937-2253, legateauelegant.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area, Solano County, Wine Country Montclair Baking 2220 Mountain Blvd., Oakland (510) 530-8052, montclairbaking.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area Noland’s Cake Shop 205 Main St., Pleasanton (925) 462-3333, nolandscakes.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area, Central Valley
TLCakes 647 First St., Brentwood (925) 513-3688, tlcakes.com Serves East Bay Area, Wine Country Torino Baking 2316 Haste St., Berkeley (510) 548-2900, torinobaking.com Serves Northern California True Confections Berkeley (510) 665-9836, trueconfectionscakes.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area The Whole Cake Berkeley (415) 828-7464, thewholecake.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area, Wine Country
CATERERS Absolute Celebrations 2603 Camino Ramon, Ste. 200, San Ramon (925) 858-1049, sfbayareacaterer.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area
D I A B L O W E D D I N G S 57
R ESO U R C E G UID E CAT E R E R S
Alex’s Catering 300 Virginia St., Vallejo (707) 643-1711, alexscatering.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area, Wine Country The Arlington 269 Arlington Ave., Kensington (510) 525-2757, 269thearlington.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area Aurora Catering Castro Valley (510) 582-9529, auroracateringbayarea.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area Barbara Llewellyn Catering and Event Planning 434 25th St., Oakland (510) 832-1967, barbarallewellyn.com Serves Northern California Blue Heron Catering Oakland (510) 533-0781, blueheroncatering.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area Bon Vivant Catering and Event Productions Livermore (925) 606-5535, bonvivantcatering.net Serves San Francisco Bay Area Carrie Dove Catering 1552 Beach St., Emeryville (415) 460-9995, carriedovecatering.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area The Carvery Redwood City (650) 366-3765, thecarverycatering.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area Checkers Livermore (925) 968-1121, checkerscatering.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area Componere Fine Catering 5836 San Pablo Ave., Emeryville (510) 420-0900, componerefinecatering.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area, Wine Country
58 DIABLO WEDDINGS
Culinary Excellence 8210 Capwell Dr., Oakland (510) 644-0612, culinaryexcellence.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area Elegant Occasions Martinez (925) 372-6660, elegantoccasionscatering.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area Englund’s Cafe and Catering 4061 Port Chicago Hwy., Concord (925) 609-5989, englundscatering.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area Fraiche Catering Danville/San Francisco (925) 683-2800, fraichecater.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area, Wine Country Grace Street Catering 4629 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Oakland (510) 523-1600, gracestreetcatering.com Serves Northern California La Bocca Fina Fine Catering Hayward (510) 264-0276, laboccafina.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area, Wine Country Lantern Catering 1941 Oak Park Blvd., Pleasant Hill (925) 322-8414, lanterncatering.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area, Wine Country La Tapatia Mexican Cuisine 1802 Willow Pass Rd., Concord (925) 685-1985; 536 Main St., Martinez (925) 229-3866, latapatia.net Serves San Francisco Bay Area Le’s Kitchen Catering San Francisco leskitchen.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area Miraglia Catering San Leandro (510) 483-5210, cateringandmore.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area
On the Vine Catering Livermore (925) 518-7244, onthevinecatering.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area Parsley Sage Rosemary and Thyme San Jose (800) 798-8388, psrt.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area Paula LeDuc Fine Catering 1350 Park Ave., Emeryville (510) 547-7825, paulaleduc.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area Ralph’s Catering Brentwood (925) 625-2307, cateringbyralph.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area Royal Raspberry Catering Oakland (510) 538-8162, royalraspberry.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area Serves You Right Catering Berkeley (510) 527-8809, servesyourightcatering.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area Simply Catered Brentwood (925) 684-7274, simplycateredforyou.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area Small Thyme Catering Concord (925) 437-3327, smallthymecatering.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area, Wine Country Sunrise Bistro and Catering 1559 Botelho Dr., Walnut Creek (925) 930-6232, sunrisebistrocatering.com Serves East Bay Area Susan Foord Catering and Cafe 965 Mountain View Dr., Lafayette (925) 299-7616, susanfoordcatering.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area, Wine Country
Taste Catering 3450 3rd St., San Francisco (415) 550-6464, tastecatering.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area, Wine Country Willowstone Catering Concord (925) 969-9826, willowstonecatering.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area Wilma Lott Catering Martinez (925) 372-8612, wilmalottcatering.com Serves East Bay Area
ENTERTAINMENT DJS
Amos Productions 5715 Southfront Rd., Ste. C1, Livermore (925) 449-3847, amospro.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area Big Fun Disc Jockeys Cupertino (800) 924-4386, bigfundj.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area Brad Kinney Productions 1262 Quarry Ln., Pleasanton (800) 734-1372, bradkinney.com Serves Northern California Daley Entertainment Agency (D.E.A.) Brentwood (925) 766-8677, dea4fun.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area Denon and Doyle 2245 Morello Ave., Pleasant Hill (925) 944-5021, djay.com Serves Northern California Eastwood Entertainment 14850 Hwy. 4, Discovery Bay (800) 788-4235, eastwoodentertainment.com Serves Northern California Entire Productions (Plus musicians and performers) 425 Bush St., Ste. 405, San Francisco (415) 291-9191, entireproductions.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area, destinations
“Tailoring has been in the family business for decades!”
Creative Alterations OVER 20 YEARS OF ENSURING BEAUTIFUL RESULTS
HOVSEP JAMKOCHIAN, OWNER
Complicated wedding gown tailoring and dress making Basic alterations for the entire wedding party 1048 BROWN AVENUE, LAFAYETTE (925) 284-5636 WWW.CREATIVEALTERATION.WEBS.COM
Custom veils Wedding gown preservation
Lafayette Park Hotel & Spa Four-star cuisine and personalized service, along with amenities such as The Spa and luxurious guestrooms. Celebrate with us!
3287 Mt. Diablo Boulevard Lafayette, CA 94549 www.lafayetteparkhotel.com weddings@lafayetteparkhotel.com
D I A B L O W E D D I N G S 59
R ESO U R C E G UID E EN T E RTA I N M E N T
Envy Soundz San Jose (408) 234-6709, djsalim.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area Fantasy Sound Event Services 345 Stealth Ct., Livermore (925) 373-1934, fantasysound.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area Gatsby Entertainment (Plus musicians) San Francisco (415) 497-3989, gatsbyentgroup.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area
Perry’s Mobile Disc Jockey 65 Mosswood Ct., Livermore (925) 606-1732, perrysmobiledj.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area Quantam Music Event Planners 111 Center Ave., Martinez (925) 586-8316, quantummusic.net Serves San Francisco Bay Area, Wine Country
Busta Groove (Band) Hayward (408) 981-6451, busta-groove.com Serves Northern California, destinations Exeter String Quartet Oakland (510) 839-3828, exeterquartet.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area, Wine Country
Ron Grandia Campbell (408) 376-4001, bceventmedia.com Krista Strader Serves Northern California, (Harpist) destinations Pleasant Hill (877) 415-4277, kristastrader.com In the Mix Productions The Rudolfi Music Agency Serves San Francisco Bay Area 30450 Ryan Rd., Hayward (Plus musicians and performers) (510) 214-3701, itmp.com Musical Heart Strings San Francisco Serves Northern California (Classical) (415) 550-1872, rudolfiartists.com Martinez Serves San Francisco Bay Area Love in the Mix (925) 603-3002, Berkeley musicalheartstrings.net San Francisco Booking Agency (415) 689-0471, loveinthemix.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area (Plus musicians and performers) Serves San Francisco Bay Area San Francisco Prime Time Entertainment (650) 548-0450, sfbooking.com Magic Entertainment (Plus performers) Serves United States Clayton 2430 Research Dr., Livermore (925) 628-5801, djmagicent.com (925) 449-1724, Sutherland Entertainment Serves San Francisco Bay Area primetimeentertainment.com 165 Oddstad Dr., Vallejo Serves United States (415) 309-4126, Mark Davis Mobile DJ Service sutherlandentertainment.com Livermore The Turnaround Jazz Ensemble Serves San Francisco Bay Area (866) 874-8253, trivaldj.com Oakland Serves San Francisco Bay Area Thump Sound (510) 387-8096, turnaroundjazz.com 4283 Clarinbridge Cir., Dublin Serves Northern California Mark Welch Entertainment (510) 331-1746, thumpsound.net Martinez P E R FOR M E R S Serves San Francisco Bay Area (925) 228-6275, Celebrity Gems Entertainment markwelchentertainment.com (Various entertainers) 21st Century Sounds Serves San Francisco Bay Area 4061 E. Castro Valley Blvd., 3195 Danville Blvd., Ste. 7, Alamo Castro Valley (925) 938-2858, Mixwell Entertainment (510) 581-5964, celebritygems.com 21stcenturysounds.com San Francisco Serves California Serves Northern California, (408) 891-8032, destinations mixwellentertainment.com Silvi Alcivar Serves Northern California MUS I CI ANS (Poet) An Elegant Touch of Strings San Francisco Moments to Memories (Classical) (415) 494-7638, thepoetrystore.net Northern California Oakley Serves San Francisco Bay Area, (800) 670-1565, (925) 625-4363, baysbest.com destinations momentstomemoriesdj.com Serves Northern California Serves Northern California Pacific Entertainment (Plus musicians) 125 Sunset Cir., Ste. 48, Benicia (707) 642-4390, pacificentertainment.biz Serves San Francisco Bay Area, Wine Country
60 DIABLO WEDDINGS
Bennetta Heaton (Harpist) Danville (925) 820-1169 Serves San Francisco Bay Area
FLORISTS A Love’s in Bloom Martinez (925) 408-6702, alovesinbloom.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area, Wine Country
Angels Petals Martinez (925) 951-8046, angelspetals1.blogspot.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area Anne Mendenhall Flowers Walnut Creek (925) 287-8142, annemendenhallflowers.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area, Wine Country Awesome Blossoms Tracy (209) 830-8660, awesomeblossomsonline.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area Belle-Flower 5745 Horton St., Ste. B, Emeryville (510) 284-7081, belle-flower.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area, Wine Country Bloomies on Main 915 Main St., Pleasanton (925) 931-1290, bloomiesonmainca.com Serves Tri-Valley Bouquetière Floral Designs Berkeley (925) 209-6812, bouquetiere.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area, Wine Country, destinations Cattails Florist 9000 Crow Canyon Rd., Danville (925) 736-9494, cattailsflorist.com Serves Central Contra Costa Church Street Flowers 212 Church St., San Francisco (415) 553-7762 Serves San Francisco Bay Area Delford West Flowers Livermore (925) 606-8818, delfordwestflowers.com Serves Livermore Wine Country East Bay Flower Company 206 Sycamore Valley Rd. W., Danville (925) 837-3418, eastbayflowercompany.com Serves Tri-Valley
Morrison’s Family Owned Since 1923
Make us your family jeweler for decades to come... Visit us at 35 Moraga Way, across from the Orinda Theater. (925) 253-9227 www.morrisonsjewelry.com
The Terrace Room OAKLAND’S MOST ENCHANTING WEDDING VENUE PANORAMIC VIEWS OF BEAUTIFUL LAKE MERRITT AND OAKLAND HILLS ART DECO BALLROOM EVENTS CAN HOLD UP TO 230 GUESTS VARIETY OF MENUS AVAILABLE 1800 Madison Street Oakland | 510.903.3771 | www.TheTerraceRoom.com D I A B L O W E D D I N G S 61
R ESO U R C E G UID E F LOR I STS
Florali 2345 Boulevard Cir., Walnut Creek (925) 934-6877, florali.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area, Wine Country, destinations
Kay Wolff Design 1177 Grizzly Peak Blvd., Berkeley (510) 540-1931, makingarrangements.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area, Wine Country
Floralisa Hercules/Rodeo (510) 734-4475, floralisa.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area, Wine Country
Laura Miller Design Oakland (510) 336-9226, lauramillerdesign.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area, Wine Country
Floret 3581 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Ste. C, Lafayette (925) 310-4546, floretlafayette.com Serves Northern California Flower Bowl Florist 2325 Boulevard Cir., Walnut Creek (925) 935-0800, flowerbowlflorist.com Serves East Bay Area, Wine Country The Flower House 2021 Las Positas Ct., Livermore (925) 960-1375, theflowerhouse.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area, Wine Country Flowers by Edgar and Argelia San Jose (408) 836-1605, flowersbyedgar.com Serves Northern California Good Scents 3513 Main St., Oakley (925) 625-5550, goodscentsflorist.com Serves East Contra Costa Katharina Stuart Floral Art and Design 1230 Contra Costa Dr., El Cerrito (510) 406-3404, katharinastuart.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area, Wine Country, destinations Katherine Bergman Floral Designs Walnut Creek (925) 210-0487, floraldesigner.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area, Wine Country
62 D I A B L O W E D D I N G S
Laurel Designs San Francisco (415) 386-8360, flaurel.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area, Wine Country Livermore Valley Florist 224 S. J St., Livermore (925) 443-3450, livermorevalleyflorist.com Serves Tri-Valley Megan Haney Designs 1537 N. Main St., Ste. R, Walnut Creek (925) 962-1119, meganhaneydesigns.com Serves California Nicole Ha Designs San Jose (408) 421-0388, nicoleha.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area Ornamento 950 Mason St., San Francisco (415) 668-9624, ornamento.com Serves California Pat Gibbons Floral Designs El Cerrito (510) 527-3197, patgibbonsfloral.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area Paula’s Family Florist Antioch (925) 756-6000, paulasfamilyflorist.com Serves East Contra Costa The Petal Company Pleasanton (925) 249-0008, thepetalco.com Serves California
The Petal Pusher Pleasanton (925) 846-0415, the-petal-pusher.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area, Wine Country Poppy’s Petalworks 2860 Laguna St., San Francisco (415) 806-2950, poppyspetalworks.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area Prickly Petal Flower Co. San Jose (408) 320-8241, pricklypetal.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area, Wine Country Ribbons and Roses Brentwood (925) 634-3832, ribbonsandrosesflorals.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area Sarah’s Garden Danville (415) 699-8206, sarahsgardendesign.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area, Wine Country Sunshine Flowers Wedding and Event Design 4911 Milden Rd., Martinez (925) 228-6123, sunshineflowers.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area, Wine Country Victoria’s Florals and Event Design Hayward (510) 368-6876, victoriasflorals.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area
INVITES The Aerialist Press 1514 Park Ave., Emeryville (510) 520-6749, theaerialistpress.com Serves worldwide Creative Designs by Mimi Concord (925) 787-0665, creativemimi.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area
Good on Paper Berkeley (510) 501-3337, goodonpaperdesign.com Serves worldwide Inviting Ways 4 Van Cleave Ln., Walnut Creek (925) 256-8410, invitingways.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area Linea Carta by Diva Pyari 2904 Mabel St., Berkeley (510) 688-7288, linea-carta.com Serves worldwide Nancy Hess Graphic Designer San Francisco nancyhessdesign.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area Papineau Calligraphy 5736 Thornhill Dr. Ste. 103, Oakland (510) 339-2301, papineaucalligraphy.com Serves worldwide Reb Peters Press Oakland (415) 202-3902, rebpeterspress.com/wordpress Serves worldwide Sleepy Hedgehog Press 840 E. Campbell Ave., Campbell (408) 608-5656, sleephedgehogpress.com Serves worldwide Susan Gildea Personalized Printing 3020 Ashby Ave., Berkeley (510) 883-0890, susangildea.com Serves United States Twig and Fig 2110 Vine St., Berkeley (510) 848-5599, twigandfig.com Serves worldwide
PHOTOGRAPHERS Adeline and Grace Photography Benicia (707) 815-9510, adelineandgrace.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area, Wine Country
Truly Warm Italian Atmosphere! Food from Scratch Local Fresh Fish Daily Homemade Pasta, Pizza & Dessert
Private Parties Welcome Banquet Facilities Patio Seating Ample Parking Space
Terra Mia Italian Restaurant & Full Bar 4040 East Avenue (Close to Downtown and LLNL)
Livermore, CA 94550 (925) 456-3333 www.terramialivermore.com
Full Bar & Fine Wine Take-Out Individual & Parties
Dinner Daily 5–9:30pm Lunch 11am–2:30pm Monday to Friday Saturday & Sunday Lunch available for private parties Sunday open 4pm–9pm
D I A B L O W E D D I N G S 63
R ESO U R C E G UID E  P H OTOG R A P HE R S
AGB Photographics Oakland (415) 504-7791, agbphotographics.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area, destinations
Cohn Frankel Photography Berkeley (510) 882-1980, cohnfrankelphotography.com Serves Northern California, destinations
Allyson Wiley Photography 512 Broadway, Ste. B, Sonoma (707) 939-5478, allysonwiley.com Serves California, destinations
Colson Griffith Photography San Francisco (415) 314-6096, colsongriffith.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area
Amy Carr Photography San Francisco (415) 297-0105, amycarr.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area, destinations
Connie Leal Photography Brentwood (925) 550-8506, connielealphotography.com Serves Northern California, destinations
Angie Capri Photography 1980 Olivera Rd., Ste. C, Concord (925) 338-1104, angiecapri.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area, destinations Arrowood Photography 1501 Cortland Ave., Ste. D, San Francisco (415) 596-3646, arrowoodphotography.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area, destinations Brian Gross Photography Danville (925) 895-4321, briangrossphotography.blogspot.com Serves California, destinations Brian MacStay Photography Concord (925) 348-8856, brianmacstay.com Serves Northern California, destinations Candid Moments Photography Antioch (925) 778-5085, candidmomentsweddings.com Serves California, destinations
Dana Todd Photography Livermore (408) 655-1297, danatoddphotography.com Serves Northern California Danny Dong Photography San Jose (408) 429-0158, dannydong.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area Discovery Bay Studios Photography Discovery Bay (925) 216-4454, discoverybaystudios.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area, destinations Doorstep Photography San Ramon (925) 556-5412, doorstepdigital.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area, Wine Country, destinations Dubnoff Wedding Photography 1485 Enea Ct., Ste. 1330, Concord (925) 686-4960, dubnoffphoto.com Serves Northern California
Cauchi Photography Dublin (925) 875-1880, cauchi.com Serves Northern California, destinations
Ed Pingol Photography Fairfield (707) 334-1468, edpingolphotography.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area, Wine Country, destinations
Cazinha Portrait Design 551 Main St., Pleasanton (925) 249-1999, cazinhaportrait.com Serves Northern California, destinations
Eli Photographer 39 California Ave., Pleasanton (510) 429-9525, eliphotographer.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area, destinations
64 DIABLO WEDDINGS
Elizabeth Hurley Photography San Francisco (707) 367-0896, bethhurley.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area, destinations
James Everett Photography San Francisco (415) 601-4989, photojames.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area
Emily Takes Photos Oakland emilytakesphotos.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area
Jennifer Skog Dublin (925) 828-7467, jenniferskog.com Serves Northern California, destinations
Eric James Photography Walnut Creek (925) 451-5332, ericjamesphoto.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area, destinations
Jessamyn Photography Pleasant Hill (925) 698-4058, jessamynphotography.com Serves California, destinations
Gabriel Harber Photography Oakland (510) 967-6244, harberphotography.com Serves Northern California, destinations
Julie Cheshire Photography Clayton (925) 798-5804, juliecheshire.com Serves Northern California, destinations
Gina Halferty Photography Pleasanton (925) 231-5495, ginahalfertyphoto.com Serves Northern California, destinations Gustavo FernĂĄndez Pleasant Hill (925) 979-5142, gustavofernandez.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area, destinations Images By Misti Layne San Francisco (415) 225-1128, mistilayne.com Serves California Indulge Wedding Photography and Cinema Fremont (408) 406-7909, indulgewedding.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area, Wine Country Inkspot Photography Concord (925) 788-8820, inkspotphotography.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area, destinations James Brian Studios 1727 Bonanza St., Walnut Creek (925) 934-4455, jamesbrian.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area, destinations
Julie Mikos Photography Berkeley (510) 681-7616, juliemikos.com Serves Northern California, Wine Country, destinations Karen Bates Photography Montclair (510) 530-5265, karenbatesphoto.com Serves Northern California Ken Perkes Photography 1304 Willow Lake Rd., Discovery Bay (925) 513-3649, perkesphoto.zenfolio.com Serves Northern California Lisa Lefkowitz Photography San Francisco (415) 826-9330, lisalefkowitz.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area, Wine Country Lori Rittinger Photography 3195 Danville Blvd., Ste. 7, Alamo (925) 934-2103, rittingerphotography.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area, destinations Lynds Photography Lafayette (925) 962-0180, lyndsphoto.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area, destinations
Whatever your perfect wedding may be—
PHOTOGRAPHY BY PICTILIO
saying your I do's in a secret garden, dancing BETHAINA RASHEED (925) 200-9662
EVENTS@SIMPLYBYBETHAINA.COM WWW.SIMPLYBYBETHAINA.COM
under the stars, a day spent on a winery, or a black tie event overlooking San Francisco— we can do it all.
WEDGEWOOD WEDDING & BANQUET CENTER
F
abulous inclusive wedding packages designed for value, service, and convenience.
Offering services such as music, invitations, floral, wedding cake, food, and beverage. All packages are customizable and a great compliment to the beautiful wedding sites at each picturesque golf course such as San Ramon Golf Club.
(92 5) 82 8-62 5 8 www.wedgewoodbanquet.com
D I A B L O W E D D I N G S 65
R ESO U R C E G UID E P H OTOG R A P HE R S
MEF Photography Concord (877) 227-0722, mefphoto.com Serves Central California, San Francisco Bay Area, Wine Country, destinations Modern Love Photography 1035 B St., Hayward (510) 698-1517, modernlovephotography.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area, destinations Nightingale Photography Oakland (510) 338-2997, nightingalephotos.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area, Wine Country Onelove Photography Walnut Creek (925) 360-9755, onelove-photo.com Serves California, destinations Peters Photography and Video Napa (800) 365-5414, petersphoto.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area, Wine Country, destinations Photography by Augie Chang San Francisco (415) 713-6338, augiechang.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area, destinations Photography by Kelsey Walnut Creek (925) 588-5502, photographybykelsey.net Serves San Francisco Bay Area Rachel Capil Photography 25 Crescent Dr., Pleasant Hill (925) 609-7270, rachelcapilevents.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area, Wine Country Sherman Chu Walnut Creek (925) 831-1600, shermanchu.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area, destinations
Stacey Pentland Photography Walnut Creek (415) 710-2619, staceypentlandphoto.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area, destinations Stephanie Secrest Photography Alameda (510) 337-9796, secrestweddings.com Serves California, destinations Tara Marie Photography Pleasanton tara-marie-photography.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area, destinations Ultra-Spective Photography 4749 Bennett Dr., Livermore (925) 449-9879, ultra-spective.com Serves East Bay Area Wedding Documentary Photo and Cinema Los Gatos (408) 656-1014, weddingdocumentary.com Serves California, destinations W Photography San Francisco (415) 812-6624, wphotography.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area, destinations YJM Photography Oakland (510) 382-0280, yjmphotography.com Serves Northern California
VENUES
EAST COUNTY
Brownstone Gardens 91 Brownstone Rd., Oakley (925) 418-4532, brownstonegardens.com Club Los Maganos 1700 Trilogy Pkwy., Brentwood (925) 809-7202, vineyardsweddings .com/clmweddings La Grande Wedding and Event Center 1799 Carpenter Rd., Oakley (925) 435-4461, thelagrande.com Lone Tree Golf Course and Event Center 4800 Golf Course Rd., Antioch (925) 706-4232, lonetreegolfcourse.com Newberry Estate Vineyards 2525 Sunset Rd., Brentwood (925) 516-3300, newberryestatevineyards.com
LAMOR I NDA
Hacienda de las Flores 2100 Donald Dr., Moraga (925) 888-7045, moragahacienda.com Lafayette Park Hotel and Spa 3287 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette (925) 283-3700, lafayetteparkhotel.com Orinda Country Club Orinda (925) 254-4314, Ext. 277, orindacc.org
TR I -VALLEY
Contra Costa Country Club 801 Golf Club Rd., Pleasant Hill (925) 798-7135, contracostacc.org
Blackhawk Country Club 599 Blackhawk Club Cir., Danville (925) 736-6500, Ext. 557, blackhawkcc.org
The Gardens at Heather Farm 1540 Marchbanks Dr., Walnut Creek (925) 947-1678, gardenshf.org
BoaVentura de Caires Winery 9309 Tesla Rd., Livermore (925) 606-9672, boaventuravineyard.com
Oakhurst Country Club 1001 Peacock Creek Dr., Clayton (925) 672-9737, Ext. 217, oakhurstcc.com
The Bridges Golf Club 9000 S. Gale Ridge Rd., San Ramon (925) 735-4253, thebridgesgolf.com
CENTRAL CONTRA COSTA
Casa Real at Ruby Hill Winery 410 Vineyard Ave., Pleasanton (925) 931-0200, casarealevents.com 66 DIABLO WEDDINGS
Castlewood Country Club 707 Country Club Cir., Pleasanton (925) 485-2237, castlewoodcc.org Crooked Vine Winery 4948 Tesla Rd., Livermore (925) 449-0458, crookedvine.com Crow Canyon Country Club 711 Silver Lake Dr., Danville (925) 735-5710, clubcorp.com/clubs/ crow-canyon-country-club Diablo Country Club 1700 Club House Rd., Diablo (925) 837-4221, diablocc.org Elliston Vineyards 463 Kilkare Rd., Sunol (925) 862-2377, elliston.com Garré Vineyard and Winery 7986 Tesla Rd., Livermore (925) 371-8200, garrewinery.com Murrieta’s Well at Wente Vineyards 3005 Mines Rd., Livermore (925) 456-2425, murrietaswell.com Nella Terra Cellars 5005 Sheridan Rd., Sunol (510) 754-9877, nellaterra.com Palm Event Center in the Vineyard 1184 Vineyard Ave., Pleasanton (925) 426-8666, palmeventcenter.com Poppy Ridge Golf Course 4280 Greenville Rd., Livermore (925) 456-8238, poppyridgegolf.com Purple Orchid Wine Country Resort and Spa 4549 Cross Rd., Livermore (925) 606-8855, purpleorchid.com Ravenswood Historic Site 2647 Arroyo Rd., Livermore (925) 373-5708, larpd.org/rentals/ ravenswood.html Rios-Lovell Estate Winery 6500 Tesla Rd., Livermore (925) 443-0434, rioslovellwinery.com Ruby Hill Golf Club 3400 W. Ruby Hill Dr., Pleasanton (925) 461-3504, rubyhill.com
Time for a Transformation! Dr. Place offers the latest in minimally invasive procedures as well as body contouring, facial rejuvenation and breast surgery in a fully accredited private surgery center. She and her team offer a courteous, warm, knowledgeable environment where patients can feel secure in their surgeon, the staff, and their procedure. Dr. Place is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon who specializes in: CoolSculpting Non-Invasive Fat Reduction Facelift Tummy Tuck Liposuction Breast Lift Rhinoplasty
Eyelid Surgery Breast Augmentation Botox® Dysport®
Restylane® Juvederm® Sculptra® & other fillers
100 Park Place Suite 240, San Ramon
925 - 837-1347 www.michellejplacemd.com Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery
Onsite Skin Care Center Her onsite skin care center offers the latest laser systems to treat sun damaged skin, wrinkles, tattoo removal, and pain free hair reduction.
D I A B L O W E D D I N G S 67
R ESO U R C E G UID E  V E N U ES
Sunol Valley Golf Club 6900 Mission Rd., Sunol (925) 862-2408, sunolvalley.com Wente Vineyards 5050 Arroyo Rd., Livermore (925) 456-2425, wentevineyards.com
S OLAN O COU N TY
Hiddenbrooke Golf Club 1095 HIddenbrooke Pkwy., Vallejo (707) 558-1153, hiddenbrookegolf.com Jefferson Street Mansion 1063 Jefferson St., Benicia (707) 746-0684, jeffersonstreetmansion.com Kenyon Estate 351 Kenyon Way, Vallejo (707) 745-3812, kenyonestate.com The Lighthouse at Glen Cove Marina 2000 Glen Cove Marina Rd., Vallejo (707) 704-9014, thelighthousegcm.com
WEST O F CA LD ECOTT
Berkeley City Club 2315 Durant Ave., Berkeley (510) 280-1532, berkeleycityclub.com The Brazilian Room Tilden Park, Berkeley (510) 544-3164, ebparks.org Claremont Hotel Club and Spa 41 Tunnel Rd., Berkeley (800) 551-7266, claremontresort.com The Dunsmuir Hellman Historic Estate 2960 Peralta Oaks Ct., Oakland (510) 615-5555, dunsmuir-hellman.com Joie de Vivre Waterfront Hotel 10 Washington St., Oakland (510) 836-3800, jdvhotels.com Lake Chalet Seafood Bar and Grill 1520 Lakeside Dr., Oakland (510) 208-5253, thelakechalet.com Oakland Museum of California 1000 Oak St., Oakland (510) 318-8400, museumca.org
68 DIABLO WEDDINGS
The Old Homestead 995 Loring Ave., Crockett (510) 787-2728, theoldhomesteadonline.org Preservation Park 1233 Preservation Park Way, Oakland (510) 874-7580, preservationpark.com Rock Wall Wine Company 2301 Monarch St., Ste. 300, Alameda (510) 522-5700, Ext. 24, rockwallwines.com Sequoyah Country Club 4550 Heafey Rd., Oakland (510) 632-2900, sequoyahcc.com UC Botanical Garden 200 Centennial Dr., Berkeley (510) 642-3352, botanicalgarden. berkeley.edu
WEDDING PLANNERS A Monique Affair 1624 Franklin St., Ste. 500, Oakland (510) 334-3752, amoniqueaffair.com Serves California, destinations Allure (805) 717-2454, allureconsulting.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area Bliss Event Productions 612 Stoneman Ct., Benicia (707) 746-6136, blisseventproductions.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area, Wine Country, destinations Carolyn Wilson Weddings and Events Livermore (925) 315-9589, carolynwilsonevents.com Serves Northern California Celebrations By Cindy Walnut Creek (209) 614-5621, celebrationsbycindy.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area, Wine Country
Celebrations By Heart Palo Alto (650) 996-1658, celebrationsbyheart.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area Dream a Little Dream Events 1251 Connecticut St., San Francisco (415) 931-8366, dreamalittledreamevents.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area, Wine Country Dreamcatcher Events 210 Lakewood Rd., Walnut Creek (925) 947-3999, dreamcatcherevents.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area Dreams on a Dime San Francisco (415) 264-2764, dreamsonadime.com Serves California, destinations Erica Events San Francisco (415) 683-0447, ericaevents.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area Eventful Days Castro Valley (510) 206-6474, eventfuldays.net Serves San Francisco Bay Area Eventfully Yours, Event Designs by Rayna Pacheco (925) 330-2371, eventdesignsbyrayna.com Serves Northern California, destinations Events By Wallace Danville (925) 867-1515, eventsbywallace.com Serves California, destinations Every Elegant Detail San Francisco (925) 330-5193, everyelegantdetail.com Serves Northern California F. Duncan Reyes Events By Design San Francisco (415) 794-4117, duncanreyesevents.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area, Wine Country, destinations
Lindsay Lauren Events Danville (925) 683-8547, lindsaylaurenevents.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area, Wine Country, destinations Lowe House Events Oakland (510) 545-9354, lowehousecreative.com Serves California Make It Happen San Francisco (209) 895-4598, makeithappenweddings.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area Morgan Events 2565 3rd St., Ste. 220, San Francisco (415) 728-2840, morgan-events.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area Sugar Rush Events Walnut Creek (925) 212-6904, sugarrushevents.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area, Wine Country Tickled Events Alameda (510) 501-8949, tickledevents.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area Tiffany Francies Events Brentwood (707) 718-7355, tiffanyfrancies.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area Your Event By Erin Walnut Creek (858) 774-0909, youreventbyerin.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area, Wine Country, destinations Your Moments 4115 Blackhawk Plaza Cir., Ste. 100, Danville (925) 322-1138, yourmomentsevents.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area Weddings by Image Three 45 Quail Ct., Ste. 102, Walnut Creek (925) 935-3845, imagethreeevents.com Serves San Francisco Bay Area, destinations â–
YOUR WEDDING is one of the most important days of your life, and Buon Vino can make it an unparalleled experience for you and all your guests. Bring your wedding planner with you to our shop to plan details of your special day while enjoying some of Napa and Sonoma's best wines that we can then create a custom label for!
PRIVATE PARTIES
CUSTOM WINE LABELS
September 6, 2014
WINE TASTING
Use our private event room for your engagement, bachelor, bachelorette and rehearsal parties. Have the freedom of planning the party just to your style!
BUON VINO 1545 LOCUST ST, WALNUT CREEK (925) 322-8920 BUONVINOINC.COM
TM
Open Set Photo Booths
Instagram Printing
Slow Motion Studio
Flip Books
& More!
The Premier Photo Entertainment Company in the Bay Area!
snapfiesta . com 855.SNAPFIESTA 7 6 2 7 3 4 3
@snapfiesta snapfiesta.com/DiabloWed Exclusive offer for Diablo Wedding Guide
D I A B L O W E D D I N G S 69
STUNNING EVENTS
FROM START TO FINISH.
WWW.BARBARALLEWELLYN.COM
AT CROWNE PLAZA, WE HELP DREAMS COME TRUE!
concord walnut creek
The Crowne Plaza Concord/Walnut Creek offers a f inely appointed Grand Ballroom and a beautiful atrium garden setting featuring waterfalls and koi ponds. Whatever the occasion— engagement party, rehearsal dinner, ceremony and reception—we have the perfect space for you. Let our professional staff put you at ease.
We’ll make your wedding celebration extra special and help you on your way to your dream honeymoon! Simply book your wedding at our Crowne Plaza Hotel before December 31, 2015, and you’ll receive a Honeymoon On Us Visa® Prepaid Card to spend anywhere in the world! 45 J O H N G LEN N D RI V E
CO N CO RD, CA 94520
925.825.7700
W W W.C ROW N EP LA Z ACO N CO RD.CO M
DIABLO WEDDINGS 71
With
Photo by Eric Tse
Pleasant Hill
Visit Pleasant Hill’s elegan t New Community Center an d discover where your dreams will beg in. Beautiful gazebo in park setting ideal for outdoor ceremonies Bright, airy Perera Pavilion with soaring vaulted ceilings & windows perfect for both the ceremony and reception Private entrance for grand arrival and departure Convenient access to hotels, downtown, major freeways & airports. Weddi ngs C on tact: Photo by AVIAN Films
Ryan Herriman, Facilities Coordinator (925) 676-5200 rherriman@pleasanthillrec.com
PLEASANT HILL RECREATION & PARK DISTRICT | (925) 676-5200
EXPERIENCE YOUR
WEDDING!
2015 NAPA | January 3
Napa Valley Marriott
SACRAMENTO | January 4 Tsakopoulos Library Galleria
Photo by CineCrown Photography + Filmmaking
ORANGE COUNTY | January 18 Westin South Coast Plaza SAN JOSE | January 25
Fairmont San Jose Rotunda & Summit Center
MONTEREY | February 8 Monterey Marriott SAN FRANCISCO | February 22
Sir Francis Drake Hotel
• • •
Couture Fashion Shows Area’s Finest Wedding Professionals Galore of Hors d’oeuvres
• • •
Reception Table Displays Lavish Prize Giveaways Cake Tasting
www.LuxuryWeddingShows.com
• • •
Bouquet Toss Wine Tasting and more!
F
illed with spectacular decor, innovative floral, luxe tabletop designs, and inspiration galore, Modern Luxury Weddings at The Westin St. Francis offers an inspirational setting in which to meet with the Bay Area’s most celebrated and sought-after wedding professionals. Delight your palate with inspiring tastings created by the very best caterers, sip cocktails and enjoy makeovers and treatments from Saks Fifth Avenue, Dolce & Gabbana and Gucci. View the most breathtaking bridal gowns, high-fashion runway shows, photography, videography, flowers, unique decor, unforgettable atmospheres, and S P O N S O R E D BY unlimited possibilities for your wedding celebration.
76 D I A B L O W E D D I N G S
Sunday, January 18, 2015 WESTIN ST. FRANCIS, SAN FRANCISCO Enjoy 2 Complimentary Tickets, Courtesy of American Express at www.modernbridal.com/amex
www.modernluxuryweddings.com 11:00 to 4:00 | 800.400.2099
Upscale Resale Shop
Large Selection of Vintage Engagement Rings
Pre-Owned Fine Jewelry, Designer Handbags, and Accessories
Open 10–6 Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Fridays, or by appointment
(925) 385-7121 3529 Mt. Diablo Blvd. Lafayette, CA 94549
Let us create the
perfect look
for your special day. Delight your bridal party as you celebrate and relax in Changes’ Bliss Suite. Contact Changes’ Events Concierge for more information.
Lindsay Noonan
925.683.8547 | www.LindsayLaurenEvents.com FULL PLANNING + DESIGN | PARTIAL PLANNING MONTH-OF COORDINATION | SOCIAL SOIREES
HAIR | NAILS | SKIN | MASSAGE | MEMBERSHIPS | GIFT CARDS 1475 N. BROADWAY | WALNUT CREEK 925-947-1814 | WWW.CHANGESSALON.COM
78 D I A B L O W E D D I N G S
Wedding Cakes Dessert Buffets
SAFE AND EFFECTIVE. ELIMINATE
Creating wedding cakes and delectable treats for over 60 years
STUBBORN FAT WITHOUT SURGERY OR DOWNTIME.
Contact us to schedule your wedding dessert consultation today
FEEL AND LOOK GREAT FOR YOUR SPECIAL DAY.
221 Hartz Avenue Danville, CA (925) 837-7844 www.danvillebakery.info
IS IT RIGHT FOR YOU?
ELIZABETH S. LEE, MD, FACS 970 Dewing Ave., Suite 300 Lafayette, CA 94549 (925) 299-1985 www.ArtfulSurgery.com
YOUR DESIRED COLOR IS WHERE WE TAKE YOU
JENNY SCHNEIDER OWNER
Berkeley City Club Weddings, Events, Hotel & In-House Catering
(925) 451-0645
WWW.APRESSOLEILTANS.COM AIRBRUSH SPRAY TANNING • CUSTOM COLOR CONSULTING
Berkeley, California 510.280.1532 www.berkeleycityclub.com / events@berkeleycityclub.com
D I A B L O W E D D I N G S 79
BEST WISHES
A SPARKLING SEND-OFF
ONELOVE PHOTOGRAPHY
Guests bid farewell to the bride and groom after an evening of romance on the California coast.
80 D I A B L O W E D D I N G S