For those of you looking for a fresh idea for the backdrop for your photobooth, today’s sweet California soiree is dedicated to you. SMP weddings are always filled with lovely details to harmonize with the lovely romance in order to get your inspiration boards started. But Kevin Chin Photography‘s account of this wedding has the most amazing paper flowered backdrop that would be perfect for your photo station, your ceremony, or even behind your dessert table, along witheven more amazing details to match from Events of Distinction. Fall in love here first, and then click here to deepen that love tenfold!
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From Joyce of Events of Distinction … Yuko’s love of numbers multiplied as a Barclays Capital Analyst in Japan, when she was introduced through mutual friends to American-born financial wizard, Paul Goodwin. A month-long summer road trip when Paul was fourteen years of age had inspired him to see other parts of the world. So after graduating from the University of Wisconsin with a major in Finance, Paul soon wound up in Tokyo, working for Salomon Smith Barney in commercial real estate.
As steady companions for the next two years, Yuko and Paul sky-dived and bungee-jumped in New Zealand, traveled up the Mekong River to romote villages by longtail boat, and soaked in an onsen in Gunma, Japan. While each of these voyages were outwardly very different in appearance, they all satisfied Yuko & Paul’s inner desire to discover new experiences in life. And after a two year whirlwind courtship, at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve, Paul popped the champagne cork and the question!
It was time to begin another delightful chapter in their lives. Paul wanted to move back to the U.S., to be closer to his family and eventually begin a family of his own. And Yuko was very excited, not just by the proposal, but also by the prospects of another new adventure. As an in-between destination for their Japanese and Midwestern guests, they chose Northern California’s Wine Country as the site for their celebration.
This wedding was to be not just a joining of individuals, but a relationship between two families that did not speak the same language. To creatively celebrate this unique union, Paul secured the services of Joyce Scardina Becker of Events of Distinction, a wedding designer with Napa knowledge and international ingenuity. Focusing on Yuko and Paul’s thirst for discovery, a telescope was chosen as a symbol of their celebration. The telescope allows one to see great distances, representing Yuko and Paul’s vision of a wonderful future together. Carefully positioned on the telescope, Yuko and Paul selected the Japanese kanji tabidachi symbol, consistent with their discovery theme – starting a new life in the United States, being welcomed into a new family and embarking on a new journey together.
Each detail of the wedding was carefully selected and orchestrated. A delicious palette of colors – blue delft, celadon green and whites – were assembled on a Thai-silk board, inviting guests to take a voyage of discovery with Yuko and Paul as their new life comes into focus. The wedding stationery ensemble was in a lovely white box with a blue belly-band of their telescope, creating a must attend response from their global guest list.
On Sunday morning, August 28, 2011, transportation was provided for all guests to the pristine St. Andrew Presbyterian Church. On the interior French doors, two large hydrangea and thistle wreaths hung with a white ribbon. Ten tall custom aisle décor stands (five on each side) supported a pillar candle in a cylinder accented with a white and blue wreaths. The altar was festooned by a breathtaking pair of 8-foot floral arrangements covered in whites: phalaenopsis, hydrangeas, denbrodiums, delphiniums with a vertical sash treatment of blue delft fabric.
As guests entered the church, the Rolling Stones classic “She’s A Rainbow” sprung from the classical instruments of the Golden Gate String Quartet. The four bridesmaids gracefully carried bouquets of green cymbidium orchids, hellebores and green parrot tulips. Yuko, escorted by her mother and father in her Asian silk lace gown, glided magically down the aisle as Paul waited adoringly. Her gorgeous hand-tie bouquet was composed of mini calla lilies and miniature white phalaenopsis orchids, with a full blue delft ribbon collar, bands of rhinestones and a small broach finishing the handle. After Yuko and Paul joyfully exchanged their vows, their flower boy came forward to present the couple with a vintage telescope – a keepsake to display in their new home as a reminder of this memorable moment in their lives.
Experiencing wedded bliss, the couple led their guests back on board the coach for the next stop in the nuptial adventure. Nestled among 27 acres of seemingly endless rows of grapevines, unspoiled farmland and scenic apple orchards, The Carneros Inn in Napa County was the ultimate discovery for Yuko and Paul’s destination wedding.
Upon arrival, guests were welcomed with a butler-passed signature drink called “The Discovery” and three butler-passed hors d’oeuvres: Dungeness Crab and Citrus Salsa on Red Endives; Asian Pears with Point Reyes Blue Cheese and Artichoke-Leek Confit on Crostini. To achieve a thematic effect, two hors d’oeuvre food stations with stellar designs made a stunning visual impact. Classic Sliders and Sassy Shortribs were positioned on a sleek navy upholstered display. The food was presented on white risers wrapped in vintage maps of the world capped with crown molding. The Proscuitto-Wrapped Pan Seared Scallop and Cantaloupe Skewers station was embellished with vintage charts, a telescope and a globe of discovery.
The cocktail tables were fun and whimsical with a “Tribal Thread Azure” linen and bright yellow monochromatic mums and calla lilies. For photo opportunities, a backdrop wall was fashioned to create a celestial setting with large blue spiral paper flowers. To determine the guests’ dining destinations, the die-cut telescope escort cards were carefully charted on a custom-designed display case. Tables were named after the couple’s favorite destinations that they had discovered together.
At the Hilltop where dinner was served al fresco, the complete color palette was unveiled, as Williamsburg Celery linens draped the tables. Eclectic place-settings included a Green Swirl Charger layered with a White Provence Dinner Plate and toped with Lime Laquer Plate. Guests feasted under a dazzling display of four floral circular chandeliers of wasabi green orchids, roses and mums as a classical guitarist entertained throughout the dinner. A sensational composite of a floral trio of blue hydrangeas, green orchids, roses and tulips were wrapped in blue and green stripe fabrics containers. …way out of this world!
Every detail of the wedding theme was carefully woven throughout the day, so as the sun set and stars appeared, guests were entertained by two large telescopes that were positioned on the patio. Others gathered joyously on the dance floor, in rhythm to the heavenly sounds of the Dick Bright Orchestra. A plethora of desserts delighted the after-dinner palate, including Chocolate Caramel Tarlets, Tiramisu Tarlets and Mini-Cupcakes. And a dramatic wedding cake was embellished with Yuko and Paul’s invitation design, making the cake cutting ceremony another highlight of the evening.
When the clock struck midnight and the reception was over, Yuko & Paul were sad to see the festivities end. But they were delighted knowing that they were able to share the start of their new voyage of discovery with their family and friends.
Photography: Kevin Chin Photography / Event Planning + Design: Joyce Scardina Becker of Events of Distinction / Cinematography: Thomas Hughes Films / Flowers: Neil Hunt of Hunt Littlefield Stone Stem & Leaf / Ceremony Location: St. Andrew Presbyterian Church / Reception Location: The Carneros Inn / Invitations: Union Street Papery and Events of Distinction / Cake Designer: Lisa Marie Kincaid of Fleur de Lisa Cakes / Hair and Make-Up: Van Pham of Vanity Pham / Furniture: Blueprint Studios / Linens: La Tavola / Rentals: Classic Party Rentals / Ceremony Music: Su Buchignani of Golden Gate Music / Dinner Music: Simply The Best Entertainment / Dance Music: Dick Bright of Dick Bright Orchestra / Men’s Fashion: Men’s Wearhouse