With spring just around the corner, we’ve got pretty pastels on our minds. From flowers to fashion, this is the season to highlight the softer side of colorful shades. Think minty greens, butter yellows, pale pinks and lovely lavenders. The softness of pastel colors is so feminine and flirty that we anticipate the transition to spring every year. So it’s no surprise that today’s blog entry features a truly romantic wedding with a pastel palette. Let’s get to the pretty details.
Chaai and Brian were married at Stanford Memorial Church in Palo Alto, California. Getting married here is a tradition in Brian’s family. His parents were married in the church 44 years ago as was his brother, just 10 years ago. Although Brian and Chaai now reside in Hangzhou, China, Brian was born in Palo Alto and had many affiliations to Stanford while growing up - attending summer programs and working as a research assistant at the medical school, while his father served on the medical faculty. However, it wasn’t until Brian was working in San Francisco, commuting to Palo Alto to visit his parents, that he discovered Filoli, the couple’s chosen reception venue.
Filoli is a magical estate. Full of gardens, wildflowers, walking trails and a Georgian Revival styled country house, being within the grounds takes your breath away. And just last year, Filoli decided to open its estate for private weddings. We were so thrilled to be designing just the second-ever wedding reception held on the grounds!
The evening wedding reception began with cocktail hour at the Pool Pavilion Lawn. Guests relaxed and mingled with friends while hors d’ oeuvres were passed and a fully stocked bar provided libations. Tables were dressed in pale pink linens, topped with bunches of pastel colored roses in the center. An ivy clad gate pointed the way to the Entry Courtyard where dinner would be served. Guests found their designated table with the help of our vintage key escort cards hanging on the gate. Who wouldn’t love the feeling of being invited to an enchanted garden that can only be unlocked with a secret key?
Inside the courtyard, a mix of kings tables and round tables were set with a variety of centerpieces. For the kings tables, Revel Floral set green garland dotted with soft pink and ivory roses down the center, trailing to the ground. On the round tables, gold urns full of pastel colored garden roses were placed around the centers. Tall candelabras created a focal point for each table and tea lights added a warm glow. Place settings were kept simple with gold-rimmed chargers, menus with calligraphy details, and slim glassware. The three-tiered cake was placed on a sparkling sequins pink linen and covered in fresh blooms around the base and over the top. Complete with lace detailing and a custom monogram, the cake was pastel perfection.
Special Thanks to our team:
Photography: Arrowood Photography | Design & Planning: Morgan Events | Floral Design: Revel Floral | Ceremony Venue: Stanford Memorial Church | Reception Venue: Filoli Gardens | Catering & Cake: Taste Catering | Rentals: Bright Event Rentals | Hensley Event Resources | Napa Valley Linens | Lighting: Got Light. | Calligraphy: Papineau Calligraphy | Entertainment: Take 2 via Hip Service Entertainment | Live Painting Artist: Talia Koval | Transportation: Global Transportation | Restrooms: The Water Cottage | Bride's Hair/Makeup: J Beautique | Wedding Gown: Pronovias with shoes by Miu Miu | Bride's Reception Gown: Grace Kelly | Groom's Tuxedo: Practical Tailor, Hong Kong with Tom Ford bow tie & handkerchief | Wedding Rings: Tiffany & Co.