If you've been following my blog or even have read just a few entries, you'll notice that I always mention how spoiled we are in the San Francisco Bay Area for amazing wedding venues. It's just so true and always bears repeating! Today's featured wedding is no exception.

For the first time ever, one of the most beautiful gardens and estates in the silicon valley is now open for public weddings. It's called Filoli, named by the original owner, Mr. Bourne, who used the first two letters of his personal credo to create the name: FIght for a just cause. LOve your fellow man. LIve a good life. Thus, the name Filoli.

Isn't the name's origin story beautiful? Wait until you see the grounds. If you've never been to Filoli, you must check out their events calendar and have a visit.

But getting back to the actual wedding...because first there was a wedding ceremony! The team at Morgan Events was entrusted with planning and designing the wedding events for Chaai and Brian. (Great decision, of course!) The couple chose Stanford Memorial Chapel as the site for the ceremony. Brian's family has a tradition of marriages at the Memorial Church with his father getting married at the church 44 years ago, and his older brother 10 years prior. The Church is Stanford University's architectural crown jewel and sits in the middle of campus. 

Chaai and Brian kept the decor inside the church minimal, with two large floral arrangements at the altar and a red carpet leading down the aisle. The wedding party stood in a semi circle around the couple, vows were exchanged and voila, Chaai and Brian were officially married!

After the ceremony, wedding guests were invited to Filoli for a celebratory evening. Guests mingled during cocktail hour at the Pool Pavilion Lawn while artist Talia Koval painted the event. My team of photographers took Chaai and Brian all around the estate and captured some epic portraits of the newlyweds. As the sun began to set, toasts to the happy couple were made and dinner was served in the Entry Courtyard.

The tables were topped with gold candelabras and pastel colored floral arrangements created by Revel Floral. Down the center of each table was a fresh green garland dotted with soft pink and ivory roses. And finally, there was dancing! The band, Take 2, took over the Ballroom and kept the musical hits coming. All in all, a beautiful evening in a magical setting where lasting memories were made.

Ceremony Venue: Stanford Memorial Church| Reception Venue: Filoli Gardens| Design & Planning: Morgan Events| Floral Design: Revel Floral| Catering & Cake: Taste Catering| Rentals: Bright Event Rentals| Hensley Event Resources| Napa Valley Linens| Lighting: Got Light.| Entertainment: Take 2 via Hip ServiceEntertainment | Live Painting Artist: Talia Koval| Transportation: Global Transportation| Restrooms: The Water Cottage| Bride's Hair/Makeup: J Beautique| Wedding Gown: Pronoviaswith 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.