Burlingame

Extravagant Love

January 27, 2011

Pacific Weddings

Jennifer and Joshua selected Santa Clara University’s Mission Santa Clara de Asis Church to become man and wife, the place where they first met and fell in love as young undergraduates. “It was important for us to be married in such a beautifully historic church,” says the bride. As alumni of the university, the couple delighted in requesting the presence of Joshua’s professor, Father Paul A. Soukup, to preside over the ceremony. The Spanish Renaissance-style Church, its distinguished interior gilded in gold, was the perfect venue as the two exchanged vows in a Catholic service.

Jennifer was truly stunning in a Melissa Sweet gown with a loose strand of pearls around her neck and a traditional long veil. She held a luscious bouquet of pale pink and white peonies. Joshua fittingly matched his bride in a handsome tuxedo. A pretty processional of flower girls walked down the mahogany aisle as Jennifer’s Uncle Tom, a church choir coordinator, sang personalized hymns for the couple. The bridesmaids wore elegant Melissa Sweet tea-length dresses in a shade aptly called “English Rose”.

Jennifer called upon event designer Margaret Poza of l‘eventique to arrange all of the sweet details of the party. The pair adhered to a fresh palette of English rose pink, sage green, plum and silver. “I had always known I wanted to use pink at my wedding, but I wanted a more elegant shade,” recalls Jennifer. The bride’s adoration of peonies dictated the time of year she was to wed, as the whimsical blooms flourish in the springtime. Although the Great Hall needed little adornment with its expansive ceilings, oak paneling and retro black and white floor, the team at Passiflora Designs contributed splendid floral displays to the room. Strands of crystals delicately fell from tall centerpieces of peonies. Silver favor boxes each containing a monogrammed truffle were placed atop coffee- hued linens.

 

Classic elegance prevailed at the reception held in the Great Hall of the regal Kohl Mansion. Upon entering the estate, the couple was taken with the spectacular terrace, grand architecture and private English rose garden reminiscent of a provincial villa in Europe. “What attracted us to the Kohl Mansion was its elegance, classic style and historic appeal,” says Jennifer. “We wanted a truly romantic event where guests could relax and really enjoy themselves.”

A confection-laden dessert table of pink rock candies and hand- dipped pretzel sticks satisfied the celebrants' sweet tooth.

Besides, of course, “marrying the man of my dreams”, Jennifer was most excited for the wedding cake to be revealed at the end of the evening. “I worked closely with cake designer, Chef Bala of the Cake Maker, to get just the right design to complete the overall look,” she says. “Everything about our wedding turned out perfect!"