emily + dakota’s wedding at menlo circus club
Our couple:
Emily is one of those girls that everyone wants to be friends with. She is kind, warm hearted, calm, and stunning without makeup on. Dakota is the perfect compliment to her, charming and thoughtful. They both know how to work a room with sincerity and confidence. A merging of love from opposite sides of the country, they dated for six years before Dakota proposed with a gorgeous solitaire. Their love for good company, a no stress approach, and drinking the best champagne (it’s Taiittinger if you want to know) makes for a great love story.
The setting:
Menlo Circus Club, a chic polo club in Atherton. The ceremony was held outdoors on the Polo Field, cocktails in the courtyard, and dinner dance in the Main Clubhouse.
mood board:
color palette:
Pearl, Sand, White, Foliage Green
Final Result:
Emily was fortunate enough to be able to get ready at her childhood home which just so happened to be less than 15 minutes away from their venue. It made for a very relaxed morning where she felt comfortable and centered surrounded by her closest friends and her mom. Meanwhile Dakota was at the Park James hotel with his groomsmen and parents who flew in from the East Coast.
Once Emily had her gown on and her mom Gail came in to see her for the first time completely ready, her reaction was priceless. Emily has two younger brothers so as the only daughter this was a pinnacle moment for her mom. Emily chose a strapless Anne Barge gown with a dramatic skirt that was so stunning on her. With her hair pulled back in a chic bun and minimal accessories Emily was radiant. Opting for a monochromatic look she dressed her bridesmaids in silk white gowns. Dakota and his groomsmen were in classic tuxedos and together their wedding party looked like something out of Vogue.
Their ceremony was sentimental and sweet with a family friend as their officiant. It felt very warm on a perfect California spring day. Guests were welcomed into cocktail hour with a live jazz trio and tray passed champagne (Taittinger of course) and tray passed Hors D’oeuvres.
The reception space had a clean and fresh approach courtesey of Amanda Vidmar Design, with two types of floral centerpieces that were lush with blooming white peonies, garden roses, sweet peas, and lisanthias with subtle greenery, sand colored tapered candles, accented complete with lots of tea lights. Some finishing touches included hanging greenery over the white wood beams and a fireplace mantel floral accent piece.
The tabletop design was intended to be muted using a ivory messa linen that had a pearl like shimmer, vintage stone charger, and delicate menu placed on top. Emily and Dakota wanted one final detail to be made with intention so they hand wrote notes to each guest and topped it with a personalized matchbox.
Their dinner consisted of a plated butter lettuce salad, slow roasted Angus Short Rib, grilled Skuna Bay Salmon, and a sauteed Ricotta Gnocchi. Close family friend on Emily’s side, Aunt Lisa is a pastry chef and was so generous to design their wedding cake for them. Lisa made a Devil's Food Chocolate Cake filled with Cream Cheese Icing studded with Bittersweet Chocolate Chunks and Chocolate Ganache with a Vanilla Bean Buttercream. We’ve sampled a lot of wedding cakes through the years and this one was heaven!
The sweetest moments of the evening were Emily and Dakota’s first dance and Emily’s dance with her father. The way each Dakota and her dad had a natural ability on the dance floor and let Emily shine in her gown was just magical. Her father twirled her around endlessly and you could see how proud he was of her. It was as if Emily was gliding around like Cinderella. The live band had all their guests dancing all night until the very end!
Planning + Design: Plan to be Wowed // Getting Ready Venue: The Park James Hotel // Venue: Menlo Circus Club // Band: The Joint Chiefs // Beauty: Status Salon +Bianca Rubi // Bridal Salon: Kinsley James // Caterer: Menlo Circus Club // Floral Design: Amanda Vidmar Floral Design // Gown:Anne Barge // Photography: Robin Jolin Photography // Linens: Pleasanton Rentals // Rentals: Pleasanton Rentals // Stationary: Shine Wedding Invitations // Transportation: Sal's Airport and Limousine
