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Captured by Helena Wong Photography
Submitted by Big Day Service
A Tale as Old as Time, Reimagined: William & Sharna’s Wedding Story
Every love story is unique, but every once in a while, you encounter a couple whose vision is so clear and enchanting that the planning process feels less like logistics and more like curating a fairytale. When William and Sharna first met with our team, they didn’t just want a wedding; they wanted to step into a story. They desired the romance, magic, and timeless elegance of Beauty and the Beast, but with a sophisticated, elevated twist that was entirely their own.
Their venue of choice was the perfect first chapter: the historic Kohl Mansion in Burlingame. With its grand Tudor-revival architecture, sweeping staircases, and leaded glass windows, the mansion was already a character in our story. It possessed the soul of the Beast’s castle—the grandeur and the history—but it was calling for Belle’s warmth, her spirit, and that iconic splash of optimism.
Our mission was clear: blend the vintage soul of the mansion with a palette of crisp cream and vibrant, joyful yellow. This wasn’t going to be a theme-park interpretation; it was an elevated homage.
The Enchanted Details
We began with the invitation suite, setting the tone for the magical experience to come. We commissioned a custom, letter-pressed invitation. While a cream silk ribbon held the details within, the true centerpiece was a single, delicate rose inside a glass dome, pressed into the design. It served as the symbol of their story, promising that the enchantment was just beginning.
The aesthetic was built on contrast. The mansion’s dark, stately wood paneling and stone architecture were softened by cascades of lush, textural florals. We worked closely with a master florist to bring the “pop of yellow” to life in a way that felt luxurious, not kitschy. There were no cartoonish roses here; instead, we used thousands of blooms in varying shades of butter, yellow, and gold—garden roses, ranunculus, and spray roses intertwined with dripping orchids and clusters of climbing vines.
A Tale of Two Chapters
The ceremony took place on the front patio, with the grandeur of the Kohl Mansion rising majestically behind the altar. The historic facade became a living backdrop—a castle in its own right—witnessing the vows. However, the true showstopper was the oversized floral arch that framed William and Sharna as they exchanged their promises.
This was no simple arch. We designed a monumental structure that anchored the ceremony space. It was a profusion of the cream and yellow palette in its most extravagant form: cascading blooms, trailing ivy, airy delphinium, and orchids spilled from the frame as if the mansion itself had bloomed in celebration. The arch was so lush that it appeared to float against the stone facade like a garden sprung from the pages of a storybook. The warm California sun filtered through the blooms, casting a golden glow over the aisle.
After the “I do’s,” guests moved into the mansion’s side room for cocktail hour. The space was transformed from a stately hall into an enchanted garden. The secret to elevating the theme lay in the warm candlelight. In a nod to Belle’s beloved library, we filled the existing bookshelves with vintage books, arranged plush velvet seating in shades of navy blue, and offered a custom cocktail menu featuring drinks like “The Enchantress” and “The Lumière.” A harpist played in the corner, performing classical renditions of Disney favorites and modern pieces.
The Happily Ever After
The reception was a celebration of their union and shared sensibility. Instead of a traditional guest book, guests left voice messages on a vintage audio guestbook. The cake was a masterpiece of understated elegance: a two-tiered confection with a smooth buttercream finish and delicate, hand-piped filigree that mimicked the mansion’s ironwork.
William and Sharna didn’t want a beast; they wanted a prince. They didn’t want a curse; they wanted enchantment. By grounding the whimsy of Beauty and the Beast in the authentic vintage soul of the Kohl Mansion, we created a wedding that wasn’t just a theme—it was a feeling. It was timeless, romantic, and truly a tale as old as time, made entirely their own.
Makeup Artist: Leece Stylz//Caterer: Les Kitchen//Floral Designer: Flower Plus For You//Event Venue: AM Party Rentals Inc//Design and Decor: Standard Event Rentals//Accomodations: Kohl Mansion//Musicians: Kristastraderharpist//Event Planner: Big Day Service//Photographer: Helena Wong Photography//
